have an extensive ground adjoining. I am of opinion that within a twelvemonth the building of the church will be completed, and then, according to all appearances, the progress of religion will acquire fresh vigour. It would have been much more rapid, undoubtedly, had Mr. Cheverai been able to reside constantly among them; but he cannot possibly continue there more than four or five months in the course of the year; being wanted at Boston the rest of the time. He is so generally beloved and esteemed, that none of the congregations would consent to cede him to another for the whole time; and there is no idea of replacing him by another ecclesiastic. Besides, he experiences such enjoyments amidst each of them, that he himself could not easily determine to leave either, unless it appeared to be the will of God, through the commands of his superiors. Nor does he mind the fatigues to which those two congregations successively subject him. If I am not prevented, I intend accompanying him to the place of his next mis

sion.

The third is at Passamaquoddi, on the frontiers of the United States and Nova-Scotia. This is intended for the Indians of that tribe, who are about two hundred in number, and for some catholic families in the neighbourhood. That tribe had been formerly converted by the Jesuits. Ever since the dissolution of that society, they had only seen missionaries at intervals; and had repeatedly been several years, without a visit from any clergyman whatever. Notwithstanding this disadvantageous condition, they continued attached to their religion; the duties of which they attended, when their private business allowed them. No sooner were they informed of ecclesiastics being at Boston, than they sent a deputation to them with a particular invitation. Mr. Cheverai went repeatedly, and spent several months with them. Great was his admiration of their ardent faith and piety, and the impressive zeal with which most of them discharged their religious duty; till at last sensible how desirable it was that an ecclesiastic should settle among them, he invited thither his friend Mr. Romagné from London: who has ever since lived with those Indians, he has learnt their language, and is as happy as ever. An annual sum of nearly 900 francs has been obtained from the legislature of Massachusets for his maintainance: 1500 francs have been likewise obtained for the building of a wooden church, which is just finished, and of a farm-house as a parsonage. In short, the protestant legislature has done what could hardly have been expected from a legislature of catholics, to provide for a missionary, and secure to the Indians the means of attending their religious worship.

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It is expected that this church will contribute to prevent the Indians from wandering to different parts of the country, that they will take a liking to the place, and become civilized. The Abbé Romagné intends to try to teach the women spinning, weav ing, &c. &c. and to persuade the men cultivate the lands. Several have already made inclosures, and begun to sow maize. They generally spend part of the year in hunting and fishing; and this wandering life is to many of them an opportunity of committing serious offences. It is much to be lamented that they live so near the Americans, whose intercourse introduces disorderly propensities among the Indians, and chiefly drunkenness, to which all the evil they commit may be attributed the former missionaries had exerted their utmost endeavours in cautioning them against that bad habit, and had succeeded so far as to make them hold it in such abhorrence, that a great many of those Indians have, for a number of years, resisted their natural immoderate passion for spirits, and have not even tasted a drop. Mr. Romagné is convinced that if he could keep them in the woods, far from the commerce of the whites, he should have the satisfaction of sceing them nearly as sober and temperate as they were formerly; but there is no possibility of removing them from their present habitations. Mr. Ramagné is settled at Passamaquoddi, but every year he visits the Indians of Penobscott, who live in an island of the river of the same name, at 200 miles distance from his own residence. Penobscott was formerly a very considerable tribe; and religion was there as flourishing as at Passamaquoddi; but, living among the whites, these Indians follow their vicious practices, and are more corrupt in their morals than the other tribe. However, since they have a missionary constantly with them, they begin to amend ; and Mr. Romagné sent word a few days ago, on his return from a visit to them, that he had great reason to be more satisfied with their conduct, and had even admitted upwards of eighty of them to the sacrament. has introduced vaccination among these Indians, and has innoculated above 150 last summer with success.

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custom of singing the primes, either at home or in public. Mr. Cheverai was very much surprised when he heard them singing all their pravers, and a great number of pious songs in the Indian language,in the same style as in the European churches, and with a precision scarcely to be found among the most expert choristers. The music of one of the most beautiful hymns that is sung in Boston, was introduced by these Indians, from whom Mr. Cheveraí learned it.

The religious principles which are still discovered in these Indians, notwithstanding they have been left entirely to themselves for so long a continuance, must excite admiration at the spiritual labours of the Jesuits who first instructed them. Had not that society been suppressed, the missionaries of Maryland would have proceeded to every point of that continent; and if it were to be re-established and so situated as to send over missionaries of the same disposition as the former, there is no doubt but the Catholic religion would be soon propagated in that country. The unconcernedness which is the result of the different sectaries being at variance, tends to annihilate the protestant persuasion in those climes; and indeed it has lost its original vigour; the body subsists, but that zeal which animated it has vanished. The protestants of every denomination being brought to this extremity are nearly become deists. But if a number of men of abilities, of exemplary life, and of apostolical devotion, were sent among them, they would prevent their fall into the abyss of infidelity, and found them on the rock of true religion. There are several missionaries of that description in the country, but their number is very small in comparison to what is requisite and indeed this number can only be supplied by a society; for it is not in the power of private secular individuals alone to surmount every obstacle. For want of missionaries, the people disgusted with protestantism, sink lower and lower every day into irreligion, the progress of which is exextremely rapid, with that likewise of democracy, her faithful companion; the union of those forms a jacobinism which threatens the social order of the country.

Since I have had the honour of writing to you for the first time, this jacobinism has infected the inferior classes, and the return to better principles of those who were able to reflect, and well disposed, has been unable to stem the torrent. What I then mentioned still exists, and even with greater force, although I can perceive that circumstances are more favourable to the Catholic religion. The missions c: which I have just spoken were not so well known by me: they did not extend so far as they do now; besides, that part of the country where I lived, and with which

I was the best acquainted, was the most violent against the catholics.

I have it not in my power to enter into any particulars relative to the states of the South and West: all that I know is the Catholic religion gains ground there and that its progress exceeds in proportion that of the sects, yet not in that degree as might be wished. If the Abbé Gallitzin goes to Munster, he will be better qualified than myself to describe the real state of religion in those parts: he is an inhabitant of the West, where he lives like an apostle, and the almighty has crowned his labours with success, as I have been informed by the bishop of Baltimore.

Some nuns have tried to form a religious establishment in different parts, but they have had great difficulties to encounter, and were forced to seek for a more peaceable retreat: they went towards the South, but I have not heard of them this long time.

I have no doubt, Sir, but you know of the arrival of the monks of La Trappe, in this country last year. They had first thought of settling in Pensylvania; but, I believe, that not being successful in accommodating themselves, they are going to try whether they can settle in Kentucky; I hope they may continue in that country; that celestial blessings will pour around them, and that their pious example will contribute to public edification and to the propagation of faith.

The institution of a college at Baltimore by the Abbé Dubourg, it appears to us will lead to farther success.-This ecclesiastic, of eminent talents, chiefly distinguished for his education of youth, who was at the head of a very interesting establishment in Paris, had instituted, some years back, a college at Ea!timore for the reception of Spanish and French catholics; but the Spanish government having prohibited youth from being sent to the United States, to be educated, that college was given up. It is no more than eight months since Mr. Dubourg has opened another, on a more extensive scale, and into which, accordingly, the children of the protestants are admitted. The success of his first college was soon known by the public, and served to recommend the new establishment. The number of the young candidates was so considerable, that he built another wing to his house, which was immediately filled up; so that now he is going to erect a third building; and it is said, that if he had room sufficient for three hundred pupils, he could have them instantly. His colleagues are ecclesiastics formerly belonging to the seminary of St. Sulpice, in Paris, of which he himself was a member.

All who know the establishment confess that there is nothing in America to be com pared to it. The reputation which it daily

acquires among the protestants, is something extraordinary. It is only a few days since, that a gentieman from Baltimore, at a grand public dinner, which took place at Boston, declared, in the presence of above two hundred people, that one of the most fortunate events for the country, was the institution of that college, and that the United States ought to be proud of the establishment. The observation was unanimously approved of; Mr. Cheverai was present and heard the satisfactory report.

Notwithstanding youths of every persuasion be admitted, the catholic religion alone is exercised in the college; the pupils are allowed to go on Sundays to their respective meetings, but on every other day they hear prayers read with the catholics.

year,

The Bishop of Baltimore told us last that he had applied to Rome, in order that his immense diocese, which includes the whole United States, should be divided. I have just been told that he has received necessary authority for that purpose; that his sec of Baltimore is erected into an Archbishoprick; that he is at liberty to appoint as many bishops as he pleases; has the nomination of them, and may determine their residence. By this means the catholic church in America will acquire an importance, which, on the whole, must prove of great advantage, and give satisfaction to the catholics, and inspire them with greater confidence. I know that Mr. Malignon is designed as one of the new bishops, but I question whether he will be prevailed upon to accept of that dignity: besides other qualities which distinguish apostolical characters, he is equally afraid, with them, of being entrusted withi episcopal responsibility.

I sent you comparative returns, with the aid of which you night form an idea of the amazing improvement of the population, industry, commerce, and wealth, of the country. I have mislaid the notes I had occasionally taken down to furnish you with particular details on that subject, which prevents my acquainting you with them at present. The prosperity of this country is beyond conception; and were it not coupled with the sad and melancholy symptoms, which the political and anti-religious principles exhibit, the spectacle would be no less delightful than it is astonishing. We see continually pouring upon us a great number of emigrants from Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Germany, and for some years past from Switzerland. Some Irish excepted, very few settle in the Northern States. Those of New York, Pensylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, are the refuse of most of those emigrants: the Germans generally resort to Pensylvania, and a small number to the State of New York. A great part of Pensylvania is inhabited by Ger

mans only. There they retain their own language and manners, and are the inost industrious; but most of them, and indeed nearly all the other emigrants, espouse the democratic party. The spirit of that party has sometimes produced among the Germans an influence injurious to religion, by fomenting dreadful schisms over extensive and populous parishes.

I recollect that you enquired into the physical constitution of the Americans. In the north they are strong, vigorous, tall, inured to fatigue, and notwithstanding their clumsy awkward appearance, they are very active, and amazingly dextrous when employed in ordinary labours. In the parts where a number of emigrants are settled in a body, the men of European extraction are easily known: but, where they are not so numerous, they intermix, and are no longer to be distinguished.

As I have never visited south of New York, I have not been able to make observations applicable to the physical disposition of the inhabitants of the States, but I know that their energy decreases in proportion_to' the latitude, and in consequence of the European nations from which the inhabitants originally sprang.

You had also enquired about the horses. They are very numerous in this country, there is hardly a family but keeps at least one, and all people in good circumstances drive their gig. When they have more than one mile to go, they do not know what it is to walk. The horses of the country, that is, the breed from those that were formerly imported, are strong, indefatigable, and require but little care. They are pretty quick, for a very ordinary horse will draw a gig at the rate of 5 or 6 miles an hour, and 30 or 40 a day for several days together; whereas the good horses will travel at the rate of 8 or 9 miles an hour: these, by the bye, are never used for agricultural pursuits, nor for the drawing of heavy loads: they use oxen in New England upon those occasions. In Pensylvania and Virginia they have horses of the Flemish breed which are very large and powerful. Of late years they have imported from Europe, and especially from England, some very fine stallions, so that the number of elegant horses, nay, of race-horses, daily increases. The Americans grow more and more fond of copying the English; but more particularly so in the states of New York and in the south, than in New England, where the races far from being in vogue are prohibited in some parts.

Those fine horses are very dear, and require a great deal of care. The horses that are reared in this country, as also all other auimals, such as bulls, oxen, cows, dogs, &c, &c. are wonderfully tame and tractable.

This particular character surprises all Euro- J peans upon their arrival. Little children or women take care of and manage them, without accidents. I am inclined to think this proceeds from the climate, and the gentle manner in which they are treated.

The memoirs that I had written, relative to the Indians, and which had served me as matter for my preceding letters which have been lost, I have likewise mislaid; neither do I recollect their contents. All that I can observe is, that in general either death or migration has thinned their number. They retire in proportion as the whites advance, and are now nearly all gone as far as the frontiers; there only remains a large tribe in the interior of the western lands. Inimoderate drinking, distress, and the mixture of the vices of the whites with those of the Indians, hasten the dissolution and ruin of the other tribes that are surrounded by the whites. Those who are seen wandering over the States on the borders of the Atlantic retain nothing of the Indian, except features and complexion, but in every other respect they resemble the most corrupt and degraded among the whites; they are true objects of compassion. Part of the remainder of the Six Nations is gone to upper Canada; the rest live in the northern parts of the State of New York; such as are catholics widely differ from their ancestors, and no longer inspire the same interest. I have always wished to see some of those populous tribes, and if I am destined to reside some years longer in America, I intend visiting those which are in the vicinity of Niagara, that I may view at the same time that great curiosity of the new world."

Fas est et ab hoste doceri!

That the complaints of the writer of the foregoing letter in respect to the dreadful effects of strong liquors among the Indians, are but too well founded, we are extremely grieved to be forced to admit. A more faithful and affecting picture of consequent distresses, cannot perhaps be delineated, than that presented by an Indian speaker, at a late conference with some Protestant Missionaries. The simple pathos of nature, speaks more powerfully to the heart, than the most laboured composition of the orator: and the plain good sense expressed in nervous terms which distinguish the style of our "red brethren" has often been the subject of our admiration, and is entitled to our unequivocal applause.

"Brothers and Friends,-Since the introduction among us of what you call spirituous liquors, and what we think may be justly called poison, our numbers are greatly diminished. It has destroyed a great part of your red brethren.

VOL. I. [Lit. Pan. Nov. 1806.]

"This liquor which they introduce into our country, is more to be feared than the gun and the tomahawk.

"Brothers,-When our young men have been out hunting, and are returned home loaded with skins and furs; on their way, if whiskey is deposited, the white man who it happens that they come where some of this

sells it, tells them to take a little drink. Some of them will say, No, I do not want it.'They go on till they come to another house, where they find more of the same drink. It is there offered again; they refuse; and again, the third time; but, finally, the fourth or fifth time, one accepts of it, and takes a drink; and getting one, he wants another; and then a third and fourth, till his senses have left him After his reason comes back again to him, when he gets up and finds where he is, he asks for his peltry; the answer is, You have drank them." Where is my gun?" It is gone." Where is my blanket?" It is gone. Where is my shirt "You have sold it for whiskey! Now, brothers, figure to yourselves what condition this man must be in. He has a family at home; a wife and children, who stand in need of the profits of his hunting. What must be their wants when he himself is even without a shirt!"

PROPOSITA LITERARIA.

CORRECTION OF THE ENGLISH VERSION OF JOHN XIX. 5.-PROPOSED BY W. G. As I conceive it to be an almost universal opinion with regard to translations of Scripture, that where the sense is compleat without additions or curtailments, the original. should be retained, I beg leave to ask, why the word Pilate has been introduced in the following text,-John xix. 5. "Then came Jesus forth wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe, And (Pilate) saith unto them, behold the man." The original, literally translated, is and saith to them.-I do think that reading it thus is preferable to the mode adopted. When we consider that Christ came to be a willing sacrifice for sin, and that He, without exception, evidenced such willingness-nay, took great pains to convince his followers that he laid down his life spontaneously; and that no man took it from him ;-If, therefore, he shewed such willingness to suffer death, why should he be robbed in this instance of the merit which is so conspicuous in a voluntary exhibition of himself, in his humiliation I see more beauty than I can express, in putting the words "Behold the man" into the mouth of the Redeemer : at least there can be no absurdity in it, as t stands in the original, why therefore change it? In submitting this remark, I aim not at criticism, but wish for information on the subject of this addition to the original.

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CORRECTION OF A PASSAGE IN TACITUS.

PROPOSED BY F. D. K.

The present situation of Europe has given an additional value to the immortal works of · Tacitus. Even the thoughtless Frenchman finds a gloomy consolation, in the faithful picture of the military despotism, under which he groans; and secure in his closet mocks the tyrant in his historical likeness.

In the several editions and translations of this author we meet with few or no emendations; although in my humble opinion the mutilated state of the MSS. admits of many. One I cannot resist submitting to you, on account of its extreme simplicity, and the won derful improvement it produces in the sense. It is in the Annals, lib. iv. cap. 53. The usual reading is, "At Agrippina pervicax iræ, et morbo corporis implicata, cum viseret eâm Cæsar, profusis diu ac per silentium lacrimis, mox invidiam et preces orditur. Subveniret solitundii, daret aritum, habilem adhuc juventam sibi, neque aliud probis quam ex matrimonio solatium: esse in civitate Germanici conjugem ac liberos ejus recipere dignaretur." Such is the reading of Beroald, and of the ancient MSS.; that of Florence has dignarentur. This passage has strangely puzzled all commentators: most of them have attempted to make some sense of it, by adding or changing some words. sius alone fairly gives it up.

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With some assistance the Florentine MS. "That a virtuis usually thus translated: ous woman could have no comfort but in matrimony; that many would be found in the city who would deign to receive in their house the wife and the children of Germanicus." The learned Brothier, the last commentator on Tacitus, had adopted that meaning, boldly

adding the word qui. Gevartius protested, and with great reason, against this tame sentence, as unworthy the proud heart of Agrippina, and her exalted situation; nor do I think that it coincides with the invidiam et preces, which Tacitus announces in the speech of Agrippina.

- I have ventured to think, that by the simple transposition of a colon, the sentence would be perfectly clear, and truly Cornelian. I propose to read thus: Neque aliud probis quam ex matrimonio solatium esse: in civitate "Germanici conjugem ac liberos ejus recipere dignaretur.-Importing," that a virtuous woman could have no comfort but in matrinony: that he would deign to allow the wife and the children of Germanicus to enjoy the common rights of all citizens." (On those rights vide Lex Poppaa.) This sense appears to me to coincide perfectly with the invidiam el preces orditur. The expression recipere in civitate is frequently used in the sense I have given it and the recipere dignaretur is en

CORRECTIONS IN SHAKESPEARE'S TEXT,
PROPOSED BY T. C.

The introductory lines to the Cymbeline of our immortal poet Shakespeare, have been a subJect of consideration and perplexity among his editors; none of whom has hitherto reduced it to common sense and expression. Dr. Johnson has a laboured note on this passage, in which he has done his utmost to elicit a meaning. Messrs. Steevens, Tyrwhit, &c. contributed their assistance also, but with what success may safely be left to the reader's decision. I think that two words have caused all this confusion by an accidental change of place with each other, The passage usually is printed thus:

You do not meet a man, but frowns; our bloods No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers, Still seem as does the King's.

It is agreed on all hands, that the lines are mutilated; to restore them is the difficulty. propose to read them thus ;

I

You do not meet a man but frowns; our courtiers

(Who) no more obey the heavens than our bloods,

Still seem as does the King.

The speaker means to say that "the king be ing touched at very heart" the courtiers "wear their faces to the bent of the king's looks," as he appears sad through vexation, do they through imitation; and although they will not conform to the directions of heaven, yet they are induced by policy to conform to the king's looks, though glad at heart of the thing they scowl at." That the phrase blood or bloods, means the disobedient principle in man, needs no proof; so one says

،،

Marriage binds, and blood breaks "-the marriage bond. So we read of the hot condition of blood; and when Shylock laments his daughter Jessica's elopement, he speaks of his "flesh and blood rebelling," which is equivocally retorted on him, "out upon thee, old carrion! rebels it at these years?”

Another correction of the same writer occurs to me as requisite in the Merry Wives of Windsor, where Slender is describing his circumstances to Ann Page, I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead, but what though; yet I live like a poor gentleman born." Now, I cannot think that however the poet may design to represent Slender as simple-witted, he would make him talk nonsense, and break the rules of grammar. I would therefore read, "but what, though I live poor, yet (Lam) a gentleman born.”— The idea of descent by birth, as a commen