of the rainbow, but the tints which chiefly predominated were the most showy and shining. A large proportion of the men appeared to have a taste for white chokers, and very white they looked under their ebony chins. Viewing them from the desk (for I did not go up to the pulpit), I could hardly discern their features at all, or perceive the difference between one countenance and another. They all seemed one dark indistinguishable mass, relieved, in the case of the men, by three bright points, namely, the white of their eyes, of their teeth, and of their neckcloths; and in the case of the women, by the gaudy ribbons and gay feathers, with which, in addition to the two former, their heads were specially ornamented. Another circumstance which pressed itself upon my notice, was the restlessness,-the extreme excitableness which they displayed. This I was disposed to ascribe in a great measure to physical and constitutional causes, rather than to any want of sense or seriousness; for after the service commenced, it appeared to me very evident that there was no lack of earnest feeling about them. the contrary, they seemed to be well acquainted with the great principles of divine truth, and to evince their appreciation of them as fully and impressively as any audience. that I have ever addressed; although, at the same time, the restless and excitable spirit to which I have adverted seemed to mark them even in their most solemn moods. But it was before the service began, and while they were gathering in to the meeting, that I particularly observed it. The constant moving to and fro-the ceaseless turning and shifting in their seats-the rapid glances that were darted in all directions, and never allowed to rest above a moment on the same object - "the nods and becks and wreathed smiles" with which they noticed and saluted each other, indicated a degree of volatility such as I might have seen in a meeting of children, but which I have certainly never

On

witnessed in a congregation of grown-up people. And in reality, they did in this respect seem to me to be only "children of a larger growth," with minds as curious, senses as keen, and feelings as susceptible and variable, as any collection of youngsters that I have yet met with anywhere. I saw, however, no appearance of levity among them except in one single instance. It was that of three young coloured dames who kept talking and giggling the whole time the congregation was engaged in singing the hymn. And very beautifully that hymn was sung. The great body of the people joined in this part of the service with the most lively interest, and a richer concord of sounds, a more true, and hearty, and moving gush of sacred melody, I never listened. to in all my life. This was the effect of genuine emotion, giving force and expression to the magnificent voices and musical ears with which nature has gifted this race in so remarkable a degree. Still, I felt that it was the fervid spirit with which they entered into the exercise which lent it the charm and power it possessed. They threw their whole hearts into their voices; and I observed many of them singing with their features working and the tears running plentifully down their faces. Besides this proof of their religious sensibility, I observed many others in the course. of the service. During the first prayer, I was a good deal hampered, and more than once nearly silenced, by the vehemence of their responses. As I had not been used to such demonstrations, they rather disturbed me; but still I was pleased to observe that they were neither formal nor unreasonable sounds, but generally called forth by sentiments which indicated, as I thought, some scriptural knowledge and spiritual experience on the part of those from whom they proceeded. In the course of the exposition which followed the prayer, though I tried to be as calm and simple as possible, I was frequently interrupted by similar expressions of feeling. These were, in some cases,

so natural and touching, that I could not find it in my heart to restrain them, though I felt sadly distracted by them. At last, however, I was fairly brought to a dead stand. An old negro, sitting right in front of me, started up to his feet, and waving a Kilmarnock night-cap round his white woolly head, began shouting, "Glory! glory! glory!" at the full pitch of his voice. This, as may be supposed, had the effect of increasing the excitement of the rest of the audience, and fearing that the meeting might fall into a state of disorder, I thought it time to interpose, and to tell them that I was not accustomed to interruptions like these, and that if they did not keep quiet, I could not continue my address. It seemed, however, as if it was impossible for them to maintain their self-control altogether; for although they made rather less noise after this, they were by no means perfectly quiet, but, on the contrary, kept up a running accompaniment of groans, interjections, and exclamations, to the end of the discourse. Before the congregation was dismissed, my friend, Mr. Gannel, went up into the pulpit to read, or rather to give out, an intimation. It was to the effect that Brother So-and-so was dying, and he called upon the "brethren and sisters" there present to come together, "saints and sinners," that they might "pray him into heaven!"

From all I saw and heard of these coloured people, I felt persuaded that much could be made of them, if the "whites" would only lay aside their unworthy prejudices and mingle more familiarly with them. They have a strong desire to obtain religious instruction, and are very open to religious impressions. From some cases which came under my own notice, and others which were mentioned to me by partics on whose judgment I could rely, I was fully satisfied that "Uncle Tom's" portrait is by no means overcharged, and that under proper discipline the Blacks are capable of the highest intellectual and spiritual culture. It is true

that those who have been born and brought up in the condition of slaves, systematically excluded from Christian influences, and left without education of any kind save the bitter and debasing education of the slave-driver's lash, are apt to exhibit the traces of such training long after they have been delivered from it. It is not in a single generation or two that any class of human beings can be wholly redeemed from a state of barbarism, and from the superadded evils connected with a life of bondage.

For this

there is required a course of moral and physical discipline, extending over several generations, till the wild blood is, as as it were, cooled down, and the excessive predominance of the senses tempered by a fuller and firmer development of the reasoning powers. The great bulk of those who composed our audience on this occasion were without any training of this kind. They had but recently escaped from thraldom, and yet it was almost surprising to think of the amount of honesty, good feeling, and good principle by which they were characterised. If they had some of the weaknesses, they had also many of the more amiable qualities, of children. They were simple, docile, and tender-hearted to a degree; and besides this, they were,-what children in general are not,-patient under harsh treatment, grateful for any kindness that might be shown to them, and faithful to those who trusted them. The coloured race are essentially a good-tempered race. We know of no other body of men who have less gall in their composition, or who can be more easily led to do what is right. From all the headstrong propensities and vindictive passions peculiar to uneducated and semi-barbarous tribes, they are comparatively free; and it is a fact, not less remarkable in itself than it is creditable to this particular colony at Niagara, that the convictions for crime among them were rather below than above the ordinary average among the rest of the populaW. M. G.

tion.

FRA PAULO SARPI.

THIS bold monk, whom Bossuet used to call a Protestant in a friar's cowl, was born at Venice in 1552. His father was a merchant, who, dying a few years after his marriage, left his family in embarrassed circumstances. His mother, a woman belonging to the middle class, had a brother, a priest, who undertook the charge of one of the children, in whom he had remarked indications of great talent.

At thirteen years of age, Peter Sarpi entered the monastic order of the Serviti, so called from having originally assumed the title of "Serfs of Mary." According to monastic custom, he changed his name, and was afterwards known only as Fra Paulo. At an early age he had shown extraordinary eagerness in the pursuit of knowledge; and this, aided by his vivacity, wit, quickness of comprehension, and retentive memory, soon enabled him to make considerable progress in science and literature. At eighteen, he was appointed private chaplain to the Duke of Mantua, and at the same time taught theology in the Cathedral of that town. At twenty-three, he was at Milan, where he became the intimate friend of Saint Charles Borromeo; at twenty-five, he was Professor of Philosophy in his native town, Venice; at twenty-seven, Provincial Director, and at thirty-two, General Director, of the order to which he belonged. He cultivated Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and the mathematics; made considerable progress in the physical sciences, astronomy, and anatomy; and is considered one of the most elegant writers of his native language.

At this period, the Spanish domination, united to the ecclesiastical power, combined to quench every spark of intellectual life in Italy, even as Austria does at the present time. The court of Rome was suspicious of great talent;