that to which they had been excessively addic ted, and which it has been deemed most ditlicult to give up, the immoderate use of spirituous liquors; and to learn several of those useful arts to which they had before been utter strangers.

The experience of several years has already shewn, that this is no transient reformation. Instead of depending on the chase for a precarious subsistence, these Indians now caltivate extensive corn-fields, and raise herds of cattle. Instead of their miserable huts, they are now possessed of neat and commodious dwellings. Plenty has succeeded to want; sobriety to drunkenness; and regularity to disorder. The enjoyments and feelings of family life have begun at once to reward and to secure these improvements. The females are released from that unnatural share of toil to which they were formerly subjected, and begin to take their proper station they are advancing in those arts of domestic industry in which they are best employed, and though not less active or useful than before, are no longer disabled from rearing their offspring by severity of labour and the hardships of a vagrant life. It therefore seems scarcely necessary to state, that population is already on the increase.

As we neither propose to colonize, nor to trade on our own account, how, it may be asked, can we materially contribute to the civilization of Africa?

We answer, by the same means in part, which are found necessary or useful for the promotion of agriculture, and for the encouragement of useful arts, or other patriotic and benevolent improvements, even in this enlightened country. We shall endeavour indeed to diffuse knowledge and to excite industry in Africa, by methods adapted to the peculiar situation and manners of the inhabi

tants.

other national objects; why should not a society to encourage African agriculture and African commerce, be equally useful and necessary?

What are the means employed by those various societies which we cannot with propriety adopt? To collect and circulate information respecting the commercial faculties of Africa, for instance, cannot be less conducive to the advancement of commerce with that country, than the publication of agricultural intelli gence or of useful discoveries is to the improvement of our English husbandry, arts, and manufactures: and medals or honorary bounties may excite a competition in the importation from Africa of gum, ivory, dve woods, indigo, or cotton, as well as in the planting of oaks, the catching of fish, or the breeding of cattle.

The Slave Trade, among the innumerable evils of which it was the proximate or remote cause, produced, it must be allowed, the effect of exciting, to a certain degree, a commerical spirit, and a taste for the produce and manufactures of distant countries, in the inhabitants of Africa. The British

coast.

part of this trade has at length been abo lished, and will shortly terminate upon the That which has been carried on by America will cease about the same time. Denmark has also extricated herself from the guilt and disgrace of this commerce. France, Spain, and Holland are effectually precluded by the war from taking any share in it; and no other European nation, Portugal excepted, has ever been engaged in carrying it on. After the close of the present year, therefore, the Portugueze Slave Trade alone will remain to oppose or obstruct any efforts which may be made for the improvement of Africa. The privations to which the inhabitants of that Continent will thus be subjected are of themselves calculated to give a great impulse to their enterprize and exertion; and there is good reason to hope that many of the more intelligent chiefs will anxiously avail themselves of any practicable means which may be pre

We trust to be able in various ways to promote an acquaintance with letters, and with the agricultural and mechanical arts, on different parts of the coast. We hope also to find enterprizing and intelligent men, who will explore the interior, not merely to gratify curiosity, but to obtain and dissemi-sented to them, for obtaining those European nate useful knowledge, and to open sources of future intercourse. But information must also be diffused, and the spirit of commercial enterprize excited at home, in order that individuals may be prompted by self-interest to aid us in the most effectual manner. And why, it may reasonably be asked, should the efforts of a respectable association be less efficacious in this part of our plan, than in

other cases of a similar kind? If even in Great Britain, we have societies to suggest, patronize, and recommend improvements in agriculture; to foster the arts and sciences; to encourage our fisheries; and to promote

articles to which they have been hitherto accustomed. At such a moment, how much may be effected by an Institution prepared to furnish, what that intelligent traveller, Mr. Parke, states to be alone wanting to the improvement of this quarter of the globe;

example to enlighten the minds of the natives, and instruction to enable them to direct their industry to proper objects?"

Nor ought we to overlook the benefits which this country is likely to derive from such a development of the faculties of the African Continent. While that gigantic power at the feet of which the Continent of

严

Europe now lies prostrate, is employing his | ing a beneficial commerce in place of the slave

utmost efforts to prevent our commerce from flowing in its ancient channels, surely it becomes us to cherish every reasonable prospect of finding other outlets. We have achieved a great and splendid act of national justice in abolishing the Slave Trade. The chain which bound Africa to the dust, and prevented the success of every effort that was made to raise her, is now broken. Let our benevolence interpose to repair the ruin and degradation which we have contributed to bring upon her, and to teach her the use of her liberated faculties; and we may soon discover, by our own happy experience, that in exercising justice and benevolence towards her whatever may be the apparent sacrifice, we have only been laying a more solid foundation for the enlargement of our own national prosperity.

To prevent misconception concerning the views and measures of the African Institution, it may be proper in the very first instance to declare, that it is the society's fixed determination not to undertake any religious missions, and not to engage in commercial speculations. The society is aware that there already exist several most respectable institutions formed for the diffusion of christianity, and means not to encroach on their province. It may also be proper to premise, that it will naturally become the duty and care of this society, to watch over the execution of the laws, recently enacted in this and other countries, for abolishing the African slave trade ; to endeavour to prevent the infraction of those laws; and from time to time to suggest any means by which they may be rendered more effectual to their objects; and likewise to endeavour, by communicating information, and by other appropriate methods, to promote the abolition of the African Slave Trade by foreign powers.

The means which it is proposed to employ for the purpose of promoting civilization and improvement in Africa are of the following

kind.

1. To collect and diffuse, throughout this country, accurate information respecting the natural productions of Africa, and, in general, respecting the agricultural and commercial capacities of the African continent, and the intellectual, moral, and political condition of its inhabitants.

trade.

4. To introduce amongst them such of the improvements and useful arts of Europe as

are suited to their condition.

5. To promote the cultivation of the African soil, not only by exciting and directing the industry of the natives, but by furnishing, where it may appear advantageous to do so, useful seeds and plants, and implements of husbandry.

6. To introduce amongst the inhabitants beneficial medical discoveries.

7. To obtain a knowledge of the principal languages of Africa, and, as has already been found to be practicable, to reduce them to writing, with a view to facilitate the diffusion of information among the natives of that country.

8. To employ suitable agents and to establish correspondences as shall appear advisable and to encourage and reward individual enterprize and exertion in promoting any of the purposes of the Institution.

MEETING OF THE THREE CHOIRS.

com

Hereford grand musical festival menced at the Cathedral on Tuesday September 22, when the Sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Clutton, from 2 Kings iv. 1. After alluding to the charitable departmentof the festival, and adding many forcible and interesting arguments to induce a liberal contribution, the preacher availed himself, in conclusion, of the Anniversary of the Corocompliment to the public and private virtues nation (Sept. 22) to introduce a well merited goodness, to use the words of a celebrated of our beloved Sovereign, whose wisdom and almost half a century." Statesman," had distinguished a reign of

The meeting was remarkably well attended during the whole of the three days perform. ances; nor is it the least pleasing task to announce, that upwards of 600l. was collected for the purposes of the charity. Most of the principal families of the county were present, including his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl and Countess of Oxford, Lord Viscount Hereford, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Hon. Mr. Clive, Hon. A. Foley and 3. To endeavour to enlighten the minds family, Lady Hamilton, Sir H. and Lady ●f the Africans with respect to their true in- Hoskyus, Sir G. and Lady Cornewall and terests; and to diffuse information amongst family, Sir J. C. Cotterell, and Larly, Sir G. them respecting the means whereby they may Dunbar, Sir Harford and Lady Jones, Colo improve the present opportunity of substitut-nel Foley, Mr. Serdamore, &c.

2. To promote the instruction of the Africans in letters and in useful knowledge, and to cultivate a friendly connection with the natives of that continent.

BRISTOL MEETING.

At the fourteenth annual meeting of the Clergy and Sons of Clergy of Bristol and neighbourhood, William Dickenson, Esq. M. P. and the Rev. Henry Shute, stewards, 3751. 8s. was collected for the benevolent purposes of this institution. The Mayor, and the Rev. Robert J. Charlion, vicar of Olveston, are chosen stewards for next year.

PROTESTANT DISSENTERS'
SCHOOL.

GRAMMAR

We formerly communicated the intention of the dissenters, meaning such as are acknowledged under the Toleration Act, to establish a grammar school for the better education of their youth. [Compare Panorama, Vol. I. p. 578.] We now learn that the Committee has purchased large and commodious premises, at Mill-Hill, near Barnett; that the Rev. John Atkinson, of Hoxton, has been chosen the Head-Master; and the Committee are enquiring for suitable gentlemen to fill up the remaining departments. The school is expected to open on Monday, Jan. 25.-The terms are £45. per annum, exclusive of washing. Sons of Ministers, £30. per ann.

NOTTINGHAM MEETING.

The 26th anniversary of the General Hospital at Nottingham was lately held, and was most respectably attended. It produced more than £360, after defraying all expences.

LEICESTER INFIRMARY.

The sermon for the benefit of the Infirmary was lately preached by the Rev. B. C. Raworth, late of Trinity-Hall, Cambridge; the collection amounted to upwards of £97.

SALISBURY INFIRMARY.

The President and Governors of the Salisbury Infirmary lately held their anniversary meeting. Having, with the Members of the Corporation, assembled at the Council-chamber, they walked in procession from thence to the Cathedral, where an appropriate and admirable sermon was preached by the Bishop of Sarum. After divine service, a collection was made at the church doors, which amounted to £87.

ANDERSTON CHARITY SCHOOL.

Among the various institutions which mark the benevolence of the present day, we have been much pleased with that of the Anderston Charity School, in Scotland, a very unassuming report of whose proceedings has lately been circulated. After the erection of Sabbath Schools in Anderston, it was observed by the teachers, and other friends of

As soon as the finances of the society will permit, an additional number of boys, sons of ministers or others, will be received on terms still farther reduced, in cases which shall meet the approbation of the Committee. The object of this institution, is, to unite the advantages of a strictly classical and re-religion, who attended these schools, that ligious education. English grammar, writing, arithmetic, geography, history, the mathematics, and other branches of useful learning, will have a due share of attention. The French language will not be professedly taught in the School, lest it should interfere with objects of greater importance. An approved French teacher, however, will attend at the expence of such parents as desire it.

In order to execute the part of the plan which intends to educate the sons of ministers on reduced terms, recourse must be had to the liberality of the public, for donations and annual subscriptions.

there were many children and grown up persons attending them, who could scarcely read at all. When the cause of this was inquired into, it was found to originate wholly in their circumstances in life; they were either orphans, children of poor parents, of widows, of soldiers, or of sailors. Their situation rendered it necessary for them to labour for their daily bread, and, of course, rendered their attention to education throughout the day impossible, though it could have been obtained gratis. From the consideration of these facts, a number of Christian friends, from the various denominations in Anderston, Hack-digested a plan for the erection and support of a school, into which none were to be admitted but orphans, the children of poor parents, of widows, of soldiers, or of sailors. The hours of teaching were from eight to ten, in the evening, for five nights in the week. The school has now continued nearly three years, during which time nearly an hundred, the greater part of whom began with the alphabet, have left the school, being able to read and spell with considerable accuracy. Of this number several were above twenty years of age, who did not know a letter when admitted, and who without an institution of this kind, must have been totally neglected. Above ninety scholars are now on the roll.

Secretary, Mr. William Whitewell, ney.-Subscriptions received by Fuller, Chatteris,and Co., Hankey, Alers, and Co., Brown, Cobb, and Co., Rogers, Olding, and Co., Mainwairing and Co.

NORWICH DISPENSARY.

State of the Patients admitted into the Norwich Dispensary, from the 1st of July, 1806, to the 30th of June, 1807.-Cured 281; relieved 46; died 20: sent to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and into the country 14; discharged for non-attendance 11 not likely to receive benefit 7; remain on the books 89; total 468; 116 of whom were attended at their own habitations.

DIDASCALIA.

This is the season for first appearances, and several candidates have appeared for public favour; but the limits of our work will permit us to notice only the most prominent.

DRURY LANE.

may

buffoonery is substituted for chastity and decorum, we cannot descend, like the daily prints, to praise what ought to be reprobated. For instance, can there be the least appearance of probability to justify his substituting grenadier for gardener, in Sir W. Meadows's letter?It be a new reading, perhaps, like some Mrs. Whitelock, a younger sister of Mrs. of Mr. John Kemble's improvements of ShakSiddons, has appeared in the character of El-speare, who, in order to preserve the metre, wina in Miss More's tragedy of Percy. She bears a very strong resemblance to her sister, though she is not so tall or majestic, nor does she evince her sublimity or pathos; yet the displays talents considerably above medio.. crity, and discovers a knowledge of the stage, and a thorough conception of her author. Her principal defect lies in the very great inaudibility of her lower tones; which perhaps may be owing to a too servile imitation of her elder brother's defects, or to the great extent of the theatre beyond those which she may have been used to perform in. She has lately arrived from America. She was very flatteringly received. We regret she did not chuse a character more appropriate than Elwina, neither her appearance nor dress being calculated to bear the illusion of a youthful or blooming bride. Her nephew, Mr. H. Siddons, performed the part of Douglas with great effect.

Saturday, Oct. 10, Miss Lyons made her debut in the character of Rosetta in Love in a Village. Her voice is an alto soprano, which she manages with taste and skill; it is capa ble of great extent, the full power of which the timidity naturally attendant on a first appearance seemed to prevent her from exhibit ing. She is well calculated to please an English audience, for she has evidently studied expression and feeling, rather than science and the modern refinement of meretricious ornaments. She possesses a good person and a handsome face, and her manuer is natural and simple. We have no hesitation in predicting, that she will be a valuable acquisition to the stage; but we hope she will attend to her acting, as she is young, and may, with the advantages she already possesses, attain the reputation of being a good actress, although a singer. -A Mr. Smith from Sadler's Wells appeared in the character of Hodge. His performance savoured of coarseness and vulgarity rather too broad for a Theatre Royal Hodge.

frequently turns Martext, and sets the understanding at defiance; as he did the other evening in Macbeth, when, forsooth, he took on him as a conjuror," and legerdemainly conjur'd the witches instead of impressively con-ju--ring them. So glaring was the change, that a child of nine years old, who sat by us, remarked, "that it was of no use for Mac"beth to come to ask the witches' advice, if "he could conjure them: ...... but, for all "that, I see," added the child, he is no "conjuror; else the witches could not have run away from him !"

COVENT-GARDEN.

Mr. Jones from the Dublin Theatre made his first appearance in London, Sept. 9th, in the character of Goldfinch in the Road to Ruin. He possesses a good figure, seems perfectly at home on the stage, and evinces much spirit and activity; he is we understand intended to succeed Mr. Lewis in all his parts-it is no wonder therefore that he should be found an imitator of such an actor rather than an imitator of human nature.

The opera of Artaxerxes has been got up at this theatre with splendour for the purpose of introducing Mrs. Dickous who made her appearance in Mandane, Oct. 20: she was received with great applause, and played the character better than we have been accustomed to see it. Her sty le has more of the Italian than the English manner, and she may be classed as the first singing performer on the stage. She has a powerful voice, and gave her songs with that effect, which can arise solely from acting: particularly, If o'er the cruel tyrant, Love-Let not rage thy bosom firing-The Soldier tir'd of war's alarms, all which were unfeelingly encored.-Miss Bolton personated Semira; we hope she will profit by the example of Mrs. Dickons, and attend to the business of the scene, as if she meant to become an actress. Bellamy was The rest of the performance (Mrs. Ma- very respectable in Artabanes ;- of the rest thews and Mrs. Bland excepted) was of such of the performers the less that is said the beta contemptible nature that we could wish to ter; indeed most of the English male singers pass it in silence, were it not, that as we are scem either too negligent or incapable of doing confined to two national theatres, we conceive justice to heroic opera.-We hope in future it to be our duty to notice such exhibitions, Mr Taylor will not address the pit instead of in hopes that the managers may pay that at- Artabanes, when he sings, Oh, clear him then tention to their situation, which their exclu- from this offence! It really looks as if the acsire patent demands towards the public. We tor imagined the audience were to come forhave frequently admired the acting of Dow-ward and acquit his poor friend Arbaceston, and should be glad to except him from Such inattention and glaring impropriety the rest; but when the lowest mummery and must have struck the most barren observer..

Miss Venusia...
Olivia Wyndhamn..
Maid.

Mr. Maddocks.
.Mr. Tokely.
Mr. Evans.
.Miss Mellon.
Mrs. H. Siddons.
Mrs. Sparks.
..Miss Duncan.
..Miss Sanders.

though they are so frequently introduced that they evidently strike the auditor as the effect of labour and study. The fashionable follies, and dissipation of the times, are occasionally animadverted on with satirical point; and the allusions to the fair sex and the British navy by Elliston, were very happy. The incidents are few, and not important enough, which occasionally gives a languor to the piece.

After the pruning knife has been judiciously applied it will no doubt become a favourite. The naval fete is too long, although the dances were pretty, the music well chosen, and the whole very characteristic. The character of Venusia might be entirely obliterated without any loss to the main plot. Indeed, judging from the opinion of those around us, the audience will thank the author for relieving them from this lady's company; as many of her sentiments, perhaps from being so often told before, rather fatigued than entertained them, notwithstanding her review critics and reviewing generals. The stage abounds with too many such learned antiquated maidens discoursing on delicate sensibility and The Pleasures of Imagination.

Sir David Delinar having quarrelled with his sister, and abandoned her and her husband, on account of family pride, marries, and is involved in many difficulties by fashionable fêtes and dissipation; from which he is at last relieved by the generosity of Hardacre (a The characters have no great noveltyneighbouring farmer), with whom he had had Blandford is Benedict-Query is Marplotmany previous disputes; the Baronet suspect- and among the others we recognised some of ing his humble neighbour of an intention of our old dramatic acquaintances. We are mismarrying his son to a rich young Lady, who taken too if we did not discover something had been left under their joint guardianship, in one of the sentiments resembling the acBlandford, (a generous liberal-hearted naval cusing spirit of Sterne. The principal perofficer) the nephew of Sir David, having ta formers were every thing the author could ken many strong resolutions against matri-wish-Dowton and Elliston in particular.— mony, resists the importunities of his uncle, Miss Duncan's part was well displayed, and who is eager to secure the fortune of his ward her song, composed by Kelly, was encored.to the family, by a marriage between Bland- Mrs. H. Siddons played with such spirit aud ford and the young lady; but the gallant sail-energy that she convinced every one she was or is devoted to Zelidy, an orphan he has mysteriously rescued, in her childhood, and exposes the villainous designs of Sir Arthur Tessel, a profligate man of fashion, against IIardacre's son, his rival with his uncle's ward. Hardacre makes Blandford acquainted with his story, by which it appears that he is the deserted husband of Sir David's sister, and that the child Captain Blandford had preserved, was his. He then waits on Sir David, and returning good for evil, the divided relatives are united in a family bond, Blandford marrying the orphan Zelidy, while Philip is united to Olivia, Sir David's ward. Several parts, of a comic cast, are introduced, among these is a Mr. Query, whose conversation is made entirely up of interrogatories.

This comedy is partly of the larmoyante kind, and reminded us not unfrequently of the productions of the French dramatist, Merrier. It possesses considerable merit; its moral effect is good; the language is excellent; it is chaste and almost free from wretched attempts at punning. The sentiments are just and elevated; some of them are peculiarly dignified and impressive, al

pleading the cause of her husband. The piece was remarkably well received, the discovery scene at the end of the fourth act most rapturously so; this scene must be considered as a striking proof of the author's particular attention to Stage Effect; than whom no one of the theatrical corps seems to have persevered with such very great application to produce. That indeed he has made it an absolute study, may be proved by a reference to his translation of Mr. Engel's work, (compare Panorama, Vol. II. page 43) in which he has elucidated the various passions by a variety of prints, calculated at once to shew the full ex tent of their effects. We cannot conclude without complimenting the author and the theatre, that the first piece produced this season is not in favour of vice, but of virtue and morality: may all which may succeed it deserve the same praise!

The epilogue was ably delivered by Elliston, and contained allusions to the comet.-It humorously described the effects which its nearer approach might have had on the inhabitants of our planet, particularlyon the fair sex, and the Bond Street loungers.