duced to devise ways and means for introducing a more safe and philanthropic mode of educating the young-a. mode in consequence of which the thought of taking human life will impress every mind with horror,-and not be treated by any one as a matter of sport or indifference.

To improper and inhuman modes of education may justly be attributed nearly the whole catalogue of public wars and private murders, which have disgraced the history of man.

SUCCESS OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.

"THE Royal Humane Society of London, since its establishment in 1774, has restored to society 4889 persons, having rescued them from drowning, or a state of suspended animation by other causes." Christian Watchman.

How much more worthy of applause are such deeds, than those of war-makers! and yet how little has been said in favor of Humane Societies, compared with the praises bestowed on Inhuman Institutions! Since 1774, what a multitude have been destroyed in Europe and America by War Associations! Not less perhaps than ten millions, or a number equal to the whole population of the United States, while the Royal Humane Society has saved but 4889! The pecuniary expense of this Society has doubtless been considerable; but how does it dwindle to nothing, when compared with the thousands of millions which have been expended by Destroying Associations?

Should the exertions of Peace Societies only be the occa sion of preventing one war between two powerful nations, how many myriads of men will they have rescued from untimely death! If it is humane to form societies to preserve men from perishing by unavoidable occurrences of providence, why not to save them from the voluntary and systematic practice of murdering one another? Is it a work of benevolence to restore "suspended animation ?" Why not then to prevent "animation" from being "suspended ?” Preventing evil is doing good; and to preserve a man from being injured, is a greater favor than to restore him from a state of extreme distress or apparent death.

The war-maker claims a great share of praise for having killed his thousands in battle, and for every expression of tenderness towards his wounded and half-murdered victims ; but how much more praise would have been due to him, had he by benevolent exertions prevented the battle, and thus prevented the consequent slaughter and wounds! A, on some frivolous pretext, challenges B, and in the duel gives him a mortal wound; he then goes to B and treats him in a kind manner till death closes his eyes. Now A is extolled not only for his heroism and his victory, but for his great humanity towards his murdered brother! This case illustrates the boasted humanity of war-makers and military conquerors! So Hare, the robber, who was hanged at Baltimore, finding that he had robbed a man of his all, gave back a trifle to comfort him; but this was better than the general conduct of warriors.

ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.

"AT table one day the conversation turned on the commanders of the light troops, and the king said, jestingly, that during the war, they had only been commanded by robbers; and added, laughing, • Quintus* had all the difficulty in the world, after the war, to lose the habit of plundering. When he is near me, I take care of my snuffbox and my purse, lest he should play off against me some slight of hand trick. The Colonel, who by no means relished this pleasantry, replied, 'It is true, sire, that I have pillaged and robbed, but it was by your majesty's orders, and you had always the best share of the booty. The king pretended not to hear this answer, and changed the conversation." Herald of Peace.

On this anecdote we may briefly remark :-
:-

1. That the troops had been commanded by robbers, may be readily admitted; also that the king himself was the CHIEF

ROBBER.

2. What is the difference between robberies by a man bearing the title of king, and robberies by a chieftain? If there be any difference, the more exalted the rank, the more censurable should the robberies be deemed.

3. Was "Quintus" excusable in robbing by orders from the king? In times of barbarism, when it is supposed that kings can do no wrong, and that their mandates can even

* Colonel Guichard, to whom the king had given the name of Quintus.

change wrong to right, some apology must be admitted for those who rob and murder by order of the sovereign. But when the minds of men shall be duly enlightened, it will be seen that kings and military commanders have no more right to authorize robbery or murder, than parents have to require their children to commit such atrocious deeds; and that the maxims and laws of war which sanction such flagitious crimes were derived from barbarians, and ought to be discarded by civilized men.

AUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCES.

1. THE ratification of the treaty for the cession of the Floridas to the United States is a matter of congratulation, as it has removed a supposed just cause of war on Spain. Too many of our countrymen have manifested a desire for a forcible occupation of these provinces, to secure an indemnity for spoliations on our commerce, made under the piratical influence of Napoleon. It was doubtless the opinion of these advocates for war, that the Floridas might be obtained with the sacrifice of but a few hundreds of lives. The project, however, nad it been adopted, might have occasioned a war of twenty years' duration, involving all the powers of Christendom, and have ended in the ruin of the United States. Suppose, however, that it had been certain, that the Floridas could be obtained by violence, with the sacrifice of only one hundred lives: We ask, whose lives had Congress a right to barter for the Floridas? Richard Cromwell, the successor of Oliver Cromwell, was told by some of his friends, "that the sacrifice of a few lives would ensure him stability in his high office of Protector." To which he replied,—" If a single life is requisite, I would rather relinquish it." This sentiment might justly have been adopted by our rulers, in respect to the Floridas; and we rejoice in the forbearing policy by which they have obtained their object without the effusion of blood. A spirit of forbearance in rulers, accompanied with wisdom and firmness, is of more value to a nation than fleets and armies, and all the menacing apparatus of revenge and death.

II. Propositions have been made in Congress for a reduction of the regular army, and for diminishing the sum proposed for the annual increase of the navy. We hope the time is not very distant when it will be understood in every country, that preparations for peace afford more security to a nation, than preparations for war; and that nothing more endangers a people, than a prevalent disposition to glory in their war exploits and to be ever ready to revenge supposed injuries by violence. This may be safely inferred from the nature of man, the history of nations, and the frequent and fatal combats of duellists.

III The Massachusetts Convention of 490 Delegates, have spent 55 days in free discussion, candid inquiry, and amicable debate. The Convention comprised many of the principa. characters of both political parties, and men of various sects in religion. On many questions there was a great diversity of opinion; yet the demon, party spirit, which, in former years, seemed to forbode a civil war, was not permitted to have any voice in the debates, during the whole session Several topics were discussed in the newspapers, as well as in the Convention, and many persons evinced a deep interest in the result; yet the Convention was not interrupted nor assailed by mobs, popular tumults, factions or insults, and the session was closed in harmony and with mutual expressions of esteem and good will.

Considering the respectable character and amicable course of this Conven tion, we cannot but be gratified with the reflection, that the PRESIDENT and 33 other Delegates were members of the Peace S ciety; and that, on motion of a distinguished opponent in politics, the President received a unanimous vote of approbation and thanks for his services. Should such examples of candor, urbanity, and conciliation be properly multiplied, this country will no more be cursed with the ravages of war.

Let any impartial man compare the 53 days' proceedings in the British House of Lords, on the trial of the Queen, with the 55 days' proceedings of the Massachusetts Convention-taking into view the conduct of the populace in London and in Boston; and will he not be convinced of the danger of indulging party passions, and of the immense value of pacific dispositions in the management of public affairs?

IV. In South America an armistice of six months has been agreed on by Morillo and Bolivar, the commanding generals, for the avowed purpose of settling their disputes on pacific principles. Thus, after years of bloedy and desolating conflicts, the parties appear disposed to adopt an amicable course, which, at an earlier period, might have precluded all the cr.mes and miseries of the war.

V. Considerable additions have recently been made to the Massachu setts Peace Society and to the Branch Societies in Jaffrey and Hollis, N. H, It is however much to be regretted that Christians in general are so little disposed to promote an object of such infinite importance to themselves, to their posterity, and to the world.

NOTICES.

THE Constitution of the Massachusetts Peace Society requires, in order to membership, the subscription of one dollar annually.

The annual subscriptions are to be paid on or before the first of February in each year.

The present year, 1821, is the sixth year of the Society. Those who have paid for the six years have already advanced six dollars. But to en courage subscription, and to accommodate those in moderate circumstan ces who may desire the whole series of Numbers of the Friend of Peace, it is proposed, that all who may become members this year, shall, if they shall desire it, have a copy of the Solemn Review of the Custom of War, and of twenty-two No's of the Friend of Peace for $2,50. These No's were all published prior to the present year. Then by paying one dollar each, they may become members, entitled to copies of all the Tracts of the Society for the present year. In other words, for $5,50 any one may become a member entitled to the whole series of Tracts, which have been mentioned, to the close of 1821.

Branch Societies, and Reading Peace Societies, are allowed the whole amount of the money which they transmit, in Tracts at the wholesale price. Copies of each No. of the Friend of Peace are sold to Peace Societies, Booksellers, and benevolent individuals who purchase for distribution, at 10 dollars per hundred.

Mr. J. W. BURDITT, No. 94 Court-street, Boston, is appointed to re ceive subscriptions for the society, and to deliver tracts to those who may wish to become members He also has the several No's for sale. If any Boston member should fail of otherwise receiving his copy in any quarterly distribution, he may obtain it by applying to Mr. BURDITT.

The Solemn Review and all the No's of the Friend of Peace will be for sale as the Boston Bookstore of CUMMINGS & HILLIARD, No. 1 Cornhill. At the same store are deposited the parcels directed to members in diffe rent towns, and also to the Branch Societies.