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Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc.

The Banian or Bur Tree, is considered one of the most curious and beautiful of nature's productions in the genial climate of India, where she sports with the greatest profusion and variety. Every tree is in itself a grove, and some of them are of an amazing size, as they are continually increasing, and contrary to most other animal and vegetable productions, seem to be exempt from decay; for every branch from the main body throws out its own roots, at first in small tender fibres, several yards from the ground, which continually grow thicker, until, by a gradual descent, they reach its surface, where striking in, they increase to a large trunk, and become a parent tree, throwing out new branches from the top. These in time extend their roots, and, receiving nourishment from the earth, swell into trunks, and shoot forth other branches; thus continuing in a state of progression so long as the first parent of them all supplies her sustenance.

A banian tree, with many trunks, forms the most beautiful walks, vistas, and cool recesses, that can be imagined. The leaves are large, soft, and of a lively green; the fruit is a small fig, when ripe, of a bright scarlet; affording sustenance to monkeys, squirrels, peacocks, and birds of various kinds, which dwell among the branches.

The Hindoos are peculiarly fond of this tree; they consider its long duration, its outstretching arms, and overshadowing beneficence, as emblems of the Deity, and almost pay it divine honours. The Brahmins, who thus "find a fane in every sacred grove," spend much of their time in religious solitude under the shade of the banian tree; they plant it near the dewals or Hindoo temples, improperly called pagodas; and in these villages where there is not any structure for pub. lic worship, they place an image under one of these trees, and there perform a morning and evening sacrifice.

form his prey, with as much design as a cat or tiger. When a fly is sufficiently within his reach, he projects rapidly his armed paw, and, with unerring aim transfixing his victim, lodges it in the toothed hollow of the thigh, destined for its reception. After the fly is in his power, no time is lost in devouring it, commencing with the trunk, and in a few minutes swallowing the whole, the head and wings constituting the finishing morsel. In this manner he will destroy at a meal five or six large flies, which, in point of bulk, nearly double his own body. The structure of the fore-limb is remarkably adapted for the purpose it has to serve. It is strong and muscular, provided with a claw at its extremity, likewise strong, horny, and sharp as a needle, and the groove in the last joints, with the double row of teeth or spurs on the margin, corresponding and locking closely into each other, like the fangs of the alligator. By means of these formidable weapons, the insect not only becomes destructive to others, but is employed to attack its own species; and in China, we are told, fighting the mantis forms the favourite amusement of boys, who carry them about in cages for the purpose.

London, 25th May.

On Saturday, Captain Ross left Woolwich in his steam-vessel, the Victory, with which he is about once more to attempt the discovery of the north-west passage; but in this instance, it is said, the expedition is equipped entirely at his own expense. The steam power employed in the Victory is on a wholly new principle, being so contrived as to combine every advantage of steam power, with perfect capability as a sailing vessel. The boilers used occupy so small a space, that they are fixed between the engines. The consumption of fuel is one-half, and the weight of the engines only one-fourth, of those generally in use. Another advantage gained, is that a chimney may be dispensed with, which leaves the deck, masts, and rigging, wholly unincumbered.

Habits of the Leaf Insect.-The mantis, or leaf insect, is one of the most remarkable for its external form of all the insect tribes in India. When alive and fresh, it West's Pictures.-At a late sale of Mr. presents a striking resemblance to a blade West's pictures in London, "Christ Reof grass, differing in colour according to jected," sold for three hundred guineas the season, being green and succulent in it was bought for the Duke of Orleans. the rains, and in the dry weather so "Death on the Pale Horse, or the openmuch like a withered straw, that they ing of the Five Seals," which was paintcan with difficulty be distinguished. Dr. ed by Mr. West when he had nearly acAdams, who has given an interesting ac- complished his 80th year, was bought for count of the habits of these animals, says two hundred guineas.-"The Death of that this insect lies in wait for flies, which Lord Nelson," eight hundred and fifty

guineas. "General Wolfe," five hundred guineas. "Moses receiving the Laws," five hundred guineas. "Battle of La Hogue," three hundred and seventy guineas. "The Ascension of our Saviour," two hundred guineas, and a number of others sold from two hundred down to seventeen guineas.

The Earl of Dartmouth.-The ship Cambria, from London, has brought out a full length portrait of William H. Earl of Dartmouth, the founder of the Dartmouth College at Hanover, N. H. This splendid painting has been presented to that institution by a grandson of the noble Earl, and at the request of the corporation, graced their banquetting-room on Saturday, as the representation of one who was an early friend to our country, and is worthy to be remembered on its proudest anniversary. The cost was 200 guineas.

Gold Mines.-We regret to learn, that there is reason to believe that the veins of gold ore discovered in North Carolina, may be found to extend to Virginia.-We say we regret it, because, what state or country ever was great and happy, from having discovered gold and silver in the bowels of the earth? The facility of obtaining money leads to great extravagance and idleness-luxury and dissipationnational apathy and national ruin. Look at Spain in proof of this position.-Iron, copper and lead, are more valuable dis. coveries, because labour is required to transmute these minerals into gold. We know the value of gold, when earned by industry; but it is slow poison, when obtained by picking it from the surface of the earth. The quicksighted Chinese never allow their mines to be worked.

Essay on the Dry Rot in Ships, and its Remedy, by Commodore Barron.-Commodore Barron has explained, in a clear and satisfactory manner, the nature of this dis ease, and what seems, in all probability, to be its true cause. The remedy also, which we believe is original with this officer, is pointed out with such forcible reasoning, that we cannot doubt it would prove highly efficacious, if properly applied. It consists in pumping the putrid mephitic or irrespirable air out of the recesses where it is lodged, instead of the old practice of pumping or forcing air or water into those places, by ventilators, or other methods. This is effected by a common air pump or exhauster. The moment the impure air is extracted, a partial vacuum is created, and fresh air rushes in. What can be more natural, easy, and obvious, than this plan? Vegetable matter, so long as it is not in a state of decomposition, preserves a certain portion of vitali

ty, and it is on this principle that, to prevent the rot, fresh supplies of atmosphe rick air or water to the timber of the ship, are as necessary to its existence, as to the respiration of animals. Hence, leaky vessels, and the cabin work of a ship, as the Commodore remarks, from their constant exposure to ventilation and ablution, never rot, while tight vessels, as is proverbi ally known, decay with amazing rapidity.

Exemplary Life of Indians.-In the York Advocate (Upper Canada) is the evidence of a Rev. Mr. Yearson, before the Parlia ment of that province, on the subject of an Indian petition, which is curious for the account it gives of a settlement of the Missisague Indians on a tract of land call. ed the Credit, probably on the river Mis sissagua or Mississaqua. Their number is about two hundred and thirty, settled in a little village, and increasing by the addition of savages from the woods, who are attracted, by the obvious comfort and quiet of their condition, to share their mode of life. They reside on a tract of land situ ated on the river, three miles and a half in length, and two miles wide. They live in cottages divided into two apartments, with a garret, and sometimes with the ad dition of a kitchen. In them are chairs, tables, bedsteads, beds with curtains, and the kitchen utensils common among the whites. There is a garden of half an acre allotted to each house-in some instances they have private enclosures of from two to four acres, and the village cultivates a field of sixty acres in common. They raise corn, potatoes, some wheat, and abundance of garden vegetables. Ac cording to the report of Mr. Ryerson, they live together in great social harmony; are kinder to each other than the whites, and civil and hospitable to strangers. They are sober too: ardent spirits, by a solemn agreement, are not permitted to be drunk in the village; and he who offends against this rule, is looked upon as having violated the agreement, and is expelled from the village. There are two schools, one for the males and the other for the females, with fifty children in each. There they are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and out of school the children instruct the adults to read. Thus they are daily im proving in civilization. The object of the petition is to secure them from the intrusion of the whites, who fish in their streams, and endeavour to teach the young Indians to swear, drink whiskey, profane the Lord's Day, and similar accomplish

ments.

Salem, (N. J.) July 15.

A heavy fall of rain, on Wednesday last, was preceded and accompanied with a destructive gale of wind. In lower Penn's

Neck and Mannington it assumed the tornado, prostrating much orcharding, woodland, and fences; unroofing and otherwise injuring buildings. The gable end of Elisha Bassett's brick house was, we un derstand, blown in. It commenced its destructive career on the other side of the Delaware, where, in an excursion there, we witnessed much timber prostrated; but it appears not to have acquired its full force till it reached L. P. Neck. A large apple tree was taken clear from the ground, and carried a hundred yards or more; a sycamore, three feet through

near the roots, was, we understand, taken clear, and carried over a fence, without injury to the latter, and others taken entirely clear by the roots, were carried various distances. Such facts we should hardly dare to relate, were they not confirmed, as they necessarily must be, by numerous witnesses. Such instances are calculated to dispose the mind to serious reflection, and teach us that, in the mild and often imperceptible element of air, an Infinite Power can exhibit itself with equal force as in those of water or fire.

Heligious Intelligence.

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At the meeting of Winchester Presbytery, which took place on the 22d of April, the Board of Missions of the Presbytery was dissolved, and a society formed auxiliary to the Board of Missions of the General Assembly. This Society consists of the members of Presbytery, annual subscribers, life members, and delegates from auxiliary societies. Its Board of Managers consists of a President, four Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and Secretary; the members of Presbytery who are ex-officio members of the Board, and eight laymen who are chosen annually.

The business of the Society is managed by an Executive Committee of five Managers; and the funds of the Society are to be employed in aiding feeble churches and in locating missionaries, where there is a hopeful prospect of gathering permanent congregations.

VOL. VII. Ch. Adv.

To Rev. J. T. Russel, Gen. Agent and Cor. Sec. of the Board of Missions. Morgantown, Burke Co. N.C. May 29. Reverend and dear Sir,-When my commission from the General Assembly's Board of Missions arrived, I was in South Carolina, where I had been labouring about two months; during which time the state of things, in three churches, became peculiarly interesting. At three communions, one in each of these churches, 73 persons were added on examination, viz. 24 in Friendship, Laurens district; 35 in Fairview, Greenville district; and 14 in Nazareth, Spartanburg district; all in the South Carolina Presbytery. These churches enjoy the stated preaching of the Gospel. Before the information of the arrival of my commission from your Board reached me, I had made some private arrangements, which rendered it impracticable to commence my labours under the direction of your Board until the 18th ult. But before I give the particulars of my labours during the last month, I wish to mention that, in the South Carolina Presbytery, which lies contiguous to the counties in which I am directed to labour, there now exists such an interesting state of things, that it is decidedly the opinion of brother Silliman and myself, that the interest of the church requires that I should visit them occasionally during the summer. Accordingly, after having assisted brother Silliman at a communion in the vicinity of Morgantown, at which meeting six new communicants were added, I started to South Carolina, where I spent two Sabbaths, on one of which we had a sacrament in Anderson district, where I had not been before. This was a very interesting season to many who attended. Although but three were admitted to the

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communion, more than thirty were deeply awakened, and it is hoped that the Lord has also begun a good work in this congregation, which enjoys one-third of a pastor's labours.

During this tour of 17 days, I travelled 270 miles; preached or lectured 15 times; and made 10 special visits.

I returned the 8th of this instant to Rutherford, and assisted brother H. M. Kerr at a sacrament in Little Britain church. This was a precious meeting, 13 were added to the church, and more than 20 more professed anxiety. This makes about 120 added to this church within 12 months. Since that, I have preached twice, and attended two social prayer meetings, and made sixteen visits. In all, during the past month, I have travelled more than 300 miles, preached 21 times, attended 3 communions, 2 social prayer meetings, and made 26 visits.

Knowing it to be the object of your Board to place their Missionaries in circumstances to effect the greatest amount of good—and it being the opinion of both brother Silliman and myself, that the interests of the Presbyterian church in this section require that I should visit the South Carolina Presbytery once or twice more, we earnestly request this privilege, and hope that your Board will grant the request, when they are assured that the prosperity and success of Presbyterianism in this country, and all others similarly situated, depend more on the strengthening and confirming those churches already organized, than on organizing a great many new ones, to be then left without the energetick labour of faithful pastors. Yours respectfully, WM. QUILLIN.

THIRTY-FIRST COMMUNICATION.

Good news from Indiana.

The following is an extract from a report of the Rev. Wm. Sickels, a Missionary of the Assembly's Board, dated Rushville, Indiana, June 18th, 1829.

My prospect of usefulness here, for the last three months, has considerably brightened, and God seems to have attended the preaching of his word to a considerable extent, with the influences of his Holy Spirit. The little church of Olive Ridge, (one of my charges) has lately received an addition of five members on examina

tion. Last Sabbath was the day appointed for our communion in this congregation. The Rev. Mr. Moreland, of Indianapolis, assisted me on that occasion. We had a very solemn and interesting meeting, and twenty persons were received on examination and confession of their faith, and publickly entered into covenant with

God and this church. On the same octasion, there were seven added on certifi cate. Besides, there are still a considerable number who seem to be deeply im. pressed with a sense of the importance of religion. At our fall communion in this place, there were none added on exami nation to this church. There is a grow ing attention to religion in this region of country, and an increasing anxiety to be supplied with the stated and faithful preaching of the gospel. The rapidity with which these western States are settling, and the character of their popula tion, render them, in some respects, the most interesting portion of the church. Most of the families in Indiana are young families, and perhaps there is no part the union, where there is so large a por tion of children. Such a state of society, while it increases the demand for ministe rial labour, increases also the difficulty of supporting the gospel, and makes a loud appeal to the friends of domestick mis sions to impart liberally of their abun dance to the destitute in these western states. In the part in which I am located, the people seem to be just emerging from the difficulties attending the settlement of new countries. Many good farms are opened, and comfortable habitations are erected and erecting. The minister who settles in a new country may expect to "endure hardness;" but there is some. thing pleasing in the consideration, that we give to the people evidence that we are willing to share with them in the trials and privations incident to new settlements.

Since the date of my last report, I have preached 106 sermons, attended, at stated periods, three Bible classes, established two Sabbath Schools, and a third is to be organized next Sabbath. Nine of the individuals who united with this church last Sabbath, were members of one of my Bi ble classes. The success which has for years attended the missionary operations of the General Assembly, in extending the influence of the gospel, cannot fail to inspire confidence in the judicious manner in which these operations are conducted, and afford the richest satisfaction and reward to those whose benevolence and li berality have been exerted in their behalf. Should I attempt to make any represen tation of the extent of the destitution of sound and capable ministers of the gospel in the Valley of the Mississippi, I should only be repeating what has been repeated and reiterated for years past; and could give to the Board no new information on that interesting and all-absorbing subject -which the intelligent Christian cannot contemplate without the deepest tion. May the Lord open the hearts of

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the rich to contribute, and the hearts of all to pray for the wastes of Zion.

Illinois.

The Rev. Benjamin F. Spillman, a missionary of the Board in the south-eastern part of this state, under date of June 1, 1829, writes to the Cor. Sec. and Gen. Agent, as follows:

"I have laboured during the month in the churches of Shawneetown, Carmi, Sharon, New-Haven, and Golconda, and in the town of Equality, where no church is yet organized. In Shawneetown, I bave thought it my duty to spend more time than in any other one place. I held a four days' meeting here, which closed on Monday, the 25th of May, being assisted by brother Bliss. On Sabbath, we administered the Lord's Supper. It was to us a solemn, interesting time. We felt that the Lord was present. Three persons were added to our little flock. And we believe that the hearts of God's people were refreshed. And a few at least, were brought to make the inquiry in their hearts, 'What must I do to be saved?' And we trust that several will shortly come out on the Lord's side. Our little church here feel that they should thank God and take courage. Our Sabbath School flourishes, and promises a lasting benefit. I have aided the females here in forming themselves into a Tract Society, which they seem to engage in with much interest.

"The church at Golconda has been, since last fall, in a very destitute situation. I visited them, and spent some time, and succeeded in forming a Missionary Society auxiliary to your Board, the particulars of which I shall be better prepared to give you in my next report. I also aided the females there in forming themselves into a Tract Society, which, I think, will be the means of much good. That is an interesting church, praying for the stated preaching of the gospel. At Equality there is a prospect of gathering a church, if the ground could be culti vated. This place is only fourteen miles from me, (at Shawneetown) and is looking to me to supply them. And now the difficult question is to be settled by me— Shall I leave churches that have been formed, in order to form another, without any sure prospect of their being furnished with the means of grace, without which we cannot expect they will flourish or even continue to exist?

"The churches of Carmi and Sharon have requested me to state to your Board, that if you can find a minister of the gospel who will consent to come to them as a missionary, they trust that you will aid them by giving such a one an appoint

ment and sending him to them. These churches think that they are almost or quite able to support a pastor. They say, they approve of the Home Missionary Society, and are gratified that the western part of the State is deriving benefit from it. But they, for themselves, prefer your Board; and on it, under the Head of the church, they build their hopes. In fact, this is the case with myself, as well as all the other churches in this part of the State. You will allow me to add a word respecting this plea. Shawneetown and Equality wish to get the whole of my labours, being only fourteen miles distant from each other. And my wish is, to devote my time to these places, reserving a small part for Golconda. And may I not confidently believe, that your Board will send aid soon? And may we not expect that some young servant of the Lord will feel his heart drawn towards this thirsty region, and being prevailed upon by the Macedonian cry,' rejoice the hearts of those who are almost ready to hang their harps upon the willows.'

"During the month which I now report as spent in the service of the Board, I have travelled 314 miles, and have made 25 family visits, preached 22 discourses, besides several exhortations, baptized 11 infants, received into communion 3 persons, administered the Lord's Supper once, formed two Tract Societies and one Missionary Society."

Michigan Territory.

The following brief, but interesting description of the present condition and future prospects of this Territory, and the moral wants of its rapidly increasing population, is extracted from a letter addressed by a Missionary to a member of the Board, dated June 18th, 1829.

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"There is within the limits of this Territory, on the borders of Lake Michigan and its tributary streams, one of the finest countries on the face of the footstool. point of health, for a new country, and in point of fertility, and of various natural advantages, arising from its situation and water privileges, it can be surpassed by few others. The tide of emigration is now setting that way. Hundreds of families are flocking there from all directions. On one single prairie, which one year since was scarcely known, there are now, I am told, five hundred inhabitants. As yet, no minister of the Presbyterian Church has visited them. I know of no minister so near as myself-very frequently do I receive the Macedonian cry' from that quarter. I propose, if it be thought best, to spend among the people of those settlements three or four months, as a Missionary from the Board of Mis

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