lightful scene for a landscape painter. It would have been a romantic spot for a sentimental poet. And surely a hermit, if truly pious, might in this cell contemplate the works of God with no ordinary degree of tranquillity and peace.

"13. At five P. M. arrived at Abutig. The Copts have a school for boys. We inquired if there was not one for girls likewise. They said, 'No.' We then asked whether any of the women could read. As if surprised at such strange questions, they again answered, 'No.' 'Is there not one in town who can read?' 'No, not half an one,' was the reply.

"20. About nine A. M. we passed the convent of Miriam, (Mary,) situated at the top of rocks apparently inaccessible, on the east bank. As we passed, we saw a man swimming toward our boat. He was from the convent, and came to ask alms. We gave him something. He told us there were ten monks in the convent. One of them was in sight on the top of the rugged rocks. When the man left us, we watched to see how he ascended to his habitation; but we lost sight of him behind a rock, as soon as he reached the shore. It is impossible to discover any passage. In the evening we passed a village on the east called Sheraoune, where our rais says there are many Copts. The Arabs told us, that the Mussulmans have both monasteries and nunneries, and that in the Faioun, a province in the west of Egypt, there is a nunnery, in which are forty nuns.

"Between Cairo and Minie, are several convents and villages, at which we intended to stop on our return; but having distributed all our books, and being in haste, we passed by them all. We hoped, also, to find it convenient to visit the pyramids of Saccara, and the site of ancient Memphis which is near them. But this too we were obliged to relinquish."%

Sabbath the 23d was a day of great anxiety to the missionaries. They had heard reports that a

general massacre of Europeans had been commenced by the Turks. They had been apprised of the fact, that complaints against them had been brought to the pasha, in consequence of their discussing religious subjects with Mussulmans. Fears too were entertained that the plague was raging at Cairo, where they must land. They trembled to approach the shore, lest they should find themselves exposed to the sword or to the pestilence, or both. Coming to anchor in this fearful suspense, they sent a messenger to Mr. Salt, to obtain information respecting the state of the city. In the mean time they made their prayer to God, and waited for intelligence, from which they might learn what their real situation was. At 3 o'clock P. M. a note was received from Mr. Salt, bringing the joyful tidings, that all was safe and tranquil on shore, and that they might land without fear, as soon as convenient.

"24. Took lodgings at the house where we were before, and where travellers usually lodge. In our journey to Thebes we were absent from Cairo fortysix days, and the expenses amounted, altogether to about thirty dollars each. We sold in Arabic, two hundred and eleven Testaments, and one hundred and twenty-seven copies of Genesis, and, seven Psalters; and gave away ten Testaments, forty-five copies of Genesis, and one Psalter. In other languages we have sold four, and given away five Testaments and Bibles. We also distributed two hundred and fifty Tracts.

"During the journey, we were both attacked with a fever, though at different times. Through the kindness of our Heavenly Father, we both recovered after an illness of only four or five days. When in ill health among strangers, and with bad accommodations, the mind begins to turn back to the friends we have left afar off. With a mattress spread on the cabin floor, no chair but a box of books, none of the little comforts which mothers and sisters

know so well how to provide, the wind blowing into our cabin; in this situation it was impossible not to recal to mind the kind attention we used to receive, when ill, from friends, whose names we cannot recollect without the tenderest emotions. But then we reflected, how much better was our situation than that of better men than we, has often been.

"What must not Brainerd have suffered, when sick among the Indians? And what were Martyn's trials, with the heat, the dust, his savage guide, and no friend near him?

"Our dear brother Parsons likewise suffered more than it would be easy to express, while at sea, and especially while at Syra, feeble, much of the time delirious, his physician trying to persuade him that his host wished to hasten his death, no faithful friend near him, no one to read, pray or converse with him about divine things, and few of the attentions and comforts which we enjoy.

"Instead then of murmuring, let us be grateful that we enjoy so many more comforts than we deserve. And now that our health is restored, may we be more entirely devoted than ever to the service of our Preserver.

"We e have now been in Egypt nearly three months; and, in connexion with Mr. Wolff, have been permitted to preach the Gospel, and address men on religious subjects, in English, French, German, Italian, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic; have distributed about eight hundred copies of the Bible, or parts of it, in twelve languages; and more than 2000 Tracts. We have had fears, and some troubles; but the Lord has preserved us, and delivered us.

"We are conscious of many imperfections and much sin; yet we have found peace and joy in our work. When we look forward, we anticipate new Gastroubles, and new fears. We commend ourselves Sto the prayers of our Christian friends. We com

mend ourselves to the protection of our blessed Redeemer. To him be all glory for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen.” On the 26th, Mr. Fisk attended a Jewish weding, of which he gives the following account.

"The gentlemen assembled in a large apartment, in reality the court, but now used as a parlor. We were seated on a divan at one end of the court, where the ceremony was to be performed. Near. us stood a large wax candle, and from the ceiling were suspended seven chandeliers. Some of the candles were burning, though it was not dark. All the Orientals have a great fondness for burning lamps and candles in their places of worship, and on all religious occasions. At the opposite end of the court was a kind of gallery, where the bride was making preparation for the ceremony, and in front of which hung stripes of different colored paper, red, pale red, and yellow, some of them covered with gold leaf. Now and then the bride showed herself through the lattice or wooden network, which stood in front of the gallery. It reminded us of Solomon's Song, ii. 9. 'My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart; behold he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice.'

"About 5 o'clock the high priest, (Rabbi Mercado,) and five other Rabbies came in, and took their seats on the divan, and the service soon commenced. First, the clerk and people repeated in Hebrew the eighteen benedictions of the name of God. Then the high priest arose, and said, 'Blessed are they who dwell in thy house; they shall praise thee. forever. The people responded, 'Blessed people, whose God is the Lord. After this the evening prayer was said, in which the name of God occurs eighteen times. Each time this name was repeated the Rabbies shook and trembled. After this prayer

the nuptial torch was lighted. It was a large wax candle, dividing itself into nine branches, all of which were burning. This was carried up to the gallery of the ladies, where the bride was waiting, the bridegroom being all the time among the gentlemen below. Boys then began to beat on cymbals, and the bride was conducted down stairs, covered with a long white veil, preceded by three women with cymbals, and led by two others. Several women also followed her, one of whom occasionally uttered a shriek, which we at first supposed a shriek of distress, but were afterwards told it was an expression of joy. The whole court now rung with cries, shouts, and the noise of the cymbals. The bride being led to the divan, the bridegroom took his place by her side, and both continued standing, while Rabbi Mercado accompanied by the people, repeated the 45th Psalm; 'My heart is inditing a good matter,' &c. The Rabbi then took a cup of wine, and said, 'Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the world, who hast created the fruit of the vine.' The people responded, 'Blessed be he, and blessed be his name.'-Rabbi. 'Blessed be thou, O Lord, who sanctifiest thy people by weding and by marriage.'-People. Blessed be he,

and blessed be his name.'

"One of the Rabbies then took a ring and put it on the finger of the bridegroom, and then on the finger of the bride, and then gave it to the bridegroom, who placed it on the finger of his bride, saying, 'Verily thou art espoused to me by this ring, according to the law of Moses and of Israel.' A large shawl was then thrown over the new married couple, and the Rabbi, twice giving them wine to drink, said 'Blessed art thou O Lord our God, King of the world, who hast created all things for thy glory. Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the world who hast created man in thy likeness, and hast prepared for him and from him a house for