SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE. THERE are great complaints, on the continent of Europe, as well as in England, of the depression of business, and of "dull times." The merchants complain of poor markets and low prices, and the people, generally, of heavy taxes and high duties. In some places, the labourers, who have been usually employed in manufactories, are now without occupation and food. The monopolists are at a stand; for they have carried their system to the ne plus ultra, and a reaction has been produced. The advocates of free trade are increasing; but this change is attended with its immediate evils. The dispute is still kept up between the two sects of political economists in Europe as well as in America: But the liberal system will probably prevail. The politicians of England and France are speculating, with intense interest, on the great contest between the Russians and Turks.They do not entirely approve of the ambitious views, which some suppose are entertained by the Russian court. If Russia should entirely subdue the Turk, or obtain possession of his provinces in Europe, she would be so powerful, as to be an object of continual fear to the neighbouring nations. The policy wil!, probably be to prevent the conquest of the Turkish territories in Europe, (excepting Greece) by the Emperor of Russia. What part Austria will take in this contest does not yet appear. But her weight in either scale will much affect the balance of power in Europe. The fourteen years of peace in (the greater part of) Europe, it is believed, have proved favorable to the cause of letters and science. The learned societies in Great Britain and France and Germany are very active; and bestow a liberal patronage on the efforts of literary and scientific individuals. Even in Spain, efforts are making to multiply and to extend the means of knowledge. It will not be improper boasting, however, to say, that the legitimate object of civil government, "the greatest good of the greatest number," is more fully accomplished and attained in the United States, than in any other country of the earth. The people of these States have always duly appreciated the advantages of a good education. Every one is interested in the support and perpetuity of our republican institutions; and all are sensible, that the people must be intelligent, to maintain and preserve them. Two English Episcopal bishops, sent to Calcutta, have died within a few years-bishops Heber and James. Dr. Heber was a very learned, pious, and catholic man. No one could be more entirely devoted to the duties of his sacred office. These were uncommonly arduous; for his diocese extended many hundred miles. Bishop James survived but a very short time after his arrival at Calcutta. The writings of Bishop Heber have given him a just distinction among the learned and religious characters of the age. They are read in this country with great avidity. The last Report of the Church Missionary Society at Calcutta states, that twenty-four natives were baptized last year in that place, thirteen of whom were adults. Some have received christian baptism at other places in India. Two of these couverts from Hindooism are members of opulent families. They were subjected to the loss of caste, and were in fact disinherited. Afterwards, however, the father of one of them, being sick, read the christian scriptures, frequently, and received his son to favor and confidence. The new converts read the Testament much, and recommend it to others. It is also read in many schools attended by the native youth, and kept by Englishinen. There are about six hundred children who attend the schools kept in Calcutta, under the direction of the Missionary Society, and there are similar schools in other large and populous towns; in which the New Testament is occasionally read. Still the parents, generally, are very jealous of direct instructions and efforts to convert their children to the christian religion. A steam boat has lately ascended the Ganges 850 miles. She was twenty days in the voyage up the river; and twelve, on her return. In some places, the current was so rapid, as to retard their progress materially. We believe this is the first steam vessel, which has gone far into the country from Calcutta, The natives were struck with wonder and admiration. Letters have been received in Paris, from M. Champollion, written in Nubia, last January. He had ascended the Nile, as far as he intended. "The most he saw at Philæ was modern, that is, Greek or Roman, with the exception of one temple, more ancient, and of Egyptian structure, At Esseboa, he examined the Sphinxes, which adorn a monument built in the time of Sesostris. At Ypsamboul are some of the finest monuments of Nubia. There are two temples excavated in a rock or ledge, and covered with sculpture and hieroglyphics. The great temple of Ypsamboul is, alone, worthy of a voyage to Nubia. It would be a wonder, even at Thebes. The labor which this excavation cost, terrifies the imagination. The facade is decorated with four seated colossi, sixty feet high. They are of magnificent workmanship, and represent Rbamises the Great." Several monuments of high antiquity have been lately demolished by the natives, through wantonness or ignorance. A meteoric stone fell in Monroe county, in the State of Georgia, on the eighth of May, which weighed thirty-six pounds. Two heavy and distinct reports were heard like cannon, followed by a roaring sound for a minute and a half. The reports were heard at the distance of sixty miles. The stone penetrat ed thirty inches into the earth. The surface was black, the interior soft and of a gray color. It was found to be chiefly iron and nickel. Manetho's original history of Egypt has been lately discovered among the papyri in the museum at Turin, in Italy. According to the learned professor, who made the discovery, the papyrus belongs to the time of the first of the Ptolemies. It is well known, that Manetho is the earliest and almost the ou'y writer of Egyptian history. This document is said to contain a complete sketch of the history of Egypt in early periods. It is written in the hieratic or sacred characters. Much of it is evidently fabulous; for it ascends to the time of the supposed reign of the gods. The real dysties comence with Meres, the first king, who is geus rally supposed to be Mizraim, a son of Ham. The manuscript states from what city each dynasty sprang, of how many kings it consisted, the number of years they reigned, and the names of all the kings, with short historical remarks. London Weekly Review. It is predicted that the late act of the British Parliament, for the relief of the Catholics, will have the effect of checking the emigrations of the Irish. In a political view, this measure is honorable to the British ministry and Parliament and the way is now open for well-educated Catholics, in England and Ireland, to rise to places of power in the government. But what important benefits does it confer upon the great mass of the Irish ulation ? Will they have more profitable employment? Will their burdens be lighter? Will their means of living be improved? Their social condition will be substantially meliorated, it is believed, only when the rents and taxes are lessened; and their landlords are more lenient and generous. pop A large number of valuable works, both old and new, have lately been received for the Athenæum in this city. The old ones are rure, and the new ones are selected from the most interesting publications of the day.Besides books presented by generous individuals, many standard and other useful works are added to this library every year, by purchase with funds of the institution. Speaking of a new work by Mr. Southey, the editor of the London Quarterly Review, with the title of "the State and Prospects of Society," Mr. Walsh expresses the opinion, "that it is unjustly severe and abusive of the character of the people in the United States." Southey has always been reluctant in allowing us the credit of any learning or refinement in this republican country; and is so uncandid as to represent the majority or all to be agreeable to the specimens of the low stndividuals, described by European travcalers Heahinks, that as we have no showy ritual in glic worship and no state religion, we must be all Hottentots and Pagans. Mr. Southey, probably, has a little spice of good old English bigoy and aristocracy in his feelings. But the mere enlightened men, even in Europe, are ready to acknowledge, that religion may be mamtained and prevail, without the support of the larm or the interference of government; at least, as to particular creeds, or outward cerer..onies. The editor of the London Quarterly Review says, "that Jefferson, Madin, and Monroe have sunk into the common herd;" and predicts, that the memory of Cen. Washington will be forgotten before the present century expires" How unjustly dhe friends of monarchy value the blessings of our free, republican institutions! We consideri the glory and honor of these great men to have retired voluntarily from public life, in their old age, and to mingle with their fellow citizens, who have the same rights and principles with themselves. "The London Foreign Quarterly Review," published in April, contains, among other articles, the following,-On the language and literature of Holland Antient national poetry of Spain; S "inavian Mythology; His tory of the Ottoman Empire; History of English literature and poetry, by a Frenchman; Account of a MS. of the Gospel of St. John. The North American Review, for July, may justly lay claim to very high merit.Several of the articles are uncommonly interesting; and all are ably written. Books lately published in London.-Natural History of Enthusiasm; The Protestant's Companion; Simon's Hope of Israel; Stratton-hill, a tale of the civil wars, in the time of Charles I.; Repentance, and other poems, by Brown; Scott, on natural and revealed religion; Bishop Heber's Sermons, preached in India; Kirby's Sermons on the temptations of Christ; Burder on Revivals in Religion; Hewlet's Scripture History; Bishop Kay's account of the writings and opinions of Justin Martyr, one of the most early christian fathers; Essay on the Coins of Scripture, illustrative of the truth of the sacred history; Stories from History of Scotland, by Rev. A. Stewart; Dangerous Errors; Devereux, by the author of Pelham; Outlines of a new system of Political Economy; Essay on Moral Freedom. vels in the north of Germany, by H. E. Dwight; New-York-Memoirs of the late Mrs. Susan Huntington; third edition; Boston-Memoirs of De Witt Clinton, late Governor of the State of New-York; by Dr. Hosack: New-York-A Practical Grammar of the English Language, by R. G. Greene Portland-Stories on Connecticut, designed for the instruction and amusement of youth; by C. A. Goodrich: Hartford-Outlines of the History of England, on the plan of D. Blair; adapted to the use of Schools: S. G. Goodrich, Boston--The Ladies' Lexicon and Parlour Companion; designed for Schools and Academies, by W. Grimshaw: Philadelphia-Letters from Europe, in 1828, first published in New-York Observer; Crocker & Brewster, Boston-Specimens of American Poetry; S. G. Goodrich, Boston-An Analysis of the Book of Revelations; Philadelphia-Sermons on War, by T. T. Stone; Peirce & Williams, Boston-Sermons, by late J. S. Buckminster; Carter & Hendee, Boston-Sermons by late J. E. Abbot; Wait and Green, Boston-Natural Theology, by Paley; illustrated by numerous plates; Lin coln & Edmands, Boston. On the river Mississaqua, in Upper Canada, there is an Indian village consisting of upwards of two hundred souls. They live in cottages, qale net and convenient, having three rooms--and thy cultivate the ground after the ma ner of the English. They appear qu'et and happy; and have schools for their children. They are very averse from ha ing the whites come among them, as they say, that they learn their children to swear and to drink ardent spirits. At a late sale of West's pictures in London, "Christ Rejected," sold for three hundred guineas- Death on the Pale Horse," for two hundred guineas, and was painted by Mr. West, at the age of 80. "Moses receiving the Law," for 500 guineas-" Ascension of our Saviour," 200 guineas-" Death of Wolfe," for 500-and the Death of Nelson," for 850. Works lately published in the United States. -A View of the Constitution of the United States; second edition, Philadelphia-A Geographical and Statistical Survey of the State of Maine, with Maps; Portland-Tra- has been published. The third volume of Mr. Jefferson's Works prew I WOULD not tread rashly upon holy ground. Religion is a sacred topic, and the discussion of it, in its vital bearings, is properly limited to the ministers of the sacred office. The walks of their inculcation, however, do not exhaust it. Like the universal air, its main and visible influences are not all that are felt and blessed. It is the peculiarity of the gifts of God, that, with all their fulness and extent, they reach the minuter need, and are adapted to the meanest capacity that craves them. The same sun that kindles the fire upon the altar warms the disregarded worm. The same moon that heaves the sea to its accurate limit guides the poor fisher to the shore. The same stars that in their linked spells are a mystery to the wise, awaken the sweet laugh of the child, and touch the hearts of the simple with their quiet beauty. The great results are not all that should be recorded of such blessings. The least of them flows equally from divine wisdom, and has been directed equally by divine skill. The simplest moral precept of the Gospel was dictated by the inspiration that wrote the Apocalypse with a pen of fire; and though the appointed ministers of religion are too much occupied with its great interests to dwell upon its fainter and less essential traces, I cannot but feel that they should not be forgotten, even though it were but to record them as part of a system of taste. To the more refined class of minds, indeed, religion would be far more acceptable, even from its ministers, if presented in its full coloring of loveliness. If its influence upon all that is beautiful in the universe, and its intimate connection with every standard of truth and proportion, were substituted sometimes for the bare and unqualified denunciations which are so much dwelt upon by our New England clergy, there can be little doubt of a happier if not a more general religious feeling. It is too much the impression that the standard of the Bible is vulgar that its requirements are unrefined-that its spirit demands sacrifices of taste, and a relinquishment of all that makes the poetry of life. The simplicity which the pure taste of religion requires in its followers, instead of being regarded, as it should be, the element and secret of beauty, is looked upon as the bare skeleton of life, and weighed against the tinsel gauds of the world like a self denial and a test. Nothing could be more mistaken. The humility of religion, paradox though it seem, tends to elevate and refine. There is nothing in its whole range which can jar upon the harmony of taste -nothing from its loftiest to its lowest precept which is not as purified as crystal from coarseness. The "pride of life" is forbidden, but not its grace or its beauty; for He who forbade it has clothed the lily, and Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." It is wonderful to look about us and see how the indirect and mild influences of religion are felt in every form of life, and in all the many and wide courses of thought-how every trait of strength and loveliness in mind and nature is enhanced and dignified by its impress. It is my object to speak of these influences. I cannot hope to detect them all-far less adequately to describe them— but there is enough open to every eye, and felt, though perhaps unconsciously, by every heart, to ensure at least an assent to the general bearing and propriety of my subject. One of the least noticed and most pervading of the minor influences of religion is felt in Poetry. I do not refer now to the uses of Scriptural or religious topics, though eloquent reasons might be given for their preference.* It is upon the eye and spirit of the poet, in all the many-colored visions of the one, and the numberless spheres of the other's wandering, that its effect is most permanent and visible. Without fanaticism, without supernatural sight, without any of those dreamy gifts which are claimed by the beautiful but visionary creed of Swedenborg-in the simple power of the eye and the natural conception of the fancy-there is a reach, an inward and farther apprehension, a distinct power given by religion, which scepticism could never attain, and mere moral speculation never comprehend. Perhaps it cannot be fairly proved by example. The glowing Psalm of David-the triumphant majesty of Isaiah's Muse, and the subdued melody of the Ecclesiastes are full of its rare and searching power, but they are set aside by their inspiration. Milton has hewn out of it his immortal fame, but he stands alone, and it may be ascribed plausibly to his genius. There is no argument for it but in philosophy, and here the evidence is ample. It is founded upon that restless tendency of the human mind to reach after the unattained and *On this subject I refer the reader with much pleasure to Mr. Hillhouse's Phi Beta Kappa Oration-an elaborate production crowded with passages of the most glowing and finished eloquence. ED. |