turned down clean, on a raised place; and the large stone, on which they grind their curry, was as neat as hands could make it. 22d. I arose more ill than I bave been since my returu to Kornegalle, and feared I should be unable to visit another village, which I had engaged to the Chief of it to do. I managed, however, to go, lest it might make an unfavourable impression; for these people are remarkable for any thing rather than keeping their word. I found them, however, more intent on showing me their temple, than willing to bearken to any instruction I had to communicate. Rather than offend them I' went to see it, and found, indeed, one of the most elegant I have seen on the island, though not the most spacious. The painting, ornaments, sculpture, &c., were very beautiful; and the prospect, from the enormous height of the rock where it is excavated, grand and sublime beyond all description. Every thing around was very luxuriant and fruitful, and there was almost every variety of fruit and flower which the neighbourhood affords; particularly of those flowers sacred to BUDHU. But, alas! all is devoted to superstition! I tried to convince them of the vanity of idols; but I found, except for the respect which they pay to the European character, they would have been glad to send me and my unhal lowed doctrine away together.-Seven or eight idle priests were enjoying themselves, some asleep, (their highest enjoyment,) and some chewing betel. I doubt we shall not succeed here immediately, for my doctrine at the Temple destroyed my credit, and, peradventure, they took me there to try me! But I see another way in which my journey will be useful; -the Chief has influence in another village, which he will use in my behalf, rather, perhaps, than have a christian School so near his Temple; for it is entirely his own, built, endowed, and patronized by him. He pointed out to me a fine garden of cocoa-nuts, which, he said, he had given to the Temple; and, 1 believe, he chiefly, if not wholly, supports the Priests. He is building an elegant Dagoba, or tomb, for the relics of BUDIU, one of which is appended to every temple of note, representing his monument. They are exactly similar in form to the dome of St. Paul's in London, with the exception of the cross. They each terminate in a point, and such monuments are only allowed to be built for the family of the King-there are a great many of them in the royal burying-place at Kandy. 28th.-1 set out early to visit a third Kandian village, called Nalloowa, according to a previous arrangement with the Chief, who is, by far, the most intelligent and liberal of the three who reside here; and although I returned completely exhausted both in body and mind, I cannot but be thankful for my journey, humbly hoping for a good result. Although this was but a survey, I saw something of what Kandian roads were, before Great Britain possessed the country. The Chief had sent me a guide, who took me off the high road five minutes after we left the house; about half way he had sent his brother with a few attendants to meet me; and about two miles distant from his house, he met me himself, with about a dozen in ferior Chiefs from neighbouring villages. We passed seven or eight villages on our way to this one. Himself and all the people were drest in their best attire, as a compliment, I presume, to their European visitor. They really looked very interesting, winding round the green banks of the paddy-fields, with their white flowing robes. We passed a village of extraordinary beauty, at the foot of a mountain crowned with verdure to the very top. Round half the circle of the hill could be seen the little cottages of the natives, each in a separate garden of cocoas, arekas, plantains, and other trees and shrubs; and between the village and us, a long ridge of fields of rice, just grown sufficiently to cover the whole with a fine light green, which, intersected in every possible variety by the deep green of the banks, had a truly delightful appear ance. Not a fairer sight in nature can be conceived, than a large field in this country cut into rice-plats: for in order to find a perfect level, which will bear the water on its surface, and which appears like a mirror beneath the green corn, they must cut their little beds into every possible variety of shape, according to the unevenness of the field, square, circular, semi-circular, triangular, &c.; while the numberless embankments, which surround every spot, to keep the water in, and serve for footpaths, produce a charming effect. They let down the water from the higher to the lower beds continually, so that here and there is a clear little rivulet, which renders it altogether beautiful in the extreme. The travelling, however, is inconvenient; for the constant jumping over the frequent cuts, climbing fences, and walking zig-zag, greatly fatigue the traveller, and lengthen the journey. (To be continued.) -- MISSIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. CAFFRARIA. We are happy to state the commencement of this new and important Mission by MR. W. SHAW. He was accompanied by MRS. SHAW, and a pious Local Preacher and his wife from Albany. The following Letter states " their entrance among" the Caffres: May it lead to all those results, for the accomplishment of which, among this barbarous people, so many prayers are continually offered! The station has been named Wesley-Ville. Extract of a Letter from MR. W. SHAW, dated Wesley-Ville, Caffraria, December 26th, 1823. I AVAIL. myself of the present opportunity to inform you of our removal from Albany, and safe arrival at the new station in Caffreland. We left Salem on the 10th of November, not without some painful feelings; which was not surprising, considering that we were leaving a people with whom we had lived in peace for four years,reckoning from the time when I first became connected with them in London. We had often wept, and rejoiced with them, and our separation was like that of members of the same family. We remained until the 13th ultimo at Graham's-Town, arranging a variety of concerns; and on that day I and my family, accompanied by Brother SHEPSTONE and his family, in our two waggons, commenced our journey :Brother KAY, and about a dozen of our friends in Graham's-Town, accompanied us on horseback to the place where we unyoked for the night, being about seven miles from the town. all felt much at parting with Brother K. and the kind friends who returned with him the night proved very rainy, and we found our tent but a poor shelter. We Being left to ourselves, there was now a little time for reflection. I saw before us great and serious difficulties: the greater part of our friends regarded us as rashly throwing away our lives in going among a people, who, they seemed to fear, would certainly murder us:Caffres had, within the last six days, stolen many cattle from the Colonists. A commando of soldiers was expected to be sent into the country immediately to punish them; all which appeared to portend danger and difficulty to us. But it occurred to me,-The mission has long been determined on ;considerable expense has been incurred in waggons, oxen, tools, &c., &c., for our out-fit-we are going on the LORD's errand; we have the prayers of all our Albany friends;-and the best of all is, GoD is with us; "-therefore, we must go forward. Such were the reasonings of my mind, and I believe my companions were indulging similar reflections. The next day we arrived at Kooster's Drift, or Ford, over the Great Fish River :-all the fords had been rendered impassable for waggons during several weeks, by the very heavy rains that had fallen: the river was still deep and rapid. There is a perpendicular fall at this place, from the top of the south bank to the water, of between twenty and thirty feet; the river had, however, during the rains, far overflowed its banks. Some soldiers had been at work cutting a road to the river through the bank; and it was with great difficulty, though promptly aided by them, that we succeeded, after about three hours' toil, in getting both the waggons, and every thing else safely to the opposite side of the water; but it was very dangerous work. One of our men was nearly drowned; but we had reason to be thankful to GOD that all ended well. Ours were the first waggons that had crossed that ford since the rains. We proceeded on our journey from the Fish River, on the 15th, and in the afternoon crossed the Gonappe, which was also done with great difficulty. On the following Monday, the 17th, we crossed the Kat River, and arrived at Fort Beaufort, a new fort, building with a view to check the incursions of the enterprising Caffres in that direction. The country around this place is extremely beautiful: just above the fort, on the Kat River, is the place where the late MR. WILLIAMS, a Missionary of the London Society, formed a Missionary establishment, which however was given up on the death of that Missionary. This melancholy event took place about five years ago, and before he had been very long at the Station. On Wednesday the 19th, we proceeded on our journey through an unoccupied and trackless country, until the next morning; when we entered Caffreland, and arrived at Chumie, the station of the Government Missionaries. MESSRS. THOMSON and BENNIE, and MRS. THOMSON, received us in the most friendly manner; and circumstances rendering it necessary for us to remain with them ten days, we received from them such marked hospitality and kindness as leave us much their debtors. MR. BROWNLEE had not returned from Cape-Town, but was on his way, accompanied by a Missionary of the Glasgow Society, who on his arrival will, in conjunction with MR. BENNIE, commence a Station, under the direction of that Society. A Commando had entered the coast part of Caffreland, while we were on the road, and had proceeded to PATO'S country, to make reprisals for the cattle recently stolen, and which had been traced in that direction. I therefore deemed it proper to send a messenger to PATO, to know if he were still friendly, and still desired us to take up our residence with him. In a few days the messenger returned with PATO's earnest entreaty, that we would proceed to them immediately he sent, at the same time, seven men to protect and assist us, in our journey through Caffreland to his residence. Every thing being therefore more full of promise than we had anticipated, we commenced our journey from Chumie on the 1st of December, and on the 5th arrived in safety at this place, being the spot selected for the Station when I was here the last time, and of which you have heard. : We had to make a road for the waggons from Chumie to this place,-in doing which many a tree fell before the hatchets of the Caffres who accompanied us, and who, including several that had followed us from Chumie, amounted to between twenty and thirty in number, The road was intersected by a great number of streams, that run from the mountains in the north into the Keiskamma; fords over these had to be discovered, rendered passable, &c.,-in all which we found the Caffres very useful; the only remuneration they expected, or received, was presents of beads. Although surrounded in many places by multitudes of people, the men sent by PATO were so attentive, that we lost nothing during the journey; notwithstanding that the Caffres, like all other barbarous nations, are notorious for thieving. We crossed parts of the Districts under the authority of the Chiefs GAIKA, ENNO, BOTMAN, and T'SAMBIE, before we entered the District under PATO, which is a long narrow slip along the coast. GAIKA, and his son MAKOMA, We saw at Chumie: BOTMAN we saw at a place where we unyoked our oxen, near his residence ;-he would have been very glad to have received us into his District, if we had not been under a promise to PATO. We were received on our arrival here by PATO, and his brothers CONGA and KAMA, with a great number of their people, as though we had been making a triumphal entry:-all was bustle; and, as is usual, where many wild, untutored people are assembled together, all was noise and clamour;-every thing about us was wonderful, and excited the greatest astonishment;-our waggons, our wives, our children,-all were examined with attention, and appeared to make the spectators wonderfully loquacious. Our waggons were drawn up under the shade of one of the beautiful yellow-wood trees that grow along the side of the river; here we outspanned (unyoked) the oxen, pitched our tent, and praised GOD for having brought us in safety to the place where we would be. The next day PATO and his brothers, with a number of their Council and inferior Captains assembled :—a variety of subjects were discussed, connected with my intentions, and purposed mode of procedure, &c.; and all appeared well pleased. They said some flattering things, in the true Indian style, which I should not repeat here, only that it may help to give you an idea of some parts of their character:-among other things the Chiefs said, From henceforth should be their father, and they would make of me, as the interpreter rendered it, a "Bescherm Bosch,”—i. e., a Bush of Defence from wind and rain; meaning, I should be their defence in an evil day. These expressions, beyond doubt, resulted from sincere and honest feelings, but they could not avoid tinging them with the flattery and adulation usually employed when addressing a Chief or Headman. ALBANY.-Extract of a Letter from MR. KAY, dated Graham's-Town, Dec. 10th and 11th, 1823. SINCE Brother SHAW left me, my time has been fully occupied. The labours of the Circuit, in which two, and even three of us have been engaged, keep me, as you may suppose, upon full stretch. I enjoy, however, good health,-strength proportioned to my day, and a growing delight in my work; and, therefore, have abundant reason for thankfulness. On Saturday last I rode down to the sca-coast, which is about thirty-six miles from Graham's-Town, in order to be ready for the Sabbath, on which it was appointed to open our new Chapel at Green Fountain, George's Vale, near the Kowie. Many of our good friends here accompanied me. And when I arrived I found considerable numbers collected from different parts of the country A very lively interest having been excited all around by the erection of a little Temple in that part of the Dis trict, the majority of the population were pleasingly stirred up to assemble with us at its dedication. The Chapel is situated about three miles from the mouth of the river Kowie, on both banks of which stand the Settlers' rural habitations. The fruits of industry also present themselves to view, in the gardens stocked with vegetables, or the corn-fields, which are "white unto the harvest" the grain standing in some places from six to eight feet high, and promising an abundant supply of the "staff of life." Several have already put in the sickle, and got the sheaf into readiness for the garner; so that the prospect from the Chapel is indeed delightful. Having no bell or trumpet wherewith to assemble the congregation, a flag had been prepared for the purpose. This being hoisted on the morning of the Sabbath, it was not a little pleasing to see the different tribes (or parties) coming up to worship. My soul was indeed enlivened with a sense of the goodness of GOD, and glad to hear the people say, "Let us go up to the house of the LORD." I continued at George's Vale during the principal part of Monday, engaged in settling the affairs of the Chapel, and in auditing its accounts. I was agreeably surprised to find that it is very nearly clear of all debt; and hence in a very comfortable state. But, alas! here is a chapel, but where is the Preacher? I shall very seldom be able to go to it, and that only on week-nights; and the population being as yet necessarily scattered in the country, week-night services will unavoidably be thinly attended. Under those circumstances I shall scarcely ever be able to get even two-thirds of the people together. This will be a considerable disadvantage. But I confidently trust you will have taken into consideration the wants of this Circuit long ere this comes to hand,-nay, I mean, made provision for the supply of them. Its calls are loud. The Caffres having been very daring and successful in their depredations of late, making the thick forest a hidingplace, from whence they dart, as opportunity serves, by day and by night, seizing and driving away whole herds of cattle belonging to the settler or colonist, the Commandant of the frontiers determined upon going against them. The result of the skirmish was, the loss of several lives on the part of the Caffres, and the seizure of 4,000 head of cattle, which are intended to be distributed amongst those who, from time to time, have been plundered. Part of the troops returned home yesterday; and report states that the rest are on their way. O, that the bloody sword might soon return to its scabbard ! Dec. 12th.-I received a letter this morning from Brother SHAW, dated the 8th ult., at PATO's Kraal, Caffraria, at which, he states, they arrived on the 5th instant,-that they had met with no accident whatever, that the natives were very friendly, giving them all requisite help and assistance on their journey,-that PATO and his Chiefs, or Captains, received them with great gladness,-that upon recent examination he had found, that the place which he first chose for the station will admit of itinerating to a much greater extent than he at first expected, and hence, that he had fixed there.-He also states that the Caffres appear to be much alarmed, from an apprehension of their being severely dealt with by the military; a strong patrol having recently been at a kraal, about three miles from PATO's, at which, however, they did no harm, the inhabitants having all fled. Under those apprehensions, and thinking to conciliate the Colonists, they are collecting the stolen cattle, which they are about to send back to the Colony immediately. The most pleasing however of all is,-Brotber S. states that he has tolerably large congregations, who, upon the whole, behave decently; and that he, his family, and companions, enjoy good health. MR. Ross, of the Glasgow Missionary Society, was at my house this afternoon, on his way to Caffreland, accompanied by MR. BROWNLEE, who is now returning from Cape-Town, where he has been upon a visit. MR. B. has laboured at Chumie as a Missionary, for two or three years, under the direction of the Colonial Government. MR. R. is proceeding to that country with an intention to establish himself, in company with MR. BENNIE, in some part not yet selected. I urgently requested them to remain with us over the Sabbath, but could not prevail, as they are anxious to be at the end of their journey: hence they left Graham's-Town about nine o'clock this morning. May GOD grant them journeying mercies! The work of our chapel here is in a tolerable state of forwardness. It will be, when finished, a commodious place. Considerable sums have already been subscribed towards it; and more, I trust, will be offered. Nevertheless, I apprehend, all that can be done will leave us considerably involved. I am aware, in some measure at least, of your manifold and pressing calls from almost every quarter; and hence it is not without great diffidence that I urge our own case upon your attention. But if you can help us, I trust you will; and we shall feel extremely thankful. WEST INDIAN MISSIONS. GRANADINE ISLANDS.-Extract of a Letter from MESSRS. RAYNER and POPE, dated St. Vincent, Feb. 16th, 1824. THE substance of the following Report of the Granadine Islands was stated at our District-Meeting; on the ground of which the Meeting recommended that you should appoint Brother SQUIRE next year to labour principally among them. "To meet your expectation as stated in your letter of Nov. 8th, we with great pleasure report to you our views of the Granadine Islands connected with this Government, as eligible for a Mission station. Of the island of Bequia you have already received some information; to which we may add, that the oftener we visit it, and the more we become acquainted with its circumstances, and the disposition of the inhabitants to receive the Gospel, the more clearly do we perceive its importance as a Missionary field, and a place for the principal residence of the Missionary who may be appointed to the Quays. 66 Bequia contains about twelve hundred slaves, and a considerable number of white families. The estates, ten or eleven in number, are so situated as to make it convenient for all to attend preaching at the harbour or village. The Proprietors and Managers who live on the island are, in general, disposed to encourage our exertions among the negroes, who appear desirous of hearing the Gospel. We have visited that island eight or nine times, but we have been put to some inconvenience for want of a Chapel, as it has not been convenient for the Gentleman, who kindly lent us his house, to accommodate us always. Proposals have been made to erect a Chapel on a part of the public burying ground, such as might serve for a few years, and contain about five or six hundred people. Several Gentlemen have promised to give labourers, &c., and we do not doubt being able to pay the remaining cost in the course of a year, at the farthest, if, in addition to private subscriptions, we make a collection every time we visit the place, to be appropriated to the liquidation of the debt. This Chapel, we hope, will be erected in a few weeks, if it be ascertained that the place can be supplied with preaching. "The island of Mustique is about an hour's sail from Bequia, and three or four from St. Vincent. It contains two sugar estates, conveniently situated for the negroes from both, in number about four hundred, to attend one place of worship. The Proprietors of these estates are favourable to our object. They give us almost every encouragement, and, if they can depend upon our visiting the place, will, we doubt not, either erect a Chapel for the accommodation of the slaves from both estates, or they will each furnish a place of worship. Many of the slaves upon one estate were brought from Antigua, twelve or fourteen years ago, of whom eighteen were Moravians, and sixteen Methodists; and there are also upon the same estate, two who were members of a Baptist Church in New Providence Total, thirty-six. They have long been wishing to have a Preacher among them, and were not a little pleased, and, we hope, profited, by our visits; during the first of which, after the public service, and when the children had been catechised, the Preacher was requested to give out a hymn, which was done; it was sung to an old tune, which they knew; and they joined in singing it, young and old, for the old had taught the young. If we attend to Mustique, there can be little doubt of our having a Society of from forty to fifty in a few weeks. "Isle à Quatre is so near to the south side of Bequia, that it may be visited from thence by boats, with great safety and convenience. The Gentleman concerned in the property is exceedingly kind, and the people appear willing to hear the word of GOD. When there is service in Bequia, as many of them as the boat can contain attend there. It is a cotton estate, and has about seventy slaves attached to it. "Canonan is about half way between Bequia and Union Island. It is planted with cotton and provisions, and contains about two hundred negroes, in obtaining access to whom, for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to them, there can be but little if any difficulty, as the only objection made by the Lady, who owns the greatest part, if not nearly the whole of the island, was, that the Missionary, on his visit during the Christmas holidays, had not obtained special permission to visit the Granadines ; which cannot be viewed as an effectual obstacle, because the permission with which we have long been favoured extends to the Quays as well as to this island. "Union Island is in the neighbourhood of Cariacou, and has four cotton estates, all of which form one property; |