NOTES OF THE MONTH. August 20th.-Parliament was prorogued by the Queen, in person, on Saturday, Aug. 12, after a long and, in some measure, a fruitless session. The lords held 98 sittings, and were in deliberation 263 hours; the commons 144 sittings, and were in the house 948 hours. These lengthened sittings, often protracted till hours after midnight, in addition to attendance on numerous committees, show that though a great deal of work has not been done, a very large and exhausting amount of labour has been endured. It is no trifle for a man to be a Member of Parliament, and to attend well to his duties, either on the score of health and comfort, or of expense. The expense, on an average, entailed on a member may be stated at £500 per annum. Her Majesty's speech contains two or three sentences worthy of transcription here. She says, "In cordial co-operation with the Emperor of the French, my efforts will be directed to the effectual repression of that ambitious and aggressive spirit on the part of Russia, which has compelled us to take uparms in defence of an ally, and to secure the future tranquillity of Europe." After acknowledging the zeal and diligence of the Parliament in passing several measures for the opening of the coasting trade, to the ships of all nations, introducing simplicity into the public accounts, improving the proceedings of courts of law, she alludes to the Oxford University bill in the following terms:-" The means you have adopted for the better government of the University of Oxford, and the improvement of its constitution, I trust will tend greatly to increase the usefulness and to extend the renown of this great seminary of learning."* The * The following from the Sentinel, an Irish orange paper will amuse. "As Irishmen we congratulate the English Church that Oxford has been legislatively induced to open its doors to Dissenters. This we say because we wish Dissenters well, and dislike Dissent. It is an ignorant and contemptible thing. A man of sense cannot open his eyes without seeing all nature and all society openmouthed against the system of trading in the Christian religion; | conclusion of the royal speech is worthy of the lips which pronounced it. "It is my earnest desire that, on returning to your respective counties, you may preserve a spirit of union and concord. Deprived of the. blessings of peace abroad, it is more than ever necessary that we should endeavour to confirm and increase the advantages of our internal situation; and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I regard the progress of active industry, and the general prosperity which happily prevails throughout the country. Deeply sensible of these advantages, it is my humble prayer that we may continue to enjoy the favours of the Almighty, and that under his precious protection, we may be enabled to bring the present contest to a just and honourable termination."- We regret to remark that the cholera has prevailed to a considerable extent both in London and the provinces. Last week the deaths in London from this pestilence were 644, 446 of which were on the south side of the Thames. Lord Jocelyn, M.P. for Kings Lynn, son of Earl Roden, son-in-law of Lord Palmerston, a vigourous person, aged 38, died on Saturday morning after a few hours illness. In the West Indies, America, Canada, and in the continental kingdoms of Europe, reports of its ravages are rife. In Paris the deaths have declined from 115 to 58 per day.We are happy to learn from all quar ters that the prospect of a good harvest is general. The crops look well, and the sickle is in active requisition. Prices consequently fall. In France, though they have gathered an abundant harvest, the restrictions on the importation of corn are not reimposed, so that there also free trade prevails.- -During the last session 1,438. petitions, with 245,006 signatures were presented to parliament for closing public-houses on a Sunday; in addition to 759 petitions with 160,336 signatures and it is our conviction, confirmed by the experience of the University of Dublin, that of every hundred Dissenters admitted into Oxford, ninety-nine and nine-tenths will come out sound and decided Churchmen. for prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks on that day. We have given our views of this matter elsewhere. Surely there will be something more done in this way another session. Let us wait, and hope, and petition too. The licensed victuallers and publicans, in and about London, and elsewhere, have had meetings about the new law, which prohibits the opening of publichouses on Sunday before one and after half past two to six, and after ten at night to all except "travellers," and have determined to break the law until what a traveller" is, be determined by the law courts. They threaten a violent agitation against this measure next year. This is an additional reason for the friends of order and morality to be on the alert.82,966 persons petitioned for the abolition of church rates, and 10,597 for Sir W. Clay's bill, for opening the Universities to all irrespective of creed, there were 416 petitions, with 28,779 signatures.— Cardinal Wiseman has been sued for a libel by a catholic priest. Some informality interrupted the proceedings, which will be commenced in a new form. -The "material guarantee" which the "honour" of Russia held has been given up, in other words, the armies of the Czar have evacuated the principalities. Beaten by the Turks, threatened by Austria, and by sea beleaguered by the allied fleets, the wily chieftain has been compelled to retreat with dishonour and loss. The war is not, however, at an end. More soldiers and guns are being sent both to the Baltic and the Black seas.The Spaniards have determined that Queen Christina, the Queen mother, shall disgorge the plunder she has accumulated, to the amount of 71,000,000 reals-about £600,000-before she is banished from the court of Madrid. The king of Saxony, aged 57, was killed by the kick of a horse on the 9th. His successor is a bigotted catholic, while the people are protestants.The new viceroy of Egypt seems to be deservedly popular. He is amelio. rating the condition of the people.From the papers we learn that the concourse of pilgrims to Pooree has been unusually great this year; and that the scarcity of food had produced much suffering. Hundreds of pilgrims Dr. had been weakened from a want of food, and were lying in the streets, awaiting certain death. In the Madras territory, the same authorities tell us that a railroad is to be laid down, which will be opened in 1856.-Dr. Livingston, an English missionary, has explored a large portion of the interior of Africa, and has received the favour and help of the Portuguese governor of Angola, for the additions he has made to geographical knowledge.The protestant mission to Ireland, which last year was only partially successful, is being renewed in another form the present season. We wish them all success.- -The Wesleyan Conference commenced its one hundred and eleventh sitting at Birmingham, on the 26th of July. A few facts will be interesting, During the last year, £50,000 have been spent on chapels, they have 447 day schools, and 42,000 children taught at a cost of £19,228, of which £15,000 is provided by the pence of the children. Bunting was present, and in acknowledging a vote of thanks, said, "I do not know, honestly, that I desire to be spared many years. I suppose there is something about our human nature that makes us feel that death is coming too soon; but I have lost the love of life-of that happy life which it has been my privilege to live with you. Leave it with the Almighty; do not pray about that; but pray that whether my life be long or short, I may live and die in the Lord. Now that Dr. Newton has gone, it appears to me that, if we had the arbitration of these matters, it would be time that I should go too; but the will of the Lord be done!" The venerable doctor did not take much part in the business of the Conference. His active career as a public man may be regarded as at an end. A decrease of near seven thousand members of society led to very serious discussion, and very earnest prayer. After all the losses through the "Reformers," it should seem that other sources of defalcation exist.There is little doubt in the minds of some of a reaction and a revival.Out of door preaching has become much more common during the past month, than ever before, amongst the evangelical clergy, and distinguished ministers of all denominations. We cannot but hope that these very laudable and self-denying efforts will do good. Let the christian people generally encourage their pastors in this good work, by going with them, stand ing by them, making arrangements, &c., and we doubt not the good work will be entered on by many whom timidity and modesty at present keep aloof. POETRY. BY MARIA JANE JEWSBURY. WHY do ye weep-to know that dust Father-art thou a man of tears, Because thy child is free From the earthly strifes and human fears, Oppressive e'en to thee? Nay, triumph that thou badst me love Dear Mother, weep not, tears will My glory from thy view; If thou hadst taught me guile or pride, Then tears of blood were due; Sister, sweet sister, leave my tomb, Nor will its planted flow'rets bloom I dwell in blessed scenes of light, Tears for the dead who die in sin, First in expiring time; Says for the christian dead-rejoice. *My acknowledgments are due and are sincerely tendered to Ellen for her kindness in complying with my request. I have recently met with several of Miss Jewsbury's pieces in "The Pilgrim's Hand Book," one of which, as an appropriate sequel to "The Lost Spirit" I now send; and others little known may perhaps be sent in future months. J.B. NOW MINE EYE SEETH THEE. WHOM see I? not the God I sought, A God no human heart can find. १ Whom see I? Not the God of fire, Mosaic priest, and prophet saw; A Being of avenging ire, The Father of a flaming law. I see Him, not on wild and waste, Nor yet in Zion's temple, graced But I on Calvary view his face ; He speaks-it is a brother's tone: Where pilgrim patriarchs bend the He dies-but in that dying groan, knee, Is life for myriad souls-for mine. POETRY. THE PHILOSOPHY OF ENDURANCE. BY CHARLES MACKAY. WERE the lonely acorn never bound In the rude cold grasp of the rotting ground; Were it never soaked in the rain and hail, It would not spread to the summer air, Were never the dull, unseemly ore, To fetter Love's erratic wings: It would never shine amid priceless gems, Or the girth of imperial diadems; Nor become to the world a power and pride, So thou, O man of a noble soul, Starting in view of a glorious goal, Wert thou never exposed to the blasts, forlorn— Wert thou never refined in pitiless fire, From the dress of thy cloth and mean desire; Wert thou never taught to feel and know That the truest love hath its roots in woe, Thou wouldst never unriddle the complex plan, Or reach half-way to the perfect man; Thou wouldst never attain the tranquil height Where wisdom purifies the sight, And God unfolds to the humblest gaze The bliss and beauty of his ways. MISSIONARY OBSERVER. LETTER FROM MRS. STUBBINS. THE following letter shows the close and confining labours of a Missionary's wife-how little opportunity she has for relaxation. The tale of little "Mary" will be read with interest. It shows the beneficent spirit of christianity in contrast with the heartlessness of heathenism.-ED. Pooree, May 25th. MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY.-We are now spending a few weeks at a place I had not before visited, except once for a few hours when on our way to Cuttack. We have given our school children their annual holiday. Those who have relations are gone to visit them. About half our charge have no friends; they are orphans, and remain with us altogether and I know not how I could have left home, had not our friends, the Brookses, kindly offered to take charge during our absence. Three of the Khund girls have accompanied us-two in quest of health, and a third to wait upon them. Our kind medical attendant, Dr. Scott, had tried medicine without effect, and recommended a change of air. With the exception of a tour into the country, I have not enjoyed such a relaxation from the pressing and daily recurring duties of a school since we returned from England in 1845. I assure you I scarcely know how to enjoy it enough, and am quite disposed to make the most of it. Among other pleasant employments, I have resolved to devote an hour or two to old friends, and to you amongst the number. I will begin by describing our journey to this place; such jour neys are usually commenced at the time we ought to retire for the night. On the 9th, after taking tea with our dear friends, the Suttons and Brookses, we, i.e. Alfred and myself, got into a palankeen; my husband also travelled in the same way for several miles, and then mounted his horse, which had been sent forward to be in readiness. Alfred, who had slept VOL. 1.-N. S. *C soundly for two hours before leaving home, now awoke, and commenced chattering so fast that, even had I been disposed, sleep was out of the question. We talked of our last dark journey from Berhampore to Cuttack, when his dear brother Thomas was with us-of crossing the Chilka Lake, &c. I too thought of past scenes and bygone days. At length, wearied with the exertions of the two previous days, I fell into a heavy dose, but awoke at day-dawn, and enjoyed the cool morning breeze. We reached Piplee about 7 a.m. Mr. S. arrived a little before us, and had a cup of coffee ready, which, after an almost sleepless night, was most acceptable. Our friends, the Millers, had been at Pooree for more than a week. We took possession of their empty house, from whence we had a good view of their nice little christian village, pretty chapel, and brother Bailey's deserted bungalow. It looks disconsolate, and must remain so until a new missionary comes out from England to occupy it, which for the sake of the work, as well as also for the sake of our dear friends, the Millers, I hope will be soon; and by the way, cannot but remark that when a missionary is sent to unite with our brother at Piplee, it would seem most desirable he should be a married missionary, as in a station like this, with no doctor or European within 25 miles, one family must necessarily often be placed in extremely lonely and trying circumstances. I The sun was too high to admit of our going to every house, but in the course of the day the christians came in a body to see us, and an interesting group they were. The preachers and some others were absent, but the women, 13 in number, came with smiling faces, and dressed in their best. Most of them brought their infants, and some of them several children to show us. They told us there were either eighteen or nine |