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of the proceedings which the Directors of the Institution felt themselves called upon to adopt as soon as the publication of the treaty of Paris made known to what purpose the Africans had been recollected by the liberators of Europe. The most prompt exertions were made, and on the widest scale, to rouse once more the public mind of this country to a manifestation of opinion in petitions to the legislature. The Institution was also active in inciting the addresses which were made on the subject to the Regent, from both Houses of Parliament, entreating that a stand might at last be made, if possible, in favour of humanity, at the approaching Congress at Vienna To these addresses it is recorded that the most gracious answers of royal assurance were made. The circumstance had necessarily a very animating effect, because similar assurances had been graciously vouchsafed in answer to the addresses which both Houses had presented not many weeks before, pending the negotiation with France, entreating that an effectual effort might be made for Africa in that negotiation. Still, however, it was inevitable to see that the grand opportunity was gone by; and after the very temporary exhilaration from the cause just mentioned was past, it is probable that no one did seriously expect that any thing would be effected at Vienna, however disposed our credulous multitudes might be to entertain a much more favourable opinion of the leading actors that were to be there, than has been since justified by the quality, as far as yet known, of their tedious performance. That was to be a meeting at which France would be no longer in the attitude of asking mercy; and when, even had she set no value on the Slave Trade for itself, her pride would be resolute to retain every thing that could testify that she had been strong enough in her fall to stipulate with her conquerors. And then for the other powers about to be assembled, it could not in soberness but be acknowledged that there were no such symptoms tending to authorize a hope or a dream that a number of rival military monarchs, assembled to adjust and take their respective wages for what they all regarded as their best piece of work, should be disposed to think so far away from the business of the occasion as the rights of some barbarous tribes of black men in Africa. We need not observe what an aggravated completeness of despondency would have been felt by all that joined in petitions and addresses, had it been possible to foresee what a perfectly determined principle of ambition, too eagerly rapacious even for an attempt at hypocrisy, was to actuate, at this august Congress, the mighty potentates, several of whom were thus to shew with what excellent judgement of character they had been almost idolized in this country.

very

Nevertheless, it was well to have the public mind excited to

the utmost on the occasion. There is no one just principle, not even that which emanates in maledictions on the Slave Trade, so absolutely fixed in the habitual feeling of the community as that it is no longer desirable to seize all occasions for giving it a deeper hold and an animated exercise; and if in this fresh excitement it should burst forth in indignant expressions against those who have trifled with it, compromised it, betrayed it, we know no obstruction that can rightfully be put to this direction of its animosity. Again, it is a good thing for nations to be led to dwell attentively on the most striking proofs that the way to secure the accomplishment of any important improvements in the world, must be just the opposite to a thoughtless, superstitious confidence in men. Perhaps it is just possible, besides, that such a universal display of national opinion and feeling, may have some very slight influence on other nations, in the way of exciting attention, and at least some doubts favourable to the cause of justice. And also, it is well worth while for a nation to stand forth in this way to rescue itself, in some measure, in the view of the civilized world, from the dishonour in which the deeds of the persons managing its affairs may otherwise sink its character.

On the whole, it is, at present, with a strangely inauspicious aspect that the Christian world, as it is called, looks towards Africa; an aspect in which the expressions of languor after a long riot in ravage and blood seem to demand, for mere stimulus, a renewal of the amusements of death in another place, and a less hazardous form. This great monster is heard uttering in intermingled sentences, creeds, and professions of Christian doctrine and charity, and orders for ambushes, midnight assaults, burnings, and assassinations. . It maintains a temple for two religions, and laughs to hear it said that the true God will not accept the worship which he is expected to share with Moloch.

The summary of the case is, that Portugal carries on the trade in a spirit that disdains even to agree to a definite interpretation of the article in which the local extent had been pretendedly limited that Spain will do as much in the trade as her exhausted means will permit-that France, with very large and growing means, is eager to return to it, and with great contempt, beyond all doubt, of the fancied authority of the paper restriction to five years' duration-and that, while these powers are prosecuting the business unrestrained, no possible vigilance of the friends of Africa can prevent English and American property and enterprise from being largely embarked in the concern. Another circumstance is to be added:

1

It is painful,' say the Directors of the Institution, to communicate to the Meeting, that there is too much reason for believing that a considerable traffic in slaves still exists on the North Coast of Africa; whither it would seem that considerable numbers are brought for sale from the interior, and thence exported chiefly to the islands VOL. III. N. S. 2 A

and the opposite continent of Europe. It appears too, that in Tunis and Tripoly, and the towns of Egypt, there are regular Slave markets, where men, women, and children, are sold at very low prices. p. 9.

In the comprehensive view of the subject, however, there are circumstances of considerable alleviation; and among these the activity of our cruizers deserves to be mentioned with distinction. One of the documents in the Appendix- Return of all Ships and Vessels brought into any Port in the Colonies of Great ⚫ Britain, and condemned therein, under any of the Acts for the Abolition of the Slave Trade,' would be highly gratifying by its great number, if that circumstance did not at the same time shew the wide extent to which the iniquity has ventured beyond its legitimated boundaries, and suggest, by proportion, what a multitude of transgressors have most probably escaped; especially as the Directors have still to repeat the complaint which they have constantly had cause to make, of the very deficient number of cruizers appointed to the service from a prodigious navy, by a zealous abolition government.

The decided and complete renunciation of the traffic by the government of Holland, is a fact of very material consequence to the cause.

An eminently important and gratifying circumstance, is the abolition by the National Congress of Chili, in October, 1811; and by the Provisional Executive Power of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata,' decreed at Buenos Ayres, in May, 1812. This decree was followed by two others, one dated February, 1813, declaring all children born after the 31st of January, 1818, to be absolutely free and a second, a few weeks later, prescribing regulations for educating this young black race of freemen, and appointing a provision for them on their coming to maturity. This decree comprises more than twenty articles, and bears evidence of much thought and sincere solicitude on the subject.

It is exceedingly pleasing to see these revolutionary states giving such a proof that they deserve to be free; and signalizing the commencement of that independence in which they will soon be joined by every thing that has been denominated Spanish America, by a generous deed so far above the ambition of the wretched monarchy of which they had been the vassals.

Though not within the scope of the statements of the Report, another source of animated and really sublime gratification is found in the resolute, powerful, and warlike attitude of the people of St. Domingo. It remains to be seen whether the French government is determined to expend an army in revenge of the defiance, and in the attempt to reduce those courageous, and elated, and indignant islanders to a quiet and grateful acceptance of the Most Christian economy of whips and chains; but

there can, if such be the determination, be no kind of doubt as to the situation in which that army and those islanders will respectively be found at the close of the conflict. It is needless to observe how much the independence-should we not say the successful rebellion-of this great island, will contribute to blast the hopes of a number of the French traders who were so grateful to our peace-negotiators for the prospect of deriving speedy wealth from African blood.

It ought to be mentioned that the finances of the Institution have been reduced in an unprecedented degree, by the very great and well applied expenses of their exertions to excite the spirit of this country to universal declaration of an opinion they had little dreamed they should ever again have occasion to express.

ART. XII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

** Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, f consistent with its plan.

That valuable work which was pub lished in 1777, by the late Dr. Gibbons, under the title of "Memoirs of eminently Pious Women," and again reprinted in 1804, with the addition of several new Lives, is now in its progress through the press. The original work will be carefully corrected in this new edition; the memoirs annexed in the reprint of it will be retained, and a new volume will be added containing accounts of pious and lebrated Females most of whom have died within a few years past. whole will be comprised in 3 vols. 8vo. embellished with eighteen portraits elegantly engraved by Hopwood, and edited by the Rev. S. Burder, M. A. Lecturer of Christ Church, Newgate

street.

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a translation of "Gillaume le Franc Parleur," and a sequel to L'Hermite de la Chaussée d'Autin.

Mr. Hanbury's edition of "Extracts from the Diary, Meditations, and Letters of Mr. Joseph Williams, of Kidderminster," with numerous additions from the author's short-hand and other manuscripts, is expected to appear early in the next month.

Mr. Parkes, the author of the " Chemical Catechism," has now in the press, a Series of Chemical Essays, which he designs to publish in four pocket volumes; including a variety of explanatory notes and a copious Index. These Essays are written in a familiar style, so as to suit those readers who are not yet proficients in Chemical Science and they embrace an assemblage of curious and interesting subjects in the economy of nature as well as on some of the most important manufactures of this country. The work will be illustrated with more than twenty copper plate engravings and all from original drawings, either of new Chemical apparatus, or of the improved machinery

The Rev. W. Hull has in the press, a Discourse entitled "the doctrine of Atonement, an essential part of the Christian System."

In the press in 2 vols. 12mo. Paris Chit-chat; or a view of the society, manners, customs, literature, and am usements of the Parisians; being

now employed in the respective manufactures of which the author has treated in these Essays. The whole is in considerable forwardness, and will probably be ready for delivery by the end of March, or beginning of April.

A new edition of Mr. Taylor's Ghosts, will appear in the course of the present month, with the addition of many new and very curious stories.

Mr. W. Y. Ottley has in the press iu one volume 4to. An Inquiry into the origin and early History of Engraving on Copper and on Wood, with an account of the most ancient Engravers and their Works, from the earliest period to the middle of the Sixteenth Century; comprising Observations on some of the first books ornamented with Wood-cuts.

A singular work on Occult Philosophy will be published in a very few weeks. It will include the lives of all the ancient Alchemystical Philosophers, a critical catalogue of their writings and a selection of the most celebrated treatises on the theory and practice of the Hermetic art.

An authentic Narrative of the In-vasion of France in 1814, including the History of the Restoration will shortly appear from the pen of M. De Beauchamp, author of the History of the War of La Vendée.

In a few days will be published the Memoirs of Lady Hamilton, they are drawn from original sources of information, and comprise many new and authentic anecdotes of various distinguished Personages; among whom are the King and Queen of Sicily; Sir William Hamilton; the late Lord and the present Earl Nelson; the Earl of Bristol; the Duke of Queensberry, &c. &c.

Mr. James Wyld has nearly ready for publication, a new map of the world exhibiting at one view the population, civilization, and religion, of each country. It will be printed on one large sheet of Columbia.

Speedily will be published the claims of the Established Church, considered as an Apostolical Institution, and especially as an authorised interpreter of Holy Scripture.

Early next Spring will be published Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica; or, a descriptive catalogue of a singularly rare and rich collection of Old English Poetry: illustrated by occasional extracts, with notes critical and biogra. phical.

Dr. George Cooke, minister of Law

rence Kirk, will speedily publish in 3 vols, 8vo. the History of the Church of Scotland, from the establishment of the Reformation till the Revolution; illustrating a most interesting 'Period of the History of Britain.

Speedily is expected to appear, The Journal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, during the years 1810 and 1811. By a French Traveller. With remarks on the Country, its Arts, Literature, and Politics; and on the manners and customs of its Inhabitants. 2 vols. 8vo. with numerous engravings.

The Native Irish, a Memorial in behalf of the Native Irish with a view to their improvment in moral and religious knowledge, through the medium of their own Language is now in the press, and will be published in the course of this present month, by Christopher Anderson, Edinburgh. This memorial includes a statement of what has been done towards the instruction of this interesting class of people, by means of their own ancient Language, from the earliest to the present times. An account of the translation, and printing, and circulation of the sacred Scriptures in Irish. Theflatest calculations, with regard to the prevalence of this language, and the extent of the population, to whom it is vernacular. Answers to the most plausible objections against its being taught systematically in Schools, like the other dialects of the United Kingdom. A plan is proposed, and to proceed in its support, various encouragements founded on facts, are brought forward, a variety of particulars are incidentally mentioned, with respect to the other dialects of the Celtic or Iberian Language, whether those spoken in Britain, eg. the Welch, the Gaelic and the Manks, or on the Continent, as the Bas Bretagne or Armorican, the Basques and the Waldensian.

Missionary Travels in South Africa, by the Rev. J. Campbell, a second edition will go to press immediately, the first edition of 1500 copies small paper having been sold on the day of publication, a few Copies large paper may be had.

A Novel in three large Volumes, by Mrs. Penchard of Taunton, author of the Blind Child, &c. is in the press.

Captain Tuckey's Maritime Geor graphy will be published early in

March.

A small volume of Songs and Foems,

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