tice, manifested in the proceedings against Mr. Smith in De merara, and their sense of the necessity of adopting measures to secure a just and humane administration of law in that colony, and to protect the voluntary instruction of the Negroes, as well as the Negroes themselves, and the rest of his Majesty's subjects from oppression. This motion was supported by Mr. Brougham with a power of argument and eloquence which has seldom been equalled; and he was followed on the same side by Sir James Mackintosh, Dr. Lushington, Mr. J. Williams, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Denman,and SirJoseph Yorke. The motion was opposed by Mr. Horton, Mr. Scarlett, Mr. Tindal, the Attorney-General, and Mr. Canning, on the ground, not of the legality of the proceedings, or of the justice of the sentence, but that the motion went to condemn unheard the governor of Demerara, and the court that tried Mr. Smith. On this ground the previous question was moved and carried by 193 to 146, the largest minority in the present session. The division, under all the circumıstances of the case, may be consider ed as a triumph. Not an individual attempted to defend the proceedings. In short, nothing could have been more decisive of the innocence of Mr Smith, and the injustice of his condemnation. A just tribute of applause was raid to the Christian intrepidity of the Rev. W. S. Austin, the Chaplain of the colony, who, actuated by a sense of what he owed to truth and justice, defended the character and conduct of the traduced and persecuted Missionary. A subscription has been set on foot for Mrs.Smith, which, it is hoped, will become general, as no higher sum than one pound is proposed to be taken from any individual.

Parliament was prorogued on the 25th, with the following speech, de livered in person by his majesty.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "I cannot close this session of Parlia ment without returning to you my warmest acknowledgments for the diligence and assiduity with which you have applied to the several objects of public interest that have been submitted to your consideration.

I deeply regret the painful necessity under which you have found yourselves, of

"I entirely approve of the inquiries which you have thought proper to institute, as to the nature and extent of the evils un

happily existing in the disturbed districts of that country; and I have no doubt that you will see the expediency of pursuing your inquiries in another session.

"I continue to receive from all foreign powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country; invariably directed to the maintenance of and you may rely on my endeavours being general peace, and the protection of the interests and extension of the commerce of my subjects.

"Gentlemen of the House of Com

mons,

"I thank you for the supplies which you have provided for the service of the present year, and especially for the grants which you have so liberally made in furtherance of the interests of Religion, and in support of the splendour of the Crown.

"I am fully sensible of the advantages which may be expected to arise from the relief which you have afforded to some of tional industry. the most important branches of the na

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I have the greatest satisfaction in rethe general and increasing prosperity of peating to you my congratulations upon

the country.

"I am persuaded that you will carry with you into your respective counties the same spirit of harmony which has distinguished your deliberations during the present session, and that you will cultivate among all classes of my subjects those feelings of content and attachment to the Constitution; upon the continuance and diffusion of which, under Providence, mainly depend, not only individual hap piness, but the high station which this kingdom holds among the nations of the world."

We greatly regret to state, that the report mentioned in our last Number, respecting the disastrous affair on the Gold Coast of Africa, is confirmed, and that SirCharles M'Carthy has fallen in the engagement. His loss has been deeply lamented in Sierra Leone, where his truly benevolent conduct and go vernment had produced incalculable benefits to the community.

2 65+2

Rev. Nathaniel Dodson, Prebendary of South Searle in Cathedral of Lincoln; and presented to the V. of St. Helen Abingdon, with Radley and Drayton Chapelries, co. Berks.

Rev. Jonath. Ashbridge, Eversley R. Hants.

Rev. R. Bathurst, Belaugh R. with Scottow V. annexed, Norfolk. Rev. C. Carr, Headbournworthy R. Hants.

Rev. D. Carruthers, Kirkden Parish and Church, co. Forfar.

Rev. Joseph Cotterill, Blakeney R. with Cokethorp and Langham Parva, Norfolk.

Rev. Sir Henry Dryden, Leke Wootton V. co. Warwick.

Rev. T. Foster, Cassington V. co. Oxford.

Rev. P. Fraser, Bromley by Bow Donative, Middlesex.

Rev. T. Rock Garnsey, Christ Church Perp. Cur. Forest of Dean.

Rev. David W. Gordon, Earlston Church and Parish, co. Berwick..

Rev. James Grant, South Leith Church and Parish, Presbytery of Edinburgh.

Rev. Rob. Harkness, Brampton Perp: Cur. co. Derby.

Rev. J. Keate, D. D. Hartley Westphall R. Hants.

Rev. T. Lea, Tadmarton R, co, Oxford.

Rev. Walter St. John Mildmay, Mottistone R. with Shorwell V. annexed, in the Isle of Wight; also to Shorwell R. in the Isle of Wight.

Rev. Geo. Whiteford, Westerfield R. Suffolk.

Rev. Edward Wilson, Topcroft R Norfolk.

Rev. R. J. B. Henshaw, Chaplain to Dowager Marchioness of Hertford.

Rev. Rd. Lynch Cotton, Chaplain to E. of St. Germain's.

The Right Rev. Dr. G. H. Law, Bishop of Chester, translated to Bath and Wells, vice Beadon, deceased.

Rev. R. J. Carr, D. D. promoted to the Bishopric of Chichester, vice Buckner, deceased.

Rev. E. Brown, Sheering R. Essex.

Rev. Joshua Holmes Newby, Haseley R. Worcestershire."

Rev. J. P. Newby, Enderby V. cum Whetstone, Leicestershire.

Rev. W. Newcome, Langford with Ickburgh R. Norfolk..

Rev. James Peterson, Gordon Church and Parish, Berwick.

Rev. C. H. Ridding, B. C. L. Rowl-` ston R. Wilts.

Rev. J. M. Turner, Williamslow V. Cheshire.

Rev. C. Hawkins, Preb. in York Cathedral.

Rev. W. Chester, Walpole St. Peter R. Norf.

Rev. T. Cooke, Brigstock cum Stanion V. Northamptonshire.

Rev. R. Downes, Leamington Priors V. Warwickshire.

Rev. J. Halsted, Little Thurlow R. Suffolk.

Rev. J. Harvey, Finningley R. Notts. Rev. Robert Jarratt, Lockington camHemington V. Leicestershire..

Rev. C. H. Lutwidge, Othery V. So

Rev. R. C. Pole, Radbourn R. Derbyshire.

Rev. Alex. Radcliff, Stodeley R. Devons Rev. R. Roberts, Blyton V. Cambridgeshire.

Rev. S. Seyer, Filton R. Gloucestershire.

Rev. W. Spooner, Acle R. Norfolk. Rev. J. Williams, Rector of the New Academy in Edinburgh.

Rev. W. E. L. Faulkner, Chaplain to Duke of Sussex.

Rev. Frederick Calvert, Chaplain to Earl of Tankerville.

Rev. J. B. Hollingworth, D. D. elected Norrisian Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, vice Dr. Calvert, res.

Rev. Geo. Chandler, D. C. L. appointed Canon Bampton's Lecturer at Oxford for 1825.

Rev. T. Seymour, Melbourn V. Cambridge.

No. 271.]

For the Christian Observer.

MEMOIR OF M. LOUIS DE MAROLLES.

FROM the conflict between con

science and religious intolerance there has ever arisen, on the one hand, a resolution to suffer, and, on the other, to crush and extirpate. The various persecutions which the church of Christ has sustained from the world, are so many illustrations of this remark ; and no one of them more truly and terribly so than the remarkable one of the Huguenots, in the reign of Louis XIV. We had lately occasion, in our review of the Narrative of M. Migault, to enlarge on the sufferings experienced by our Protestant brethren at that frightful era; and we alluded particularly to the case of M. de Marolles, promising our readers, at some future opportunity, to present them with a more extended account of that eminently pious, amiable, and afflicted man; and we are the more desirous of redeeming our pledge, because we perceive, throughout Europe, the mournful advances of that superstitious and persecuting church, whose much-abused power, we had hoped, was crumbling to decay. Towards the individual members of that community we would cherish the most candid and conciliating spirit; and we are quite sure, that neither their own conversion nor the prevention of the extension of their principles, is to be effected by any species of persecu tion but of their avowed system we know not that we can speak in terms of too great severity; and CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 271.

most anxious are we to guard every Protestant mind against the fearful errors, doctrinal and practical, of their corrupt and proselyting communion.

The history, from which our own memoir is abstracted, was written by M. Jaquelot, and was dedicated, by a son of M. de Marolles, to Heinsius, the counsellor and pensionary of Holland. To this history is added an account of the torments which the French Protestants were made to endure in the galleys, written by John Bion, some time priest and curate of the parish of Ursy, in the province of Burgundy, and chaplain to the Superbe galley in the French service.

He

M. Louis de Marolles, the writer of a valuable essay on Divine Providence, and a confessor and martyr for the faith of Christ, was born about the year 1629, at Champagne, of an ancient family, celebrated for their skill in law. resided at St. Menehoult, where he exercised the office of king's counsellor and receiver of the consignments; his religion rendering him incapable of any higher post. He was loved and esteemed by all who knew him, being of a kind and pleasing temper and an agreeable conversation. Had he loved the world, he might have appeared among the learned with distinction; for he was a considerable philosopher and mathematician, and was particularly skilled in algebra: but he was contented to live a quiet and obscure life, in the place of his nativity, amongst his relations, who were the most considerable persons in St. Menehoult, Here he made 3 G

it his chief business to instruct himself in the principles of religion, and to advance in its practice. His virtue was a truly Christian grace, being founded upon Scripture knowledge and a lively faith. He was of an uniformly cheerful spirit, being supported by the loveliness and holy dispositions of his own mind, and having a heart at peace with God and contented with his worldly condition.

The Edict of Nantz, which had been granted by Henry IV. in the year 1598, was revoked by Louis XIV. in 1685; by which event, the Protestants in France were exposed to all the horrors of persecution. On the approach of this terrible tempest, M. de Marolles intended to quit the kingdom; but was persuaded to settle in Alsace, the Intendant having assured the Protestants, with an oath, that no person should be molested or disturbed, and that the exercise of their religion should be allowed, because the king wished to re-establish and people that desolate and ruined country. Thus encouraged, but deceived, our martyr, with Madame Marie Gommeret his wife, repaired to Lixim with their four children, all of whom were very young. He was, however, arrested, with his whole family, on Sunday the 2d of December, 1685, upon the territories of France, near the Rhine; and they were all conveyed to one of the prisons of Strasburg, and put into a square tower, which stands in the middle of the river.

Shortly after he had been lodged in this place, the Marquis de Chamilly the Governor, together with the Intendant, the Major, and his Adjutant, came to the prison for the purpose of interrogating and examining him. He openly, and without dissimulation, avowed his principles, and his object in leaving his home. The next day, the Governor's lady paid the family a visit. After assuring them of her sympathy, she said there was a remedy, and that it was within their reach;

that they must obey the King's orders and be "instructed," for which purpose she would send them some Jesuit fathers. Marolles replied, that he considered himself sufficiently instructed, but would not refuse to hear those whom she might do him the honour of sending. Many conferences appear to have been the result of this interview, in which this truly humble-minded Christian evinced the extent of his knowledge and the solidity of his faith, and confirmed all his sentiments by appeals to reason, to the word of God, and to the fathers of the church.

On the 17th of January, 1686, he was removed from Strasburg to Chalons, with his family, being carried in a waggon, attended by a military officer and a guard of dragoons. At Chalons, he was put into the city prison, where he continued six weeks. He was immediately visited by the Bishop of Chalons, afterwards Archbishop of Paris, who, though zealous for his religion, had humanely written to the Marquis de Chamilly, in favour of M. de Marolles, as soon as he knew of his confinement at Strasburg; and, in the visit which he made him at Chalons, he told him, that, if he could, he would conceal him under his robe.

During the first four weeks that De Marolles continued at Chalons, he was allowed considerable liberty. The ecclesiastics, who believed themselves able to cope with him, were at first eager to signalize themselves; but when they found his constancy invincible, they locked him up in a dungeon, without suffering him to see any person for the space of a fortnight.

After this solitary confinement, he was brought to judgment; and by' torch-light a sentence was pronounced against him, by which he was adjudg-" ed to serve in the galleys for life, and all his property was confiscated to the crown.

This was on a Saturday: on the Monday they took him from the dungeon and conveyed

For two months De Marolles was confined in a dark dungeon, without seeing any body; when, his judges having confirmed the sentence passed at Chalons, irons were ri, vetted on his hands, and he was conveyed to La Tournelle. This had formerly been a palace, in the time of Henry the Second, but was then converted into a receptacle for persons condemned to the galleys, until the departure of the Chain, the name by which a party or gang of convicts was designated, the culprits being chained together on their march. This receptacle De Marolles entered, making the twenty-sixth gal ley slave. Here, as elsewhere, with exemplary courage and mildness, he maintained the profession of his faith, in opposition to the alternate threats and promises of his persecutors. As soon as he arrived at La Tournelle, and had been loaded with chains, being allowed some spare moments, he wrote to his family and friends, employing his brief interval of rest to their comfort, by giving them an account of the state of his mind, and the tranquillity of soul which he enjoyed, putting his trust in God, and counting himself happy that he was permitted to suffer for the glory of his name, and for his

truth.

One of his letters, written from La Tournelle in May, 1686, gives a view of the artifices employed to proselyte him; artifices more fraught with danger to the soul of the ha

"On the morning of my arrival at Paris, I was brought twice before the Procurator-general, in a chamber of the Conciergerie. I returned such answers to the questions which be put to me as Jesus Christ inspired me with, according to his promise. The Procurator made me another visit, and gave this testimony, that it was astonishing to see me do that for error which none of them, perhaps, would do for the truth. A little while after, the President had me brought out of the dungeon with every possible mark of honour. When I had come to the chamber where he waited for me, he caused all his attendants, consisting of six or seven persons of respectable stations, to go out, and honoured me with a private conference for the space of two hours. He expressed towards me much kindness, and a desire to serve me; and as soon as I was gone out, he betook himself to his company again, and said (as I was informed by one of my friends who was present), I have been discoursing with a good man.' These are only words; but yet they afford some comfort. I likewise received several marks of favour and goodness from the president of the court of justice by which I was condemned. He talked with me at the door of the dungeon, and, after some discourse, told me that it was with grief and sorrow that he saw me there; that he wished I might be seized with some light sickness, to have an occasion to take me out, and put me into the infirmary; that whenever I desired to speak with him, I needed but tell the gaoler, who would acquaint him with it, and he would not fail to come to the Conciergerie to see me. All these gentle methods had their end and view: but they were, I thank God, unsuccessful; God having put it into my heart to continue faithful to him, even unto death, if required."

In our review of Migault's Nar