372 New Religious Publications.-Correspondence. nations of their strange idolatry. The an end to these disorders, and it is indeed whole represents a heathen rite. During the reign of Buonaparte such exhibitions were prohibited, but they are now revived with all their ancient folly and superstition. Symptoms of some new regulations with respect to the Barbary powers have made their appearance. They have for too long a time been permitted to exercise a tyranny over their captives in war, which is disgraceful even to the religion they profess. The Americans have shown what may be done with them, and England has interfered to procure the liberation of a numher of Christians from a wretched captivity in which some of them had been held for many years. A project was on foot for the union of the Christian powers to put a melancholy thing that the fine shores of the Mediterranean should be subject to a race of men little better than pirates. Germany goes on very slowly in its new constitution. Spain indicates no amelioration. It has had some successes in its colonies, but still it remains doubtful whether its ancient influence can be restored. Wherever its power extends its march is disfigured by cruelty. Vast emigrations are taking place from all parts of Europe to America. There is land enough for all, and it is to be hoped, that in quitting this supposed civized part of the world, they will leave behind them the vices by which it is peculiarly distinguished. NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THEOLOGY AND GENERAL LITERATURE. An Essay on the Existence of a Supreme Creator possessed of Infinite Power, Wisdom and Goodness. (To which Mr. Burnett's First Prize of Twelve Hundred Pounds was adjudged.) By Wiliam Law rence Brown, D. D. Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen. To which is prefixed a Memoir relating to the Founder of the Prizes. 2 vols. 8vo. 14. 1s. boards. A Sermon delivered at the Unitarian Chapel, Chichester, April the 21st, 1816, on Occasion of the Death of Thomas P. Powell, M. D. By W. J. Fox. 4to. The Value of a Child; or Motives to the Good Education of Children. In a Letter to a Daughter. By John Taylor, D. D. of Norwich. 2nd. ed. 12mo. Ecclesiastical Claims Investigated and the Liberty of the Pulpit Defended. By Daniel Isaac. The Christian Doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation considered and maintain ed, on the Principles of Judaism. By the Rev. J. Oxlee. Vol. I. 8vo. 12s. History of the Inquisition, abridged from Limborch; with an Historical Survey of the Christian Church. 8vo. 13s. Persecution of French Protestants. Report on the Persecution of the French Protestants, presented to the Committee of Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations. By the Rev. Clement Perrot, 8vo. 2s. 6d. Sketch of the Past and Present State of the Vaudois or Waldenses, inhabiting the Vallies of Piedmont. By the Rev. Tho mas Morgan. (Published by order of the Committee of Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations.) 8vo. 6d. An Historical View of the Reformed Church of France, from its Origin to the Present Time. With an Appendix, containing Documents and Remarks on Lord Castlereagh's Speech. 8vo. 5s. CORRESPONDENCE. Our correspondent Liberus is informed that the article of Public Affairs is always written by the same gentleman, who expresses in it his own sentiments without assuming to represent those of the Editor, correspondents or readers. The Editor is too sensible of his obligations to this gentleman to attempt to interfere with the free statement of his views of public events. The Slave Registry Bill is a measure to be decided not by the feelings but by a cool judgment on the state of the West India Islands. To such as wish to understand the question, we recommend an able pamphlet just published, entitled, "The British Legislature's Interference respecting Slaves in the West India Islands deprecated." The paper on Poetical Scepticism, with various other articles, was too late for insertion the present month. ERRATUM. P. 191. col. ii. 1. 1. for "jocundum," read jucundum. HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. Biographical Account of the Negro An gelo Solimann. [Translated from "Literature des Negres," He was the son of an African prince, the sovereign of Gangusilang, and his family name Magni-Famori. Besides the little Mmadi-Maké, (which was Angelo's name in his own country) his parents had a younger child, a daughter. He used to relate with what deference his father was treated, being surrounded by a great number of servants. Like all the children of princes in that country, he had characters imprinted on each thigh, and long did he indulge the hope that he should be known by those characters and discovered to his parents. The recollections of childhood, It is my duty publicly to mention the names of these to whom I owe the biography of this estimable African, who was first mentioned to me by Dr. Gall. On the application of my countrymen of Hautefort, attached here to the foreign relations, and Dodan, first secretary to the French legation in Austria, great zeal was discovered to satisfy my curiosity. Two respectable ladies of Vienna, Madame de Stief and Madame de Picler paid the greatest attention to it, carefully collecting the accounts furnished by the friends of the deceased Angelo. From these materials this interesting narrative has been compiled. In the French translation it loses much elegance of style; for Madame de Pieler, who drew it up in German, possessed the rare talent of writing equally well in prose and I have great pleasure in expressing to these obliging persons my just grati verse. tude. especially of his first attempts to draw the bow, in which he surpassed his companions, the remembrance of the Simple manners, and the fine sky of his country often produced in his mind a pensive pleasure, even to old age. He could never sing his country's songs, which his excellent memory had retained, without being deeply affected. It appears, from the recollections of Angelo, that his nation had then attained to some degree of civilization. His father possessed many elephants, and even horses, which are rare in those countries. Money was unknown, but the commerce of exchange was regularly conducted, and they had sales by auction. They worshipped the stars, and practised circunicision. Two families of whites resided in the country. travels mention perpetual wars among Authors who have published their the nations of Africa, of which the objects are revenge, plunder, or the most shameful species of avarice, the conqueror haling his prisoners to the nearest market, to sell them to the whites. A war of this kind, against the people of Mmadi Maké, broke out so unexpectedly that his father had no suspicion of danger. The child, at the age of seven years, one day, standing by the side of his mother, who was suckling his sister, they suddenly perceived the clash of arms and hurling of arrows. The grandfather of Mmadi Maké, seized with terror, rushed into the house crying out the enemy is at hand. Fatuma started up alarmed, the father seized his arms, and the little boy, terrified, fled with the swiftness of an arrow. His mother called to him loudly, where are you going Mmadi Make? The child answered, there where God wills. In advanced age he often reflected on the important meaning of those words. Having filed from the house he looked back and saw 374 Biographical Account of the Negro Angelo Solimann. his mother, and many of his father's people, fall under the blows of the enemy. With another boy he crept under a tree, terrified and covering his eyes with his hands. The tumult increased, the enemy who already assumed the victory, seized and held him up in token of triumph. At this sight the countrymen of Madi Make made a last effort and rallied to recover the son of their king. The combat was renewed around the child. In the end the enemies remained conquerors, and he became unquestionably their prey. His master exchanged him with another Negro, for a fine horse, and the child was conveyed to the place of embarkation. He there found many of his countrymen, all, like himself, prisoners, and condemned to slavery. They recognised him with unavailing sorrow, but were even forbidden to speak to him. The prisoners, having been thus conveyed in small boats to the sea, Mmadi Maké saw with astonishment large floating houses, into one of which he entered and found a third master. He conjectured that this was a Spanish vessel. After escaping a tempest, they came on shore, and his master pro mised to conduct him to his mother. This delightful hope soon vanished, on finding, instead of his mother, his master's wife, who received him affectionately and treated him with much kindnesss. The husband gave him the name of Andre, and employed him to lead the camels to pasture and take charge of them. The master's country is unknown or how long the boy remained with him. Angelo has been dead twelve years, and this account has been lately collected from the information of his friends. It is only known that after a considerable time his master proposed taking him to a country where his condition would be improved. Mmadi Maké was well pleased, but his mistress parted from him with regret. They embarked and arrived at Messina. He was brought to the house of a rich lady who was expecting him. She treated him with much kindness, had him instructed in the language of the country which he easily acquired. His affability conciliated the affection of the numerous domestics, among whom he distinguished a Negress, named Angelina, for her gentleness and kind attentions. He fell dangerously ill, the marchio ness, his mistress, felt for him all the anxiety of a mother, so that she sat, up with him a part of every night. The most skilful physicians were called in. His bed was surrounded by a crowd of persons who waited his orders. The marchioness had long wished that he might be baptized. After repeated refusal, one day during his convalescence he himself requested baptism, when his mistress, highly gratified, ordered the most magnificent preparations. In a saloon, a richly embroidered canopy was suspended, over a bed of state. All the family and friends of the house were present. Mmadi Maké reclining on this bed, was consulted on the name he would have. From gratitude and friendship to the Negress Angelina he wished to be called Angelo. His wish was gratified and for a family name he had Solimann. He annually celebrated the 11th of September, the day of his entrance into Christianity, with the same pious feelings as if it had been the anniversary of his birth. His good conduct, complaisance, and excellent understanding, endeared him to all. The Prince Lobkowitz, then the imperial general in Sicily, frequented the house where this child lived, of whom he became so fond that he requested him of the marchioness. From her regard for Angelo, she reluctantly yielded to considerations of interest and prudence, which determined her to make that present to the general. Many tears were shed by her on parting with the little Negro, who entered with regret into the service of a new master. The functions of the prince were incompatible with a long residence in that country. He loved Angelo, but his manner of life, and perhaps the spirit of the times, induced him to attend very little to his education. Angelo became wild and choleric. He passed his days in idleness and childish sports. An old house-steward of the prince, perceiving his good disposition and other excellent qualities, notwithstanding his idleness, provided him a tutor, under whom Angelo learned, in the space of seventeen days, to write German. The grateful affection of the child, and his rapid progress in every branch of knowledge, amply rewarded the old man's care. Biographical Account of the Negro Angelo Solimann. Thus Angelo grew up in the prince's family. He accompanied him in all his travels, partaking with him the perils of war. He fought by the side of his master, whom once when wounded, he bore on his shoulders out of the field of battle. Angelo distinguished himself on these occasions, not only as a servant and faithful friend, but likewise as an intrepid warrior and an experienced officer, especially in tactics, though he never obtained any military promotion. Mar shal Lascy, who valued him highly, pronounced in the presence of a number of officers the most honourable eulogium on his bravery, made him a present of a superb Turkish sabre, and offered him the command of a company, which he refused. His master died, bequeathing Angelo to Prince Wenceslaus de Lichtenstein, who had long desired to have him He however inquired if he were satisfied and would willingly live with him. Angelo gave his word and made the necessary preparations for his new situation. In the interval the Emperor Francis 1. made him the same offer, with very flattering conditions. But the word of Angelo was sacred. He remained with the Prince of Lichtenstein. Here, as with General Lobkowitz, he became the guardian genius of the unfortunate. He conveyed to the prince the cases of those who sought his bounty. His pockets were always fall of memorials and petitions. Indís posed to ask for any thing, on his own account, he could, with more hope of success, pursue his applications for others. Angelo accompanied his master in his travels, and was at Francfort, during the coronation of the Emperor Joseph as the King of the Romans [in 1764.] One day, by the persuasion of his prince he tried his fortune in a faro bank and gained twenty thousand florins. He offered to his opponent to try another game, by which he lost twenty thousand florins more. Making him one offer more, Angelo contrived to manage the game so that the loser regained that last sum. This delicate conduct on the part of Angelo was much admired, and gained for him numerous expressions of esteem. The accidental favours of fortune did not beguile him. On the contrary, aware of her caprices, he never again hazarded any considerable sum. 375 He amused himself with chess, and had the reputation of being an adept. At the age of . . . . . he married a widow, Madame de Christiani, whose maiden name was Kellerman, of a Belgic family. The prince was not informed of the marriage. Angelo might have reasons for concealing it. A subsequent event justified his silence. The Emperor Joseph II. who took a lively interest in all that concerned Angelo, distinguishing him so as to take his arm in the public walks, discovered one day, without being aware of the consequences, Angelo's secret to the Prince of Lichtenstein. He sent for him and questioned him. Angelo avowed his marriage. The prince informed him that he should banish him from his house and erase his name from his will. He had designed for him diamonds of considerable value, which Angelo used to wear when on gala days he attended his master. Angelo, who had so often interceded for others, said nothing for himself. He left the palace to inhabit in a distant suburb, a small house, which he had purchased for the accomodation of his wife. He lived with her in that retreat, enjoying domestic happiness. The careful education of his only daughter, Madam the Baroness of Heuchtersleben, who is dead, the culture of his garden, the society of some enlightened and virtuous men, such were his amusements and occupations, About two years after the death of Prince Wenceslaus de Lichtenstein, his nephew and heir, Prince Francis, perceived Angelo in the street. He stopped his carriage, took him into it, and told him that, fully convinced of his innocence, he was determined to make reparation for his uncle's injus tice. He then assigned to Angelo an. income to be paid, in case of his death, as an annual pension to Madam. Solimann. All that the prince required of Angelo was that he should superintend the education of his son, Louis de Lichtenstein. Angelo punctually performed the duties of that new employment, and every day attended the prince, to watch over the pupil entrusted to his care. The prince observing that the distance was troublesome to Augelo, especially in bad weather, offered him a residence. Thus Angelo was fixed 376 Abstract of the History of Dr. Williams's Trust. a second time in the palace Lichtenstein. But he brought his family with him and lived as retired as before in the society of a few friends and learned men, and devoted to polite literature, which he cultivated with ardour. His favourite study was history, being much assisted by his excellent memory. He could cite the names of eminent persons with the years of their birth, and the dates of all considerable events. His wife, whose health had been long declining, survived a few years by the tender attentions of a husband who procured for her all the succours of art, but at length she sunk under her disease. From that time Angelo altered the arrangements of his family, He no longer invited friends to his table, and drank nothing but water, to give an example to his daughter, whose finished education was entirely his work. Perhaps also he wished, by rigid economy, to secure a fortune for his only child. Angelo still performed many journies, in advanced age, either on his own business or that of others, esteemed and beloved every where. Acts of courtesy and benefits which he bestowed are still recollected in these already distant times. His concerns having led him to Milan, the late Archduke Ferdinand, who was the governor, paid him the most friendly attentions. He enjoyed to the close of life a robust constitution. His exterior dis covered scarcely any symptoms of old age, which occasioned mistakes and friendly disputes; for often persons who had not seen him for twenty or thirty years have taken him for his own son and addressed him accordingly. Struck with apoplexy in the street, at the age of seventy-five, assistance was procured for him, but in vain. He died November 21, 1796, regretted by all his friends, who could not recollect him without being affect ed even to tears. The esteem of all the worthy followed him to the tomb. Angelo was of middle stature and well proportioned. The regularity of his features and the nobleness of his figure, formed by their beauty, a contrast to the unfavourable ideas commonly entertained of Negro physiognomy. An extraordinary readiness in all bodily exercises gave to his motions an air of grace and agility. To all the delicacy of taste uniting a sound judg ment, formed by extended and solid attainments, he possessed six languages, the Italian, the French, the German, the Latin, the Bohemian, the English, and spoke the three first with fluency and correctness. Like all his countrymen, he was born with an impetuous temper. His unalterable serenity and gentleness were consequently so much more laudable, as the fruit of difficult combats and many victories gained over himself. There never escaped him, even when irritated, any improper expres sion. Angelo was pious, without being superstitious. He punctually. observed all the precepts of religion, and did not judge it below him to give an example to his family. His word, his resolution taken on mature reflection were iminutable, and nothing could turn him from his purpose. He always used the dress of his country. It was a habit very simple, after the Turkish fashion, and generally of a daz zling whiteness which set off the black and shining colour of his skin. His portrait, which has been engraved at Augsburg, is in the gallery of Lichtenstein. N. L. T. Abstract of the History of Dr. Williams's brarian. to be examined by lais trustees, it was found to be dated June 26, 1711. Since that time he had purchased several estates, which by a codicil with his signature, dated August 22, 1712, he appointed to be applied to the same uses with those formerly devised by him. The execution of this codicil, however, was not attested by any witnesses, on which account the estates mentioned in it became the legal property of the testator's heir at law, his sister, Mrs. Roberts, of Wrexham. Of this circumstance Mrs. Roberts, in the first instance, declared herself not desirous of taking any advantage, but, on the contrary, stated that she was determined, on certain conditions to which the trustees agreed, to confirm her brother's charitable design, so far as lay in her power. Relying on this declaration, the trustees gave orders THEN Dr. Williams's will came |