counts say, that it lightened; I will be anticipated they were but it is probable, that this ap- still more disastrous on the prehension arose from their be-water. Accordingly we are in ing at times, many meteors and vapours in the air; the hurry and agitation of nature being too great to admit of thunder and lightning, in their usual course. formed, that the best part of our navy being then at sea, if it had been at any other time than a full flood and spring tide, the loss might have proved fatal to the nation. It was computed, that not less than 300 ships were utterly destroyed by this tempest; among which, were 15 of the royal navy, containing upwards of 2,000 seamen, who “sunk Great loss of property was sustained; many painful accidents happened to those who escaped with their lives; and not a few had all their apprehensions realized, as they met death in some of its most dread-as lead in the mighty waters." ful forms. In the city of London and its vicinity, more than 800 dwelling-houses were laid in ruins, and above 2000 stacks of chimnies were precipitated to the ground. As a further proof of its strength and fury, we are informed, that" the lead which covered the roof of 100 churches, was rolled up, and hurled, in prodigious quantities, to great distances." But the dreadful devastation spread throughout the country. In one extensive plain, on the banks of the Severn, not less than 15,000 sheep, being unable to resist its violence, were driven into the river, and drowned. Such was the quantity of trees torn up by their roots, that a person anxious to ascertain the number, had proceeded through but a part of the county of Kent, when arriving at the prodigious amount of 250,000, he relinquished the undertaking. If such were the dreadful ravages of this storm by land, it The whole loss of property was estimated at four millions of money-of lives, about eight thousand and cattle without number. Towards the evening of the 27th, it pleased Him "who gathereth the wind in his fists," gradually to suppress the storm, till there was a perfect calm. Men were encouraged to leave the retreats in which they had taken refuge, and view the "desolations which God had made in the earth." This was done with all that variety of feeling, which arose from characters essentially dif ferent. Although all had been full of terror and confusion, no sooner were their fears removed, than wicked men most dreadfully perverted its moral tendency and design. An event soon occurred, which demonstrated, that "let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will they do wickedly." The plays, called the Tempest, and Macbeth, were acted twice in the week immediately following this tremendous event; and one of them on that day se'nnight, on which the storm arrived at its greatest fury. An affecting instance this, which pour down in torrents from the mountains, a fine illustration is given of our Lord's parable: came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it shows that the most awful judg-"The rains descended, the floods ments, cannot of themselves Convert the souls of men. With these exceptions, how-fell." In one night, numbers of ever, the general impression was these huts are frequently swept salutary and he who brought away, and the place where they the stormy wind out of his trea- stood, is the next morning unsures, caused it to fulfil his discoverable." Ward's Hist. word. A day of fasting and of Hindoos, 2d edition, 4to, humiliation was appointed by page 478. royal authority; and the sense and feeling of the nation was expressed, by the immense crowds, of all classes, who attended public worship on that occasion. Many reviewed, with wonder and gratitude, the deliverances which God had wrought for them. To perpetuate in the minds of the serious, and awaken in the breasts of the careless, a proper sense of the hand of God, as it was then displayed, was the laudable design of the late Mr. Taylor, who instituted an annual service, which is still continued. See page 461 in our last Number. ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE. MATTHEW vii. 26. "Shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand, &c. The fishermen in Bengal, build their huts, in the dry season, upon beds of sand, from which the river has retired. When the rains set in, which they often do very suddenly, accompanied with violent northwest winds, and the waters VOL. VIII. Gal. vi. 17. "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. The apostle, no doubt, here referred to his whole bodily appearance, as a sufferer for Christ; and, perhaps, to certain scars in his body, from wounds he had received in his labours for Christ. Whether this receives any illustration from the conduct of the Burmans, or not, we cannot decide; but it is very common for a person in the service of a Burman, to have indelible marks imprinted upon his thighs, and other parts of his body, testifying to whom he belongs. Is it fanciful to suppose, that the apostle meant to say, Let no man trouble me, I bear indelible marks on my body, that I belong to Jesus the Saviour of the world."" Ibid, page 485. Juvenile Department. CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER, 1816. I. Its Name.-It was called winter-monat by the Saxons; but, after they were converted to Christianity, it received the name of heligh-monat, or holy month. December, last of months, but best, who gave A Christ to man, a Saviour to the slave. While falsely grateful, man at the full feast To do God honour, makes himself a beast. CHURCHILL. II. Fasts and Festivals.-Dec. 6. St. Nicholas. He was bishop of Myra, in Lycia, and died about the year 392. Dec. 8. Conception of the Virgin Mary. This festival was instituted by Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury. Peter Lombard first started the question of the immaculate conception, in 1160. Dec. 21. St.Thomas the Apostle. Dec. 25. CHRISTMAS-DAY. Concerning the nativity of Christ, Mr. Robinson says, "it has been placed by men of equal learning, in every month of the year." Mr. Méde's opinion was, that "the nativity took place in September, and synchronized with the Feast of Tabernacles." III. Astronomical Occurrences. The sun enters Capricorn on the 22d, at twenty-seven minutes after two in the morning, when the winter quarter begins.-The moon is full on the 4th; enters her last quarter on the 12th; her change is on the 18th; and she enters her first quarter on the 26th. She passes Jupiter on the 16th, Venus on the 21st, and Saturn on the 22d.-Mars and Jupiter may be seen in the morning, about half past six o'clock, near that part of the heavens where the sun rises: and, on the evening of the 7th, Mars passes Jupi ter. Therefore, on the following morning, they will appear nearly together, Jupiter being the higher and the brighter planet.-Venus is now an evening star, and sets on the 1st, at fifty-seven minutes after five, and, at the end of the month, about seven.-The planet Saturn appears in the evening, on the western side of the meridian; and, as the month advances, he gradually approaches the sun, which he will pass on the 15th of February next. On the 4th of this month, there is a visible eclipse of the moon, which begins at fifteen minutes after seven in the evening. The earth's shadow makes its first appearance on the lower part of the moon, and gradually advances towards the eastern side of her northern limb till forty-four minutes after eight, when two-thirds of her diameter are involved in darkness. The visible part of the shadow then gradually diminishes till fourteen minutes after ten, when it will leave the moon, making its last impression on her western limb. Our juvenile readers should, if possible, avail themselves of an opportunity of seeing this eclipse, as it happens early in the evening, and as it is the last visible eclipse we shall have till Monday evening, April 20, 1818. IV. Naturalist's Diary.-During the present month, we can expect to see but little variety in the vegetable kingdom, excepting in the mosses and lichens. We may, however, investigate those plants and shrubs that produce berries at this season of the year. Among these, we may notice the white mistletoe, (viscum album,) which affords sustenance for the mistletoe bird, the fieldfare, and the thrush. It is said, "If the berries, when fully ripe, be rubbed on the smooth bark of almost any tree, they will adhere closely, and produce plants the following winter." V. Remarkable Events.-Dec. 4, 1745. The young Pretender entered Derby. Dec. 15, 1582. The Gregorian style was adopted at Paris. To Dec. 16, 1653. Cromwell was declared Protector of England. Dec. 30, 1765. The Pretender died at Rome. Dec. 31, 1668. Boerhaave, the physician, born at Voorhout, a village near Leyden, in Holland. VII. Remarks. In the researches of ancient history, we are often compelled to think of Solomon's admonition: "Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." Eccl. vii. 10. The times that are passing over us, are very eventful and instructive. We seem to hear our Saviour urging the question which he once addressed to the Pharisees and Sadducees, "Can ye not Dec. 18, 1688. The Prince of Orange arrived at St. James's. VI. Births and Deaths of Illus-discern the signs of the times?" trious Individuals.-Dec. 7. 43 B. C. Cicero, the Roman orator, was assassinated. Dec. 7, 1683. Algernon Sidney beheaded. Dec. 8, 65 B. C. Horace, the Latin poet, born at Venusium, in Naples. In the midst of all our afflictions, let us rejoice that we have now schools for all-bibles for allmissions for all-the concurrence and co-operation of all-and Great Britain, (our own dear native land, never before so great,) taking the lead in all! Let us humble ourselves in the presence of our condescending God, who Dec. 13, 1553. Henry IV. of has his "tabernacle with men." France, born at Pau, in the Lower Let us gratefully adore and praise Pyrenees. him, with joyful lips, for all these Dec. 20, 1697. Died in Lon-wonderful things. Let us with don, the benevolent Thomas Firmin, a native of Ipswich, in Suffolk... Dec. 9, 1608. John Milton born in Bread-street, London. zeal and fervour contribute what we can to the glorious consummation set before us. Let us cultivate the most cordial affection towards all good men, remembering that the things in which we agree, are far greater in magnitude and value, if not also in number, than the things in which we differ. "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be bis glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen!" Psalm lxxii. 18, 19. DESCRIPTION OF CALCUTTA. (Concluded from page 378.) governors were men of a strange speech, then the College was ner cessary. If it were just that na tive men of learning should be pa RESPECTING the College, si-tronized, and their diligence extuated on the S. W. side of the cited to give to the stores of Hinsquare, founded by Marquis Wel- doo literature an extensive cirlesley, it is difficult to say, (ob-culation, and to make known serves Mr. Ward,) which is most to the world the most extensive to be wondered at, the wisdom of system of idolatry on earth, then the man who formed it, or the the College was necessary. If it folly of those who have laboured were important to the interests of to prove it unnecessary. If it science, that Europeans, in situa were necessary that young men, tions of influence, scattered over sent out to superintend, as collec- the greater part of India, should tors, judges, &c. very large and be capable of exploring the hide populous districts, should know den treasures of Hindoo learning, the language of the people whose then the College was necessary. most important concerns were to If it were of the last consequence be placed in their hands, then the to the happiness of the natives, College of Fort William was ne- that the servants of the Company cessary. If it were proper that should be able to select, with the young men, who should be- wisdom, the vast multitude of income magistrates and judges, ferior native officers spread over should know the laws they were the country, then the College was to dispense, and be able to necessary. In short, if it were weigh the evidence of plaintiff necessary to the happiness of the and defendant, upon which they natives, or to the glory of Britain, are to decide, then the College was that her authority should be prenecessary. If it were desirable served and perpetuated in the the government should know the East, then the College of Fortcapacity and sufficiency of candi- William was necessary, and Mardates for office, before it confer- quis Wellesley has the thanks of red the most important trusts, every native, and of every man of then the College was necessary. learning in the world. If it were truly desirable, that persons about to be placed in lucrative stations, beyond the reach of controul, should first be brought to know the necessity of managing their own affairs with discretion, then the College was necessary. If it were important to the happiness of the governed, that they should be able to make application to their magistrates, without the interference of persons under many temptations to become their oppressors, then the College was necessary. If it were desirable that the subjects should not always be reminded, that their "In the orphan and free schools, which are established in Calcutta, the children of Europeans, by native women, are maintained and. educated.. This mixed class, called country-born, is becoming very numerous; and though, in many cases, the European parents of these children leave a hand. some provision for them, yet, in other respects, their situation is very distressing. These illicit connections are attended with the most unpleasant circumstances, and melancholy effects. The mother, though she may have lived with a man twenty years, and have |