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serfage too low, might expect. To this it may be urged that the blessing of freedom was bestowed on the Estonian peasant before he was in a condition to understand its import, though truly such a privilege is better given to a people too early than wrested by them too late. It redounds to the credit of these provinces of Estonia, Livonia, and Courland, that they were the first in the empire to coalesce with the late Emperor Alexander by enfranchising their peasantry-an act which took place in 1828; and it is quite a pity that our administration for so noble a deed should be in any way interrupted by the troublesome collateral circumstances of their being peculiarly the gainers thereby. When the peasants were serfs, their owners were interested in preserving them from absolute want, and in bad harvests the peasantry became, what they are to this day in Russia Proper, a real burthen to their lord. Also, whenever the serf was not able to pay his own poll-tax, the seigneur had to make up the deficiency; but now that the Estonian peasant is a free man, all these responsibilities, which he as little desired as understood to undertake, fall upon his own shoulders: for though many a humane seigneur still supplies the same help as formerly, yet these are but worthy exceptions. Consequently a failure in crops, added to the national improvidence, exposes the peasant to hardship and starvation which he never knew in his serf condition. Among the regulations intended as a substitute to these habits of dependence, a law has been instituted compelling each peasant, in good seasons, to contribute so much corn to the Bauer Klete, or peasant granary-thus realizing a fund of provision against the winters of famine. But as the Estonian has been placed in a state of freedom before he knew that forethought and prudence were its only safeguards, he seizes every occasion to evade this law; and, if the Herr be not vigilant in enforcing it, the storehouse is found empty when famine has finished every other resource. One characteristic consequence of this emancipation was the adoption of family names by the peasant, who, hitherto, like the Russia serf, had been designated only by his own and his father's baptismal appellatives.

Having thus seen the Estonian peasant in his home state, our next view of him was in a congregated mass: this occurred upon occasion of our first visit to the village church, about five miles from our superb dwelling, and of which, with rare exception, they are the exclusive monopolisers. Here we found the peasants' sledge standing in double rows as thick along the road as the carriages before the Opera-house at a morning concert; and, entering through a dense crowd, smelling strongly of their sheepskin habiliments. and the smoky atmosphere in which they live, we mounted a gallery to a pew reserved for the family, whence we looked down upon a platform of human heads of every variety of

rich blondes and browns-blacks there were but few, and greys none at all; though of wrinkles, failing limbs, and other signs of age, there was a premature profusion. The service, which was in Estonian, had commenced, and, after the first careless wonder with which you listen to a new language subsided, my eyes busied themselves with what was around them.

The men were all on one side, their long hair untouched by scissors since their birth, divided down the centre of the head and flowing on their shoulders; the women on the other, with high helmet-shaped caps of every variety of bright color-their gay ribbons and bright locks streaming promiscuously from beneath; or sometimes al! this lowly vanity covered with a white handkerchief, which, disposed in a band across the forehead, and falling in ample folds down the cheeks, ennobled many a homely set of features. Beauty there was but little; here and there a young rosy cheek and bright eye shot through the crowd, but the generality were plain rather than ugly. The first impression. on the mind of this dense crowd of attentive poor was almost painful. Our Saviour's audience were only the poor; and among the silent, listening throng who stood, each leaning with clasped hands upon his foremost neighbor's shoulder-here and there a child held aloft above the crush of limbs, while a row of sick and decrepit beings, ugly, abject, yet venerable, lying on mattresses in every picturesque form, occupied the centre, and Hebrew-draped heads and Apostolic countenances crowded around-you missed only the divine aspect from this ready-made and most touching picture. The women were chiefly in sheep-skins or wolf skins, with gay bands round their waists, the men in the same, or in a coarse brown cloth with rows of silver buttons down the breast. The scene was enlivened by the presence of a bride or in other words a finacee-who, at the publication of her banns, has the enviable privilege of appearing before the public in every rag and ribbon which it ever entered the head of any Estonian Madge Wildfire to desire, being literally loaded with all the ribbons, hankerchiefs, and petticoats which herself or her neighbors can muster; only the outer edge of each, in the insolence of her wealth, being visible, till the bride looks like the walking pattern-book of the Kirchspiel, or parish, and the admiring swain views at one glance both his companion and her wardrobe for life. But the head is more particularly the centre of attraction, the helmet-shaped cap on these occasions being stuck full of flowers, ribbons, scraps of tailor's cabbage, peacock's feathers, and, in short, all the sweepings of the Baron's mansion, like an over-garnished shape of blancmange; while the young lady, oppressed alike by her feelings and her finery, keeps every tag in a perpetual quiver, and hardly dares to lift up her heated countenance from her panoply of dress.

The Leading Events of the Life of William Wilberforce.

Communicated for the American Penny Magazine.

| CONCLUDED.]

The Africans were brought up in slavery, and therefore it was not so grievous to them as would be supposed. Besides the slaves were mostly prisoners who had been taken in war; and, if they were not sold, as they could not be maintained by their captors, owing to the scarcity of the necessaries of life, which their indolence would not produce in abundance, they were cruelly butchered.

Such were some of the arguments with which they endeavored to justify the trade. But it was not by these means only that they hoped to defeat the enemy. Other resources were in their possession, of which they failed not to make a ready use. Delay-in the hope that the question would be abandonedwas one of their weapons: and they did not hesitate to assert that Mr. Wilberforce grew weary of the cause. A letter which he wrote to a friend at this time, but which is too long to be inserted here, clearly shows the falsity of this charge. It concludes as follows:"The principles on which I act in this business being those of religion, not of sensibility and personal feeling, can know of no remission, and yield to no delay."

The outrages in St. Domingo, and the spread of the revolutionary contagion at work in France, afforded fresh grounds for opposition for the enemy, and even shook the faith and excited the fears of some of his adherents. But all these things Mr. Wilberforce withstood with a determination which nothing but the principles on which he had grounded the movement could have produced. At times the enthusiasm of his supporters would rise to the highest flow; and again, it would sink to the lowest ebb. For a season, so great was their zeal, they refused to use West India produce, until the measure should be carried. Again, some political movement, either at home or abroad, would cool their ardor, and they would propose the deferring of the question till some more suitable season. But Mr. Wilberforce remained the same.-"I repose myself on God," he said, "and I hope, through his blessing, to be able to press for ward." Year after year saw him at his post, pressing the question upon Parliament, noth ing daunted. Again, and again was he defeated at one time by direct opposition, at another, by the modifications offered by the enemy to his bill; and again, by the circumstances of the times, on account of which the question would be deferred. These clouds would soon roll away, and the bright sun of hope shine out; advantages would be gained, confidence restored, and success on the very verge of being realized; when again the clouds of opposition would sweep across the sky, and all become dark as before.

Thus continued the combat, with indefatigable perseverence on the one side, met by an equal resistance on the other, till the year

1807 began to draw near. It was very apparent that the Abolitionists were gaining ground. The real criminality of the trade, and its inconsistency with Christianity, were becoming generally acknowledged and the sympathy of the nation was strongly excited against it. As the day of trial in the House of Commons approached, it became evident that success was certain; and, on the 23d of February, 1807, the final question was carried by a vote of 283 to 16. All, however, was not yet settled. A change of administration was about to take place, and it was feared, lest, "between the two ministries, neither be ing responsible, it should fall through in the Lords. But this fear, fortunately, was not realized. Upon the 22d of March, one month from the time it had passed the Commons, it was carried in the Lords; and two days after, having received the royal assent, it became a law.

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And now, at last, the Slave Trade was abolished. Thousands, perhaps millions, of God's creatures, heirs of immortality, equally with ourselves, had been heretofore torn from their native land, from their homes and families, from their kindred and friends, to be hurried far, far off into hopeless captivity, beneath the cruel lash of the still more cruel master. Hundreds were doomed to punish in that terrible day of suffering, the Middle Passage. But this was to be no more. had raised up an advocate for the wretched sufferer, to assert that he was born to be free, that, though the appearance was different, yet that the same heart beat in his bosom, that the same future hope was his. God had led him on, and he had been victorious. twenty long years had he contended against this terrible evil. At times surrounded by his friends and allies-at times almost single handed still his voice had been raised for the poor degraded slave. Clouds and storms had gathered over his head; but he had looked beyond them. Personal enmity and reproach, aye, even personal assault had encompassed him; but he heeded them not. ease had laid its withering hand upon him; but he rallied under it. Human beings, immortal souls were his "clients;" and his case allowed of no delay.

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And now success had crowned his efforts. What were his feelings? Pride and vanity would have filled the breasts of most men: but they found no place in his bosom. "All selfish triumph was lost in unfeigned gratitude to God." "I have indeed,' he says in his Diary, "inexpressible reasons for thankfulness, in the glorious result of that struggle, which, with so many eminent fellow-laborers, I have so long maintained. Oh what thanks do I owe the Giver of all good, for bringing me in His gracious providence to this great cause, which at length, after almost nineteen years labor, is successful." Truly, this was the Christian Hero; and, in his victory, how much more truly great than the greatest conqueror the battle field has ever seen! How much more precious th

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feelings of his heart, when he knelt that nighi in grateful prayer, than were ever those of him who laid low cities, 'or destroyed nations!

The most important question, after the one we have just been speaking of, in which Mr. Wilberforce took a leading part, was that of christianizing India. In the year 1793, at the renewal of the charter of the East India Company, he had endeavored to carry a bill, for diffusion of religious instruction through that benighted country; but, owing to the resistance of the Directors of the Company, it was lost. Since then his abolition business prevented any further movement in the matter; but now that that had been finished he again turned his attention to it. This question concerned the welfare of twenty millions of his fellow creatures, (together with millions yet unborn,) who ignorant of the existence of a true God, were, as they thought, under the kind protection and providence of Brahma.

Here, indeed, was a dark and extensive tract of idolatry and Superstition, into which not a ray of Christian light had ever shone. Mr. Wilberforce was not the man to remain idle, while anything could be done in such a case. He accordingly set himself to work, with all the energy and alacrity he had exhibited in the abolition question. But I will not enter into details. As in the slave case, so here, Parliament was opposed to the movement. The feelings of the country must therefore be excited. This was soon done; and "nine hundred petitions, a number wholly unprecedented on such a subject," praying that the heathen might receive the blessings of the Gospel, were soon before the House. The effect was as desired. They could not be resisted; and in this second holy underta king was he crowned with success.

The Biography of Mr. Wilberforce, which no one can read without deriving from it great benefit, will exhibit many other acts of benevolence in which he was concerned, but which need not be mentioned here. A few words respecting his character will finish all I have to say.

If there ever was a Christian man upon earth, Mr. Wilberforce was one; and he evinced, both in his life and in his character, that degree of perfection in spiritual things to which the true follower of Christ can attain in this world. As we have seen his character, in early childhood, underwer a cbange. He had become deeply impressed with the sinfulness of his past life, with the thought of the danger in which he had been living, and in which all who follow not God do continually live, and of his Maker's boundless and undeserved mercy toward him; and he resolved to amend. From that time his chief care was for his own soul, over which he kept a strict and untiring watch, that he might conform his life to that of his Master. To aid him in this purpose, he kept a "Journal of his Soul," with a view to make him

self humble and watchful; in which he recorded his different states of mind, his progress or regress day by day, the difficulties which met him, the obstacles to overcome, the manner of life best suited to his new course in a word, in which he noted every thing which might serve to promote his spiritual growth. This journal he continued to keep during his whole life; and it served, as it were, as an index by which his whole character might be regulated. It gives an insight into the true character of the man, and is as useful to the reader as it is interesting.

Three traits of character stand prominent in Mr. Wilberforce :-deep humility, an overflowing gratitude to his Maker, and a boundless but discriminating charity. The first of these, his humility, might be thought to amount almost to a depression of spirits, or a slavish fear of God. But it was not so. It arose from a consciousness of his own weakness, as well as from the commands of Scripture. However much good he did, to whatever extent he benefitted his fellow creatures, he attributed all to God: he was but the instrument. No one man, probably, that ever lived was the cause of more good to man— kinder in general than he: yet he was ever condemning himself because he had so unprofitably employed his time; and when, after a career of forty-five years in Parliament, old age compelled him to resign his seat, it was with great reluctance, not from his unwillingness to retire from public life, but because he felt he had performed so little. And yet we cannot expect, that, with his deep humility, he had no inward satisfaction at the life he had led. No one can perform a single benevolent action without this feeling. It is the voice of the conscience within us-of God within us, and cannot be kept down. He, then, could not have been a stranger to it.

His gratitude to God, the second trait which I have mentioned, must have been truly af-. fecting, especially in his old age. Mercies surrounded him on every side. All the comforts of life, both bodily and spiritual, were his. His cup overflowed with blessings. But he did not receive these things without a thought of from whence they came. He perceived in them the goodness of God, and ever poured forth to Him the grateful feelings of his heart. He knew not why he, undeserving as he was, should be the object of so many favors; and he received them with an habitual thankfulness. His soul was ever filled with the thoughts of God's love to man; and he was ever telling of and meditating upon it. He beheld it in every thing around him. In the works of nature, as well as in the little comforts of life, and in the hours of sorrow and sickness, as in those of health and gladness, he never failed to perceive it.

And, being himself so highly favored, he made it a practice, from principle, to give to others of what he had so abundantly received. His fortune, until within a few years of his death, being large, his income was also large;

and one quarter of this, and at times even more, was set apart for charitable purposes. He acted on the commandment-" Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth;" and many were the unfortunate or needy who received his assistance, without knowing who was their benefactor. Besides his private charities, he contributed largely and constantly to the public charitable associations to which he belonged; and wherever religion or morals were to be extended or purified, he was to be found a powerful friend, ever ready to assist, either with the heart or purse.

But it was at his home that his character was more especially perceived; and here he was ever the centre of a charmed circle.Possessing a most sociable disposition, his house, both in the city and country, was always open to his friends, who eagerly sought admittance, and readily found a hearty wel

come.

His public life was grounded on those religious principles which formed the mainspring of his character. Possessed of talents and influence, and holding a responsible station in life, he knew that much would be expected from him by man, and required by God; and well he endeavored to perform his part. He entered upon his career as an independent man, and continued so throughout.Allied to no party, he supported what he thought would best promote the interests of his country. And to do this, he had no few or slight temptations to resist. Being unfettered by party shackles, he not unfrequently found himself arrayed against his most intimate friends, and those who had given him their powerful support in his own great movements. This always gave him pain; and we may not unreasonably suppose, that it was the cause of many, and severe struggles in secret. Indeed his journal records his private meditations on such occasions. But duty was to be performed at whatever sacrifice. higher authority than personal feeling was calling him on, and he obeyed it.

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And, as he belonged to no party, so would he accept of no office during his whole life. He saw his equals placed in stations of high trust and responsibility which he might have occupied, and even his inferiors gradually rose above him: but still he steadfastly refused. He preferred to remain plain Mr. Wilberforce; and his life conferred a dignity upon this title far greater than was in the power of his country to bestow. here I will close.-Leading such a life, what must have been his latter end? Inward calmness and peace of mind-that blessed fruit of a righteous life, which the world can neither give nor take away-was his reward on earth, and he was at last called away to share in the glories of that Heavenly Kingdom for which he had so earnestly labored, "Leaving us a bright example, that we should follow his steps." C. A. G.

"Phreno-Mnemotechny, or the Art of Memory," by F. F. GOURAUD." This is one of the most remarkable books it has ever fallen to our lot to examine. In style, manner and matter, it will hereafter rank among the most curious of the curiosities of literature. Its great size is one of the smallest of its demands upon the attention of the learned world." "It would be im. possible to characterize adequately the absurdities of the style in which these lectures are written. To call it Sophomorical, would be doing the greatest conceivable injustice to the young gentlemen who are supposed to monopolize that particular manner; to speak of it as Theatrical, would be to libel the Crummleses of the stage. It is bombastic to the last degree of the ridiculous; wordy to an inconceivable extent; vulgar in its tawdriness, and disgusting in its affectation and pretence." "A book so full of charlatanry as this, had it appeared in another civilized country in Christendom, would have instantly encountered a storm of ridicule and contempt. It could not have survived the day of its birth." North American Review.

AGRICULTURAL.

STORING CABBAGES.

A very good and compact method of storing cabbage is, in the same manner that we have practised with the sugar bed. Select a dry piece of ground, cut the heads of the cabbage from their stumps, and place them in paral lel rows, with the top part down, and any desired length or width. Make these rows one less in width and length every layer, so that when the heap is made it will come to a point, and appear very much like a pile of cannon balls in an arsenal. Over this heap place first a covering of straw, and then put on the dirt sufficiently thick, the same as on a potato heap, to keep out the frost, and the work is done. The earth should be spatted down hard on the four sides, making the top sharp, like the roof of a house, so as to shed rain well. If the ground where the cabbage is stored be of a heavy clay, it should be trenched round the heap so as to carry off the water, and a bed of straw or round logs six inches or a foot thick be made for it to rest upon, and as a drain for all moisture, it being quite important that vegetables of every kind be kept dry. (Selected.)

THE SILK BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT.-The town of Mansfield, in Connecticut, was the first place in this country, we believe, in which the cultivation and manufacture of silk was attended to to much extent, and the town still continues to be engaged in that business: there being at this time no less than eight factories employed in it.-Selected.

Great Plan of Migration to America. The Paris correspondent of the National Intelligencer (Mr. Walsh) writes under date of Oct. 15:

A visiter, likely to be well informed, mentioned to me yesterday the creation of a company in Paris, with a capital of twelve millions of francs, for the purchase and settlement of land in your West. From November last until June, one of my chief and most interesting avocations was the communication of American statistics and prospects to French, Swiss, Germans and Italians, men of small fixed incomes, or manufacturers, or artisans, who wished to emigrate to the United States. Inquiries begin again; and it is no slight satisfaction to determine persons whose character, means, and callings, render them desirable for our country. While you keep at peace within and without, you may look to an indefinite accession of useful population from most parts of Europe. There is, every where, among the small proprietors, mechanics, and agricultural laborers, a vague idea of the eligibleness of the American Union for bettering their condition, and founding prosperous families. In spite, too, of the declamations in journals and Legis latures about the turbulence and capricious despotism of transatlantic democracy, the European rich rather more believe in the stability and order in your system than in the safety, for any period, of their own institutions and public funds, or whatever outlays.

Canal Across the Isthmus.-It is announced that M. de Castellon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Representative of Nicaragua, one of the States of Central America, has concluded an agreement, at Paris, with an Anglo-French-Belgian company, conceding to the company, on very advantageous terms, the exclusive right of making a canal to unite the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean by the Nicaragua Lake. The canal is to be eighty kilometres (twenty leagues) long, and to be facilitated not by the lake alone, but a very important navigable river, and not to cost more than fifty millions of francs. Three committees are already formed, who will soon meet at Brussels, in order to settle the commencement of operations. The French committee consists of Messrs. Garrella and Michel Chevalier, engineers, and Mr. de Romieu, Prefect of the Department of the Upper Marne. Professor Chevalier has written much in the Journal des Debats in favor of the Nicaragua route.

PANTHER ABOUT.-The Newton, (N. J.) paper says:

A Panther has been prowling about in the vicinity of this village, during the past week, committing sundry slight depredations. On Wednesday a cow of the late Doct. Hedges was torn by the animal, within a mile of his house.

USING SINGLE OXEN.-Many farmers are not aware of the many uses to which a single ox may be put. If they had been to lose one of the yoke, they too generally let the other remain idle until they find a mate for him, or sell him to the butcher. But why not keep him to work? In a single yoke they may soon learn to lead a team and perform all the operations which a single horse can.

A worthy old relative of ours once tried his experiment with complete success. Having lost one of his steers by accident, concluded to train the other to work alone. Accordingly he was put into a single harness-before other oxen-or in the fills of a single wagon. In the horse cart he was first rate; and he soon became familiar with the saddle and bridle, and many a good ride have we had in our younger days, a la mode de Hottentot, upon his back. He was no mean courser upon the turf, and if we had him now in his prime, we should not fear matching him with the best of the scrub sweep stakes, though backed and spurred by the veriest horse jockey, that can be found from Kittery to Calais.

Maine Farmer.

Church bells can now be made of steel, as has been proved by an ingenious American mechanic in Ohio, from a suggestion in an English newspaper. A bell weighing fifty pounds, made of steel will cost only about $30, and can be heard two miles or more. The advantages of this invention are two fold, first, it is so cheap that every church may have a bell of a clear, brilliant and musical tone; second, it is so light, and being stationary, that even a slight belfry will sustain it. This newly invented bell is rung by a crank, and any boy can do it as well as a regular parish bell-ringer.For about $200 a chime of seven bells can now be had.

A BIRD STORY.-According to the Montgomery (Ala.) Journal, an eagle of wonderful size and fierceness, has been killed in that neighborhood. He made himself exceedingly obnoxious to the people, by his frequent depredations-pouncing upon and carrying off geese, pigs, and even sheep, at length he seized and attempted to carry off a negro child! The inhabitants of that quarter could bear with his attrocities no longer, and a reward of $50 was offered for his destruction. He was killed, and measured eight feet three inches from the extremity of one wing to the other, and weighed sixty-seven pounds!

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