emancipation of all by the year 1900, he has issued, pursuant to his threat as formerly announced, a proclamation declaring the freedom of all slaves in the territories now in revolt against the Federal Government. This proceeding is so important, that we feel it our duty to place it fully before our readers. After reciting his former proclamation, the President proceeds : free, and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognise and maintain the freedom of said persons. "And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to abstain from all violence unless in necessary selfdefence, and I recommend to them that in all cases, when allowed, they labour faithfully for reasonable wages. "And I further declare and make dition will be received into the armed service of the United States, to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service. “Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested, as Commander-known that such persons of suitable conin-Chief of the army and navy of the United States, in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and Government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the day of the first above-mentioned order, and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit: "And, upon this-sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the constitution-upon military necessity-I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favour of Almighty God. "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of Our Lord one thousand [SEAL.] eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. (Signed) By the President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, The importance of this measure can hardly be exaggerated. It seems to sound the knell of slavery throughout the whole North American continent; for although its provisions only profess to affect the States now in rebellion against the Federal Government, yet they will certainly come to the knowledge of the slaves in those slave States which still adhere to the Union, and must be carried out there. The President has been reproached with inconsistency in not making the emancipation universal; but this the Constitution forbids. He has done all in his power, in this respect, by his Message to Congress, noticed in our last number, recommending the States to adopt a system of emancipation. The present proclamation is essentially a war measure, it is so treated by the President,—and it is thus only that it can be justified. Doubtless, he hesitated long before employing this most awful means of bringing the conflict to an end. It is an attempt, however it may be disguised, to raise the slave population of the States designated, against their masters; and may lead to scenes of horror, compared with which the blood already shed in this war will be but as a drop in the ocean. The only effect of it hitherto has been to increase the bitterness of hatred on the part of the South, and, we fear, to lead to acts on their part which do not surprise although they deeply grieve us. In Tennessee, a five days' conflict ended in the Confederate General Bragg quietly withdrawing his army, without any interference from the Federals under General Rosecranz, thus strictly following the precedents set in this war. Vicksburg, on the Mississippi, against which the Federals failed last campaign, has been again attacked, but without success. While, in other parts, there has been an alternation of victory and defeat on a smaller scale, but without leading to any decisive result. In Texas, the Confederates have captured Galveston and the steamer Harriet Lane, but it is doubtful whether they will be able to retain their conquest of the former. THE WAR IN AMERICA does not ex-mands. hibit any symptoms of coming to an end. Mr. Cuyler, of Brooklyn, whose animated address in reference to the relief proposed to be sent to our Lancashire operatives we reported last month, proves to have been mistaken in his opinion of the expedition under General Banks, about which there appeared to be so much mystery. It was destined for New Orleans, where General Banks has superseded General Butler, whose proceedings there have procured him such an unenviable notoriety. We are happy to perceive some slight symptoms in the Federal States of a desire for peace. The Emperor of the French has also addressed to the Government at Washington, an expression of his desire that some means may be found for putting an end to the conflict. In this desire the whole civilized world will most heartily concur. The army of the Potomac was again put in motion at the end of January, but the state of the roads, and attendant delay in supplying the necessary appliances, compelled its return to its former position. This has been followed by the resignation of General Burnside, and the appointment of General Hooker in his place. Generals Sumner and Franklin have also been relieved of their com THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH has He been usefully employed in distributing prizes to the Exhibitors at the recent International Exhibition. took the opportunity of having a laugh at us, for the fears entertained, about two years back, of the hostile intentions of his people towards us, and told his audience that they had really invaded England, and had learnt much that He also would be profitable to them. took the opportunity of paying a compliment to this country, which our Government has thought it courteous to acknowledge officially. We quote it as the testimony of an intelligent and impartial observer, and as embodying an important principle, "That regard for the laws is the best foundation for real liberty." "From these material exchanges an exchange still more valuable arises, that of ideas. If foreigners envy us many useful things, we also have much to learn from them. You must, in fact, with being useful, and let us pass a have been struck in England by the quiet, easy, humdrum session." unrestricted liberty in the manifestation of all opinions and in the development of all interests. You remarked the perfect order maintained in the midst of the excitement (vivacité) of discussion and the perils of competition. It exists because English liberty always respects the principal bases upon which society and authority are established. This is why it does not destroy, but reforms; it carries in its hands, not the torch which destroys, but the flambeau which illuminates, and in private enterprises the individual initiative employed with indefatigable ardour renders it unnecessary for the Government to be the sole promoter of the vital forces of a nation; thus, instead of regulating everything, it leaves to everyone the responsibility of his actions." On Thursday, February 5th, the Parliament of Great Britain reassembled for the transaction of business. In the absence of Her Majesty, the Royal Speech was read by the Lord Chancellor, but did not communicate anything which was not previously known. Her Majesty communicated her approval of the marriage of the Prince of Wales--stated that the estimates for the ensuing year would provide for such reduction of expenditure as appeared to be consistent with the proper efficiency of the public service, and that various measures of public usefulness and improvement would be submitted for consideration. The debates which ensued did not give much additional information. The Earl of Derby represented the case very fairly when he said, "The Government have not made any very great promises for the future, but the noble Earl who seconded the address, referred to one measure relating to convict discipline. With this exception the Government have not thrown much light on the measures they intend to introduce during the session. Let us be content. The only matter of interest which occurred, was the formal introduction to the House of Peers of the Prince of Wales, who took the oaths and his seat as a Peer of Parliament. A curious fact has come to light through a statement made by the French Ambassador at Rome, which rendered it necessary for the British Government to make known the circumstances. It appears that in July last, THE POPE made an application to Mr. Odo Russell, who represents them unofficially at Rome, to know whether in case he were well and hospitably received in England. compelled to leave that city he would be We can readily imagine how such a message would embarrass our Ministers, who could have little disposition to have the Roman Court located here, however willing they might be to shew our accustomed hospitality to the Pope in his individual capacity. They got out of the difficulty by stating that, if the Pope desired to leave Rome, our Admiral should be instructed to convey him to Trieste, Marseilles, or Valencia, or if he would prefer it, they would provide him a suitable residence in Malta, where he would be perfectly uncontrolled. He himself of the offer, which however he has not yet found it necessary to avail gratefully acknowledged. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF TWIG FOLLY SCHOOL, BETHNAL GREEN, Was held, Tuesday, January 27th, when about 120 persons sat down to tea. The Rev. Wm. Dorling presided at the public meeting. The Report stated that three scholars had joined the Church during the year. The Rev. T. Temple, Mr. Brain, and other gentlemen also addressed the meeting. THE REV. THOMAS BOAZ, LL.D.* WE resume our notice of these interesting memorials, in order to extract from them some particulars of the missionary life of Dr. Boaz. Our Number for February contained an account of his early life, while in March our readers were made acquainted with the remarkable circumstances by which he was brought to forsake the paths of folly and sin, and to devote himself to the service of the Saviour. His early and successful efforts in the service of Christ were described; and it is now our pleasing duty to accompany him to that distant land in which it had long been his desire to labour. Mr. Boaz left his native shores in August, 1834, and arrived at Calcutta in the following December. At the time of his arrival, the pastorate of the English church, meeting in Union Chapel, was vacant. That chapel owed its existence to the Rev. Henry Townley, who had commenced worship in the hall of his own house, and had been the means of gathering together a congregation, for whose accommodation he had been enabled to raise this building. A gentleman by birth, manners, and education; a pious and devout Christian; a man of amiable disposition; and withal possessed of wealth; Mr. Townley was the man to raise a new and hitherto unpopular interest in Calcutta. While he disarmed opposition by the mildness of his rebuke, and the tender compassion apparent in his conversation, he conciliated the great by his gentlemanly bearing, and attracted the lower classes by his condescension and kindness of deportment. To this day his name is held in high veneration, and his memory revered by all classes. Mr. Townley removed to Chinsurah in 1821, and was obliged soon after to leave India on account of ill health. The pastorate of the church was then undertaken by the Rev. James Hill, who laboured there with great acceptance for eleven years. He was well suited for such a position. Possessed of a singularly musical voice, a chaste delivery, and a pleasing manner, he soon succeeded in gathering together a congregation of eager and attentive hearers, who were charmed and edified by his persuasive eloquence. As a preacher Mr. Hill had few equals, and no superiors in Calcutta. In a short time he became so popular that the chapel was filled with large assemblies, composed not only of the middle classes, but of the elite of society. "The Mission Pastor." Memorials of the Rev. Thomas Boaz, LL.D. Twenty-four years Missionary in Calcutta. By his Widow. Edited by his Brother-in-law. London: John Snow, pp. 470. N Lady Bentinck and suite frequently attended his ministrations. The chapel was thronged with government officers, civil servants, military men, and merchants. This, however, did not continue. The fashionable crowd gradually withdrew, and went to other churches more congenial to their tastes and antecedents. Mr. Hill resigned his pastorate in 1833, and returned to England in 1834. He was succeeded for a short time by the Rev. R. C. Mather; but at the time of Mr. Boaz's arrival the pastorate was vacant, and he was at once appointed to the office by the unanimous vote of the people, and with the concurrence of his brethren in the mission. The directors of the London Missionary Society also gave their sanction. He secured the esteem of his missionary brethren, and gained the love and affection of his people, which he preserved during his long pastorate. Dharumtaláh, the street in which Union Chapel is situated, is a broad thoroughfare, stretching away from the Chowringhí-road on the west, to the circular road on the east of the city. Entering the street from the Great Maidán, a plain that separates Calcutta from the Hoogly on the west, the passenger has to make his way through a crowded Bazár, where merchandize of all sorts is exposed for sale, and where one sees numbers of natives squatted on the ground busily preparing heaps of cotton-wool for exportation, with implements which, from their harsh sound and strange shape, one would take to be a kind of rude guitars, or curious stringed instruments, adapted to give forth barbaric music. Stifled with clouds of dust, and stunned with a din and hubbub such as are only witnessed in Oriental streets, he is fortunate if he succeeds in driving through the pressing throng without being thrown out of his buggy, or knocking over some of the half-naked natives who seem to enjoy the luxury of standing in the way, and are seldom in a hurry to clear the road, despite the loud shrill vociferations of the Syse as he runs along by the side of his master's carriage, warning the multitude of approaching danger. Ere the upper end of the now broader and more quiet street is reached, Union Chapel, the property of the London Missionary Society, is seen on the left. It is a plain, but graceful structure, with a verandah, and large portico in front, supported by massive Doric columns. At the north-east angle, stands the pastor's house, and the whole is surrounded by a garden, or compound. In the front of the chapel is a grassy lawn, and on either side the garden is filled with brilliant shrubs, evergreens, and flowers of various tints and colours, indigenous and exotic, brought hither from the Himalaya Mountains, from Europe, Africa, and America. The garden was planned, and enriched with its gorgeous |