they believe to have been likewise divinely. The Abazichs, if we draw conclusions from pradured. When they swear, they wish language, appear to be of the Circassian race; that they may be turned to the left at the for they speak a dialect of the Circassian day of judgment, should their oath be false. language, and in their manners resemb!. that They observe fasts, and kill cattle to feed the people. They are said to be a powerful pour, when they profess to repent of sins. people, and to live in a detached manner in They observe the Sabbath in a religious small villages. Their country abounds with way, and have a number of priests who are wood, and is very fruitful. They were lorallowed to marry. In their churches, they merly Christians, and many of them are so have a number of large books, which the still; but of late years, Mohammedism has priests read, but do not pretend to explain. made great advances among them. They The services in their churches consist mostly are a very wild barbarous people, which renin singing and prayer. The priests, when ders travelling among them impossible. They, they officiate, put on long garments, that are as well as the Abazas, have chiefs the same richly ornamented with gold and silver. as the Circassians. When they pray, they look towards heaven, with splitted bands. They look on the preservation of Christianity among them as a miracle. They inoculate their children with the small-pox, on the crown of the head. The Sonna country is very fruitful. They cultivate the ground, and have large gardens, that are embed with stone walls. The Then and women eat together, and both wear long hair. Some of them keep slaves; but the greater part-disapprove of this practice, and dread lest it should bring calamities upon their nation. Most of the above particalers in regard to the Sonna nation, were had from an intelligent man, a Sonna by bink, who, in 1806, came from the Sonna nation, to endeavour to bring about a peace between his countrymen and the Circassians, who had long been at variance with each other. It is evident from the above particulars, that the Sonnas are Greek Christians. It is probable that they once belonged to the Georgian church. "The Abazas are a people that differ in their language from all the other mountain tabes-They live about the head of the Kana and Pod Kuma: and on both sides of the higher regions of the Kuban. In clothing, and in their way of living, they resembe the Circassians. They were formerly Cristians; but most of them have now embraced Mohammedism. Such of them as be on this side of the Kuban, are brought a sort of subjection to the Circassian bey The Abazas differ in their characterWies from both Tartars and Circassians. They have more of the appearance of Europs than of Asiatics. Most of them have fight cleared hair, brown eyes, and Roman To, with reddy, fair complexions. A few Yago, they were a very powerful peobut the plague has made, and is still making, dreadful ravages among them. Some to confound the Abazas who live beyond the Kuban, with the Abazichs; but they are two distinct nations. CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 98. "The east end of the Circassian mountains is called Daghestan, and is inhabited by a numerous tribe called Lesgiz: and from this people, that quarter is sometimes called Legizstan. They are suppose to have come from the north of India, to this place. All that can be said, however, concerning the origin of the various tribes of people that inhabit the Circassian mountains, amounts to nothing more than conjecture, as the most of these people are too ignorant and illiterate, to have preserved any remains of their own origin among themselves; and even the written traditions of some of them partake so much of fable, that it is no easy matter to find out the truth. RRISTOL AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY. The committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society having represented to the Bishop of Bristol (Dr. Mansell), their wish that an auxiliary society should be formed in that city for promoting the great objects of their institution, his Lordship was pleased to express his concurrence, and to address the following circular letter on the subject to the clergy of his diocese. "Reverend Sir, tion. A meeting was accordingly called, and took place on the 1st of February, the Mayor in the chair. The business was opened by the Rev. Dr. Small, who highly commended the object, constitution, and proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and earnestly recommended the formation of an Auxiliary Society for the city and vicinity of Bristol. The secretaries of the parent society, who attended by particular request, then addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Steinkopff represented the destitute condition of several parts of the continent with respect to the Holy Scriptures, and the very gratifying manner in which they had been supplied, through the medium of the British and Foreign Bible Society; concluding with an eulogium on British beneficence and liberality with regard to foreign nations. The Rev. Mr. Hughes took a cursory view of the society; and pointed out how admirably it was adapted to promote the glory of God, and the universal welfare of mankind. The Rev. Mr. Owen entered at some length into the consideration of the society's constitution, as associating in the prosecution of one common object, all denominations of Christians: he contended that the object of the association was one in which all descriptions of Christians might legitimately and correctly unite, and demonstrated, both by argument and an ap peal to facts, that no deviation could occu nor had occurred, from the fundament rule of the society, to circulate the Scrip tures, according to the authorised version through the united kingdom; and witho comment, both at home and abroad: 1 then concluded by an appeal to the citizen of Bristol on behalf of the institutio their support to which might serve to bri down blessings on themselves, and to tran mit those blessings as a patrimonial inher tance to their children's children. A cons tution was then adopted for the Auxilia Society, similar, in almost all respects, to th of its parent. Books were opened in the h for subscriptions, and more than 7004, we immediately contributed. It was a gratifyi sight to witness the ministers and laity the several denominations of Christians sembled on this occasion, united with t utmost cordiality, in countenancing and su porting so important an instrument of p moting the temporal and eternal interests their fellow-creatures both at home a abroad. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY The Committee of this Society have a pointed the annual meeting to be held in t great room at the (Old) London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, near Cornhill, on We nesday the 2d of May, at 12 o'clock pr cisely. VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. CONTINENTAL INTELLIGENCE. SPAIN, we fear, has reached the crisis which we have long anticipated, when France, disembarassed from the necessity of directing her principal force to another quarter, should be able to inundate the peninsula with her immense regular armies. Experience having proved that the Spaniards did not possess energy sufficient to expel so small a number as sixty or seventy thousand Frenchmen from the heart of their country, and thus oblige their enemy, in renewing his attempt to subjugate them, to fight his way through the passes of the Pyrences, the hope seemed to us to be utterly vain, that any thing like effectual resistance could be given to Bonaparte's means of annoyance, when they came to be combined against Spain singly. It is supposed that from two hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand French troops have marched into that country since the termination of the war with Austria; and the effect these reinforcements has been fully f The passes of the Sierra Morena were fore with hardly any resistance, and Seville tak possession of by the French, who, accordi to the latest accounts, had advanced with ten or twelve leagues of Cadiz. A lar body of troops is said to have thrown its into this city; but we are not disposed draw any very favourable conclusion fr this circumstance. Confidence, we grea fear, is at an end; and the people of ra and property appear intent, not so m on defending this last hope of Spain, on escaping with such property as they o realise to Gibraltar, or England, or So America. The most extraordinary circu stance is, that the descent of the Fre into Andalusia appears not to have be looked for at Seville and Cadiz; and to h excited there as much surprize and const nation as it would in London to hear t 50,000 Frenchmen had reached Blackheath. Ita dicult to account for the blind improvidence which has distinguished Spain in every stage of this great contest. Danger seems to have been little thought of, except when in view. And let some slight and partial advantage be obtained, or let the enemy from motives of policy act merely on the defensive, and forbear for a time any active operations, every letter marked the foolish elation which pervaded the public mind; an ciation evidenced not by mustering their hardy myriads to the battle, and making their appressor feel How strong in labour's horny hand the steel," but in premature rejoicing and fruitless Let England be admonished by the example: the lesson which it furnishes is too valuable to be disregarded. We recur to what we have often asserted. The dangers which threaten this country are rightly appreciated, we fear, by few. Like the infarated Spaniards, seeing no hostile force within the narrow field of our visible horizon, we therefore lie down in fancied security. Eat ought we to shut our eyes to this; that the power of France is every day becoming same formidable, and that that power, ined by an accumulation of fresh rees and by the uncontrolled possession fresh points of embarkation, is about to be fected against this single country? But tus not be misunderstood. If we urge in on the serious consideration of our aders the magnitude of the conflict it has pleased Providence should wait us, it is not that they may be to cherish dismay or despondency; but instead of spending themselves, like the pwards, in Haughty boast and threatening tone;" heats that die ere half their work is acished, they may be prepared, for those ire sacrifices, and those vigorous, comed, and persevering exertions, which will bably be required of them: it is that they be stirred up to greater diligence and tness in prayer, both for themselves their country, that God would turn from The fide of desolation, and be our defence ver shield. as hardly necessary to advert partiy to the state of the Spanish governThe Cortes, though summoned, had ; and it is now but little likely that can be assembled. The Junta of Seleavoured to effect their escape on approach of the French. The populace, pecting treachery, seized such of them as were within their reach, and proceeded to appoint a regency, consisting of Montijo and the younger Palafox (who were delivered from confinement by the populace) and Castanos. The Spanish ships of war, almost all of which are said to be collected at Cadiz, have moved into the outer harbour, with a British squadron interposed between them and the shore. They may therefore, we hope, be considered as rescued from the gripe of France. Ceuta, on the coast of Africa, has been taken possession of by 2000 men of the garrison of Gibraltar. The annexation to the French empire, not only of part of Holland, but of the whole line of coast from Holstein to Flanders, appears to be finally determined by Bonaparte; and bodies of French troops have been stationed at different points in this line, to suppress all opposition to the change, or even any murmur against it. The dissatisfaction of the Dutch, however, though not loud, appears to be deep; they have even gone so far as to publish, in one of their principal newspapers, a remonstrance against the usurpation of France, which can answer little purpose, in existing circumstances, except to increase the jealousy of their oppressor, and thus add to the weight of their chains. Measures of in-. creased severity have been adopted, in order to ensure the exclusion of British commerce; and all British manufactures and colonial produce found in Holland or Flanders are to be confiscated, in order" to repair the havoc occasioned by our attack on Walcheren." American vessels are also prohibited, absolutely, and without exception, from entering the ports of Holland. UNITED STATES. The whole of the correspondence between our government and Mr. Erskine, on the subject of the disallowed treaty with America, is now before the public. Mr. Erskine does not affect to deny that he has departed from the letter of his instructions, though he conceives himself to have adhered to their spirit. On one most impor tant point, however, he departs (probably through misapprehension), not only from the letter, but from the spirit, too, of his instructions. He had been directed to demand from the American governinent a distinct recognition of our right, in case the Orders in Council were repealed, to enforce their Non-intercourse Law with France by the capture of such American vessels as might attempt to contravene that law. Mr. Erskine says that this proposition was not objected to by the American government; but that it appeared to them to require no formal recognition, The existence of the prohibitory enactment Considerable hopes are entertained t the differences between Great Britain a the United States will still be brought to amicable termination. This desirable resi is likely to be promoted by some recent i stances of severity towards American shi in the ports subject to France. Many them, it is said, have been seized; and w respect to their absolute exclusion fr Holland, there can be no doubt. GREAT BRITAIN. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. THE subject which has chiefly occupied the attention of Parliament during the present month, has been the inquiry into the policy and the conduct of the expedition to the Scheldt. It may be premature to give any distinct opinion on either of these points. The course of the evidence, however, as far as it has hitherto proceeded, cannot be considered as favourable to ministers. It is impossible, however, to say what evidence may be yet in reserve, particularly as the secret committee appointed to examine such documents as could not safely be communicated to the public, have not as yet made any report. We therefore purposely abstain from any observations; and shall do no more, at present, than lay before our readers the following return, shewing the effective strength of the army when it embarked in July, and its state about a month ago; viz. Embarked: 1738 officers, and 37,481 non commissioned officers and men. Killed officers and 99 men. Died on ser abroad, and since their return: 67 offic and 3999 men. Deserted or discharg 109 men. Returned and now borne on strength of their corps: 1671 officers 33,373 men; of whom are reported s 217 officers and 11,296 men. Some commotion has been excited am the newspaper reporters and editors, the coffee-house politicians, by the enfo ment of the standing order of the Hous Commons, for the exclusion of strang during the examination of evidence resp ing the Walcheren expedition. It can however, be alleged that any real inco nience has resulted from this measure. only effect is, that the evidence is not lished for some days after it has been g But then it appears in a much more på form than that in which it would othe have been exhibited, being copied from authentic minutes printed for the use of the ' members. This prudential restriction of the indulgence usually allowed to reporters has given occasion to many indecent reflections in the public prints; and one hand-bill, the production of the well-known Mr. Gale Jones, so far overstepped the boundaries of decorum, that it was thought necessary by the house to take cognizance of it. It was pronounced to be a gross violation of the privileges of the house, and its author has been committed to Newgate. In the course of the Walcheren inquiry, some divisions have taken place in the House of Commons, in which Ministers have found themselves in a minority. One of these was of an important occasion, when, after due. notice had been given, a motion for papers, which was resisted by the whole force of the government, was carried against them by a majority of 178 to 171. The thanks of both Houses of Parliament have been voted to Lord Gambier, and the fleet under his command, for their achievements in Basque Roads; and to Lord Weklington and his army, for the victory obtain ed at Talavera. A Pension of 2000l. a-year for his own life, and that of two of his successors, has been settled by parliament on Lord Wellington. The navy estimates for the present year have been voted; viz. for 130,000 men, in all, 10,876,700ł. A bill for rendering the abolition of rever sionary grants perpetual, passed the House of Commons; but, through some defect in form, was rejected in the House of Lords. Another bill to the same effect has been originated in the upper house by Earl Gros velor. The finance committee has been re-appointed, and has undergone some changes agreeably to the suggestions of Mr. Bankes, who is re-appointed chairman of it. Several persons named by that gentleman were ob jected to by ministers, and others proposed in their stead; but the house decided in favour of Mr. Bankes's nomination. His Majesty has informed parliament that he has entered into arrangements with Portu gal for taking into his pay an army of Portuguese troops not exceeding 30,000 men. This message is likely to give birth to much discussion. The great scarcity of coin and bullion, which has been experienced in this country for some time past (gold having risen about ton shillings an ounce in price), has attracted the notice of parliament, and a commit tee has been appointed to investigate the subject. Sir Samuel Romilly, with that exemplary perseverance in the pursuit of the public good which has ever distinguished this eruinent lawyer, has brought the state of crimi nal law in this kingdom under the consideration of parliament. We trust that his humane and enlightened exertions to amend our criminal code will be attended with suc cess. The following account has been laid before the House of Commons, of the total net produce of the permanent, annual, and war taxes, in the years ended the 5th Jan. 1809, and the 5th Jan. 1810. Permanent Taxes, 1809 32,158,450 15 10 Annual ditto War ditto 4,929,790 1 9 20,291,797 10 94 Total £57,380,03$ 8 5 Total £59,263,255 8 8 Making an excess of nearly two millions in favour of the latter year. Petitions have been presented to parliament from the Roman catholics of several counties in Ireland, and also from those of Great Britain, praying for the relief of their body from all existing disabilities; we may therefore expect that this subject will shortly be agitated in the senate. We are happy, however, to observe, that this important question has somewhat changed its aspect of late. It now appears that the great mass of the catholics of Ireland are disposed not to concede to the king an effectual negative on the appointment of their bishops, nor to agree to certain measures of regulation with a view to the security of the established church, which formed the basis of the plan adopted by Mr. Pitt and his colleagues in office for the benefit of the catholics; and that, in consequence of their avowed disinclination to any such compromise, Lord Grenville, in a printed letter to Lord Fingal, has avowed his determination not to take any part in bringing forward the question of Catholic emancipation. This letter may be considered as expressive of the general sentiments of Lord Grenville's party; and it happily removes any fear which was ent ertained, lest, on his lordship's return to power, this delicate question should be intemperately pressed into discussion by the king's servants. Lord Grenville may possibly appear to some to have acted inconsistently in this matter, and to have been in finenced by a wish to smooth the way for his |