certain changes in Parliament for instance -more members than formerly are now sent from some of the larger places; and liberty of voting is allowed to a greater number of persons belonging to the inferior classes of society. It will not be necessary for us to enter into these matters, which would not be at all interesting to you at present. However I must tell you, that the Reform bill, like that of which we were speaking just now, occasioned a great deal of excitement and party feeling throughout the country. It passed in June 1832.

There is little for me to say as to the other events which occurred during the reign of William IV.; and indeed the approach we have now made towards "modern times," reminds me that our history must very soon be brought to a termination.

It was in 1837, that William IV. died, and he was succeeded by our present sovereign, Queen Victoria, the daughter of the Duke of Kent, and the grand-daughter of the still venerated George III. Several years have already passed away since our beloved Queen ascended the English throne,-years they have been of prosperity for which we may well be thankful to that God who is the giver of our many mercies; and I am sure it will be the desire and the prayer of all our hearts, that

those mercies may be continued among us, and that our Queen may long be spared, a blessing to her family, her people, and her country.

But before we conclude, I must take a rapid glance at the chief events which have occurred during the reign of Victoria. And first, I may mention a rebellion which broke out in Canada, and a struggle which was made for independence, by the colonists there. This was soon quelled, and the Earl of Durham was sent out in 1838, as Governor General. He united the two Canadas, and transferred the seat of government from Quebec and Toronto. to Montreal.

Then there was a rebellion at home, raised by some lawless people called Chartists, of whom, I dare say, you have often heard. This too was put down, and their leaders were taken, tried, and transported.

In 1840, there was a war with China. This war began in consequence of a very wrong act of which we ourselves were guilty. The Chinese government had wisely prohibited the introduction into their empire of that hurtful drug called opium. But some of the English merchants found the opium trade very profitable; and they continued to carry it on, notwithstanding the prohibition. No wonder that the Chinese were offended at this. They

seized a large quantity of opium, and the English, angry at their doing so, declared war against them, though the fault was certainly rather that of the British merchants than of the This is another instance.

Chinese governors. of the fatal effects of covetousness and love of money, the desire of getting gain, even at the sacrifice of the health and the lives of fellow-creatures.

The war with China once commenced, was carried on until our forces had blockaded Canton, taken possession of the island of Chusan, and almost reached Nankin. The Chinese then desired peace, and the war was concluded in 1842. A large sum was paid to our government, the island of Hong Kong was ceded to us, and several ports in China were opened for general commerce. This war therefore ended better than might have been anticipated; and from that time trade with the great Empire of China has increased and prospered. And more important results followed. I must again remind you here, of the remarkable manner in which God is often pleased to bring good out of evil. That war in itself was

certainly evil, but yet it led to good of a most important and extensive kind. It has been the means not only of opening the way for the English merchants, and for English trade, but also for the Christian missionary, and for the

progress of true religion.

China had long

been shut out from the blessings of the gospel; and though something had been effected by the labours of a few persevering missionaries, who had translated the Scriptures into the Chinese language, and circulated religious tracts among the people, yet there were difficulties to overcome in obtaining free access into the country, and these were in a great measure removed by the intercourse established between the two nations at the termination of this war. Our English possession of Hong Kong also, has led to the appointment of a bishop of our own church in that distant part of the world, and to the establishment of a college for the education of native youths who, we may hope, will eventually become instructors of their fellow-countrymen. Other remarkable circumstances which have lately taken place in China, may also encourage us to look forward to a day, not far distant, when this great empire shall become a Christian, as well as a civilized nation.

During the time of the war with China, there was another contest going on with the Pasha or governor of Egypt, Mehemet Ali. He had for some time been disputing with the Sultan of Turkey, under whom he held his government. At last, some of the European powers interfered. An English squadron was

1

sent out, under Commodore Napier, which took possession of the coast of Syria. This territory was restored to the Turks, and the government of Egypt was secured, by a treaty, to Mehemet Ali and his successors. In consequence of this treaty, there has been increased intercourse between our own country and the ancient and interesting land of Egypt; and thus this war too, has proved beneficial to the cause of knowledge and of civilization. The south of Africa has been the scene of contest also in late years, in consequence of a rebellion among the natives of Caffreland.

And now I must mention to you another remarkable war, which commenced about this time, in the country of Affghanistan, in the west of India. The sovereign of that country had been dispossessed by a usurper named Dost Mahommed. He was expelled by the English, and the rightful sovereign restored; but unhappily, as our forces were returning from Cabul, the capital of Affghanistan, they were attacked in the celebrated Khyber Pass, by the son of Dost Mahommed, and nearly all of them were murdered. In the next year, Sir Charles Napier gained a victory in Scinde, and took the town of Hyderabad. Two years more passed on, and then the British territory in India was invaded by the Sikhs, who attacked the town of Moodkee, near the river Indus. These