should enable his friends to make some more powerful effort in his favour. On Wednesday, May 12, he was beheaded on Tower hill, in the presence of an immense multitude, who forbore to insult him; but in the evening called for bonfires and illuminations, to mark the public joy at his downfall. Strafford had not expected this fate: though he had placed his life at the disposal of the king, he did not suppose that he should be thus forsaken. When told that Charles had consented to his death, he started from his chair, repeating the words of holy writ, "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help," Psa. cxlvi. 3. It has been remarked, that the same psalm contains a declaration that God executeth judgments for the oppressed; and whatever may be our views of the proceedings just narrated, there were many respects in which Strafford had been an oppressor. The terms Cavaliers and Roundheads became common in these tumults before Whitehall; the latter being applied, by the military and courtiers who resorted to the palace, to the popular party of the middle and lower class, who usually cut their hair short, while persons of rank and fashion wore it long. These appellations were long used by the court party, while their opponents bestowed on them the name of Malignants. Strafford had, indeed, cause for his exclamation: to obtain the royal favour, he had done what he knew to be wrong, and now he tasted the bitter result, in suffering evil where he had a right to expect protection. His fate shows the vanity of earthly confidence; and, like the deathbeds of Beaufort and Wolsey, affords a lesson to the mighty of this world. There is but one Prince and Potentate whose subjects may be assured of full protection and preservation from their enemies he is King of kings, and Lord of lords; he can defend his own from the enemies of the soul as well as those of the body; and he will save to the uttermost all who trust in him. His word is unchangeable, His kingdom can not be moved and if we mark the events of this period, we shall find, that it was as they departed from his laws, and despised his precepts, however they might profess to recognize them; it was as they forsook the living and true God, king Charles and his opponents were each in turn broken and laid aside, when the purposes of Divine Providence had been fulfilled, according to the prophetic warning, Because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, And he hath stretched forth his hand against them, And hath smitten them.-Isa. v. 24, 25. VARIETIES OF THE HUMAN RACE. SOME late writers on natural history, says Blumenbach, seem doubtful whether the numerous distinct races of men ought to be considered as mere varieties, which have arisen from degeneration, or as so many species altogether different. The cause of this seems chiefly to be, that they took too narrow a view in their researches; selected, perhaps, two races the most different from each other possible; and overlooking the intermediate races that formed the connecting links between them, compared these together; or they fixed their attention too much on man, without examining other species of animals, and comparing their varieties and degeneration with those of the human species. The first fault is, when one, for example, places together a Senegal negro and a European Adonis, and at the same time forgets that there is not one of the bodily differences of these two beings, whether hair, colour, features, etc., which does not gradually run into the same thing of the other, by such a variety of shades that no physiologist or naturalist is able to establish a certain boundary between these gradations, and, consequently, between the extremes themselves. The second fault is, when people reason as if man were the only organized being in nature, and consider the variety in his species to be strange and problematical, without reflecting, that all these varieties are not more striking or more uncommon than those into which so many thousands of other species of organized beings degenerate, as it were, before our eyes. More reasons than one have induced me to make choice of swine for this comparison; but, in particular, because they have a great similarity in many respects to man; because both, in regard to the economy of their bodily structure, taken on the whole, show unexpectedly, on the first view, as well as on closer examination, a very striking similitude. Both, for example, are domestic animals, both are omnivorous, worth notice; and even the more modest relations of later English navigators, who make their height from six to seven feet, have been doubted by other travellers, who on the same coast sought for such children of Anak in vain. But we shall admit every thing said of the extraordi Wallis, and Carteret; the first of whom assigns to their chief, and several of his attendants, a height of not less than seven feet, as far as could be determined by the eye; the second, who asserts that he actually measured them, gives to the greater part of them from five feet ten inches to six feet; to some, six feet five inches, but to the tallest six feet seven inches; and this account is confirmed by the last-mentioned of the above circumnavigators. Now, allowing this to be the case, it is not nearly such an excess of stature as that observed in many parts of America, among the swine originally carried thither from Europe; and of these I shall mention in particular, those of Cuba, which are more than double the size of the original stock in Europe. both are dispersed throughout all the four quarters of the world, and both, consequently, are exposed in numerous ways, to the principal causes of degeneration, arising from climate, mode of life, nourishment, etc.; both, for the same reason, are subject to many diseases, and, what is particularly worthy of re-nary size of these Patagonians by Byron, mark, to diseases rarely found among other animals than men and swine. Another reason why I have made choice of swine for the present comparison, is, because the degeneration and descent from the original race, are far more certain in those animals, and can be better traced, than in the varieties of other domestic animals: for no naturalist, I believe, has carried his scepticism so far as to doubt the descent of the domestic swine from the wild boar; which is so much the more evident, as it is well known, that wild pigs, when caught, may easily be rendered as tame and familiar as domestic swine and the contrary, also, is the case; for if the latter, by any accident, get into the woods, they as readily become wild again, so that there are instances of such animals being shot for wild swine. It is well ascertained, that before the discovery of America by the Spaniards, swine were unknown in that quarter of the world, and that they were afterwards carried thither from Europe. All the varieties, therefore, through which this animal has since degenerated, belong, with the original European race, to one and the same species; and since no bodily difference is found in the human race, as will presently appear, either in regard to stature, colour, the form of the skull, etc., which is not observed in the same proportion among the swine race, while no one, on that account, ever doubts, that all these different kinds are merely varieties that have arisen from degeneration, through the influence of climate, etc.,-this comparison, it is to be hoped, will silence those sceptics who have thought proper, on account of these varieties in the human race, to admit more than one species. With regard to stature, the Patagonians have afforded, as is well known, the greatest employment to anthropologists.* The romantic tales, however, of the old travellers, who give to these inhabitants of the southern extremity of America a stature of ten feet and more, are scarcely * Writers on the natural history of man. The natives of Guinea, Madagascar, New Holland, New Guinea, etc. are black; many American tribes are reddish brown, and the Europeans are white. An equal difference is observed among the swine in different countries. In Piedmont, for example, they are black. When Í passed through that country, during the great fair for swine at Salenge, I did not see a single one of any other colour. In Bavaria, they are reddish brown; in Normandy, they are all white. Human hair is indeed somewhat different from swines' bristles; yet, in the present point of view, they may be compared with each other. Fair hair is soft, and of a silky texture; black hair is coarser; and among several tribes, such as the Abyssinians, negroes, and the inhabitants of New Holland, it is woolly, and most so among the Hottentots. In like manner, among the white swine in Normandy, as I was assured by an incomparable observer, Sulyer, of Ronnenburg, the hair on the whole body is longer and softer than among other swine; and even the bristles on the back are very little different, but lie flat, and are only longer than the hair on the other parts of the body: they cannot, therefore, be employed by the brushmakers. The difference between the hair of the wild boar and the domestic swine, particularly in regard to the softer part between the strong bristles, is, as is well known, still | rich, learned, and honoured; or because greater. their friends are so; for honours, learning, and wealth, are esteemed by the world as the most excellent and desirable things. The whole difference between the cranium of a negro and that of an European is not in the least degree greater than the difference that exists between the cranium of the wild boar and that of the domestic swine. Those who have not observed this in the animals themselves, need only to cast their eye upon the figure which Dauberton has given of both. I shall pass over less national varieties which may be found among swine, as well as among men, and only mention, that I have been assured, by Mr. Sulyer, that the peculiarity of having the bone of the leg remarkably long, as is the case among the Hindoos, has been remarked with regard to the swine in Normandy. He (Sulyer) says they stand very long on their hind legs; their back, therefore, is highest at the rump, forming a kind of inclined plane, and the head proceeds in the same direction; so that the snout is not far from the ground. I shall here add, that swine, in some countries, have degenerated into races which, in singularity, far exceed any thing that has been strange in bodily variety among the human race. Swine with solid hoofs were known to the ancients, and large herds of them are found in Hungary, Sweden, etc. In the like manner, the European swine, first carried by the Spaniards in 1509 to the island of Cuba, at that time celebrated for its pearl fishery, degenerated into a monstrous race, with hoofs which were half a span in length. The truth of these words of revelation, that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth," is here borne out by ample physical evidence. A STRANGE BOAST. In all countries there are found some objects on which the inhabitants pride themselves; and in their national history some persons or events occupy a distinguished place, to which they are accustomed to point with exultation. Now these events, persons, or objects have associations connected with them that are lofty and ennobling; and those who boast of them imagine that there is a glory reflected upon them, because it is their country, their nation. Some are lifted up because they are How strange upon the ears of such must the language of the apostle of the Gentiles fall! "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world," Gal. vi. 14. Glory in an object with which there was associated all that was degrading and infamous ! Surely he was an ignorant, unknown, poor and worthless man! and had nothing of which men generally boast to exult in! and this is the language of disappointment and spleen! Let us inquire. Was he ignorant? He had sat at the feet of Gamaliel, a celebrated Jewish doctor, Acts xxii. 3, and was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers. He was skilful and even learned in speech, as is evident by his address at Athens, Acts xvii., and possessed of much and varied knowledge, as all his writings testify. He was not, therefore, an ignorant man. Was he unknown, and poor, and worthless? Nay; for he was honoured with the esteem and confidence of the chiefs of his nation; he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, blameless in character, indeed very remarkable for the strictness of his morals; and in a fair way of attaining a high post of honour and emolument among his countrymen. "But he had renounced Judaism," some one may say, "and had become an outcast from his brethren, and forfeited the honours and wealth he might have enjoyed among them. He became a member of a despised people, and perhaps had nothing then in which he could glory?" Let us see. He was made a minister of the gospel, and was amazingly successful in turning many from dumb idols to serve the living God. He traversed a large extent of country; laboured many years; endured fiery trials; and in every qualification was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles, 2 Cor. xi. 5. He had whereof to glory if he had wished. But his own excellences were forgotten, his labours and successes were passed by, as if in them he saw nothing of which to boast; feeling that after all he was an unprofitable servant. There was one thing alone in which he exulted, and that, in his estimation, threw all things beside into the shade. He gloried in the cross of Jesus Christ. What does this glory- | blood, and then fearlessly profess him ing mean? before men. The Jews and Romans regarded the cross as a most ignominious object, and death upon it as the most dishonourable; and to have any alliance with one who suffered thereon, was esteemed very disgraceful. But Paul was not ashamed to declare that he gloried in the cross of Christ, by which is meant glorying in the plan of salvation, which was finished on the cross. If your becoming a Christian should subject you to the scorn and contempt of the world, still your duty to become one is unaltered. But how few in the present day have anything to fear in this respect. Ridicule cannot hurt us, although it may annoy us. And when any are subject to contemptuous treatment, through their attachment to Christ, and their profession of He saw the justice of God ex-religion, they should look forward to the day when he shall judge the world; and perceiving the respective positions of the scorner and the scorned, before the bar of God, they will know how to regard those who may now despise them. hibited there, in the punishment which the substitute of man endured for the violation of the law of righteousness. How honoured that justice in the death of Christ! The mercy of the Lord was seen there. God had said he had no pleasure in the death of a sinner, and when nothing but the sacrifice of his Son could save the sinner from ruin, he gave him up freely for us all, and in the cross the Father showed he delighted in mercy. The wisdom of God was very conspicuous in that which was the object of the apostle's boast. How perfectly do the attributes of Deity harmonize! How admirable is the adaptation to the wants of man! How complete the satisfaction made to God! How wondrously is he just, and yet the justifier of them that believe in Jesus! In one word, Paul gloried in the cross because thereby God was honoured, and man's redemption secured. It was the foundation of his hope for eternity; the source of hope and peace. There the propitiatory sacrifice for the sin of the world was offered up; there the curse against man was revoked, and sovereign mercy proclaimed. Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life, John v. 15. Reader! do you any longer wonder at the boast of the apostle? Is not the cross worthy to be gloried in? Should any be ashamed of it? Surely not. To the Christian it ever must be an affecting and attractive object. And now what think ye of Christ?" If he has died for sinners, for you among the rest, ought not his love to you to receive a return? As soon as the apostle clearly saw the great truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, he gave himself up to him, and said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And this is how you must act. You must look to a crucified Saviour, him whom you have pierced, and mourn for sin seek its pardon through his precious Reader! may you have a right to glory in the cross of Christ, by accepting him as your Saviour, and yielding yourself to his service. You may then exult in that cross now, and a believing sight of it will cheer you in the hour of death. By it may you be crucified unto the world, and the world unto you. May you be taught, by the infinite importance of eternal things, to which it points you, the comparative insignificance of all that is temporal and that | fadeth away.-A. AFRICANER'S VISIT TO THE CAPE. WHILE engaged in an interesting conversation with Africaner,* says the Rev. R. Moffat, on the state and prospect of the mission, in connexion with the barrier to civilization, not only from the state of country and climate, but also from the want of intercourse with the colony, the idea darted into my mind, that Africaner would do well to accompany me to Cape Town; and I at once made the proposal. The good man looked at me again and again, gravely asking whether I were in earnest, and seemed fain to ask if I were in my senses too, adding, with great fervour, "I had thought you loved me, and do you advise me to go to the government, to be hung up as a spectacle of public justice?" and putting his hand to his head, he asked, "Do you not know that I am an outlaw, and that one thousand rix dollars have been offered for this poor head?" These difficulties I endeavoured to remove, by assuring him, that the results would be most satisfactory to himself, as well as to the governor of the Cape. Here Afri Religious Tract Society. See "Life of Africaner," published by the caner exhibited his lively faith in the gracious promises of God, by replying, "I shall deliberate, and commit, (or, as he used the word according to the Dutch translation,) roll my way upon the Lord; I know he will not leave me.' During three days this subject was one of public discussion, and more than one came to me with grave looks, asking if I had advised Africaner to go to the Cape. On the third day, the point was decided, and we made preparations for our departure, after having made the necessary arrangements for continuing the means of instruction during my absence. Nearly all the inhabitants accompanied us half a day's journey to the banks of the Orange river, where we had to wait several days, it having overflowed all its banks. The kindness of the people, and the tears which were shed when we parted from them, were deeply affecting. Arriving at Pella, (the place, as before stated, to which some of the people from Warm Bath had retired when the latter was destroyed by Africaner,) we had a feast fit for heaven-born souls, and subjects to which the seraphim above might have tuned their golden lyres. Men met who had not seen each other since they had joined in mutual combat for each other's woe; warrior met with warrior, bearing in their hands the olive branch, secure under the panoply of peace and love. They talked of Him who had subdued both, without a sword or spear; and each bosom swelled with purest friendship, and exhibited another trophy destined to adorn the triumph of the Prince of Peace, under whose banner each was promoting that reign, in which No longer hosts encountering hosts, Here I again met with Mr. Bartlett and family, who, with the chief and people of the station, loaded us with kindness. We spent some pleasant days, while the subject of getting Africaner safely through the territories of the farmers to the Cape, was the theme of much conversation. To some, the step seemed somewhat hazardous. Africaner and I had fully discussed the point before leaving the station, and I was confident of success. Though a chief, there was no need of laying aside anything like royalty, with a view to travel in disguise. Of two substantial shirts left, I gave him one; he had a pair of leather trowsers, a duffel jacket, much the worse for wear, and an old hat, neither white nor black; and my own garb was scarcely more refined. As a farther precaution, it was agreed, that for once I should be the chief, and he should assume the appearance of a servant, when it was desirable, and pass for one of my attendants. Ludicrous as the picture may appear, the subject was a grave one, and the season solemn and important. Often did I lift up my heart to Him, in whose hands are the hearts of all men, that his presence might go with us. It might be here remarked, once for all, that the Dutch farmers, notwithstanding all that has been said against them by some travellers, are, as a people, exceedingly hospitable and kind to strangers. Exceptions there are, but these are few, and perhaps more rare than in any country under the sun. Some of these worthy people, on the borders of the colony, congratulated me on returning alive, having often heard, as they said, that I had been long since murdered by Africaner. Much wonder was expressed at my narrow escape from such a monster of cruelty, the report having been spread, that Mr. Ebner had but just escaped with the skin of his teeth. While some would scarcely credit my identity, my testimony as to the entire reformation of Africaner's character, and his conversion, was discarded, as the effusion of a frenzied brain. It sometimes afforded no little entertainment to Africaner and the Namaquas, to hear a farmer denounce this supposed irreclaimable savage. There were only a few, however, who were sceptical on this subject. At one farm, a novel scene exhibited the state of feeling respecting Africaner and myself, and likewise displayed the power of Divine grace under peculiar circumstances. It was necessary, from the scarcity of water, to call at such houses as lay in our road. The farmer referred to was a good man, in the best sense of the word, and he and his wife had both shown me kindness on my way to Namaqualand. On approaching the house, which was on an eminence, I directed my men to take the wagon to the valley below, while I walked toward the house. The farmer, seeing a stranger, came slowly down the descent to meet me. When within a few yards, I addressed him in the usual way, and, stretching out my hand, expressed my pleasure at seeing him again. He put his hand behind him, and asked me, |