employed in Napoli, Hydra, and other towns, in masonry, carpentry, and similar occupations. The women here, as in many other parts of the East, wear a profusion of ornaments. The language of Canticles, i. 10, is literally applicable to them.

In the Monastery of Agios Georgios, near Phonia, I found an opportunity of proclaiming the Truth to some Monks and others: a serious impression appeared to be made. There are about thirty Caloyers in this Monastery. At Phonia or rather the Kalybia of Phonia, I am spending the night. In this village there are 400 houses: it is a bustling place. April 22, 1828-Our route led us along the Lake of Phonia. This collection of waters is rather a singular phænomenon. Before the commencement of the Revolution there was but the semblance of a lake, the waters escaping through a cavity in the earth; but, in the year 1821, this cavity was, in all probability, choked up, as the waters since that time have been continually overspreading the plain, and at present compose a lake not much less than Derwent-Water. There is little doubt that they will still continue to increase, and indeed rise to the same level at which they have arrived on some former occasions: two years will, probably, bring them to the traces of the water-mark mentioned by Pausanias, which are still visible. The country people consider this event as miraculous; and relate, that the same occurrence took place when the Turks conquered the Morea from the Venetians. As it is, they have been great sufferers by the inundation, as they have lost their fine vineyards and cornland; and perhaps, in time, may lose even some of their houses. The mountains around the Lake are beautifully clothed with forests, and capped with

snow.

After leaving this scene behind us, we descended into another plain, at the further extremity of which we reached the Lake of Stymphalus, now called Zaracca. On the road we noticed the ruins of a Khan: these houses of refreshment were formerly common in the Morea, being, at a convenient distance between towns, lodging-places for wayfaring men (Jeremiah ix. 2); but they have all been destroyed. In the Lake of Zaracca we observed the Katabathron, into which the waters are precipitated: they emerge twenty miles distant

at the source of the River Erasinos, near Argos. The journey from this lake to Agios Georgios is not very interesting. A fertile plain, on which Phlius was situated, precedes the last-mentioned village. Agios Georgios contains about 300 houses.

Napoli.

April 23-I arrived in Napoli soon after mid-day. The road for about two hours ascends and descends gentle hills; and, afterwards, for four hours, crosses the fine Plain of Argos. On the way, one of the muleteers told me a story which reminded me of David's approaching the encampment of King Saul in the night, and carrying off the spear and cruse of water (1 Sam. xxvi, 12). The narrator entered the Turkish camp in the night, and took off a fine horse, and, from the very bolster of the sleeping Turk, a musket, yataghan, and two pistols: such events are not unfrequent in Greek and Turkish warfare. The fig-tree is now in the state to which our Saviour alludes, in His prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem-its branch is tender, and putteth forth leaves; hence we know that summer is nigh (Matt. xxiv. 32).

April 25-During my tour, I continually distributed the Malta Publications; and to-day I have put in circulation 1000 Tracts, by selling them at a low pricethree paras a-piece: they will speedily be dispersed through the Morea. supply of Scriptures, which I expected, is not arrived.

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April 30-Tzounes, who has just been appointed Governor of Upper Messenia, called, and informed me that the other day he had been President at the Assembly of the District of Argos, convened for the election of Demogerontes. He had caused a prayer, in the modern language, addressed to the Deity, and without a single allusion to the mediation of Saints, to be publicly read at the opening of the Assembly: I heard it repeated, and was much delighted to perceive such an auspicious beginning of reformation in Public Prayer.

May 1-Tomaras informs me that a large number of the Turkish Women, who were taken captives in the war, have been baptized and married. He supposes that in Syra there may be fifty of this description.

May 3-I had intended to sail this evening for Syra; but so great an alarm everywhere prevails in consequence of the breaking out of the plague at Hydra, that I cannot depart without the prospect

May 5, 1828-I left Napoli yesterday evening, with Mr.Finlay, a Scotch Gentleman; and came to Argos. Just before leaving Napoli, my man, Peter, arrived from Spezzie; having sold books there to the value of 125 piastres. I started with Mr. Finlay soon after sun-rise. We passed the Fountain of the Erasinos, now called Kephallaria, and the Lernæan Marsh. I observe that the peasants in Greece not only still carry their wine to market in skins, but also their milk. Such, in all probability, was the bottle of milk which Jael opened for Sisera (Judges iv. 19). Two bottles of wine (1 Sam. xxv. 18) appear to an English reader but a trifling present for David and his numerous companions; but two skins of wine, which they doubtless were, are something much more considerable, being a load for an ass or a mule, as I have often witnessed.

General Jarvis, an American Gentleman in the Greek Service, who had very hospitably received us last night, accompanied us as far as the Mills." He informs me, that in the Province of Maina it is a common practice to plow with an ox and an ass together, a practice forbid den by the Law of Moses (Deut. xxii. 10). At the distance of thirty minutes from the Mills, is Kiveri, a village of twenty houses on the way, are rice-grounds of considerable extent. The well-known practice of keeping the rice-grounds under water renders applicable to them, even more than to corn-lands, the expression of Eccles. xi. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

Astros.

The road from Kiveri to Astros leads, for the most part, over uninteresting hills, near the sea-shore: the whole distance from Argos to Astros is six hours. The neighbouring Village of Agiannes is the chief centre of population, in the vicinity of Astros: it contains 250 families, and is distant from thence three hours-and-ahalf. Astros itself is at present little more than the scala, or landing-place. In sight are the Kalybia of Prastos and Karakovouni. Before the Revolution, there existed at Agiannes a School of Mutual Instruction and of Ancient Greek it was founded by Demetrius Kartzotes; and possesses a library which, for Greece, is considerable, and contains most of the Greek Classics and Fathers.

I was intérested at finding here a small production of Asopius, which might be called the Modern-Greek Reader: it is a collection of moral pieces, of a very interesting nature. One of the stories particularly attracted my attention, as it shews that a method of administering justice similar to that usually styled the judgment of Solomon " still prevails in the East (1 Kings iii. 16—28). I shall relate the anecdote, not exactly as it occurs in the text, but with the addition of names and other circumstances, as I have learned them from a native of Joannina.

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Two Christians were on a journey from Salonica to Joannina: one of them, finding himself in want of money, resorted to his friend's benevolence, and obtained from him the loan of a considerable sum: the latter demanded no security for the re-payment of his money; but relied on a verbal promise, that he should be reimbursed on arrival at the journey's end. After reaching Joannina, the borrower proved so ungrateful and unjust, as not only to refuse the payment of his debt, but actually to disclaim all knowledge of the circumstance. What can the creditor do? He appeals to the judgment of Ali Pacha: he states the wrong which had been done him: but, as he is unable to bring forward any document or any witness in proof of his allegation, the accused denies the whole. "Was there nothing at the place," says Ali Pacha, "which could prove a witness of the transaction-not even stones or trees?" "Yes," replied the accuser, there was a large plane-tree.". Go, then," rejoined the judge, bring hither a branch from the plane-tree, and let the other remain here till your return." He instantly departed; and forthwith the Pacha began to amuse the company around with the relation of such stories as are frequent in the East. After some time, he perceived the attention of the accused deeply engaged in the entertaining narratives: he therefore suddenly addressed himself to him, with the words" Well, fellow! has the other not yet returned ?”

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"Returned!" he replies, the distance, please your Highness, is by no means small.' Ah, you wretch!" says Ali Pacha, you know the place, then, where you received the money; but of the money itself you have no recollection!" He instantly gives orders that the culprit be well bastinadoed, and that he refund the money to its rightful owner.

At Astros we were hospitably entertain

ed, in the house, or rather Castle, of Zaphyropulos; but the Master was absent, and his brother did the honours. A wish was expressed, to hear me preach on some Sunday or Feast-day; and I hope that, on another occasion, I may have that favour. The Castle here proved impregnable to the desultory warfare of Ibrahim's troops : only sixty-four men were in the place for some days, but, afterwards, they re ceived re-inforcements from Napoli. On the hill are some old Cyclopian walls, of a very rude description. A Priest informed me, that, the same morning, he had bap tized a Turkish Boy. The sea was the baptistry.

May 6,1828-In consequence of the embarrassments thrown in the way of travellers by the report of plague, I had judged it expedient to return to-day to Argos, and accordingly proceeded for an hour-and-ahalf in that direction; but, on the way, my feelings reproached me so strongly for abandoning Mr. Finlay, that I could not rest till I had turned my horse's head and gone in quest of him. As I knew that he intended to visit the Monastery of Lukos, and Agios Andreas, I proceeded to the road leading from the latter place to Karakovouni, and there awaited his arrival. How often have I to regret, a want of attention to the wishes and happiness of others! May God forgive my selfishness, and enable me to attend daily to the commandment, Thou shult love thy neighbour as thyself! A kind and obliging deportment often preaches more effectually than long sermons.

On the Plain of Astros, I observe that wine-presses are still to be met with in the vineyards. More frequently the grapes are pressed out at home. Thus in our Lord's Parable (Matt. xxi. 33): The house holder planted a vineyard, and dug a winepress in it. The villages which border the plains have been utterly destroyed by the Arabs. How applicable to the Morea is the language of the ProphetYour country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; your land, strangers devour it in your presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers (Isaiah i. 7)! Karakovouni.

The distance from Astros to this place is four hours. The number of houses is 120, but many of them are vacant: during the Revolution, 120 men have perished: the number of families now resident is 80. Here, as in many other parts of the Morea, it is usual to have both a summer and a winter resi

dence. Thus the whole population of Karakovouni spend their summer on this elevated situation; but, on the approach of winter, they remove to their village, which, as usual, is called the Kalybia (Cottages), and which is situated on the edge of the plain. I found one Priest here, but no School. An hour from hence is the Monastery of Orthokosta, in which is a Manuscript of Methodius of Patara, prophesying the Greek Revolution, and subsequent plague, famine, and other remarkable events: such is the information which is here given me. I have heard much more frequently of the Prophecies of Agathangelos: in them the Greeks repose much faith; and I have heard indeed so many extraordinary things concerning them, that I regret my want of time and opportunity to examine them.

Lenidi.

May 7-From Karakovouni to Lenidi is a distance of about 4 hours, 53 minutes. It is situated in a deep hollow, between stupendous precipices; is beautifully adorned with olives; and is asserted to contain 1000 houses and five churches.

May 8-Visited the School of Theodosius, and was much pleased with it: there are forty scholars; and the Master, having been educated at Haivali, is a man of information: it is the best Ancient-Greek School which I have seen in the Morea. I am sorry to say, that there is not at present any Lancasterian School at Lenidi. Prastos and Lenidi belong to the same persons; Prastos being the summer, Lenidi the winter residence. But, as the Arabs have burned Prastos, at present the inhabitants spend even their summer at Lenidi. The heat would be almost insufferable at Lenidi, were it not that during the day a fine inbat continually blows from the sea; and during the night a land-breeze blows down the glen, in an opposite direction.

The district which I am now visiting is usually called Tzakonia; and is remarkable for having a dialect peculiar to itself. This language is spoken in Lenidi, Kastanitza, and Sitina, by a population of 6000 or 7000 persons: the Modern Greek is also well understood by them, but, amongst themselves, they speak Tzakoniat. The little observation, which I had time to make, inclines me to believe that it is nothing more than a dialect of the Hellenic, under a different form of corruption: some Ancient-Greek words are used, which are not to be met with in Romaïc: others are employed in both dia

May 11,1828: Sunday-This morning, I preached in the principal Church, to a large Congregation, from the words, Be ye reconciled to God. In the evening, two persons called upon me, one of whom appeared to have been very seriously impressed under the morning's sermon. I thank God for such appearances of success. It is such instances as this which afford me satisfaction; not the compliments which some others employ. I had much conversation with Theodosius; and spoke to him very plainly on the guilty fear of those persons who, though knowing better, still leave their country in ignorance. I asked him, if his conscience did not reprove him for such conduct? He replied, "No." To me it is surprising, how many enlightened Greeks can feel at ease in the habitual conformity to practices and doctrines which they know to be erroneous.

Astros.

May 12-On my return to Astros, one of the muleteers, a Turkish Youth, informed me that there are about thirty Turkish Slaves at Lenidi: he expressed a wish to become a Christian, but I found him totally ignorant of the nature of our Religion. Were I a rich man, what delight should I have in taking with me such young men, and providing for them a Christian Education. At Astros I found an opportunity of speaking on Religion as was little short of a regular sermon: but I fear that I spoke too severely. Of what importance it is, that affection be always blended with seriousness! Argos.

parts, in order to glean: I see the young women, in particular, returning from their employment, with large quantities upon their backs. Here, then, we find a custom prevailing similar to that in which Ruth was engaged (ii. 3).

May 17-I have interchanged visits with the Bishop of Tripolitza. He and the Bishop of Andrussa are the only two who survived the severe imprisonment which six Prelates suffered at Tripolitza, in the beginning of the Revolution. Beside them, twelve Priests were imprisoned, of whom only four survived. Who can conceive the horrors of Turkish imprisonment? I have had a partial view of it at Constantinople, in the case of our poor Jewish Converts.

There are men here who have an art somewhat similar to that for which Egypt has long been famous: they handle and carry in their bosom not only the other species of serpents, but even vipers; and gain money by selling a medicine, which, as they pretend, is a preservative against the serpent's bite. May 24- During the last week alarms of plague have been renewed; and it has made its appearance at Cheli, four or five hours distant. Not only has all ingress from the country been, in consequence, cut off; but the shops have been closed, and even the Schools and Churches. Serious apprehensions are also entertained of the renewal of warfare on the part of Ibrahim Pacha. Amidst all the confusion of war and pestilence, may the Cause of Christ make progress!

The Greeks have the superstitious idea, that the plague, or rather the cause of the plague, is a supernatural Female, who walks about at night, robed in black, enters the houses, and notes the victims who are destined to destruction: My man quotes the authority of persons who pretend to have seen her. Without imputing to the Inspired Writer any such ridiculous conception, is it impossible that the expression in Psalm xci. 6. may have been borrowed from such a notion ? The pestilence that walketh in darkness.

May 26-The Greeks have carried their antipathy to the Turks to such a pitch, that they have destroyed all the storks in the country. On inquiring the reason, I was informed "The stork is a Turkish bird: it never used to build its nest on the house of a Greek, but always on that of a Turk!" The tenderness which the Turks display toward the

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May 29, 1828-In Greece, horses are employed to tread out the corn, as was sometimes the case in Judæa (Isaiah xxviii. 8): and with regard to them, the law is observed which Moses gave to the Jews concerning oxen (Deut. xxv. 4). Hence they find means, in the progress of their labour, to partake pretty largely both of the straw and of the grain. I also see the Greeks frequently winnowing with the shovel (Isaiah xxx. 24). The various allusions to harvest and its concomitant observances, in the Sacred Writings, derive much illustration from the practices

of these countries.

My stay in Argos was of a month's duration. I had hoped, during this interval, to be able to aid the circulation of the Scriptures in the various parts of the Morea which I had visited; but, unfortunately, the plague had excited such alarm, that Napoli was barred against all ingress, and I had no opportunity of obtaining the New Testaments which had arrived from Syra. I found occasion, however, to make known the Truth to various individuals; and I rejoice to recollect the names of several young men who lent an attentive ear to my remarks. I now repeat an observation which I made more than two years ago, that everywhere I discover some persons to whom Religious Truth is a grateful subject. On the one hand, they become enlightened as to the various corruptions of their own communion; and, on the other, they escape from the still more dangerous gulf of Infidelity, into which so many fall headlong. God has bestowed on me the inexpressible favour to sow the incorruptible seed of Revealed Truth at Argos, and in various other places; and I feel strongly persuaded that He will also give the increase. It is manifest, that, in various parts of the East, a work of preparation for the reception of Christian Truth

Allepie.

not, that many persons have arrived at that establishment of Christian character which is designated by the term Regeneration;" but I do affirm, that many have had their minds so far enlightened, and so far interested in this important subject, that, when the door for proclaiming the Gospel shall be more widely and effectually opened, there is a good hope that more individuals will gladly come forward, will embrace the wished-for opportunities, and will become willing converts to the true doctrine of Christianity. At present, every one who is interested in the Cause of Christ contemplates the political aspect of Greece with intense interest. He frequently inquires, Whether the New Government will lend assistance, or otherwise, to the efforts which are in progress for the benefit of its subjects? Whatever the answer may be, convinced I am that our labour has not been in vain. If not the great good which we hope, yet some good will assuredly be the result. Thousands of copies of the New Testament are gone forth; and other testimonies to the Truth, both oral and printed, have been given. Thus are thousands of voices crying in the wilderness," Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a highway for our God!"(Isaiah xl. 3.) We leave, then, our humble efforts to the blessing of the Most High.

Before I left Argos, the plague had advanced as far as Omer-baka, a village only an hour-and-a-half distant: and letters from Napoli now inform us that it has found its way into Argos itself. I find much cause for gratitude, that, under these circumstances, I was enabled to reach Syra. I could not pass by the route of Epidaurus and Ægina, as I had intended; for the road was closed: but I found means to reach Kalamaki, near Corinth; and there the health-officer was so polite as to procure me a passage for Syra.

A LETTER has recently been received from Mrs. Norton, wife of the Rev. Thomas Norton, the Society's Missionary at Allepie, dated December the 9th, from which the following particulars relative to the Schools at that Station have been collected. The Contributions to the

Allepie School Fund are applied to the support of these Schools, through the medium and under the direction of the Madras Corresponding Committee.

Deplorable State of the Native Children. It has long been my intention to send you some account of my Female School and general proceedings here. The ill