bountiful Nature to form a communication between the Ottawa river and the St Lawrence, from which might be derived advantages that are now perhaps little thought of.

"I have the honour, &c."

This report was followed by a second to the subjoined effect:SIR,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I on yesterday evening got through with taking the level from Humphrey's Bay to the junction of Black Creek, with the south branch of the Petite Nation River, a distance of about thirteen and a half miles.

"From the summit northerly to Black Creek, found the descent to be about 5 feet-thence, generally following the serpentine windings of Black Creek, a distance of about 10% miles to its confluence with the south branch of the Petite Nation, found a descent of about 28 feet. The ice got so bad, and the land on each side overflowed in consequence of a sudden thaw, that I could not proceed down the south branch; but from what information I could obtain, I am of opinion that from the junction of Black Creek with the south branch, to that of the south branch with the Petite Nation River at the forks, a distance of five or six miles, that there must be, at the least, a farther descent of four feet.

"Black Creek runs in a serpentine course through a flat of land from two to four chains wide, bordered on both sides with banks from four to eight feet high, until within about two and a half miles of its confluence with the south branch, thence in a more direct course in the form of a river within its banks, from three to seven rods wide, and from four to six feet deep, with its confluence with the south branch of the Petite Nation River, in which distance the descent is little more than three feet.

"The ground through which Black Creek passes, is clay and loam, apparently free from stone, is in several places entirely free from timber and brush, and in no part of it more than thinly wooded. The distance of 103 miles above mentioned, might be much diminished by cutting across narrow necks or points of land. The summit height from Humphrey's Bay

is thirty feet, the descent thence to the south branch (of Petite Nation) thirty-four feet, and the whole distance is about thirteen miles and a half, from which it would seem that nature has done much towards a grand design that might be completed by art, at no great expense. "I am, &c.'

We have quoted these reports to shew that the Petite Nation river runs in a valley lower than that of the St Lawrence, and that the extreme cutting requisite to allow the waters of the St Lawrence to flow into it, is little more than thirty feet, not one-half of the depth of what is called the deep cut of the Welland Canal, to bring down, not the waters of Lake Erie, but those of the river Chippawa. In short, to shew the scientific practicability of completing the navigation of the St Lawrence by a chain of canals with what has been already done, at comparatively small expense.

But independent of any thing being done by the route just pointed out, the great military canal, farther back in the country, between Kingston and the Ottawa, known by the name of the Rideau Canal, is in a state of great forwardness, insomuch, that government is already placed in a condition to offer, not only an adequate equivalent, by the St Lawrence and its chain of communications, for access to the Mississippi, but even to constitute a ground of negotiation for the freedom of navigating the Erie Canal from Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany on the Hudson, with which the navigation is free to New York.

The importance of opening the navigation of the Erie Canal to the Canadians, may not appear very obvious at first sight; but a few words will make it so. Were New York made, what is well understood in this country, a landing port, and goods allowed to be sent from it under lock and seal, as bonded goods are sent in canals through this country, the European supplies for that extensive portion of Upper Canada, above the Falls of Niagara, could be easily, and with many advantages, sent on to Buffaloe on Lake Erie. An opportunity was taken to discuss this subject with that distinguished

character, De Witt Clinton, the late governor of the state of New York, the father of the Erie Canal, and he was favourable to the suggestion. But he saw that the West India Trade Question, which was then in discussion between Mr Canning and Mr Gallatin, presented a great difficulty to the proposition being entertained of opening the canals to foreigners, especially to the British, or even by contract to individuals. We have before us a letter of the 24th February, 1827, in which he says, with relation to this point" As the subject involves a great many questions, some of them complex in their nature, and intricate, if not doubtful, in their policy, it cannot be sufficiently matured for a considerable time. Congress will adjourn before this letter reaches you, and it does not reassemble until December next. The interdiction of the Colonial Trade has caused the introduction into that body of a RETALIATORY bill. If this

collision, which may present an insuperable bar to your views, could be settled diplomatically, PERHAPS AR➡

RANGEMENTS MIGHT BE MADE ADAPTED TO YOUR PLAN."

At the time of this correspondence the extent of equivalent that was then in the power of the British government to offer for the freedom of the inland navigation of the state of New York, was not what it has become. We can treat now on a fair principle of equality; and it is well deserving the consideration of the enlightened spirit which animates the counsels both of Great Britain and the United States, whether the establishment of a fair system of reciprocal intercourse by their inland navigation, is not a subject of quite as much importance to their respective interests, as the Colonial Question, of which the discussion has hitherto led to no beneficial result.

AGRICOLA,

THE REV. Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S., an eminent clergyman of Boston, in Massachusetts, who flourished about the end of the 17th century, wrote a curious book, entitled "Magnalia Christi Americana," in which he has exhibited, not only his own, but the prevalent superstitions of the times in which he lived. The country had been, in the language of that period, exposed to "war from the invisible world," during which the inhabitants were afflicted with demons, and so wrought upon by spectres, as to pine, languish, and die under excruciating torments. Sometimes the demons attacked one part of the country, and sometimes another; and the object of the learned and Reverend Doctor's book, is to authenticate the very tragical in

stances in which they infested the houses, and afflicted the persons of the inhabitants. "Flashy people,” says he, "may burlesque these things, but when hundreds of the most sober people in a country, where they have as much mother-wit certainly as the rest of mankind, know them to be true,-nothing but the absurd and froward spirit of sadducism can question them. I have not mentioned so much as one thing, that will not be justified, if it be required, by the oaths of more consistent persons than any that can ridicule these odd phenomena. And certainly few facts, if we may judge by the evidence, have been better established than the existence of witchcraft, and the wars of prodigious spirits in the provinces of New England, during

the time of Dr Mather. We have accounts of trials conducted with all the forms and implements of jurisprudence, in which many persons were convicted of holding communion with demons; and we have, what is still more remarkable, voJuntary confessions of parties, acknowledging themselves in league with the devil. So far, therefore, as the records and archives of courts of law can verify the truth of any investigation, we must believe that many of the things which Dr Mather has set forth, are not only true as historical events, but also naturally incident, however rarely, to the condition and fortunes of men. It is not for us, however, to argue this matter, but many of the Doctor's stories are really striking, reviewing them merely as connexions of fancy, and some of the phenomena which he describes, and boasts of having witnesses to confirm, have in different ages been seen in similar forms, and in countries far remote from New England. The prodigy of the Cross, which Constantine and his army beheld in the air, is of this description; and the apocalypse vouchsafed to Godfrey, in the Crusade, is of the same character. Dr Mather describes noises and hurtlings heard in the air, a short time prior to the Indian war of 1675, accompanied with the beating of drums, as in a battle. But without entering into any particular disquisition concerning these omens and auguries, we shall here present a version of his story of the naval apparition, only premising that it contains several particulars which the Doctor has not noticed, but which, we are persuaded, are not less true than those he has related.

A ship, called "Noah's Dove," was preparing to sail from the port of Salem for " Old England," when a young man, accompanied by his bride, came and engaged berths for himself and her, as passengers. No one in all Salem was in the slightest degree acquainted with this hand some couple, nor did they themselves seek any acquaintance in the town; but until the vessel was ready, lived in the most secluded state. Their conduct was perfectly blameless, and their appearance was highly respectable; but the sharp-sighted people of Salem knew the prestigious ap

pearances of the demons which af flicted the country, and they discerned something about them which could not be deemed otherwise than mysterious.

Many persons intending to revisit their friends in the old country, took passages also in the Noah's Dove; but the friends of some of them thought they were rash in doing so, and that it would be as well to learn something of their two questionable fellow-passengers, before hazarding themselves at sea with persons so unknown and singular. These admonitions gave occasion to much talk in Salem; but instead of having the effect intended, a fatal obstinacy became prevalent, and prevented every one who proposed to sail with the vessel, from paying the slightest attention to them. This strange infatuation only served to deepen the interest which the town took in the departure of the ship.

At last, the day appointed for her sailing arrived. Never had such a solemn day been seen in Salem; and, moreover, it happened to be a Friday; for the captain was not such a godly man as the mariners of Salem generally were in those days. A great multitude crowded the wharves, to see their relations embark,—all were sorrowful, and many in tears. At last, the ship hoisted the signal for sailing, and, wonderful to tell, at the same time that the flag was unfurled, a black bird, much like a raven, alighted on the hand of the town clock, and by its weight pushed it forward, some said full ten minutes. Every one who witnessed this sight, was struck with horror, and some laid hands upon their relations, to prevent them from embarking. But those who had engaged to go with the fated vessel, were wilful, and would not be controlled.

During these struggles, the two unknown strangers came also to embark, and she that was the bride was in tears, weeping bitterly. However, they stepped on board, and a sudden gust of wind at that moment, (the ship being cast loose from her moorings,) made her yaw off, and she was almost instantly at sea. The crowd, however, remained anxiously watching her progress, until she was out of sight. They then returned to their respective homes; and the whole

conversation of Salem for that evening, was saddened with presentiments and forebodings concerning the Noah's Dove.

In the course of the night, the breeze freshened into a gale, which before the morning was heightened to a tempest. The sea raged with tremendous fury, and the wrack of clouds that careered in the heavens, was scarcely less tumultuous than the waves of the angry ocean below. All the inhabitants of Salem were persuaded that the hurricane had something to do with the mysterious passengers in the Noah's Dove. Many were instinctively convinced, that the ship had perished, and resigned themselves to grief. For three days and three nights, the wrath of the storm was unmitigated. On the contrary, it seemed to increase; for although it was then midsummer, dreadful showers of hail, mingled with fire, and thunder, louder than had ever been heard before, pealed continually. No man could doubt the fate of the Noah's Dove. Indeed, it was the persuasion of all, that every vessel which was so unfortunate as to be within the sweep and frenzy of the winds and waves, could not survive the vehemence of their distraction.

The sun, on the morning of the fourth day, burst through the clouds in great splendour-the winds almost instantly became calm-the hail ceased-the thunder was mute-and the billows, from raging surges, rolled themselves into a noiseless swell. A change so abrupt, convinced the pious citizens of Salem that the doom of the vessel was sealed; and although it was in vain to expect that the sea would present them with any sight of her wreck, or of that of other vessels, they hastened in great numbers down to the shore, where they stood until sunset, gazing and wondering, with anxiety and sor

row.

Just as the sun disappeared, a sound of exclamation and hurry, accompanied by a bustling movement, arose from a group of persons who were standing on the top of a rock, considerably elevated above the crowd, and some one cried that a vessel was in sight. The whole multitude, on hearing this, were thrown into commotion, and fluctuated to

and fro, eager to catch a glimpse of this unexpected phenomenon. It was, however, long before she came distinctly in sight, for any wind which was then blowing was off the shore, and against the vessel; insomuch, that an old greyheaded sailor among the spectators, declared that it was impossible she could work into the harbour that night. But, to their astonishment, she still came forward, with her yards squared and her sails full, notwithstanding she was steering in the wind's eye; before her hull could be properly seen, it was the opinion of all who beheld her that it was the Noah's Dove.

By this time the twilight was much faded, but it began to be observed that the ship brightened, as if some supernatural light shone upon her, and upon her alone. This wonderful circumstance was not long matter of doubt, or question, for, when the stars appeared, she was seen as distinctly as if she had been there in the blaze of noon-day, and a panic of dread and terror fell upon the whole multitude.

The Rev. Zebedee Stebbin, who was then in the crowd, an acute man, and one who feared the Lord, knew that the apparent ship was a device of the prestigious spirits, and that it behoved all present to pray for protection against them; he therefore mounted upon a large stone, and called on the spectators to join him in the 46th Psalm, which he himself began, repeating the line aloud, and then singing. The shores echoed with the solemn melody, and the rising wind wafted it along the increasing waves.

Whilst the worship was going on, the sound of sudden cries and lamentations, as of persons in jeopardy, was heard in the air; the ship at the same time came straight on into the harbour, and being illuminated as described, was seen rigged out in every part exactly like the Noah's Dove. Many of the spectators saw their friends on board, and would have shouted to them with joy, but there was something dismal and strange in their appearance, which awed them to remain silent. The stranger young man and his bride were seen tenderly embracing each other, but no noise or voice was heard on board. At that moment the masts and rigging

fell into the sea as if they had been struck down with lightning, and signals of distress were displayed, but still no sound was heard.

The multitude suspended their breathing, convinced that the vision before them was the unsubstantial creation of the prestigious spirits. This belief entered all their minds simultaneously, and in the same moment the mighty spectre vanished.

The Noah's Dove was never heard of, and it was believed that in that hour, riven by the lightning and the tempest, she had foundered.

"Count me not," says the Rev. Dr Mather at the conclusion of his narration, "struck with the Livian superstition, in reporting prodigies for which I have such incontestible proofs."

NANTUCKET.

INTO the two great councils of the realm, we have admitted those as legislators, who, if they be conscientious and religious men, must be decidedly anti-protestant. Such men must profess the doctrines of the Church of Rome in sincerity, and act upon them also, according to so much light of the understanding, as it is not heretical in them to possess. For not with them, as with us, is there allowed to be a charitable consideration for another's errors; they are coerced by a different principle. "If, while men believe that they are right, they admit that they are possibly wrong, they are naturally disposed to bear with religious opinions which differ from their own. But they who are persuaded, not only that they do not err, but even that they cannot err in matters of faith, are disposed to consider it as a duty to check the growth of all other opinions, which they must consider as dangerous heresy." With all good will to our brethren of the Roman Catholic profession, as individuals, we must look with a wary eye upon them collectedly, as churchmen. Never was it more needful to scour up our knowledge of that church,-of its faith and practice, of its sayings and doings in old times, of its charter, its pretensions and its proceedings,-of its validity in proving its lofty claim to universal sway,-and of the effects which those have felt, who have submissively bowed to it. And then it

Vindicia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.

will be incumbent on us, to consider whether it has foregone any of its usurped prerogatives,-abated its swelling presumption,-corrected its abuses, and recanted its errors. If we find it yielding in nothing to the light of reason and truth; and, indeed, its adherents boast of nothing so much as its immutability,-it will be well for Protestants to keep upon their guard. We must not be taken by surprise, whether force or stratagem is used to get the better of us. When the grass and underwood are rustling, we ought not to wonder at a snake's appearance, whether it res semble the boa, whose spiral folds crush the opponent by irresistible muscular constriction, or the viper, whose deadly power is condensed in one venomous fang.

That the Romish Church will ever again possess fair England in fee, is perhaps more than its most sanguine votaries ever dream of. But they count wholly on Ireland; and in Great Britain they look for an accession of converts, for possessions and establishments, and room to display their imposing pomp and infatuated mummery; they hope for firmer dominion over those whom they can get under subjection, for the old hoodwinking command over conscience; for greater success in checking the progress of free inquiry; they count on establishing a sectarian censorship over that part of the press, with which their own people may have