Though this work is handsomely printed, we regret to state that we have observed many typographical errors. In a very few instances also, the learned author's usual precision of expression does not appear. For example: p. 17, good is used to denote the exercise of sovereign favour; but at first sight it seems to denote the exercise of righteousness; and thus a revolting and even blasphemous sentiment is made to appear, which the excellent writer would be the first to abhor. For a similar reason, we are sorry that the epithet arbitrary is frequently employed to denote only the quality of being dépendent on no merit of the creature; whereas the obnoxious sense of that word, as denoting capricious and unreasonable in determinations, is, we apprehend, in the most current use. It is true that in this, Dr. W. has the example of President Edwards in his favour; but that great man was not a model of style. This use of the word may be seized by opponents as implying a serious concession. In the very

important and valuable section on Wrong Notions respecting the primary sources of virtue and vice, it would have been useful to explain the Scriptural but metaphorical term Heart, used to denote that in man, which is more intimate and radical than the will, and is the source of moral action. Whether

any single term, not figurative, could have been found as a substitute; or whether it would be necessary to resort to definition or description,--still a term on the correct conception of which so much depends, should not have been left in the envelope of metaphor.

LITERARY NOTICES.

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ROME.

ON the morning of April 22, about three o'clock, a shock of an earthquake, the strongest of any felt in this country for a considerable length of time, was experi enced here; it lasted about 25 seconds, and was accompanied with a noise resembling that of thunder. The movement was in the direction of nearly from north to south. The heavens were serene, the sca calm, and the temperature moderate. The atmosphere was afterwards charged with black clouds. Almost all the buildings suffered, more or less. A woman died of fright; and a country house fell, and buried in its ruins two children and their father.

Fatal Earthquake in the City of Caraccas, in South America. From the St. Thomas's Gazette, April 9.

"THE 26th of March has been a day of woe and horror to the province of Venzuela. At four in the afternoon the city of Caraccas stood in all its splendour: a few minutes later, 4500 houses, 19 churches, and convents, together with all the other public buildings, &c. were crushed to atoms by a sudden shock of an earthquake, which did not last a minute; and buried thousands of the devoted inhabitants in ruins and desolation.

That day happened to be Maundy Thursday; and at the hour when every place of worship was crowded to commemorate the commencement of our Saviour's passion by public procession, which was to proceed through the streets a few minutes afterwards. The number of hapless sufferers was thus augmented to an incredible amount, as every church was levelled with the ground before any person could be aware of danger. The number of sufferers taken out of one of the churches (two days after this disaster) amounted alone to upwards of 300 corpses. An idea of the extent of the number of dead is differently stated, from 4000 to 8000. Horrible

the mountains detached themselves from the summits, and hurled down into the vallies. Deep clefts and separations of the immense bed of rocks still threaten future disasters to the hapless survivors, who are now occupied in burying and burning the dead, and in relieving the numerous wounded and cripples perishing for want of surgical aid, shelter, and other comforts.'

Another account states, that it was on the anniversary of their declaration of independence; and that

General Miranda was out of town at the time of this awful event.

The Lord reigneth: let the people

tremble!'

Extract of a Letter from Captain Cuthbert, of the ship Highlander, dated La Guayra, April 1, 1812.

Since my arrival here, one of the greatest calamities has occurred at this place that ever happened in any country. On the 26th ult. whilst on board, I heard a most dreadful report of an earthquake: it lasted, as nearly as my recollection will serve, about two minutes. I soon learnt that the town of La Guayra was laid in ruins, and that numbers of the inhabitants were killed and buried in them. The city of Caraccas, I understand, has experienced a still worse fate, and has been totally abandoned by the unfortunate inhabitants. The rocks and mountains were rent asunder: and it is impossible for pen to de scribe the devastation occasioned by this horrible explosion. The cargo which I was to have taken on board has shared the fate of nearly all the goods in the city, and has been swallowed up in the general ruin. When the shock was first felt on board, every person was im pressed with the feeling that the

ship was beating to pieces on the rocks. On my going on shore, the most awful and afflicting scene presented itself: hundreds of suffering inhabitants were scen mixed with heaps of ruins, and many of them yet alive, with their heads out, imploring assistance from their fellow-citizens, who, instead of affording them aid, were throwing themselves prostrate before images, beating their breasts, and imploring for themselves the protection of their saints! When thé alarm had in some degree subsided, the bodies of the dead were sought for; but I have not been able to ascertan the extent of the loss which this hapless city has sustained.'

A letter from the Cape, dated March 21, mentions the arrival there of a Cargo of Slaves who were infected with the smali pox : a disorder greally dreaded there, as it has in former instances carried off nearly a third of the population. Thirty families were already said to have caught it. Intercourse with the country is stopt; and great distress is experienced. Great uumbers are vaccinated, and every prudent measure is adopted by the government to restrain the mischief.

The slaves were permitted to land, in consequence of the opinion of one of the physicians, that the disordered were infected only with the chicken-pox :-a fatal blunder! When will men be honest enough to forsake the accursed slave-trade! When will they be wise enough to avail themselves of vaccination!

The Madras Journals mention, that one of the largest tigers ever seen in that part of the world, was killed at Saukerry Droogg, by Capt. Moore and Lieutenants Birch and Nelthropp. In the course of a few months it had destroyed 100 head of cattle, &c. besides four children. Sixteen balls were lodged in its body before it fell; it measured, from head to tail, 14 feet; and was 43 inches in height.

A wealthy Jew, named Pinedo, who lately died at Amsterdam, made some singular and unprecedented bequests. He left to each of the Christian churches in Amsterdam and at the Hague, 10,000 florins; to each of the orphan houses of those cities the like sum;. and to each of his Christian neighbours who assisted at his funeral, 100 Dutchducats; and to each Jew 200 ditto.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Read to the Directors, dated Bethelsdorp, Jan. 9, 1812.

Honoured Brethren, ›

I INTENDED to have written to you previously to my leaving the Cape; but indisposition of body and pressure of business frustrated my designs; and indeed there was little to mention, but what you would be acquainted with from other sources. It has always afforded me great pleasure to be able to relate something of the increase of the Redeemer's kingdom, which might rejoice your hearts; aud thanks be to God, who still gives matter for this desirable object.

Our journey to the Cape, and residence there, has been attended with

considerable expence; yet, I trust, a work has been accomplished which will cause heaven to echo through eternity. Bread has been cast upon the waters, which will be found, I trust, after many days.

On

You are so well acquainted with the business for which we were called to the Cape, and with our proceedings there, that I need not repeat it. my return to Bethelsdorp, I found things very favourable, as it respects both the internal and external state of the Mission. But while 1 am calling your attention this way, my heart begins to ache; and I am obliged to pause a while, and refer you to the ever-to-belamented loss of my dearest father, companion, and friend, who is lost, not for a while, but for ever! from whose

wisdom, prudence, courage, stedfastness, and zeal, this Institution, under God, owes its rise, progress, and stability, and whose loss is irreparable! The grievous intelligence of his death reached us on the 2d of this month, by means of two officers who had seen an account of it in the Cape paper; since which we have received letters from Mrs. Smith, Brother Pacalt, and others. You will undoubtedly be acquainted with the particulars of his death, so that I shall not repeat them; his character and labours likewise are so well known to you, that I know not whether I can add any thing to set forth (not his praise) but the praise of Him by whose grace he was what he Perhaps, however, as soon as I can get a little leisure, I shall give you a few observations, anecdotes, &c. of my dear friend, which will be interesting to you and the world at large, and serve to perpetuate his remembrance to posterity. I am unacquainted with what papers he has left behind; but have given orders that all may be sent earefully to me as soon as possible. I believe there are a few manuscripts in Latin, which, if Mrs. V. will part with, I will send you by the first opportunity.

was.

You know his ardent wish to establish a Mission in Madagascar, which continued till the very last; but his work was done. He was very weak before I left the Cape: repeated strokes of apoplexy had greatly injured his health; so that he could scarcely use his right leg; and often expected when he left home, that he should not return again. I never knew him in such a state of uncertainty and care as some time before his death; and I doubt not but this tended to hasten his dissolution. He was fully determined upon going to Madagascar, and without much anxiety, till a gentleman, a friend of ours, called and made some observations on the imprudence of either of us leaving the colony at the present juncture ; -that having laid before government numerous details of complaints, in which many persons were involved, our leaving the country before the business was investigated, would seem as if we were afraid to abide the investigation of the business; and that the others would be injured by it. This seemed to wound his heart; and from that time his trouble of mind was very great. He sometimes thought of going to Eng Jand, on account of the poor suffering Hottentots, and also to secure for his children a good education; but in his fast letter to me he writes thus :- 1

am still in the same state of perplexity as before, respecting what is my duty to do; but God, I trust, will give di rection; my prayer is, that he would preserve me from taking a wrong step. The Cape is unpleasant to me; - to go to England, and so give up Madagas car. I dare not, for if I do not go thither, who will? &c. Make ready the waggons; for if Brother Pacalt comes to go with me, we must have two: but wait my last resolution, which (if it please the Lord) I will inform you of by the post next Friday." On that very day he was taken ill, and the first news was his death; and grievous news it was indeed! I addressed the congregation in the evening, giving information of it from z Sam. iii. 38, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel;' when a most heartbreaking lamentation took place; and the grief is still visible. We fear that if the Lord does not interfere, we shall feel the stroke from different quarters. Christ, however, is King in Zion,' 'King of kings, and Lord of lords;'. and he is our hope.

6

Previous to our parting, he urged upon me, in case of his absence or death, that I should take upon myself the care of the Missions in Africa; which I promised to do, till the Directors should find some person better qualified for the business. I wrote immediately, therefore, to Mr. H. giving him, what I thought, the necessary instruction respecting Brother Messer's going to his intended station, as likewise to Mrs. Smith respecting the pa pers, &c. left by our venerable friend. As soon as I get them from the Cape, and have arranged them, I will send what is necessary to London,-the account at least for the Society for 1811. I perfectly agree in opinion with other friends, that an active person from the Society in London, to reside at the Cape, would be of the utmost importance, and would be extremely useful, both to the Society and as a preacher; whom many would rejoice to hear. All the Missionaries I have spoken to, feel the want of such a person.

I had a speedy journey from Cape Town to Bethelsdorp, leaving the former on the 21st of November, and arriving at the latter the 12th of Dec. I hastened to be home whilst the commissioners appointed by Lord Caledon to administer justice in the countrydistricts were in the neighbourhood, and if possible before they visited Bethelsdorp. In the last 1 was quite disappointed, they having been there the