That larceny by servants should exceed all other crimes collectively will scarcely astonish the housekeeper. Capital punishment of late has been of rare occurrence, the execution of an Akuman, for attempting to murder his wife, having been the only instance for some time, and a Sherbro' for flogging a man to death; over which it is better to draw the veil.

The Immorality of the Colony not approachable by law, and in which the African is too often encouraged by those whose example should teach a very different lesson, is a most serious consideration.

What is immorality with the Christian is not at all times immorality with the Mahomedan and Pagan; but when Christians violate this inculcation, by practice, it is not astonishing that their sincerity should be doubted, and that their faith should be contemplated by the Heathen with ridicule, or contempt; for instance, the African sees neither sin nor shame in presenting or selling his daughter to the European, whom the white man as readily receives, whilst he preaches that very religion which he is inducing the vendor to believe denounces the act. Ardent spirit is, indeed, a divine spirit to the black. The white proclaims it to be a devil, yet rivals his adoring neighbour in its worship! The result is inevitable; and however interested parties, whose province it is to make black white, may palaver their employers at home with flattering information, the fact is, that there has yet more rubbish to be swept

away than is believed, before the foundation-stone of the intended building can be securely laid.

It behoves parents to seriously weigh the chances between good and evil, before they part with their sons for the coast of Africa, where, should they escape the danger of the climate, there is another, yet more destructive, awaiting them-the unhealthiness of which ends not with the grave!

The great temptation offered to the poor and ignorant savage by the introduction of articles not only of use, but to them of wonder, the conception of which never entered their minds, is some palliation for that inclination of appropriation which is always to be found amongst them. In the first place, the beauty or singularity of what may appear very insignificant to the European is to them irresistibly desirable; and secondly, if it be not attractive merely as a curiosity, its utility (when once understood) enhances its value beyond the calculation of those accustomed to the possession. Consequently, not having much natural, and less educated morality, they effect by cunning what they dare not attempt by force.

The same causes, covetousness or want, instigate the white man, as well as the black, to dishonesty; but he certainly cannot equally extenuate the act. The liberated African is, however, generally honest, and as "Rome was not built in a day," we may hope that, in time to come, theft will be still less meritorious; when Christianity convinces them that the wisest policy is to “ render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's," they will be happier within themselves, and more honoured by their neighbours.

African Jack Sheppards and Turpins occasionally appear; the last that I remember, as the terror of the Colony and its neighbourhood, was Bob Cleugh, a highwayman; his greatest success was with Madame Paul, from whom he took between £500 and £600, in gold and jewels. He was many times in chains, but escaped, and now lives in the bush, and carries on a Jonathan Wild system with the Colonial thieves. His appearance is terrific, as he goes about naked with knives stuck round his waist, in a belt, and like other native professional gentlemen of "the road," his body is besmeared with palm-oil, in order that his pursuers may have but a slippery hold, should they lay hands upon him ;

he was, however, captured by a Krooman constable, and lodged in gaol, shortly before I left the Colony; but if a hole be discoverable through which a snake could twist its way, Bob will be back to the bush again.

Character and Cruelties in Free-town Gaol, &c.—The gaol, the abode of debtors and criminals, would not appear much worse in its general arrangements than such places usually are, were it not for the ruling brutality of the gaoler and his myrmidons, who, if they have not drunk themselves to death, are possibly still inflicting their private judgment upon those unfortunate wretches already adjudged. Peter Moses, the sheriff's representative, within the walls, is a Cremantee black, a native of the Gold Coast, of most unprepossessing appearance, though amiable in external compared with that which lies within;" but we cannot add "that passeth show," as his bad passions are daily visible in their effects upon his prisoners. He is a married man, yet lives in undisguised adultery with the matron of the Female Liberated African Department, who did reside within the gaol with him, and sometimes saved him the trouble of inflicting illegal punishment upon those intrusted to his charge, in which she is heartily assisted by his deputy, Samuel, who should have been Zamail. One or two cases may suffice to show the authority that is arrogated and permitted. Upon one occasion, a Joloff and an Ebo man were quarrelling at the cook-house, when the former struck the Ebo with a rice pestle and broke his arm. The under gaoler (Samuel) interfered, tied down the man by his broken arm, and inflicted a severe flogging (the gaoler looking on) though remonstrated with by several of the bystanders who witnessed the cruelty.

These worthies, after an additional quantum of rum, have frequently been known, apparently for amusement, to lash the poor African women naked with the cruelty of savages. Such proceedings being carried on daily and hourly, together with the most loathsome and filthy debauche. ries and drunkenness, did not escape the vigilance of our excellent governor, Colonel Macdonald. Through report (and if we may judge from the dismissal of the matron from the department and a comparative cessation of such brutalising practices) a caution was given not likely to be unheeded by these officers.

Grog Shops, &c.-It seems to me that I could not better close the chapter on crime than by briefly treating upon the stores devoted to the

vending of spirituous liquors, which are, indeed, a prolific source of not only crime, but every other species of vice that levels man to the standard little above the brute creation.

These haunts are in abundance throughout the Colony, and tend materially to retard the advancement and elevation of the moral character of the African, as well as to destroy the health, and enervate the mind and body of many, bringing them to a premature grave. The African is naturally fond of stimulating drinks; in his native and primitive state he drinks palm wine, which has the power of intoxication, as well as a beer extracted from leaves which vegetate in Africa. The result of these indulgences on the African is similar to that on the European-crime, misery, destitution, and an indulgence in uncontrolled licentiousness, which fearfully baffles the labours of the minister of religion for their welfare, temporal and spiritual. The vending of liquors yields no inconsiderable revenue to the Colonial chest in licences granted for three, six, nine, or twelve months; the baneful effects they produce is indescribable. A glass of brandy can be had for 1d., the best for 2d.; a bottle of rum 1s. 1d. to 1s. 3d., whilst a bottle of ale is charged 1s. 3d. These places are solely kept by Africans, whilst the European merchants sell it them in wholesale, or by the gallon-rum 5s., brandy 10s., gin 8s., ale 13s. per dozen-under a wholesale spirit licence, granted by the Colonial Secretary, of 307. per annum, and in proportion for three, six or twelve months. Why should we complain of the African's abuse of spirits, when the white man vends him the damnable drug, and more than vies with him in the worship and adoration of it?

SEASONS.

THE seasons are divided into the wet and dry; the former sets in about the latter end of April or beginning of May with heavy tornadoes from north and east; but the rains do not become incessant until July and August, in which months they become very violent. The season breaks up on the occurrence of tornadoes about September and October, and rain occasionally occurs in November and December, when the dry season sets in. August is the month mostly dreaded by all, sickness and death being then most prevalent; hence the Africans call it King August." June, July, and October are also frequently very fatal and sickly, owing to the change of temperature and the wet.

The dry season is considered the most healthy, and requires but ordinary precaution; the chief danger consisting in an incautious exposure to the heat of the sun, from which a coup de soleil is to be apprehended, or from an indulgence in ardent spirits. The newly-arrived European often suffers from his own imprudence, coming from a cold climate, full of health, blood, and spirits, he walks the streets, and explores the neighbouring scenery without an umbrella; keeps late hours, and exposes himself to night dews; indulges in drink of the most seductive yet pernicious kind, and consequently suffers. Weak brandy or rum and water, are recommended as stimulants, but our gratifications are too apt to forget the proper distinction between use and abuse.

The rainy season, on the contrary, requires the utmost precaution, warm clothing, with flannel next the skin, security from damp, and an immediate change of clothes when wet, particularly boots and shoes, as inattention to these points induces acclimating or first fever in the new resident, and ague and fever in the old. Always promote perspiration and never check it, or the consequence may be serious. A cup of tea or coffee upon rising in the morning is recommended by the most expe