"8th. On the 5th our school was opened for girls, at nine in the morning, and I was glad to find that several were brought who are regarded as slaves, although in this colony slavery is not acknowledged. These were to be taught to read and work, in company with those who were considered their proprietors; or with others of the same class-mulatto girls. As the example is thus set of having slaves instructed, I trust it will be followed. Our school the first morning consisted of eight, and the school at the Court-house for the king's-boys and others were thirty-five-mostly king's-boys-only five of them, men and boys of the island, belonging to the Jaloof country. The chaplain was so kind as to attend and assist me in taking their names, &c. Some could read well, and, if well disposed, might be of much use; but an unfavourable account is generally given of their habits. J. H. says, he has no doubt but if we remained the Government would send pupils from Sierra-Leone for instruction. What is danger! what is life! if only good can be done, and the great work of reformation and improvement in the earth rightly proceeded in? Let me not presume, or suppose I should be unmoved when danger comes; but let me only see clearly my path, and trust for strength to be enabled to pursue it. Some of the re-captured negro boys have fine intelligent countenances, and would, I am satisfied, if their minds were well directed, be capable of being very useful. At present they give way to intoxication, and amuse themselves with gaming.

"The plan I propose for the Jaloof scholars, both men and women, as well as younger ones, is

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to read the vowels after me, in the first lesson, many times, until they seem to know them; then spell a few easy words, and read them after me; then, in the same way, to spell and read a few easy sentences; then spell the easiest words without the book. Then write, first the alphabet, and then words from their lessons, or from dictation. I believe that even two hours daily spent this way would advance a scholar very fast. Yesterday we had eight women pupils and sixteen girls.` Several of the women had young children with them.

10th. The poor women with their infants were found so unsettling to the school that it is concluded to discontinue them as pupils, unless they could engage to come in turns, and one take care of two children at home, and thus set each other at liberty every second day.

"The repeated evidence of the African lessons being intelligible to the Jaloofs felt cheering on opening school, and conducting it. Partarieu expresses his conviction that Friends would be received by the natives with confidence, and would succeed in their attempts to introduce improvement; but he believes they would find it requisite to trade as well as teach, in order to do all the good they would wish, in promoting industry, and furthering the great object of the general welfare of the people.

"Having had much inconvenience from the inexperience of our servant, and seen also that she is capable of doing better, if taught, the idea of training servants as an important object, both for their advantage and for domestic comfort, has been much on my mind. I should like to write a

few hints on the way to avoid excessive labour by method, and to gain time by foresight and early attention, so as to have some time for employments that allow rest. Also a few thoughts on kindness, sincerity, and the feeling of responsibility to the Creator of all men and Judge of the world.

"12th. I feel it a great claim for humble acknowledgment and trust in Divine goodness, that in our little assemblies for worship here, small as they are, we are yet favoured with some sensible feeling of the fulfilment of the Saviour's merciful declaration, 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.' How sweet and sublime is that worship which is in spirit and in truth, independent of the aid of outward forms, and evidently adapted to all places, countries, and circumstances, and people, where the right feeling is awakened. Nor do I know anything so calculated to open the way for the prevalence of the best feelings, and of the true spirit of worship, as to sit down in silent and awful remembrance of the presence of the Most High. It is in this silent and awful feeling of the Divine presence that a refuge will be known from thoughts that tend to dissipate and distract from the spirit of worship. It would be a vain and indolent excuse, for a dissipated mind to allege that this feeling is not at our command : 'Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find.'

“I am well satisfied that my first effort in reducing the African languages was made in Jaloof. This language is spoken by the most intelligent persons on this coast.

"The present state of the Africans calls for very simple methods of instruction; and even meetings for religious worship might, I apprehend, be conducted here with a simplicity and divestment of those forms in which sects differ, and yet the important and essential truths of Christianity be conveyed. Oh! were the practice of such outward instruction as should be adapted to the capacity and state of the people, but united with seasons for retirement, mental prayer, and recollection in the presence of God, (which a season of silence in our religious assemblies would allow,) how much more effectually might the great object of meeting with the uncivilized for religious instruction, and Divine worship be promoted, than it can be by the introduction of outward forms, which the people cannot understand, and by a system that does not cast the mind upon what passes within itself as an encouragement to occasional silence would do.

"How much has this poor country to suffer from the gross example of Europeans; some of whom will be willing to attend, at least sometimes, a place of worship on the first day of the week; but will not put away the evil of their doings, but make shipwreck of all that would exalt and enrich the character of intelligent beings designed for a state of immortal existence.

My attention has been drawn to the good which might be done by the instruction of the people in the principles of Christianity on a system that might be pursued by well-disposed teachers of schools, by mechanics, or by agricultural agents. I fear not the test which such a system might be brought to in the Scriptures of

truth. Did not the great Master himself appoint fishermen, and others employed in useful labours, as the chief teachers of the people in the truths that concern our present and everlasting happiness? And did He not present himself an example, in the simplicity of the manner in which instructive truths the most sublime might be presented, when, as his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and stood up for to read?'

"On the 11th, after the heat of the day had subsided, a few of my senior pupils came to me. They all speak a broken English, being from Sierra-Leone. I read to them a plain account of a good poor woman in England, from a tract called Bible Happiness; but, simple as this tract is, it was necessary often to make the language plainer still. I read to them also from the Scriptures, and recommended a time of silent attention to the subjects, so far as they were understood. I explained to them why we should be silent before Him who sees the heart, and knows all its desires, whether uttered or unexpressed.' A sweet feeling was present, which was consoling, and a cause of thankfulness.

"I ought to keep a small book in which to put down the Jaloof and Mandingo phrases that occur to me as being wanted, as I go along, and with which I am not familiar. I can make myself understood by the Jaloofs in such phrases as seem most commonly in use; but am not familiar enough with the language to carry on a conversation, or to understand the particulars of their conversation, except when they speak in short phrases.