It is well known that since the commence- spirits who are "made meet for the kin ment of the present century, a subject has dom of heaven," I yet flatter myself the interested the he thoughts, thoughts, and called forth I am so much of a christian, as fully to en the efforts of philanthropists and christians, brace the sentiment advanced somewher which cannot be too highly valued, or too by an unfortunate bard-I cannot give th energetically prosecuted. I mean the pro- literal words, but the sentiment runs thus ject of conveying the blessings of Christi- That in the Providence of God, could mo anity to the millions of our fellow men, in-tals see, as He sees, none would wish h habiting distant continents, and the numer- dealings different. Notwithstanding th ous islands of the sea-a project that can- confession of my creed, I must acknowled not fail of securing the happiest consequen- that my faith staggers sometimes, and I in ces to the mariner, and of being productive voluntarily marvel at some of the deepl of the greatest good in a commercial view, inscrutable ways of God with man. I

to say nothing of the blessings thereby conferred upon the natives, notwithstanding the vituperations of some whose honor alone should deter them from slanderng the characters of such as have foregone the pleasures and comforts of a land of

light

and privilege, to execute the task of raising men from ignorance and degradation to the enjoyment and immunities of civilized life.

In the prosecution of so laudable an object, a short time before our arrival at the island a vessel had landed a Missionary family, consisting of three or four ladies and gentlemen, who had taken up their residence at the principal settement. I was soon brought into acquaintance with these devoted servants of the cross; and had there been no other community of feeling than that which arises from meeting a countryman in a foreign land, this would have been sufficient to produce an, intimate intercourse. But the discovery that we were natives of the same state, and of proximate towns, soon made us feel that in that desolate and benighted region, we were all the world to each other.

deed, giant-like must be the faith of hin who would waver not, were he made spectator of such scenes as many which have been unwillingly called to beholdscenes in which the young and beautifu innocent and useful, have suddenly bee hurried from the theatre of life; while th withered drones and corrupting pests human society have been left to riot in in quity, and pollute the moral atmospher that surrounds them. But to my tale.

If, as the Bible says, -a book, which wish I knew more about "the god of thi world hath blinded their understanding" think these are the words, true it is, the death seems most enviously and zealous) to guard the regions occupied by r tudes of our unfortunate fellow-m that when the expectations e, like world are rifest, just then th momentary away the means golden hope voted serva chat while maintaining individfollowing the is also addressing the public, has been pon minds with which he may all the fait come in contact; that he is also, that of or against his profession,

pure water, instantly sediment or soil." He is

sus

Ultimately, our ship tarried a number of souls, whichter, for the time being, he days, which afforded me many opportuni- their fello's giving his suffrage, as a memties of enjoying the company and conversa-pancy é community, either for virtue orn tion of those who had become to me as my pestif own parents household. So happily passed he-Greenleaf.

the time in our friendly communings, that

down upon my deeply shaded and chequer ed existence. But too true it is, that su and shade make up the picture of huma,,

A COMMON CHARACTER.

had it not been for one circumstance which transpired, and which even now throws a deep dark cloud over the memory of that "THERE are certain ladies (says Hannah day, I should esteem it as one of the sunny More) who, from being faithful or fruga beams that heaven has been pleased to shed are reckoned excellent wives, and who indeed make a man every thing but happy They acquit themselves, perhaps in the great points of duty, but in so ungracious a way as clearly proves they do not fine their pleasure in it. Lest in account o merit they should run too high, they allow themselves to be unpleasant in proportion as they are useful, not considering that i

life, and as seldom as appears a summe sky without a summer's cloud, so seldo is man permitted to pluck the rose of light, untouched by the thorn of sorrov art, I am not an infidel-heaven forbid! his if I claim not citizenship with those in the

I never shall forget the events of one night she was wedded, and to the unfortunate of which I spent with this family. No-I mankind.

As the night began to wane, the distress of this devoted one became more intense. In vain resort was had to opiates, and to other alleviating remedies. I feared lest nature should sink beneath the heavy hand that bore her down; but I dared not believe my fears; and hope whispered that sleep would soon ensue and remove the wild delirium that had usurped the throne of reason. violent paroxysms. Quick as thought, nature became forgetful of its weakness, and in despite of our efforts and persuasions,

and dreary mile since then, and felt enough of earth's woes to obliterate many a scene of former time, but this remains in all its freshness in my memory. I have spoken of the entrance of disease into this devoted circle. One after another had been prostrated beneath its power, until, when I entered the family abode that evening, I found all but one confined by a burning fever. It I approached the bed during one of her most

was a house of suffering; but the events of that night added poignaney to the suffering, which none are permitted to know save those who were doomed to feel the stroke. she rose and sat in her bed. Her eyes gla

In one room lay a husband and wife, and the like in an adjoining room. In the first named, I was seated, and here an opportunity was afforded me to look upon the scene shoulders-she seized my hand with a most

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and sobs broke in upon the awful silence of last glimpse of the idol of his heart, now to this hour. be removed from his sight forever. I had There was the light tread-the half utter- dreaded this moment, fearing that it would

ed, half repressed voice, and the noiseless hurrying to and fro of the nurse and domestics during the remainder of that night, in performing the necessary preparations for the obsequies of the following day. Involuntarily, we move solemnly and silently along the chamber of death, as though we feared lest we should disturb the dreamless slumbers of those whom we know can awake not until the loud trumpet voice of Heaven's arch-angel shall rend the tombs of earth's millions. Thus nature in her fallen, lowest state, claims a respect which we deny to all earthly aggrandizement. It is well that it is so. There is an awful sacredness in the chamber of death. We breathe the atmosphere of an eternal, invisible world; and a thought that the disembodied spirit may not be far off, and it may be a spectator of our doings, renders us peculiarly solemn.

All the next day, that dwelling wore an air of loneliness. The untutored savage read the unusual appearance, and stopped and gazed at the abode. Towards the setting sun, there was a gathering of a handful of friends; there were but a few of us -for our ship's crew did not number a dozen hands. Then came the reading of that sublime chapter of Holy Writ, the 15th of 1st Corinthians; a hymn was sung, and we all kneeled down, while a fervent, heartmoving was offered. There were

ng prayer

tears and sighs accompanying that prayer -for a seaman has a heart that feels for others woes, though he may seem regardless of his own, or carelessly sport in time of danger. Preparations were now made for proceeding to the place selected as a deposite for the precious remains of this now sainted one. A rough bier had been constructed, and the corpse being placed upon it, four of our number received the burden upon their shoulders, while the remainder arranged themselves to follow after. The little procession then slowly moved away. Relatives, there were none to attend the departed to her last resting place on earth. The wretched husband was prostrated upon his bed-his pallid cheek faintly tinged with a crimson occasioned by the deep agitation of his bosom, and his pale lip quivering under the effort to repress his sighs and grief. As we passed out of the small gate of the inclosure, I involuntarily cast my eyes towards the window, when I discovered the husband turn his tearful vision to gain a

be too much for his exhausted frame to support. But he dashed the glistening tear-drop from his cheek, and fell back upon his pillow, exclaiming, half in resignation and half in despair-" The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away." "The will of the Lord be done."

Slowly and solemnly we moved on to the grave. It was made in a delightfully romantic situation. Numerous wild flowers were blossoming and intermingling with odorous evergreens. There the palm-tree lifted up its head to the sun; the vine twined its way to the top of the towering oak, and then hung drooping from its boughs. Different birds had chosen this retreat for their abode, and were now twittering and hopping from branch to branch. When we came to the open grave, a deep and solemn voice commenced repeating a portion of that most touching burial service :-" I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down like a flower: he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write; From henceforth, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors." Just as the sun threw its last rays upon the shady hill-tops, and the mellow tinge of twilight came over the western sky, we lowered the coffin into its narrow house. The clods fell heavily upon it; and when we had filled up the grave, and commenced retracing our sad steps, a voice seemed to follow us, repeating-" Man goeth to his long home: and the mourners go about the streets." Then we felt that the silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl broken; that the dust should return to the earth as it was; and the spirit unto God, who gave it. That night there were many tears and sighs in that desolate abode.

Months elapsed, and I was again at Istrayed to the grave yard, and sought the

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resting place the departed one. It was drical "metal tubbing" or casing, fitted as I had left it, save that the wild flowers and the green grass had come and spread over the mound, and the butterfly and the hummingbird were drinking from their blossoms. The husband had been there, and the initials of her name had been cut upon a shrub that grew at the head of the grave. Others too, had been laid there; for of those who forsook father and mother on the same errand of mercy, two now reposed by her side. They had passed away; and were not-for God took them. The foot of the savage trod carelessly by; and the howl of the wild beast was heard at their graves; but the sleepers heeded them not, for their spirits were with God.

A barometer at the top of the shaft (87 feet, however, be forgotten, that causes may be

above high water mark) stood at 30,518, its attached thermometer (Fahrenheit) being 53. On being carried down to the new workings (1,584 feet below the top) it stood at 32,280, and in all probability higher than

assigned for an increase of temperature in this and other coal mines, independently of the presumed subterranean heat. Those who are familiar with coal mines must have frequently witnessed the effects of the enor

ta, and a weight of 25 or 30,000 tons which had lately reposed upon the coal hitherto occupying the drift above described, had suddenly been transferred to the coal situ

ever before seen by human eye! the attach-mous pressure of the superincumbent stra

ed thermometer being 58. Four workings or drifts had been commenced in the coal, the longest of them being that " to the dip" twenty-two yards in length, and nearly two in breadth-to the end of which the cur-ate on the sides of this drift. Hence those

constant indications of tremendous pressure, the cracking of the sides and roof, and "heaving of the floor," and the crumbling of their materials, furnishing admission of air and water to innumerable fragments of shale, coal, and pyrites; circumstances which are abundantly calculated to occasion an increase of temperature, both by mechanical compression and chemical decomposition, although wholly inadequate, as we conceive, to the generation of the temperature recorded on Saturday last; and the presence and lights of the pitmen were obviously inoperative in p producing the effects remarked. Other experiments, however, in the prosecution of these inquiries, are, with the obliging permission of the owners, contemplated at Monkwearmouth Colliery, and amongst the minor advantages arising from their magnificent undertaking, will doubtless be the solution of any remaining doubts of the existence of considerable subterranean heat at accessible depths beneath the surface of the earth.

rent of fresh air for ventilating the mine was diverted (and from which the pitmen employed in the excavation had just departed) was selected for the following thermometric observations. Temperature of the current of air near the entrance of the drift 62 (Fahrenheit;) near the end of the drift, 63; close to the face or extremity of the drift, and beyond the current of air, 68. A piece of coal was hewn from the face; and two thermometers placed in the spot just before occupied by the coal (their bulbs being instantly covered with coal dust) rose to 71. A small pool of water was standing at the end of the drift. Temperature of this water at eleven o'clock, 70; three hours later, 694. A register thermometer was buried 18 inches deep below the floor, and about ten yards from the entrance of the drift; forty minutes afterwards its maximum temperature was 67. Another register thermometer was similarly buried near the end of the drift, and after a similar period indicated a maximum temperature of 70. It was then placed in a deeper hole and covered with small coal: -some water oozed out of the side of this hole to the depth of six or eight inches above the thermometer, which, upon being examined after Extract from a Sermon on War, delivered at Boston,

a sufficient interval of time, indicated a temperature of 714. A stream of gas bubbles (igniting with the flame of a candle) issued through the water collected in this

NATIONAL HONOR.

January 25th, 1835,

BY THE REV. WILLIAM E. CHANNING.

hole; the bulbs of two very sensible ther-generally inclined to peace, but who still

mometers were immersed under water in this stream of gas, and indicated a temperature constantly varying between 71,5 and 72,6. A thermometer was lowered to the bottom of a hole drilled to the depth of 2 feet into the floor of another of the workings, and the atmospheric air excluded from it by a tight stopping of clay; this thermometer being raised after a lapse of 48 hours, stood at 71,2. The above observations will accord with the prevailing (and certainly well-grounded) opinion, that the temperature of the earth increases with the depth from the surface. It must not,

THERE are many persons, who have little admiration of warlike achievements and are imagin magine that the honor of a nation consists peculiarly in quickness to feel and repel injury, and who consequently, when their country has been wronged, are too prone to rush into war. Perhaps its interests have been slightly touched. Perhaps its wellbeing imperiously demands continued peace. Still its honor is said to call for reparation, and no sacrifice is thought too costly to satisfy the claim. That national honor should be dear and guarded with jealous care, no man will deny; but in proportion as we exalt it, we should be anxious to know precisely what it means, lest we set up for our