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possess ye your souls,' is a direction which no description of Christian, per. haps, is more bound to bear constantly in mind, than those who are signal instruments in a great and righteous cause. Consider how much more you have been enabled to do in yours than any one who has preceded you; and how thankful you should be for having been thought worthy to sow the seed, even though it should be appointed to your successors to reap the harvest."

From the letters of the Rev. T. Gisborne (who still survives in a vigorous old age) we copy his anticipation of the quality of some of the members who would be introduced into the House of Commons by a union with Ireland; England, we fear, gained little by that union; though it would be ruinous and monstrous now to dissolve it.

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"I have made an Irish acquaintance here, with whom I am considerably pleased I mean Dr. Browne, the M.P. for Dublin University. He has much information, and apparently much candour; and the character which I understand Johnson to have heretofore given of him to Garrick ("David, here is a young Irishman, who is at present modest,") still belongs to him. I think so much better of our Houses of Parliament than I do of the Irish, that I apprehend they would suffer materially from that infusion of Irish members, which must result from a national coalition. I am no drinker of port; but I conceive that a person habituated to his daily pint of that liquor, even though not of the very best quality, would have no great satisfaction in learning that for the future it was to be mixed with a third or a fourth of Hiera Picra. It is

possible that these and other disadvantages attending an union, might be more than counterbalanced by benefits. But that is a point concerning which I at present feel nothing like assurance."

Mr. Wilberforce corresponded occasionally, during more than forty years, with his beloved and confidential friend, Mr. Z. Macau lay. Their intercourse related to the slave-trade, the "Christian Observer," the religious societies, the extension of Christianity to the dark parts of the world, and

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 31.

to questions generally of piety and citations from Mr. Wilberforce's philanthropy. The following are letters. We purposely interweave a few references in these and other extracts to papers in the "Christian Observer," for the convenience of reference to those who possess our earlier volumes. The letter dated May, 1812, shews the difficulties and delicacies which beset the path of Mr. Wilberforce and his friends in their efforts to civilize and evangelize India. The practice of burning widows was at first denied, and when that subterfuge failed, was actually apologized for; or at least lightly passed over as a Hindoo rite which we could not set aside, and had better not meddle with. The Pilgrim tax, and the encouragement thereby given to idolatry, have been argued upon with equal coolness. The letter dated October, 1809, alludes to a circumstance most honourable to Mr. Macaulay, the detection and seizure of a slave-trader through his sagacity and persevering assiduity; but still more his noble conduct in giving up his large share of the prize to the revenue officers; both to stimulate their diligence in future, and to shew that the abolitionists were not actuated by interested motives.

"(Lyme, December 7, 1804.)-I feel uneasy in not coming forward to assist poor Hall; (Robert Hall was at that time afflicted with insanity,) and really mere feelings, and feelings less legitimate than Christian sympathy, prompt one to desire to contribute liberally towards his aid.

But as it is impossible for me to judge what I ought to subscribe, because that must depend on what others give, and what in the whole is raised, I must again trespass on you, and beg you to judge and put down my name accordingly. I doubt in my own mind between £10. and £20; and if even £20. be less than you think I ought to give, tell me freely.'

"I hope to send you a paper for the Christian Observer to-morrow. ("The 3 L

Letters of Colonus," in Dec. 1804 and Jan. 1805.) You will think it too much of a novel; but in all the leading particulars it is really true. I wish I could help you still more. Kind remembrances."

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'(Near Newport Pagnel, October 19, 1809.) My dear Macaulay,-I am in the state of a full charged bottle of electrical fluid, which wants some conductor to empty itself by. Mrs. W. indeed takes her part in my joy, but I want you, or Stephen, or Babington, or H. Thornton. You really deserve a statue. But more serious and sober matter for rejoicing remains, after the first riotous effervescence has, or rather shall have, fumed away, for this is far from being yet the case with me; and with as much sobriety as I can, I compose myself into a grateful acknowledgment of the goodness of Providence, in blessing your endeavours with success. It may be useful to put down exactly the whole story, from the first faint and distant view you had of the thief with scarcely light sufficient to ascertain his substance and features, till this moment, when he is dragged into open day in all his deformity. I am the more glad on account of the effect likely to be produced on the mind of Perceval and his Secretary.

"I trust no further difficulties will occur. I should like to see Stephen's face when he first hears of the seizure. Farewell."

"(Kensington Gore, Friday, December 11, 1812).—My dear Macaulay,—I return you -'s paper, (Review of Edge

worth's Tales of Fashionable Life:

Christian Observer, December 1812), regretting sincerely that I cannot add to it, but really I have not the faculty of writing with facility anything that is fit to be read, and it is still more difficult to interweave any additions into the finished work of another than to write a fresh piece. There is however one idea, one doubt, which I ought to state to you.We who know

(the Reviewer) well, can have no doubt of his having treated Miss Edgeworth's entire exclusion of all religious principle with the softness, sometimes almost the easy badinage of his reproofs, from a persuasion that the real operating drug in the composition would be least likely to turn the stomach, or rather would sit the best on it when so mixed up and qualified. But should not this be stated frankly in the close, either by the writer of the article himself, or by you? It might be done in the very way I have mentioned. You might state, In all compound medicines the physician com

monly depends on some one powerful drug to do the business, considering how he may so combine it with other ingredients as to render the patient most willing, or rather most able to bear it; or, to speak more plainly, as will either render it less nauseous to the palate or least offensive to the stomach. We conceive that the writer of the foregoing article has acted on a similar principle, &c. I almost fear the piece would otherwise be objectionable, on the ground of levity, or rather on that of the want of sufficient seriousness. Yet I have only read it once over, and that, of necessity, by fits and starts. You know it better than I, and will judge better whether or not my criticism is well founded. I assure you it often grieves me to reflect that I am not a contributor of any thing better than good wishes to the Christian Observer, and I will be something better by and by if I can; but if, while M. P. for Yorkshire, I had much more than I could do, I am sure I have at present full as much."

The correspondence between Mr. Wilberforce and Hannah More has been so largely detailed in their respective memoirs, that we will add only two or three scraps. We give the following, relating to the widow of the Rev. Charles Wesley, chiefly as shewing how indefatigable Mr. Wilberforce was in seeking out for suitable opportunities of exercising his benevolence of purse as well as of heart; as in the case of Robert Hall above quoted.

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(August 10, 1792.)-I don't know anybody to whom I can so properly apply myself as to yourself for information respecting the widow of Mr. Charles Wesley; and to you I may disclose that the object of this inquiry is to ascertain wherender her a proper subject for pecunither her circumstances, character, &c. ary relief. Unless she is something very bad indeed, the widow of Charles Wesley ought, if health, not luxury, required it, to feed on ortolans; nay, I would not confine her to one dish, but, in spite of S's remonstrances, let her have a haunch of venison daily into the bargain. Be kind enough not to make the matter more public than is quite unavoidable."

In the following passage, Mr. Wilberforce bargains with H. More to write for him in the

Christian Observer, while he revises the manuscript of her "Hints for the Education of a Princess."

"(Lyme, October 29, 1804.)-I have this day received another packet of your manuscript, and have returned you the five chapters and the Introduction. Now I must enter into a treaty with you. I had fully intended, and half promised, that before my falling to work on a literary business preparatory to our abolition discussions next winter, I would employ a few mornings in writing for the 'Christian Observer:' if, therefore, I engage in your service, you positively must supply my place to Messrs. Editors of the Christian Observer. Your subjects are so new and so important, that it really costs as much time to revise as it would to write, and I would not pay your works so bad a compliment as to accost them in any other than my best state. I must therefore receive from you an as

surance that you will give me a credit for as many hours as I expend in your service, and I assign over the amount to Messrs. the Editors above-mentioned, who may be paid in any coin which bears your image and superscription. It will, I fear not, pass current; so fall to work accordingly."

There are several interesting though mere currente calamo letters, from that remarkable, and still remembered and lamented, young man, Mr. John Bowdler (the wellknown "Crito" of the Christian Observer); and also several from that most warm-hearted of friends and writers, the late Master Stephen; but we have quoted as much as our limits allow, or as is necessary for exhibiting the billof-fare of the volumes.

OBITUARY.

ADELAIDE ZAIRE, AN EMANCIPATED NEGRESS.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.
My dear Friend,

In your last Number you inserted a truly instructive and interesting account of that late eminent servant of her Divine Lord, the late Duchess de Broglie; who, in a high station of life, adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour, and zealously laboured to promote objects of piety and Christian benevolence. Permit me to lay beside this beautiful portrait a sketch of a sister in the faith, under far different circumstances of life-a sable child of Africa, and once a bond-slave, but afterwards liberated, and enjoying also that far higher emancipation of being Christ's free-woman. She entered into her heavenly rest a few months only before the Duchess de Broglie, so that the date is not perhaps too far back to allow of the introduction of the narrative into your pages; especially when I add the additional link of the Duchess's benevolent and Christian exertions for the welfare of Africa and the abolition of slavery. She would truly have rejoiced to have perused these few humble memorials of her unknown sister in Christ, Adelaide Zaire. I remain, affectionately THOMAS SIMS.

yours,

[We have great pleasure in inserting Mr. Sims's edifying and affecting narrative; which he has published separately in a larger form, to accompany another little tractate from his pen, "Africa and her chil

dren." Mr. Sims's "Christian Records" have had an extensive circulation, and all his publications are dictated by Christian love and a desire to promote the glory of God and the best welfare of his fellowcreatures; particularly of children and the poor.]

THE humble subject of this brief Memoir, Adelaide Žaire, was a native of Guadaloupe. She was born, probably in the year 1770, in the parish of Cabesterre, where her father and mother were domestic Negro slaves in an opulent French family. Zaire was baptized, according to the rites of the Church of Rome, on the same day as the daughter of her young master and mistress, the latter being one year older than Zaire. She was considered as the female slave of this young lady-who

was afterwards Mme du Buc. She accompanied her, in the expectation of civil discord in the island, to Philadelphia; where Zaire obtained her freedom; it being the wish of the uncle of Mme Buc who had stood sponsor to both the young mistress and Zaire her slave. Zaire had been a very faithful attendant on her young mistress, who gave her a pair of large gold car-rings, in token of her gratitude for her patient attention to her in an alarming illness.

When tranquillity was restored, Mme du Buc returned to Guadaloupe; but Adelaide went to Halifax in Nova Scotia, where she married Hippolite Celestin, a native of Guadaloupe, who had purchased his own freedom, or found friends to do it for him, and was then in the Duke of Kent's service at Halifax. His Royal Highness gave Hippolite the following testimonial of approbation:

"These are to certify that the bearer hereof, Hippolite Celestin Vannier, a Mulatto man, native of the parish of Desaix in the island of Guadaloupe, who has been for the last four years, and still is, one of my servants, has my full permission to marry Adelaide Zaire, a black woman, native of the parish of Cabesterre in the island of Guadaloupe, now living as servant maid with Captain Daniel Lyman, of the Royal Invalids, in this garrison, provided there is no lawful impediment Given under my hand and seal, at Head Quarters, Halifax, this 19th day of April, 1798. "EDWARD, "Lieutenant-General, and commanding His Majesty's Forces in the province of Nova Scotia and its Dependencies."

Equally honourable was the testimonial given to the character of Adelaide by Captain Lyman of the Royal Invalids. He says: "She is without excep

tion one of the best servants I ever knew; for honesty, sobriety, and fidelity, she is not to be surpassed; and she possesses every ability and good quality to recommend her in her station of life."

Celestin and his wife remained in the service of His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, the former as cook, the latter as laundress. They accompanied him to England, and afterwards to Gibraltar. When the Duke quitted Gibraltar, Celestin, being dangerously ill, was obliged to remain behind with his wife; but he was not happy at that place after the Duke's departure; and, in consequence, Mr. Parker, his Royal Highness's Under-Secretary, wrote from Kensington Palace in 1809 to him at Gibraltar, informing him that the com

mander-in-chief at Gibraltar had been requested to procure a free passage for him and his wife, in one of his Majesty's store ships returning to England from the Mediterranean. During the voyage the unhappy man, in whom symptoms of incipient insanity had been for some time observed, either fell, or threw himself overboard and was drowned.

After the affecting occurrence of Celestin's death, his widow, on her arrival in England, resumed her office as a laundress at Kensington Palace, which she did not quit till the year 1816. The following document, signed by the Duke of Kent, explains the cause of her leaving.

"These are to certify that Zaire Celestin, a woman of colour, has acted as my laundress for many years, between 1795 and the present time, and that I have always found her extremely honest and attentive, and considered her particularly clever in her line, and that she has only now quitted my service in consequence of marrying a man whom I did not approve of having as an inmate in my house. Given under my hand and seal, at Kensington Palace, this 17th August, 1816. "EDWARD."

As soon as the marriage took place, she reaped the fruits of her imprudence. Her unworthy husband first took her money, and afterwards her furniture, which he put up to sale at Robins's. Rooms, Covent Garden. Thus comparatively destitute, she was left to regret her indiscretion; for she heard no more of the man who was so entirely undeserving of regard.

She was now compelled to depend upon her own industry; and from 1816 to 1834, she maintained herself chiefly by her exertions as a laundress. It appears, however, that she found some difficulty in doing so; for his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent having died in 1821, leaving a widow, and the illustrious infant who has since ascended the throne of this realm,she made application to the Duchess of Kent in 1821, 1823, 1826, and 1828. The intervals between these several years seem to imply that she was not importunate in soliciting favours, but that she found herself occasionally in great need of assistance, partly in consequence of severe illness. From the year 1828, her Royal Highness was pleased to order that £1 should be paid to her every quarter in aid of her rent.

In the midst of her afflictions about the year 1821, a desire came into her mind to attend at Broadway church, Westminster, near which she lived, The discourse she heard from the cler

gyman, the Rev. Mr. Mutter, was so suitable to the state of her mind, and was so deeply impressed upon her heart, that she was induced to attend Divine worship at that church constantly from that time, advancing in Christian knowledge and piety. She often referred with gratitude to the period when she thus found comfort in God's holy word, and in His house of prayer, in her desolate condition. She became a spiritual worshipper, an attentive hearer, a devout reader, and in all respects an obedient Christian. Though in a very humble sphere of life, there were many virtues conspicuous, from that time forward, in this poor black woman, which gained her the friendship of a few persons, and the confidence and regard of her neighbours, for several successive years. Mr. Sims's own observation during the last three years and a half of her life fully confirmed the statements of others.

With very compassionate feelings towards her fellow-creatures, she mourned on account of the abounding impiety around her, and said that the Lord's Day was better observed even by her former master's slaves at Guadaloupe than by many of the inhabitants of Westminster. Two instances of her regard for the Sabbath may be mentioned. When maintaining herself as a laundress, she was careful, from the time that she became a pious Christian, to get all clothes ready, and to take them home by Saturday, and she sent her Sunday's dinner to be baked on the Saturday; and on the Sunday, after church service, she put it on the hearth to be warmed.

She was a constant communicant at the Lord's table: and her great attention to the sermons she heard was proved by the remarks she often made privately, and with much warmth of feeling, to different friends. During thirteen years, she had not been once absent from church on the Lord's Day.

On the 26th of October 1834, when Mr. Sims was officiating at Broadway church, a note was brought to him requesting the prayers of the congregation for a sick person. When the morning service was over, he called to see her, and found she was a person of colour. She spoke devoutly of the Redeemer, as the Shepherd of his flock, and referred to the passage, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Finding that she had a French New Testament which she had been accustomed to peruse, he

read to her out of it the 5th chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, in English. When he next called he read, at her own request, our Saviour's sublime intercessory prayer for his disciples. She said that she had taken great delight in reading the New Testament, and that after returning from church she used to read till her candle was burnt out. She afterwards stated various particulars respecting her eventful life.

On another visit, Mr. Sims says she appeared refreshed and animated by the passage read, and the remarks made. She said that when suffering much pain in the morning, she had also possessed much inward joy and consolation. She seemed in a very resigned and humble state of mind-wishing to live, or die, according as the will of God might be; and content, if necessity should at length require-to be an inmate of the workhouse.

At another visit, when she was gradually recovering, the conversation appears to have been in French, and she made some observations on our Saviour's love" sa charité"-in dying for us. The comments and conversa. tions, from time to time, Mr. Sims cannot recollect.

Reflecting on the past services, the solid worth, and the urgent wants of Adelaide, her attentive and benevolent pastor thought there might be a kind consideration of her circumstances in a very high quarter, if a proper represen tation were made. Through the kindness of the Dean of Chester, he was directed to the proper channel; and having explained the subject fully to Sir John Conroy, he had the pleasure of being informed that the Duchess of Kent had read the statement with the "sincerest interest ;" and was glad that her attention had been drawn to the case; and that " Her Royal Highness was all anxiety to smooth the path of the poor woman's last days." It seemed to be ascertained that the wants of Adelaide would be adequately supplied by a sum somewhere between £5. 5s. and £6. per quarter. The reply to the communication was to this effect:"That it was a source of the greatest satisfaction to Her Royal Highness to be able to take care of Adelaide, as her conduct bad shewn her to be so deserv ing, and her service in His late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent's family naturally gave her a strong claim on the Duchess's feelings; and that the Duchess readily adopted the suggestion submitted in the letter; and bad fixed upon the larger sum named, £6. per quarter." It was added, in reference to the illustrious Princess who has since

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