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"I was asked a few days since to go and see a poor woman who was much hurt by some blows received from her husband. On my way to her hut I was informed of one of the king's-boys, not far from this place, who, being dissatisfied with one of his wives, had ordered her legs to be broken, and she had died in consequence of this cruelty. When I was in the hut of the poor woman, a native came in who was decrepit, and I was told it was from the violent blows of the man who called himself her husband, and who by brutal treatment had crushed some of her bones. Alas! what can be said by those who plead for human nature, when uncultivated, being innocent and good, and not needing the aid or interference of those more enlightened?

"Yesterday evening I went to the school-room; but was informed there was no school, because of the races. The accounts we hear this morning of the fruits of this 'pastime,' as it is called, are indeed grievous. Drunkenness being found here, as in England, a common accompaniment of horseracing.

"Last first day several of the king's-boys came to request I would give them Jaloof books, as they wished to teach all the people of this place who speak that language. I gave to these and to others who followed, until twenty-two had been distributed.

"Let me attend to the duties of the present day; do what I can, whilst here, and leave the future. Let me diligently pursue the objects before me; they are greatly interesting, and now we have in a considerable degree got over the first cares and occupations and hindrances arising from the

strangeness of our situation and the want of more efficient help, we may attend to our great point of school instruction, and the acquisition of information relative to the people, and what may be done for their advantage and improvement. May we be governed by that principle which desires the prevalence of the Redeemer's kingdom before all earthly good. It is very possible in this country to be dwelling on tangible things, and neglecting the real religious exercise that is requisite to the support of the best life. The life which is imparted, indeed, from a Heavenly influence is alike efficacious in the solitude of the desert and in the fully peopled city; but which everywhere demands an application of heart, to which we are excited many times in England by watchful and collected minds in meetings and in private intercourse with dear friends. I fear that some coming out, even with good motives, to serve the people of uncivilized countries have, in remaining year after year with but little of Christian intercourse with those advanced in religious experience beyond childhood, not been sufficiently on their guard against the loss to be apprehended in such circumstances, and in European settlements especially.

"I do wish that it might be in the heart of some firm, religious, and judicious Friend to fix in this island, who would bear a faithful and Christian testimony against the excesses and gross conduct which are witnessed here. Yet let these testimonies be borne in the Christian feeling that would gladly, if possible, restore, and not proudly or hopelessly reject those who have so greatly wandered from the right path.

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23rd, There is much aguish sickness prevalent, and reports of many deaths. It is very evident from some well-known circumstances, both here and at Sierra-Leone, that sickness and mortality are greatly increased by intemperate living : this, I think, should be known in order that people should not be prevented from encountering the dangers of this climate from an apprehension that they are greater than they really are. In the view of going to Sierra-Leone it is not merely the climate that I have looked at; but I have been solicitous to know the best time, and I have nearly concluded it must be the present. The field of labour is so opening here, by many wishing to learn to read, and others desiring Jaloof books, that I feel almost reluctant to quit at present; yet trust I may return. The king's-boys improve so well that they will soon be able to teach others.

"I took a walk on the beach this evening with J. T. In conversing on the state of this colony, and alluding to the uncontrolled habit of living to which many give way, we united in the sentiment that the mortality is so far from being subject of wonder, that it might rather be said it is wonderful so many live. There are certain other causes to guard against besides luxurious living and intemperate drinking. Much labour or fatigue in the heat of the day is evidently calculated in this climate to cause sickness and premature death; and perhaps there is no secondary measure more requisite than to endeavour, in humble reliance on Divine Providence, so to arrange our concerns as to avoid extreme exertion, and especially during several hours of the hottest part of the day. Also to take a sufficiency of nourishing, but not heating

provisions. We are also aware that persons whose minds are tranquil, yet cheerful, have a better prospect of being kept in health here than those whose minds are ill at ease. After all, it must be allowed that life in this climate is critical, and seems to hang at times as on a very slender thread."

CHAPTER VIII.

Visits Sierra-Leone-State of the liberated Africans -Causes of mortality—Character of the Inhabitants.

"2nd. mo. Ist. HAVING concluded to go to SierraLeone, the last three days have been much occupied in preparations for our departure. In making these preparations I felt peace and quietness of mind. There does not appear to A. T. and myself anything in this climate to prevent every kind of business of a domestic nature from being effected without extreme fatigue, if attention be only given to right timing and arrangement of business.

In looking out a suitable assortment of tracts to take with us to Sierra-Leone, I felt regret that we had not been more active stewards in their distribution, both here and on other parts of the coast, by means of vessels leaving. I trust, however, we shall be more prompt in future to avail ourselves of opportunities as they present themselves.

"In meeting to-day I thought I felt more as a pilgrim and stranger on the earth than I remembered to have felt before; and so decided a sense that there is much demanding our exertions, both here and elsewhere, that it seemed a time which called for entire resignation as to the future. I do, I think, feel thankful that Divine goodness has

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