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PASSING EVENTS.

In Texas, the Confederates have captured Galveston and the steamer Harriet Lane, but it is doubtful whether they will be able to retain their conquest of the former.

We are happy to perceive some slight symptoms in the Federal States of a desire for peace. The Emperor of the French has also addressed to the Government at Washington, an expression of his desire that some means may be found for putting an end to the conflict. In this desire the whole civilized world will most heartily concur.

this the Constitution forbids. He has done all in his power, in this respect, by his Message to Congress, noticed in our last number, recommending the States to adopt a system of emancipation. The present proclamation is essentially a war measure,—it is so treated by the President, and it is thus only that it can be justified. Doubtless, he hesitated long before employing this most awful means of bringing the conflict to an end. It is an attempt, however it may be disguised, to raise the slave population of the States designated, against their masters; and may lead to scenes of horror, compared with which the blood already shed in this war will be but as a drop in the ocean. The only effect of it hitherto has been to increase the bitterness of hatred on the part of the South, and, we fear, to lead to acts on their part which do not surprise although appointment of General Hooker in his they deeply grieve us.

The army of the Potomac was again put in motion at the end of January, but the state of the roads, and attendant delay in supplying the necessary appliances, compelled its return to its former position. This has been followed by the resignation of General Burnside, and the

place. Generals Sumner and Franklin have also been relieved of their com

THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH has

THE WAR IN AMERICA does not ex-mands. hibit any symptoms of coming to an end. Mr. Cuyler, of Brooklyn, whose animated address in reference to the relief proposed to be sent to our Lancashire operatives we reported last month, proves to have been mistaken in his opinion of the expedition under General Banks, about which there appeared to be so much mystery. It was destined for New Orleans, where General Banks has superseded General Butler, whose proceedings there have procured him such an unenviable notoriety.

In Tennessee, a five days' conflict ended in the Confederate General Bragg quietly withdrawing his army, without any interference from the Federals under General Rosecranz, thus strictly following the precedents set in this war.

Vicksburg, on the Mississippi, against which the Federals failed last campaign, has been again attacked, but without success. While, in other parts, there has been an alternation of victory and defeat on a smaller scale, but without leading to any decisive result.

He

been usefully employed in distribut-
ing prizes to the Exhibitors at the
recent International Exhibition.
took the opportunity of having a laugh
at us, for the fears entertained, about
two years back, of the hostile intentions
of his people towards us, and told his
audience that they had really invaded
England, and had learnt much that
He also
would be profitable to them.
took the opportunity of paying a compli-
ment to this country, which our Govern-
ment has thought it courteous to acknow-
ledge officially. We quote it as the
testimony of an intelligent and impartial
observer, and as embodying an important
principle, "That regard for the laws is
the best foundation for real liberty."

"From these material exchanges an exchange still more valuable arises, that of ideas. If foreigners envy us many useful things, we also have much to

learn from them. You must, in fact, with being useful, and let us pass a have been struck in England by the quiet, easy, humdrum session."

The only matter of interest which occurred, was the formal introduction to the House of Peers of the Prince of

unrestricted liberty in the manifestation of all opinions and in the development of all interests. You remarked the perfect order maintained in the midst of Wales, who took the oaths and his seat the excitement (vivacité) of discussion as a Peer of Parliament.

and the perils of competition. It exists because English liberty always respects the principal bases upon which society and authority are established. This is why it does not destroy, but reforms; it carries in its hands, not the torch which destroys, but the flambeau which illuminates, and in private enterprises the individual initiative employed with indefatigable ardour renders it unnecessary for the Government to be the sole promoter of the vital forces of a nation; thus, instead of regulating everything, it leaves to everyone the responsibility

of his actions."

On Thursday, February 5th, the Parliament of Great Britain reassembled for

the transaction of business. In the absence of Her Majesty, the Royal Speech was read by the Lord Chancellor, but did not communicate anything which was not previously known. Her Majesty communicated her approval of the marriage of the Prince of Wales--stated that the estimates for the ensuing year would provide for such reduction of expenditure as appeared to be consistent with the proper efficiency of the public

A curious fact has come to light through a statement made by the French Ambassador at Rome, which rendered it necessary for the British Government to

make known the circumstances.

It

appears that in July last, THE POPE made an application to Mr. Odo Russell, who represents them unofficially at Rome, to know whether in case he were compelled to leave that city he would be We can readily imagine how such a well and hospitably received in England.

message would embarrass our Ministers, who could have little disposition to have the Roman Court located here, however willing they might be to shew our accustomed hospitality to the Pope in his individual capacity. They got out of the difficulty by stating that, if the Pope desired to leave Rome, our Admiral should be instructed to convey him to Trieste, Marseilles, or Valencia, or if he would prefer it, they would provide him a suitable residence in Malta, where he would be perfectly uncontrolled. He himself of the offer, which however he has not yet found it necessary to avail gratefully acknowledged.

service, and that various measures of public usefulness and improvement would be submitted for consideration. The debates which ensued did not give much additional information. The Earl THE ANNUAL MEETING OF TWIG FOLLY

of Derby represented the case very fairly when he said, "The Government have not made any very great promises for the future, but the noble Earl who seconded the address, referred to one measure relating to convict discipline.

With this exception the Government have not thrown much light on the measures they intend to introduce during the session. Let us be content

SCHOOL, BETHNAL GREEN, Was held, Tuesday, January 27th, when about 120 persons sat down to tea. The Rev. Wm. Dorling presided at the public meeting. The Report stated that three scholars had joined the Church during the year. The Rev. T. Temple, Mr. Brain, and other gentlemen also addressed the meeting.

THE REV.

THOMAS BOAZ, LL.D.*

WE resume our notice of these interesting memorials, in order to extract from them some particulars of the missionary life of Dr. Boaz. Our Number for February contained an account of his early life, while in March our readers were made acquainted with the remarkable circumstances by which he was brought to forsake the paths of folly and sin, and to devote himself to the service of the Saviour. His early and successful efforts in the service of Christ were described; and it is now our pleasing duty to accompany him to that distant land in which it had long been his desire to labour. Mr. Boaz left his native shores in August, 1834, and arrived at Calcutta in the following December. At the time of his arrival, the pastorate of the English church, meeting in Union Chapel, was vacant. That chapel owed its existence to the Rev. Henry Townley, who had commenced worship in the hall of his own house, and had been the means of gathering together a congregation, for whose accommodation he had been enabled to raise this building. A gentleman by birth, manners, and education; a pious and devout Christian; a man of amiable disposition; and withal possessed of wealth; Mr. Townley was the man to raise a new and hitherto unpopular interest in Calcutta. While he disarmed opposition by the mildness of his rebuke, and the tender compassion apparent in his conversation, he conciliated the great by his gentlemanly bearing, and attracted the lower classes by his condescension and kindness of deportment. To this day his name is held in high veneration, and his memory revered by all classes. Mr. Townley removed to Chinsurah in 1821, and was obliged soon after to leave. India on account of ill health. The pastorate of the church was then undertaken by the Rev. James Hill, who laboured there with great acceptance for eleven years. He was well suited for such a position. Possessed of a singularly musical voice, a chaste delivery, and a pleasing manner, he soon succeeded in gathering together a congregation of eager and attentive hearers, who were charmed and edified by his persuasive eloquence. As a preacher Mr. Hill had In a short time he few equals, and no superiors in Calcutta. became so popular that the chapel was filled with large assemblies, composed not only of the middle classes, but of the elite of society.

"The Mission Pastor." Memorials of the Rev. Thomas Boaz, LL.D. Twenty-four years Missionary in Calcutta. By his Widow. Edited by his Brother-in-law. London: John Snow, PP. 470.

N

Lady Bentinck and suite frequently attended his ministrations. The chapel was thronged with government officers, civil servants, military men, and merchants. This, however, did not continue. The fashionable crowd gradually withdrew, and went to other churches more congenial to their tastes and antecedents. Mr. Hill resigned his pastorate in 1833, and returned to England in 1834. He was succeeded for a short time by the Rev. R. C. Mather; but at the time of Mr. Boaz's arrival the pastorate was vacant, and he was at once appointed to the office by the unanimous vote of the people, and with the concurrence of his brethren in the mission. The directors of the London Missionary Society also gave their sanction. He secured the esteem of his missionary brethren, and gained the love and affection of his people, which he preserved during his long pastorate.

Dharumtaláh, the street in which Union Chapel is situated, is a broad thoroughfare, stretching away from the Chowringhí-road on the west, to the circular road on the east of the city. Entering the street from the Great Maidán, a plain that separates Calcutta from the Hoogly on the west, the passenger has to make his way through a crowded Bazár, where merchandize of all sorts is exposed for sale, and where one sees numbers of natives squatted on the ground busily preparing heaps of cotton-wool for exportation, with implements which, from their harsh sound and strange shape, one would take to be a kind of rude guitars, or curious stringed instru ments, adapted to give forth barbaric music. Stifled with clouds of dust, and stunned with a din and hubbub such as are only witnessed in Oriental streets, he is fortunate if he succeeds in driving through the pressing throng without being thrown out of his buggy, or knocking over some of the half-naked natives who seem to enjoy the luxury of standing in the way, and are seldom in a hurry to clear the road, despite the loud shrill vociferations of the Syse as he runs along by the side of his master's carriage, warning the multitude of approaching danger. Ere the upper end of the now broader and more quiet street is reached, Union Chapel, the property of the London Missionary Society, is seen on the left. It is a plain, but graceful structure, with a verandah, and large portico in front, supported by massive Doric columns. At the north-east angle, stands the pastor's house, and the whole is surrounded by a garden, or com pound. In the front of the chapel is a grassy lawn, and on either side the garden is filled with brilliant shrubs, evergreens, and flowers of various tints and colours, indigenous and exotic, brought hither from the Himalaya Mountains, from Europe, Africa, and America. The garden was planned, and enriched with its gorgeous

occupants by Mr. Boaz. He took much delight in looking after this favorite spot; he not only laid out considerable sums of money in purchasing seeds and plants from various countries, but cultivated it with his own hands. Morning and evening was he seen with knife, spade, and other implements of horticulture; pruning here, sowing there, and watering the thirsty ground as occasion required. All the time he could spare from more serious avocations was spent among his flowers, and under his fostering care the compound looked gay and trim at all seasons.

The interior of the chapel presented an appearance very novel to one lately arrived in the country. The form of the chapel was a parallelogram, without galleries; the lofty roof being supported by two rows of massive pillars. The pulpit was at the further end, and opposite to it the organ-loft. The walls were white, plain, and unadorned; but the monotony of their appearance was relieved by a number of large Venetian windows, painted green, and rising from the basement to the roof. The floor was covered with fine Bengal matting, and the pews consisted of open trellis work, made of polished wood, and containing from six to ten large arm chairs. From the roof were suspended several large white fans, or punkás, with pendent cotton or silk frills stretching across the whole length of the chapel, from the pulpit to the organ-loft. During the worship, a row of sable Hindu attendants, dressed in turbans, and flowing robes, pure and white, stood on either side; not, however, for the purpose of taking any part, except to pull those gigantic fans that were moving slowly from side to side with the regularity of a pendulum, to keep the worshippers cool and comfortable during divine service. These attendants are called punká-bearers, and but for the occasional movement of their arms, one would take them for so many automata, cut out in ebony, and decked in Oriental costume, so still and seemingly lifeless are they! Not a muscle of the countenance moves, nor is there the slightest indication of any interest in what is going on. All around is a sea of whiteness. The gentlemen dressed in white from head to foot; the ladies also in white, without bonnets, sometimes bareheaded, and at others covered with gossamer veils. The countenances of the congregation shewed at once that it was not wholly composed of Englishmen. The worshippers were from various parts of Europe; some from America, while many were Eurasians, or the descendants of Englishmen, born in India.

It will be readily believed that Mr. Boaz did not seclude himself from intercourse with his fellow men. His home was open, not only to young men who brought letters of introduction from an

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