large school geography for them, furnishing them with the sheets, to be used in manuscript, as fast as we can get them ready. "As it regards Lancasterian schools among the Armenians, we had at first absolutely nothing to begin with, no lessons, no suitable books, no master; nor could I well give them an idea of the system without a living model, such a model as these Greek schools now actually present. The Armenian Patriarch and several other dignitaries of their church, together with some of their great Serraffs, or bankers, have several times visited the Greek schools, and expressed themselves much pleased with the system; but they did not seem to know how to go to work to introduce it. We, therefore, with the help of one of their Varjabeds, or teachers, undertook to prepare for them a whole set of lessons, suited to such schools. These are now completed. They consist of 127 cards; and a copy of them we have recently presented to the Armenian Synod, as a token of our love to their nation. "These lessons ought to be printed with a large and fair type; but we have no type connected with our press at Smyrna which is large enough for the purpose, nor can we find suitable type here. We are obliged, therefore, to have them all copied as we want them; and this, as you will easily imagine, consumes a great deal of time, and is withal very expensive. "One school on this system is already begun among the Armenians, in which are two priests as learners. This has as yet been entirely supported by ourselves. To another, a very large school, we have also afforded some aid in fitting up one of the rooms for the operation of the same system. And to no less than four Armenian bishops around the Sea of Marmora we have promised pecuniary and other assistance, so far as our limited means would allow, in establishing similar schools in their several districts. "In gaining the confidence of the Armenian ecclesiastics, and of others with whom we have had to do, we have succeeded far beyond our most sanguine expecta tions; and that these schools will be as popular among the Armenians as they have been among the Greeks, and that they will ultimately extend far into the interior, especially if we have the means to afford the aid necessary at the outset of the business, I see no reason to doubt. "We need very much a school of a higher order than these elementary ones, in which promising young men, collected from different parts, can acquire a more finished education, and be trained up to be useful to their nation as teachers, &c. ; but the means for such a seminary are not at our disposal. Brusa would perhaps be an eligible situation for such a school. "Several promising Armenian youth are very anxious. to receive a thorough collegiate education, with a view to raise the standard of literature among their countrymen, and in other ways benefit them. For one of these we have succeeded in making provision in America, where such an education can be obtained for, say 50l. a year, including board and clothing. To enable us to send two or three of the others there, (for I should recommend that the number be extremely limited,) we have as yet found no means. "On the principle, too, upon which we are acting, a comparatively small amount of money may be made to go a great way, and do much good. "The following are some of the ways in which money placed from year to year in our hands, for the benefit of the Armenians, could be usefully applied: "1. In procuring translations of such standard works in the department of education as may from time to time be demanded. "2. In procuring suitable type for printing at our press (now removed to Smyrna) the cards and other works which may be translated or prepared for the schools. "3. In contributing something occasionally towards fitting up a school-room with benches, or giving some support to the teacher, for six months or a year; or, in a thousand other ways, doing something by way of encouragement, and helping forward the good work. It is astonishing how much good may be done by small means when judiciously applied in such a manner, without ostentation and in a quiet way. "4. In supporting an establishment having something of the nature of an academy, or high school. (No plan, however, has yet been matured for such an institution.) "5. In giving two or three Armenian youth the means of obtaining a collegiate education in America. "And 6. In furnishing ourselves with a good and complete philosophical apparatus, and a few good orreries. The importance of such an apparatus I cannot fully express. It has long been a desideratum, and it will henceforward be felt more and more every day." Upon the subject of the Armenian schools, Mr. Urquhart, our Secretary of Legation, thus expresses himself: "The political condition at this moment of Armenia Proper, joined to other considerations, induces me to recommend unhesitatingly Constantinople as the place most eligible for a school, which here will be directed by more enlightened men than it could be elsewhere, which can here be inspected and controlled. This is the cen Το tre of whatever instruction they at present possess. the capital repair yearly, from every portion of the empire inhabited by Armenians, thousands of this sect in search of employment and fortune, who return more or less improved by contact with their more enlightened brethren. "Three years ago, among the Armenians (not Catholic) there were but 11 parochial schools; at present there are 32: in these and in some private schools, between 6,000 and 7,000 children already receive some rudiments of instruction. Within this short period these 21 new schools have been built at the expense of the parishes, of companies, or of individuals, who also keep them up and pay the masters not an Armenian child pays one para for parochial education. "It might be supposed that this sudden developement of the desire of instruction, displayed in the erection of so many schools, was effected by the previous extension of instruction among the higher orders; but this is by no means the case: the recent amelioration of the political condition of the tributaries of the Porte has permitted, for the first time, the free expression of their repressed instinct and aspirations, which are so little assisted or encouraged by individual instruction, that, out of the 104 masters at present employed, only 40 can write. "I cannot close this letter without mentioning to you that I have suggested to the government here the publication in Turkish of the Penny Magazine; they have adopted the suggestion, and offer their press and the labour of printing, free of charge. In the 78th number of the Moniteur Ottoman you will find a letter on the effect of publicity in Turkey; which, had it not been printed in that paper, I intended to have sent to the society. The circulation of the Moniteur is at present 4,500, and will probably be quadrupled when the regular posts are established. "I have no doubt that the circulation of the Penny Magazine would very soon be as considerable." EDITOR. THE SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF A SOCIETY for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in China has been formed at Canton. Three works are now preparing for the press: 1stly. A General History of the World; 2ndly. An Universal Geography; and 3rdly. A Map of the World. "They are designed," (we quote from the first Report of the society,)" to be introductory works presenting the great outlines of what will remain to fill up. The history will be comprised in three volumes, the geography in one; the map is on a large scale, about eight feet by four, presenting at one view all the kingdoms and nations of the earth. Three works have been presented to the society: one by J. Matheson, Esq., a MS. copy of a treatise on political economy, written by M. Gatylaff, &c.; two by J. R. Morrison, Esq. A geographical and astronomical work, entitled Hwan Icen too Shoo, and the Sze Shoo Ching Wàn, the well-known four books. The former of the last two is a work of a Chinese who was educated by the Jesuits." The society, as will be perceived, is still in its infancy; much preparation being requisite in cutting the blocks and types, which it is hoped will eventually be all of metal; experiments with that view being now in operation at Malacca with every prospect of success. Some difficulty has also been experienced in getting printers and pressmen at Macao, on account of the jealousy of the Chinese government, who have denounced as traitors all who assist the barbarians either in printing or disseminating their books; the consequence of which has been that the work has hitherto been done covertly and by stealth, and under the immediate protection of the superintendent in his own house. At times no work whatever could be done, through fear of the Chinese |