subsequent improvements, is now the elegant building, known by the name of the Old or Mission Church.

The Report then states, that the Calcutta Church Missionary Association has seven schools, in active operation, in which 430 boys are receiving an useful education, and have also favourable op portunities for acquiring the important instruction of Christian knowledge, through the blessed medium of the scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation.

In the end of last March, the first classes were publicly examined in the library at Mirzapore. They read and explained the gospels and Ellerton's Dialogues: then gave the literal meaning, as well as the particular import of the passages. They answered many interesting questions, both on scriptural and geographical subjects. They wrote from dictation several passages, which they had not before read, and acquitted themselves to the entire satisfaction of those friends, who understand the Bengalee language.

Besides the school just mentioned, the Report states, that a chapel has been opened for native preaching, where an average of from fifty to eighty natives assemble for religious instruction.

The Committee, considering it an object of great importance to afford the adult population the means of hearing the principles of the Christian religion explained, have planned, (with the approbation of the Lord Bishop, and the Society with which they co-operate,) the establishment of a regular place of worship, according to the form of the English Church, in Hindostanee, Portuguese, and Bengalee.

For the commencement of this work the Committee have appropriated three thousand sicca rupees; and the Lord Bishop, from a fund at his disposal, has kindly offered to add another thousand.

On the liberality of their friends, and the support of the religious public, the Committee rely under God for the means of completing this most interesting design, and meeting the regular expenditure of their school establishment.

Since the formation of this Association, rupees 5576. 15 have been paid into the Treasurer's hand, of which rupees 1254.5 have been expended for the school, and rupees 3000 voted for the intended chapel, leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hand of rupees 1322. 10.

The Report of the Committee having been read,

1st.-On a motion by the Rev. Mr. Thomason, and seconded by J. H. Harington, Esq. it was resolved unanimously, "That the Report now read be received and printed, as the Report of the Calcutta Church Missionary Associa tion."

2d.-On a motion by the Rev. M. Brown, and seconded by G. Money, Esq. it was resolved unanimously, That the thanks of the Meeting be offered to the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee, for their exertions since the formation of the Association."

3d. On a motion by the President, and seconded by the Reverend J. Reichardt, it was resolved unanimously, "That this Meeting has heard with much pleasure, the notices contained in the Report of the missionary labours formerly carried on with such a measure of success by the Church of England missionaries in this place, and highly approves of the plan proposed by this Association, of erecting a chapel, with a view to the revival of missionary labour in that direct line."

4th.-On a motion by the Reverend G. Craufurd, and seconded by Lieutenant Candy, it was resolved unanimous ly, "That the Meeting views with gratitude to Almighty God, the interest which has already been excited in behalf of this Association, and calls upon the friends of missions in general, and of the Calcutta Missionary Society in particular, to be much in fervent prayer for that promised influence of the Holy Spirit, without which all human efforts for furthering the glory of God and the eternal good of our fellow creatures will prove unavailing.”

The Secretary returned thanks to the gentlemen who had kindly offered their services on the occasion, and the business of the evening closed to the great satisfaction of those present.

A collection was made in behalf of the objects of the Association, which amounted to rupees 806.-Scotsman.

Dum Dum Rocket Practice.-Monday morning the 31st of May, was fixed for a trial of the comparative merits of the rockets of Sir W. Congreve, which are brought out from England, and those of Captain Parlby, which are manufactured here. The piece of ground selected was the long plain at Dum-Dum, which is

used for the mortar and field-piece practice, and affords a range of about three thousand yards. A little before five o'clock, the Governor General, accompanied by Lady and Miss Amherst and his suite, arrived on the ground. A salute of 19 guns was fired on his Lordship entering the cantonments: a few minutes after, the Commander in Chief arrived, and was received with a salute of 17 guns. Two targets, composed of canvas, each about eight feet high, and sixty long, were fixed on the eastern end of the plain, at a distance of about one hundred yards from each other: in the centre of each a regular target was painted, having a bull's eye of 18 inches diameter. In the rear of each target, and at a distance of about 20 yards, there were corresponding targets erected, to catch such rockets as, proceeding in a correct direction, might miss the target aimed at, by passing a few feet over its top. These second targets, being immediately behind the first, were not visible from the spot from which the rockets were discharged. The target on the right hand was appropriated to the roc kets of Sir W. Congreve's manufacture, that on the left to Captain Parlby's.

The greater part of the rockets were discharged through tubes at various elevations, and some of them were laid flat on the ground-each party discharged an equal number, and in a similar man

ner.

Sir W. Congreve's were under the direction of Captain Graham of the Rocket Brigade, and Captain Parlby's under his own.

The following were the different discharges made by each party.

FIRST DISCHARGE.

Target distance-600 yards. 1. Eight small rockets; singly from ground tubes.

2. Six ditto ditto; ditto-tubes at an elevation,

3. A volley of nine small rockets from the car.

4. Four medium rockets singlyfrom troughs.

5. Two 24 lbs. ditto-ditto.

In this discharge Captain Parlby's rockets had a manifest superiority over Sir W. Congreve's. It was evident that his rockets kept their direction till they came in contact with the ground; while Sir William's, after proceediug in a straight line for some distance, frequently swerved, the train of smoke palpably describing an obtuse angle in the air this must have been occa

:

sioned by a defect most likely common to both rockets, and, considering the disadvantages under which Captain Parlby laboured, from the want of machinery and experienced assistants, it is highly probable that his rockets were more defective in this very respect than Sir W. Congreve's. But this circumstance will evince the undoubted superiority of Captain Parlby's plan. The cause of a rocket swerving in its course is this-the inside of every rocket is a hollow cone, and the whole becomes ignited at once; the rays of fire dart out at right angles from the superficies of the cone, and meeting each other at its axes, form so many inverted triangles, the apexes of which point to the base of the rocket, which is consequently propelled forward in the opposite direction. Now it is manifest that if, from the compositions not having been equally mixed, or else not having been rammed with equal solidity, the rays of fire from one side of the cone should be stronger than the rays of fire on the opposite, and the propelling power thus become greater on the one side than on the other, the rocket would immediately swerve, like a boat which had an unequal number of oars on each side. Here then the superiority of the Parlby rocket is manifest; for by the rotatory motion, the superior and inferior force alternately change sides, so that the aberration on one side is the next moment corrected by the aberration on the other, and in the whole distance we obtain an equality of forces. I suppose one side-5; the other-4; and if we alternately change them, we shall have then have:

the target. Of the Parlby rockets only one burst, two struck the target, and the remaining six preserved the line, and passed over it within a few feet of the top.

SECOND DISCHARGE.

Target distance-1000 yards. 1. Six small rockets from tubes-sin

gly.

2. A volley of nine small rockets from the car.

3. Eight medium rockets from bombarding tubes.

4. Four heavy ditto.

The volley of Congreve rockets was much better in this than in the last discharge, but by no means equal to the Parlby rockets, which went over the top of the target in a perfect cluster. In the eight medium rockets, several of Parlby's lost their sticks; in which respect they were in general inferior to the Congreve rockets, which appear to be much better fastened.

Congreve's four heavy rockets erred extremely; while three of Parlby's went with beautiful precision.

THIRD DISCHARGE.

Target distance-1400 yards. 1. Six small rockets singly-from tubes.

2. Four medium rockets.

Congreve's small rockets ranged with great correctness; Parlby's appeared to be disadvantageously fired;-they kept the line perfect, but were not well aimed; there was a defect in Parlby's tube for the large rockets, the back leg was too short, and did not admit of the front legs being sufficiently elevated, without causing the stick of the rocket to strike against the ground; but the line was very perfect, though they fell short.

FOURTH DISCHARGE.

Target distance-1800 yards. 1. Six small rockets singly-from tubes.

2. Four medium rockets at high elevations.

3. Three heavy ditto ditto.

The three heavy rockets were 56 pounders, and the point of contest was whose rocket would range the furthest. In this trial the Congreve rockets were decidedly superior to Captain Parlby's. But the latter rockets laboured under a great disadvantage; the tube was too small for the rocket, which actually stuck for five seconds before it could force a passage, to the no small alarm of the bystanders, who expected the tube to burst, and who retired rapidly

from its neighbourhood. This of course considerably curtailed the flight of the rocket.

On the whole, Captain Parlby appears to have made a rocket much less liable to explode, and more certain of keeping the direction than the Congreve rockets; while, on the other hand, the large Congreve rockets ranged further.-Seven of the Parlby rockets struck the target, and one perforated the very centre of the bull's eye; five of the Congreve rockets struck their target, and in general they were further from the bull's eye than Parlby's. The Congreve rockets were never fired with greater precision: a strong emulation appeared to have been excited, and every discharge which was not successful occasioned an examination and re-adjustment of the tube. Captain Parlby did not bestow quite so much pains on his own firing as perhaps his interest required, and his friends were more than once obliged to call his attention to the position of the tubes; and on the whole it was certainly considered that his rockets had not quite such care and attention bestowed on them as the others: and it should in justice to the rocket be stated, though per haps at Captain Parlby's expense, that several shots would have been much better, had the position of the tubes been altered, when it was evident from the preceding discharge that the direction was not correct. But the sun was getting very hot, and perhaps Captain Parlby was anxious not to detain the Governor General, and the Commander in Chief, and was therefore in a greater hurry than he ought in prudence to have been.

On the whole, the general feeling cretainly was, that Capt. Parlby had surpassed Sir W. Congreve.

It was evident that the direction of his rockets was more certain, and that they did not so frequently explode. It is said they are one third cheaper, and that the cases, which are the chief expense, can be used again; this is most material, in as much as it enables the Governinent to have the soldiers practised in the use of them. The Congreve rockets did not so frequently part from their sticks; but as the Congreve rockets have their sticks fixed to them in this country, there will be no difficulty in making the Parlby rockets as perfect. The larger Congreve rockets ranged further than Capt. Parlby's, but the only matter of surprize is that Capt. Parlby's ranged so

far. Capt. Parlby's machinery was made in England; and of course not under his own inspection, nor with the opportunity of having it altered, if on trial that were found necessary.

A rocket of 56lb. must be rammed with a monkey which ought to weigh 38 and ought to have a fall of twenty-six feet, and this should give twenty-four strokes in a minute. Now it is said that Captain Parlby has neither monkeys of this weight or height in his rocket shop, to give such a fall; nor machinery to repeat the strokes with proper rapidity. The writer of this never saw Captain Parlby's rocket shop; but he has been told that this is the case: and here perhaps it may be as well to state, that yesterday morning was the third time he ever saw Captain Parlby; but he has seen Sir W. Congreve's rocket shop a hundred times, and he can state that in no place in the world is machinery more beautifully perfect. It has not been put up at private, but at putlic expense. It has for the last eighteen years received repeated improvements, and it is worked by old and experienced artists, under the superintendence of one of the most able pyrotechnists in the kingdom. Those who know any thing of the making of the longer rocket, are well aware of the dithiculty attending its manufacture. It requires a degree of chemical knowledge, mechanical art, and manual dexterity, rare to be met with, and seldom united. And when a man has to undertake so difficult a task with such limited means to accomplish it as Capt. Parlby possesses, and that in opposition to Sir W. Congreve, who has every advantage and facility, his success is indeed extraordinary; and leaves no room for doubting, that if he meets but with a small comparative portion of that encouragement which Sir William has enjoyed, he will soon surpass him in the longer and . more difficult rockets, as he has in the smaller and more easy.

There is an insuperable objection to having rockets made in England for the use of this country, which never can be got over. The nitre of which the rocket is principally composed becomes affected by the changes of climate. Heat makes it highly combustible, and causes it to explode; while moisture affects its inflammability. Had the rockets been let off before the late rains, two thirds of them would have exploded; and it was acknowledged by the

officers of the Rocket Brigade, that there never was but one occasion when so few exploded. Indeed it was most emphati. cally said by one gentleman, that Captain Parlby was most unfortunate in their good fortune. On the other hand, had the experiment been made during the rains, very few of them would have burnt.

To have rockets in perfection in this country, they should not be made till required, and the machinery should be equal to the possible demand. One set of implements, with a sufficient relay of workers to keep them unremittingly employed, will in 24 hours make 50 large rockets; so that twenty sets, which would cost about £3000, would furnish 1000 a day, which is more than could be required under any circumstances.

Their utility in this country would be incalculable; they could be transported where artillery could never pass; and five hundred of them thrown into a jungle would scatter a lurking enemy, who would have lain down and laughed at double the number of cannon balls whizzing over their heads. Let any man who witnessed the effect of only one of the rockets yesterday morning, ask himself what would have been the result of the late affair at Chittagong, could each of our soldiers have obtained but two of the smallest rockets, so as to give the enemy two volleys of a thousand in a flight.

The experiments concluded at about half past eight o'clock, by which time great numbers of ladies and gentleman were on the ground; among them were Mr. Bayley, Mr. Holt Mackenzie, Mr. Larkins, and several other gentlemen, high in the civil service. A public breakfast was provided by the officers in their mess-room; but Lady Amherst was unfortunately too fatigued to remain -and the Commander in Chief was called to town by urgent business: all the ladies and gentlemen then returned to the mess-room, and partook of a plentiful and handsome breakfast.-John Bull.

BIRTHS.

On the 27th February, Mrs. J. Vallente, of a son.

At Valparaiso, on the 22d June, 1823, the lady of Captain James Henderson. late of the ship Hercules of this port, of twin daughters.

At Calcutta, on the 27th February, Mrs. Nixon, wife of Sub-conductor Nixon, of a son.

At Malda, on the 23d February, the lady of John Lamb, Esq. of a son.

At Saugor, on the 16th February, the lady of Major Logie, of a daughter.

At Calcutta, on Wednesday the 2d March, the lady of Lieutenant Colonel Blacker, of a son.

On Sunday, the 7th March, Mrs. J. Harris, of a daughter.

On the 7th March, Mrs. J. U. Sherriff, of a son.

At Seetapore, on the 21st February, the lady of Major Powell Comyn, 3d Battalion 7th Regiment, of a son.

At Ghazeepore, on the 25th February, the wife of Mr. R. J. B. Godfrey, of a

son.

At Calcutta, on Monday, the 8th March, Mrs. Thomas B. Scott, of a son. At Calcutta, on the 9th March, Mrs. Helen Stacey, of a son.

At Calcutta, on the 16th March, Mrs. J. H. M. Harvard, of a daughter.

On Saturday, the 20th March, in the Durrumtollah, Mrs. J. Jacobs, of a daughter.

At Jessore, on Thursday, the 4th March, Mrs. Ann Thomas, of a daugh

ter.

At Dinagepore, on the 10th March, the lady of J. P. Reynolds, Esq. Assistant Surgeon of that station, of a son.

At Meerut, on the 1st March, the lady of Captain M'Mullin, of a son.

At Calcutta, on Thursday, the 11th March, Mrs. F. Andrews, of a son.

At Calcutta, on the 12th March, Mrs. J. Landeman, of a son.

At Calcutta, on the 13th March, the lady of A. Agabeg, Esq. of a son.

At Fort William, on the night of the 14th March, the lady of Captain J. N. Creighton, H. M.'s 11th Light Dragoons,

of a son.

At Calcutta, on the 14th March, Mrs. Henry Boileau, of a son.

At Dum-Dum, on Friday, the 12th March, Mrs. Watson, wife of Conductor J. Watson, of a daughter.

At Ishapore, near Calcutta, on the 25th March, the lady of Captain A. Galloway, Agent for Gunpowder, of a daughter.

On Tuesday, the 30th March, Mrs. Charlotte Pereira, of a son.

At Berhampore, on the 27th March, the lady of Captain A. Shuldham, of the 15th Regiment Native Infantry, of a daughter.

At Bobshaw, Juanpore, on the 21st March, Mrs. G. C, Fraser, of a daughter. At Calcutta, on the 30th March, Mrs. J. A. Goldsmith, of a daughter.

At Calcutta, on the 30th March, Mrs. Eleanor Cantopher, of a son.

At Calcutta, on the 31st March, the wife of Mr. W. Wrainch, Keeper of the Calcutta Jail, of a daughter.

At Calcutta, on Thursday the 1st April, Mrs. Peter Emmer, of a son and heir.

On the 4th April, Mrs. Joseph Savigny, of a son.

On the 31st March, at Soorey, Beerbhoom, the lady of W. N. Garrett, Esq. civil service, of a son.

At Dum-Dum, on the 2d of April, the lady of Lieut. Laurenson, of Artillery, of a daughter.

On the 5th December, in the Northern Division of Moradabad, the lady of M. Moore, Esq. Collector of Saharunpoor, of a daughter.

At Arrah, on the 17th March, the lady of S. Paxton, of the civil service, of a daughter.

At Government House, at Bombay, on the 9th March, the lady of Captain Burrowes, of a daughter.

At Arcot, on the 19th February, the lady of Lieutenant F. Hunter, of the ist Regiment Light Cavalry, of a son.

At Jaffnapatam, March 7th, the lady of the Rev. R. Carver, Missionary, of a daughter.

At Madras, on Tuesday morning, the 9th March, in Black Town, Mrs. J. Thompson, of a daughter.

At Madras, on Saturday, the 13th March, the lady of Lieutenant Colonel Molesworth, of a daughter.

At Calcutta, on Saturday, the 10th April, the lady of Captain C. E. Smith, of the ship John Adam, of, a son and heir.

At Calcutta, on the 13th April, the lady of J. C. Burton, Esq. of a daughter.

In Fort William, on the 13th April, the lady of Lieutenant J. Graham, 25th Regiment, of a still-born child.

At Calcutta, on the 15th April, the lady of A. Mactier, Esq. of a son.

At Balleegunge, on Saturday, the 17th April, the lady of Captain E. C. Sneyd, Assistant Commissary General, of a daughter.

At Burrisol, on Sunday, the 4th April, the wife of Mr. S. J. Benbow, of a daughter.

At Dacca, on the 3d April, Mrs. Charles Leonard, of a daughter.