Public begging had also been prohibited, while by the introductian of the cochineal insect, the cultivation of silk, and in other ways, the government were endeavoring to provide employment for the poor. Malta, as well as Gibraltar, is a free port, but the decline of its commerce within the last few years, has compelled thousands of the Maltese to emigrate to the Barbary States, Smyrna, Constantinople, and the Ionian Islands. Thus far, this people have derived little benefit from their connexion with the English; but a new era seems to be dawning. Messrs. Wilson and Keeling are about to establish schools, with the countenance of government, for the instruction of the Maltese children, and Mr. Jowett is publishing in England, the entire New Testament in their language. There is in Malta a Catholic College of ancient date, in which Dr. Naudi is professor of chemistry. His brother conducts a school of mutual instruction, of more than three hundred pupils. It is patronized by the British and Foreign School Society. An enlightened catholic priest, has also a flourishing school in one of the villages. In general however, very few of the Maltese, children or adults, are able to read. In common with the English missionaries, our countrymen are subject to some restrictions in the conduct of the press. They are not at liberty to publish any book or tract, without the express sanction of the authorities, nor to circulate on the island, those which have been published there. Mr. King's farewell letter, and a few other works only, bearing directly on the Roman Catholic religion, have as yet been refused publication. Malta, on the whole, may be regarded as not insalubrious, though it seems desirable, that those who resort thither from colder climates, should occasionally change their place of residence. This is practised, not only by merchants and missionaries, but the government find it for their interest to pursue the same course with their soldiers. During the summer, the mercury ranges for the most part, between 88° and 95°, and in winter, is seldom lower than 14°. Alternate and sudden changes from heat to cold, are not unfrequent. During the prevalence of one of the southerly winds, we found the heat oppressive in December, and the inhabitants close their doors and windows, to guard against its effects. Provisions, clothing* and labor, are comparatively cheap, but fuel is very dear. Sheep, goats, mules, asses, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, are abundant; cattle are mostly brought from Tripoli. Malta is centrally and conveniently situated, with reference to the countries which the press is designed to benefit. Still, some of the missionaries of the three different nations, and particularly those who have visited Malta, Turkey and Greece, have for some time past been of the opinion, that too great a part of the disposable force was stationed among a people who seem at present little accessible to their instructions, The British and Foreign Bible Society have for several years been printing the scriptures very advan * We suggested to our brethren, the expediency of sending back a particular statement of such articles as it was desirable to bring from America. The remark is worthy the attention of missionaries elsewhere. tageously at Constantinople. The Franks have long published a newspaper at Smyrna, and a press actively employed, would in that city be as safe, probably, as the merchandize to the value of millions, which is deposited in the magazines of the Franks. Besides the principal labors of the press, which would still occupy the superintendents, they might, in Turkey and Greece, perform much additional missionary service. Considering, too, the greater efficiency which will be given to the press, in the midst of a people on whom it is designed to have influence, by securing more faithful translations, and avoiding needless offence to the prejudices, it cannot but be matter of joy, to find the following statement in the last report of the American Board. "The time may not be far distant, however, when Greece may afford an excellent location for one printing establishment, and some place in Asia Minor, for another." * * A single fact will best illustrate what is here intended. The first edition of the Greek spelling book, had the picture of a child kneeling at prayer. As the Turks practise kneeling at their devotions, and the Greeks do not, it was immediately regarded as a Turkish matter. Hence, in a second edition, the picture of a teacher with a book in his hand, was substituted. Pictures of any kind should be introduced sparingly, and with great caution, among a people who have so great an abhorrence of them as the Mahometans, and who apply them to such superstitious purposes, as the Greeks and other Christians. CHAPTER VI. SMYRNA. Change of destination from Palestine to Asia Minor-Voyage to Smyrna-Border ground between the western and oriental nations-Defenceless state of the city—The shipping-Frank quarter-Turk town-varied appearance of the people-Castle hill-Antiquities. Smyrna, Jan. 3, 1827. In THE opening of a new year finds me at length on Mahometan ground. When we first reached Malta, it was with the expectation of shortly proceeding thence by way of Alexandria and Beyroot, to Jerusalem. telligence which we there received from Syria, together with the unanimous and decided opinions of our brethren, have induced us first to visit this place. Jerusalem and its vicinity are in a state of anarchy, the governor having revolted against the Pacha of Acre. Several English gentlemen, who had visited that afflicted city, have lately been robbed, and in other ways very cruelly treated. The distribution of Bibles and tracts, through Roman Catholic influence, is for the present almost entirely suspended in every part of Syria. At Smyrna and Constantinople, on the contrary, this work is going on without interruption. In these two cities, also, are perhaps five times as many Jews, as in all Palestine and Syria. Besides, in the latter place, as we had already heard before leaving America, there have been some movements among the Jews peculiarly hopeful. Add to this, the shelves of our depository at Malta, were burdened with tracts, which had long been waiting more active distribution. Without such co-operation, the labors of the press were likely to become of little value. Under these circumstances, therefore, you will not be surprised, that we have sacrificed our favorite plan of keeping the approaching passover at Jerusalem. We left Malta, Dec. 17, in the British brig Packet, Capt. Mc Dougal, under convoy of an English man--ofwar. Few vessels attempt the voyage at present, without such protection, so numerous and daring are the pirates, that infest these seas. After the loneliness of our Atlantic voyage, there was something very agreeable in thus sailing, eight or ten vessels in company. The day and night signals of the commodore, and replies of the different vessels; occasional trial of each other's rate of sailing; frequent opportunities of conversation, and visits interchanged between the officers, greatly relieve the monotony of a sea-life. No part indeed of our voyage from America, has been more pleasant than the first week of this. We passed a little to the south of Cerigo; to the west of Milo, Serpho, and Themia; to the east of Zea, and by the most northern of the three frequented outlets from the Archipelago, between Negropont and Andros. It is familiarly called the Capo D'Oro passage. The mountains and shores of the Morea and Attica, seen now for the first time, on our left, and the islands of Scio and Ipsara on our right, brought forcibly to our minds, the ancient glories, and recent sufferings of a land, second in interest only to Palestine itself. In the gulf of Smyrna, we met with considerable rough weather and head winds, much to the annoyance of our English friends, who had hoped to keep their |