Henceforward "action" shall be our watchword. We have a field before us wider and nobler far than any which aroused the ambition of the Eternal City in the meridian of her glory :-but, oh, how vastly different our object in entering it! Where she would have marched at the head of conquering legions, satisfied when terror established the invincibility of her arms-we go forth with the messengers of peace, the heralds of true wisdom, satisfied only when happiness, harmony, and love shall proclaim the invincible kindness of Truth. And those treasures of knowledge which surpass a thousandfold what Rome in her proudest days ever possessed; we shall disperse through the medium of forms which her inventive genius has supplied. And thus, along distant streams and fertile valleys, never visited by the Imperial Eagle, shall the name of "Roman" flourish in connection with the mental emancipation of millions, when all other stately monuments, that recal the remembrance of Roman greatness, shall have crumbled into dust. ALPHA.

P. S. It has been already stated, that during the last month, several friendly communications have been received respecting the substitution of the Roman in place of the Indian alphabets, and our "scheme" for accomplishing that end. Amongst these is one from a gentleman in the Upper Provinces, well acquainted with the Oriental languages, and successfully engaged in the instruction of Native youth-on which accounts we deem his remarks particularly entitled to attention. Besides this, his letter briefly alludes to certain advantages attending the proposed substitution that wholly escaped our notice; we have, therefore, much satisfaction in making from it the following weighty extract. After various introductory remarks the author thus proceeds :

----

The

"I entirely agree with you, not because the idea is yours, but because the measure is fraught with incalculable advantages to India. It is, I really and truly believe, the most effectual mode of any, of diffusing knowledge, both Asiatic and European, among the people at large. The grand barrier to improvement in this country has been the want of printing, or the being obliged to impart knowledge through the slow, limited, difficult process of manuscripts. It is a most expensive and Herculean labour to print in the Arabic, or Persian, or Deva Nagarí character. It would be quite as easy, as printing any English work, to print books and news-papers, &c. in Roman characters, though the language be different. benefits of printing their own books in this way would be a thousandfoldbut the benefits of printing in the Oordoo dialect, and Roman characters, the substance of our literature, are quite incalculable. Nothing could impart a greater impulse to civilization. Every gentleman almost might then publish translations-for there are but few indeed who cannot explain in Oordoo, their thoughts, or the substance of any written work. Epistolary correspondence between Europeans and Natives (now next to impossible, owing to the necessity of employing a third person as the medium of communication), would become as common as correspondence is between two Europeans, or two Natives, in their respective tongues. A judge might then read all the proceedings himself, and write his orders himself. Public functionaries would then perform, singly and unaided, twice the work, which they now cannot perform without the assistance of three or four Natives. It would lead to the adoption of thousands of European words, in the Oordoo books and compositions, and thus the Native literature would be enriched most rapidly:-but there is no end to the advantages I anticipate from this most ingenious plan, &c. &c."

Missionary and Religious Intelligence.

1.-CALCUTTA Auxiliary BIBLE SOCIETY.

The 23rd Anniversary, of this Society was held in the Town Hall on Friday evening, May 2nd. It was very thinly attended. The Lord Bishop of Calcutta was in the chair, and opened the meeting with an animated and characteristic address. The report was then read by the Rev. Mr. Dealtry, and was on the whole of an encouraging nature. Notwithstanding the pressure of the times, the subscriptions had increased during the past year, and more than 17,000 Bibles or portions of Scripture had been put in circulation. The Society was considerably in debt, but relied with confidence on the proved liberality of the Christian public.

After the reading of the report, it was moved by the Rev. Mr. Fisher, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Mack, of Serampore:

:

"That the report now read be printed and circulated amongst the members and subscribers of the Society, and that they be requested to redouble their exertions to extend its influence, and to offer their fervent prayers that the Divine blessing may give efficiency to the endeavours to promote its objects."

Mr. Fisher said, he was sure the resolution he proposed would meet the wishes of all who were present. The spread of the Scriptures was working extraordinary effects throughout the land, and the success met with should serve to encourage those who were labouring to do good to hold on in their course, notwith tanding any discouragements that might present themselves. To illustrate this, he read to the meeting a very interesting account of the conversion of a young Bramin, and his subsequent conversations with his relations and other native friends.

The Rev. Mr. Mack said, that if the acceptance of the report depended on its merits, the report was worthy of being received, as it showed that double work had been done under the pressure of difficulties. He mentioned several things that were occurring in different parts of India, which tended to confirm the views taken in the report, of the dissemination of Christian knowledge. Some think, Mr. Mack continued, that when persons of different denominations meet for the promotion of the objects of such a society, it is at the expense of religion, not so much through piety as to show the excess of their liberality. This was a mistakethe great object of the Bible Society was to circulate the Scriptures without note or comment, throughout the world, and surely there was enough in this to warm every heart. Had there not been a generous principle like this, it could not have maintained itself. It is true this object the Society had in common with others, but there was a peculiarity in the means. By circulating the Scriptures, we show our deference to the authority of God, and to his way of carrying on his purposes; and we show our sense of the intrinsic force and worth of the Bible, which sense is derived from our own experience of the sufficiency of the Bible to change the heart. These things testify that the Society is entirely founded on religion. It is further a law of the Society, that the work is to be carried on by the co-operation of all, by which we recognise the sufficiency of Christianity for all purposes, and overlook all human distinctions. Mr. M. concluded with observing, that the public liberality had been greater than on previous years, but it was still necessary that we should make the cause of the Society our own; and that it was not sufficient to distribute the Scriptures, unless followed by the prayers and example of Christians.

The Rev. Mr. Bateman proposed, and Dr. Corbyn supported the following resolution:

"That this meeting, thankful to see the improvement which is going on amongst all classes of the community, considers it a sacred duty to increase its exertions, in order to provide Christian missionaries and other friends to the cause of Christianity with the word of God in the different languages and dialects under this presidency, to enable them to meet the growing demands of inquirers, and to put into their hands that book which contains truth without mixture of error, and which alone maketh wise unto salvation."

Mr. Bateman observed, that the word of God was not only a blessing in itself, but a companion to every other good work. What were missionary and tract societies

without the Bible to refer to as a standard? The Bible is the governor and regu lator of the machinery; it puts in more steam when it is wanted, and keeps back when giving out too much. In all things else it was difficult to keep out error and prejudice, but here was truth without mixture of error.

Dr. Corbyn said, all persons were occupied; some in charitable societies, some in education, and some in promoting Steam Navigation. This Society unites those several objects in one. To circulate the Scriptures is higher charity than merely relieving temporal wants. Steam Navigation is intended to facilitate communi. cation between enlightened and heathen countries; and he who carries a Bible to an ignorant man brings heaven nearer to him.

Dr. Marshman moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Hæberlin:

"That this meeting regards with great satisfaction the spread of English edu. cation conducted on sound Christian principles amongst the natives of this coun. try, as tending amongst other advantages to give them greater facilities for the intelligent perusal of the English version of the Bible."

Dr. Marshman urged the necessity not only of giving pecuniary aid, but of making personal exertions to put the Bible in the hands of the heathens around us. He related an incident that had occurred about thirty years ago, to show the effects produced by the reading of the Scriptures. Mr. Ward took a copy of the Bengalee New Testament to the village of Ramkistnopore, on the other side of Calcutta, and placed it in a moodee's shop, requesting the man to allow all, who were desirous, to read it. The next year seven persons came from that village, and one of them was a man, fifty years of age, by name Juggunnath, and a worshipper of Juggunnath. This man was a most zealous devotee of Juggunnath, but after hearing the New Testament read by others, (for he could not read himself,) his mind was so changed that he renounced idolatry, and took up his abode near Serampore. His former god Juggunnath was stuck up in a garden; and when on one occasion fuel was wanted, his wife proposed to cleave Juggunnath for the pur pose, which was immediately done. Several other conversions took place through that one book placed in a corner.

The following motion was proposed by the Rev. Mr. Boswell, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Hill, late of Berhampore :

"That this meeting offers its best thanks for the important services rendered by the officers and committee of this Society; and also by the associations and individuals that have been actively engaged to promote its object: and requests them to continue their valuable labours.

The following gentlemen to form the officers and committee of the ensuing year, with power to add to their number:

Patron.-The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Calcutta.
President.-W. W. Bird, Esq.

Vice-president.-Venerable Archdeacon Corrie.

G. Money, Esq.

Major Hutchinson.

Col. McGregor.
Capt. Birch.

With all Clergymen who are members of the Committee.

Secretaries.

Rev. Dr. Marshman. Rev. T. Dealtry.

Mr. Boswell made some remarks on the objection that many copies of the Scriptures were lost, as was the case with a package of Martyn's Persian Testament, which was perhaps lying unopened to this day. It could not be expected that every copy sent out would answer its purposes. Much rain falls on roads and

other inarable places; yet no one will deny that the rain does good to the earth. Mr. Hill bore testimony to the statements of Mr. Fisher, and related various anecdotes.

It was then moved by R. D. Mangles, Esq. and seconded by the Rev. Mr. La

croix :

"That the thanks of the meeting be given to the President, for his attention to the interests of the Society through the past year."

The Lord Bishop, in rising to return thanks, made some remarks on giving the Bible with the note and comment of personal example, and on the necessity of the influences of the Holy Spirit, to set the whole machinery in motion.-Englishman.

2. THE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION AT ALLAHABAD.

We continue to receive the most favourable accounts respecting the Allahabad institution. Its prospects were at the commencement somewhat darkened but the clouds are now in a great measure dispersed; henceforward we expect its rise to be steady and progressive towards the attainment of complete success. A Gentleman in the H. C. C. Service, in a letter of recent date, thus writes:-"I am happy to be able to tell you that our Allahabad school, under the care of Mr. Clift, is coming on extremely well. The number of scholars at first was much lower than we expected, or rather not at first, but immediately afterwards, when they found that learning English was not a mere amusement but a task, &c. Mr. Clift however said, that similar difficulties and disappointments were experienced at—and that matters righted themselves afterwards. The same has happened here. The number of scholars is increasing again, and those who have attended regularly for a month or two shew an astonishing progress. The best can read tolerably in their own books, and have a very fair acquaintance with grammar. The system pursued pleases me much, &c. &c."

APRIL.

DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES.

[Where the place is not mentioned, Calcutta is to be understood.]

MARRIAGES.

9. At Madras, Mr. C. Stewart, Assistant Apothecary, to Miss Jane Orton, only daughter of the late Mr. Griffin Orton, Livery Stable Keeper.

10. At Coel, Captain R. Wylie, 6th Regt. N. I. Major of Brigade at Cawnpore, to Miss Lucy Martha Dennys.

15. At Madras, Lieut. W. Cautis, 15th Regt. N. I. to Miss Mary Jane, eldest daughter of Captain O'Connell, Commissary of Ordnance.

At Trichinopoly, E. J. Jones, Missionary S. P. G. F. to Charlotte Eliza,

daughter of the Rev. D. Schreyvogel.

16. At St. Thomas's Mount, Mr. C. Cater, to Miss Margaret Eliza Brady.

18. At the Black Town Chapel, Mr. J. H. Taylor, of the Herald Office, to Miss Catherine Kelly.

At Madras, Lieut. R. S. Dobbs, 9th Regt. N. I. to Jane Margaret, youngest daughter of the late R. Cathcart, Esq. of Durham, North Britain.

19. At Bombay, Mr. R. Walter, to Miss Anne Blowers.

23. Mr. C. Bremner, to Miss E. Price, only daughter of Col. W. C. Price, of the 23rd Regt. N. I.

25. At Delhi, Mr. E. Kinsey, to Miss Eliza McPherson.

26. J. J. Morgan, Esq. 55th Regt. N. I. to Miss A. Black.

29. Mr. W. F. Gomes, to Miss Pamela Fenwick.

30. Mr. J. A. Whiffen, to Miss Margaret McDowell.

MAY.

At Bombay, Mr. W. Jeffrey, of the Country Service, to Miss Juliana Bailie.

21. Mr. J. Fordyce, to Miss Caroline Williams.

22. At Byculla, near Bombay, Mr. D. Davidson, Assistant Apothecary, to Miss Charlotte Brenhaim.

23. At Bombay, R. Shorner, Esq. C. S. to Mary Anne, eldest daughter of L. Hathway, Esq. Surgeon of the Artillery.

APRIL.

6.

BIRTHS.

4. At Trichinopoly, the lady of Captain W. W. Baker, 32nd Regt. N. I. of a son. At Hawul Baugh, the lady of Lieut. Charles Campbell, Kumaon Local Battalion, of a son.

12. At Kurnaul, the lady of Lieut. C. H. Naylor, 8th N. I. of a son.

13. At Allahabad, Mrs. M. Davis, of a son.

14. At Ditto, Mrs. W. Johnson, of a son.

15. At Cheera Poonjee, the lady of Lieut. W. C. J. Lewen, Artillery, of a daughter.

17. At Muttra, the lady of Captain W. Martin, 57th Regt. N. I. of a son. At Meerut, the lady of Captain Tuckett, 11th Dragoons, of a daughter.

18.

At Aurungabad, the lady of Captain George Twemlow, Bengal Artillery, of

a daughter.

20.

-

23. 24.

26.

At Bellary, Mrs. George F. S. Ross, of a son.

Mrs. W. Reed, of a son.

At Barrackpore, the lady of Major Pogson, 47th N. I. of a son.
The wife of Mr. W. Dicken, of a son.

Mrs. G. A. Popham, of a son.

Mrs. Jacob Hoff, of a son.

29. The lady of G. M. Batten, Esq. C. S. of a daughter.

At Bancoorah, the lady of Lieut.-Col. Shuldham, commanding 31st Regt. N. I. of a daughter.

MAY.

6. At Dacca, Mrs. George Dixon, of a daughter.

7. At Lucknow, the lady of R. W. Elton, 59th N. I. of a daughter.

8. The lady of G. Walker, Esq. of a daughter.

At Bancoorah, the lady of J. W. Ricketts, Esq. of a son. 13. At Bolundshuhr, the lady of Captain R. Wilcox, of a daughter. 14. The lady of J. F. Leith, Esq. Barrister at Law, of a son. At Baraset, the lady of R. H. Mytton, Esq. C. S. of a son. Mrs. L. Dufholst, of a son.

15.

22.

DEATHS.

APRIL.

4. At Madras, Capt. J. Booker, of the 2nd Battalion, Artillery.

5. At Kimedy, Lieut. J. P. Power, of Engineers.

13.

At Secunderabad, William Nerbudda, son of Quarter-Master Serjeant and Anne Swinscoe, H. M. 45th Regt. aged 2 years and 1 month.

18. At Berhampore, Mr. C. J. Woodward, Apothecary, H. C.'s Subordinate Medical Establishment.

25. The infant son of Mr. G. A. Popham.

J. R. Fitzpatrick, Esq. aged 17 years, 4 months, and 15 days.

30. Master J. Thompson Robinson, son of Capt. J. Robinson, of the Schooner Sweet, aged 5 years.

At Dacca, Lieut.-Col. Watson, commanding 53rd Regt. N. I.

At Shekarpore, Ensign D. M. Bridges, 2nd Regt. N. I.

1. Arratoon John Agacy, aged 26 years.

At Cuddalore, A. G. Drummond, Esq. C. S.

3. At Dacca, J. Hollow, Esq. aged 80 years.

4. Mr. A. Moreiro, aged 40 years and 6 months.

Mr. J. Bryce Melville, nephew of the Rev. Dr. Bryce, aged 25 years.

7. Mrs. Catherine Walker, wife of Mr. W. Walker, Provisioner, aged 34 years.

9. Henry Leach, of the Englishman establishment, eldest son of Garrison Serjeant-Major Leach, aged about 13 years.

10.

At Bolaram, Rose, the wife of Mr. Sub-Assistant Surgeon Joseph Vital, Nizam's Service, aged 23 years and 6 months.

12. Mrs. C. L. Wood, aged 23 years.

At the Sand-heads, on board the Asseerghur, Pilot Brig, Mr. M. W. Newcombe, H. C. Marine, aged 22 years.

14. Richard, son of Mr. R. Haviland, Commissariat Department, aged 4 years and 6 months.

Miss Charlotte Robam, aged 19 years, 4 months and 19 days.

Mr. B. H. Daunt, of the Court of Requests, aged 28 years.

Mr. R. Crackford, of the Police Department, aged 41 years.

16. Miss Agnes Disandt, aged 4 months and 3 days.

Lucy Ellen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carbery, aged 16 months and 7 days. 22. Capt. J. B. Moore, formerly a Branch Pilot H. C. M. S. aged 61 years.

25.

At Kabul, Anne, the wife of Mr. C. Marshall, Clerk of St. Thomas's Church, aged 27 years.