ing the summer millions of these animals line the shores for miles, and, notwithstanding that thousands are killed each year, they continue to multiply and increase. The demand for this particular fur having increased very largely in recent years, it is a matter of national importance to preserve the race of fur-seals. In 1868 parties from San Francisco, California, and New London, Connecticut, visited the islands of St. George and St. Paul, and secured arge numbers of these skins. As the furbearing seal had been nearly exterminated in other parts of the world, the Congress of the United States extended special jurisdiction over the islands of St. Paul and St. George, forbade any one to go there without authority, and in due time passed a judicious law to govern the taking of the animals; sent proper persons to enforce the same, leased the islands, and laid a tax upon the skins taken, which is producing an annual revenue to the Government of over $300,000. The law wisely provides that none but male seals shall be killed. The breeding females, the young, and old bulls, are not molested. The proper season for killing is strictly observed, and thus the animals are likely long to continue to supply their beautiful fur.

The seal-islands of Alaska are leased by the United States Government to the Alaska Commercial Company of San Francisco, a corporation organized under the laws of California. The number of fur-seal skins which this company are allowed to take is now limited to 100,000 per annum; this entire product is sent to London, and there sold at the great semi-annual auctions. The company are under heavy personal bonds to the Government, faithfully to observe all laws of Congress relative to the time and mode of killing the animals, and the treatment of their native employés. They have the exclusive right to capture the fur-seal at St. George and St. Paul Islands, but all other kinds of fur-bearing animals may be taken by any persons, and the general fur-trade is open to free competition. The company have from sixteen to twenty trading-posts on the main-land and islands of Alaska, at which are gathered every year large numbers of furs and skins. They employ about a dozen vessels, and a corps of traders or factors, and concentrate their gatherings annually at San Francisco, whence they are forwarded to the best markets. The extent of the fur-trade of Alaska is indicated in the following approximative statement of the number of skins annually brought to San Francisco:

Fur-seal, 100,000; hair-seal, 150; sea-otter, 3,700; land-otter, 1,500; silver fox, 475; blue fox, 3,400; cross fox, 1,200; red fox, 6,400; white fox, 575; beaver, 17,600; marten, 10,700; sable, 600; mink, 6,700; bear, 425; musquash, 4,000; lynx, 250; ermine, 1,350; squirrel, 100; bird - skins, 100; reindeer-skins, 100; moose-skins, 200.

Under the provisions of the act of April 22, 1874, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to appoint a person qualified by experi ence and education to visit the trading-stations and Indian villages in the Territory of Alaska, Seal Islands, and the large islands in Behring's Sea, to collect authentic information relating to the varied interests of the Government in that Territory and the adjacent regions, Mr. Henry W. Elliott was designated as a special agent for that purpose. The report presented by him to the Treasury Department as the result of his labors contains a comprehensive statement of the character of the country, the condition of the natives, the present state of the seal and other fisheries, and the trade of the Territory, with minute descriptions of the haunts and habits of the seal and other fur-bearing animals, as also many valuable suggestions in regard to the management of the natives, the preservation of the seal-fisheries, and the economical collection of the revenue. No more satisfactory exhibit of the condition of the Territory and of its probable resources has hitherto been presented to the Treasury Department.

The Government has derived an income from the tax on seal-skins and from the rent of the fur-seal islands, since the acquisition of the Territory, as follows:

ALEXANDER, WILLIAM COWPER, LL. D., a distinguished lawyer, scholar, and political leader, of New Jersey, for fifteen years past the President of the Equitable Assurance Society of New York, born in Virginia in 1806; died in New York City August 23, 1874. He was the second son of Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., the celebrated pulpit orator and theological professor, and a brother of James W. Joseph Addison, Henry M., Samuel D., and Archibald Alexander, Jr., all eminent in their several professions. William C. Alexander graduated from Princeton College in 1824, and was admitted to the bar in 1827, when he soon attained distinction both for his profound legal attainments and his remarkable and commanding eloquence as an advocate. He early took an active part in political matters, never seeking, and often peremptorily declining office, but ever striving to maintain principle, integrity, and honor. He was for several years President of the State Senate of New Jersey; and, sorely against his will, was the nearly successful candidate for the governorship of the State. He would have been chosen United States Senator from the State by a large majority, but he prohibited the use of his name. He was a delegate to the Peace Congress in 1861. It was while thus esteemed and honored that he withdrew almost entirely from political life, to devote himself, as he has

done with great assiduity and zeal, to the interests of life assurance. He was chosen President of the Equitable Life Assurance Society at its organization in 1859, and remained in that office till his death; and, by his commanding influence, and his rare executive ability, won for it an unprecedented success. Though an elegant and forcible writer, and an eloquent speaker, he had published very little beyond occasional addresses and arguments. He took a deep interest in education generally, and especially in the prosperity of Princeton College. He made the address of welcome to President McCosh on his inauguration, which was an eloquent and enthusiastic greeting, although he had but a few hours for its preparation. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1860.

AMERICA. The progress of affairs in the States of North America was attended with no unusual event. A favorable summer resulted in large and abundant harvests. In the United States some disturbances arose with small parties of Indians, and in Louisiana the dissatisfaction with the State government continued, and required the presence of a small force of the United States troops. A disturbance also arose at Vicksburg, between blacks and whites (see MISSISSIPPI). The question of mixed schools of white and black children was extensively discussed in the Southern States, in anticipation of the passage of a "civil rights act by Congress. Financial affairs throughout the country continued in an uncertain state, and a general embarrassment prevailed. The relations with foreign governments have been of the most peaceful character.

With the exception of the Plate provinces, where absolute tranquillity has been unknown since the Paraguayan War, the whole of South America has enjoyed a year of profound peace; and it would seem as if political turmoils and internecine strifes had at last ceased to be the normal occupation of the people, and were about to give place to the development of those inexhaustible natural resources which rank the South-American states among the richest and most beautiful in the world. Industrial enterprise is carried on with unabating energy in Chili and Peru, and commercial intercourse is rapidly extending between all the countries and the United States and Europe. Railways and telegraphs are multiplying in Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Chili, and the Argentine Republic; and a concession was granted in the course of 1874, for the construction of a line of railway to unite the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, bringing Buenos Ayres within sixty hours of Valparaiso. The completion of the submarine cable from Lisbon to Pernambuco has put almost all of South America in direct connection with the great telegraphic net-work of our globe; and local lines are fast extending the links to every corner of the country. Education is the object of much zeal in all the states; and in

this respect Mexico is among the foremost; nor are the five Central-American states, spite of their endless international disputes, forgetful of the happy results to be obtained by the diffusion of useful knowledge. Large appropriations have been made during the year for the construction of school-houses, and the importation of books and teachers, for which purpose agents have already been dispatched to the United States by more than one of those little republics.

An alliance between the republics of the Pacific and Atlantic had been suggested for the avowed purpose of protecting republican principles in all of them; but, notwithstanding some diplomatic steps already taken, it is not probable that the project will receive much serious consideration.

ANGLICAN CHURCHES. The Public Worship Regulation Act.-On the 20th of April the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced in the House of Lords a bill for the better administration of the laws respecting the regulation of public worship. He supported it with a strong argument, showing the neces sity for additional legislation to suppress irregularities in ritual, and preserve the peace and harmony of the Church. The bill was long and fully discussed in the House of Lords, and passed its third reading toward the end of June. In the House of Commons, it was again subjected to a rigorous scrutiny. Of the speeches made in this House, that of Mr. Gladstone against the bill, on the 9th of July, and that of Mr. Disraeli in favor of it, on the 16th of July, received the most attention. The bill passed the House of Commons on the 3d of August, having received some amendments which were concurred in without delay by the House of Lords, and it became a law on the 7th of August. It is commonly cited by its shorter title, as "The Public Worship Regulation Act, 1874." It provides that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York may, with the approval of her Majesty, or that her Majesty may, if the archbishops fail to act, appoint a suitably-qualified person to be, during good behavior, a judge of the Provincial Courts of Canterbury and York. In case of a vacancy in the office of official principal of the Arches Court of Canterbury, or of official principal or auditor of the Chancery Court of York, or of Master of the Faculties to the Archbishop of Canterbury, this judge shall become ex officio such official, principal, auditor, or Master of the Faculties. The judge, before entering upon his office, must file a declaration that he is a member of the Church of England. It is further provided that "if the archdeacon of the archdeaconry, or a church-member of the parish, or any three parishioners within which archdeaconry or parish any church or burialground is situated, or for the use of any part of which any burial-ground is legally provided, or in case of cathedral or collegiate churches, any three inhabitants of the diocese," being

members of the Church of England, male persons of full age, and qualified by residence, "shall be of the opinion-1. That in such church any alteration in or addition to the fabric, ornaments, or furniture thereof has been made without lawful authority, or that any decoration forbidden by law has been introduced into such church; or, 2. That the incumbent has within the preceding twelve months used or permitted to be used in such church or burial-ground any unlawful ornament of the minister of the church, or neglected to use any prescribed ornament or vesture; or, 3. That the incumbent has within the preceding twelve months failed to observe, or caused to be observed, the directions contained in the Book of Common Prayer relating to the performance, in such church or burial-ground, of the services, rites, and ceremonies ordered by the said Book, or has made or permitted to be made any unlawful addition to, alteration of, or omission from such services, rites, and ceremonies," such person or persons may represent the same to the bishop: Provided, that no proceedings shall be taken concerning any alteration in, or addition to, the fabric of a church which has been completed five years before making complaint. The bishop on receiving the representation may, with the consent of the parties, hear the case, and pronounce such judgment and issue such monition as he may think proper: Provided, that no judgment, so pronounced by the bishops, shall be considered as finally deciding any question of law so that it may not again be raised by the parties." If the parties do not give their consent to the hearing by the bishop, he shall forthwith transmit the representation to the archbishop of the province, and the archbishop "shall forthwith require the judge to hear the matter of the representation at any place within the diocese or province, or in London or Westminster." Failure by the person complained of to answer the representation is to be regarded as a denial of its truth or relevancy. The judge is given the usual powers of a court of record, and is authorized to pronounce judgment, issue monitions, and make orders for costs. An appeal lies from his judgment or monition to her Majesty in council. Obedience to the monition or order of the bishops or judge "shall be enforced, if necessary," by an order inhibiting the incumbent from performing any service of the Church, or otherwise exercising the cure of souls within the diocese for a term not exceed ing three months; which inhibition shall not, however, be relaxed until the incumbent shall have undertaken in writing to pay due obedience to the monition or order, or the part thereof which shall not have been annulled. If, however, the inhibition shall remain in force for more than three years from the date of issuing the monition, or if a second inhibition in regard to the same monition shall be issued within three years from the relaxation of an inhibition, the benefice or preferment held by

the incumbent complained against shall become void, and the patron may make a new appointment; but he shall not reappoint the person who has been the subject of the proceedings. In case the bishop is the patron of the benefice, the incumbent of which is proceeded against, or is unable to act in the case, the archbishop of his province is authorized to act in his place; if the archbishop is the patron or is disabled, it is provided that the Queen shall appoint an archbishop or bishop to act in his stead. In cases in which a cathedral or collegiate church is involved, the duties otherwise assigned in the act to the bishop of the diocese are to be performed by the visitor. Complaints concerning the fabric, ornaments, furniture, or decorations of such cathedral or collegiate church must be made against the dean and chapter thereof; complaints concerning the ornaments of the minister, or the manner or form of conducting the services must be made against the clerk in holy orders who is alleged to have offended in the matter complained of; and the visitor shall have the same powers as to the infliction and execution of penalties as are given to the judge and bishop in the case of other ministers. This act is to go into force on the 1st of July, 1875.

The Convocation of Canterbury met for organization March 6th, in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Bishop of London presided at the opening meeting, in the absence of the archbishop, who was ill. The Latin sermon was preached by Dr. Merivale, Dean of Ely. The venerable R. Bickersteth, D. D., Archdeacon of Buckingham and Vicar of Aylesbury, was elected prolocutor of the Lower House. He made an opening address, in which he reviewed the work of convocation during the previous five years. He regarded the question of the Athanasian Creed as set at rest, at least for a generation, by means of the synodical declaration which had been adopted in 1873. The revision of the English version of the Holy Scriptures would, he thought, unless the existence of this Convocation were cut prematurely short by some political convulsion, be presented by it to the critical judgment of Biblical students. He trusted that the work would be found to be worthy of a place by the side of the present authorized version, and in time come to occupy the position that incomparable volume now held. He expressed the hope that some legislative action would be taken to give power to the Queen to subdivide unwieldy dioceses; and he thought that by this means the subject of the reform of convocation might be satisfactorily settled. He hoped that the movement which had been begun in convocation for intercommunion with the Churches of the East would tend to promote the union of the universal Church. After effecting their organization, both Houses were adjourned to April 28th.

On the 29th of April the Bishop of Lichfield, in the Upper House, presented a number of petitions on the subject of a second Pan

Anglican Council. He referred to addresses which had come from Canada, from the West Indian bishops, from the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and from the Church in Australia, on the subject; and expressed himself convinced that so general a call for a conference indicated that the time had come when the Anglican communion should have an acknowledged head. He moved for the appointment of a joint committee of both Houses of Convocation to consider a report as to what was the exact position that the Archbishop of Canterbury held with regard to the different branches of the Church scattered throughout the world, and that his Grace should be requested to convene a general conference of the Anglican communion in continuation of that of 1867. The archbishop, in speaking upon this motion, remarked that, with regard to the former conference of bishops at Lambeth, his predecessor had distinctly disavowed any claims of authority, and that it was still more necessary to do so now, on account of the changes which had taken place in the status of colonial churches. By the act of the home Government each of these churches was now an independent and voluntary communion, possessing, as in the act of forming, a definite constitution. They did not recognize their bishops as alone representing the Church, and did not give them power to decide upon laws and doctrines. The motion of the Bishop of Lichfield was amended by the addition of a clause directing that its provisions be communicated to the Primate of the Northern Provinces, and was adopted. The Bishops of London, Winchester, Lichfield, Gloucester and Bristol, and Peterborough, were appointed to act on the committee. The committee made a report in the Upper House on the 10th of July, recommending that a second meeting of the Lambeth Conference be convoked by his Grace the archbishop, for the year 1876; that then the work begun in 1867 be continued, and the reports of committees be taken into consideration; also, that the relation of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the other bishops of the Anglican communion be that of primate among archbishops, primates, metropolitans, and bishops.

Church discipline, and inviting it to give its opinion regarding the inhibition of practices affecting the ritual of the Church declared unlawful by the courts (as presented in the new bill), and the relation of such inhibition to the liberty of the clergy. The reply of the Lower House was conveyed in the following declaration:

The Lower House of the Convocation of Canter

bury, in answer to the two questions submitted to it by his Grace the president, on April 28, 1874, respectfully answers:

the resolutions on the subject of "clergy disci1. (a.) That the Lower House does adhere to all pline" passed by the late Lower House, in the sessions of June, 1869; but that the Lower House would object to their partial application for the correction of a particular class of offenses; as the resolutions of the late Lower House were intended by the Lower House to be applied to the general reformation of all procedure in all cases tried in ecclesiastical courts. (b.) That the Lower House "recommends, as a particular mode whereby such resolutions can be made effective," the immediate preparation of a plan for the purpose with a view to an application to the crown for "assent and license" to enact it, and also with a view to obtain such statutable aid from Parliament as may be found needful.

On the 1st day of May, the Lower House resolved:

That this House, recognizing the necessity of speedy legislation in the matters involved in the question proposed to this House by his Grace the President, regrets its inability to approve the proof Lords for the purpose, and now requests that his visions of the bill recently introduced into the House Grace will be pleased to direct the appointment of a committee of this House to consider the provisions of the said bill; and further to request that his Grace will be pleased to summon Convocation at an

early date, to receive such report.

(a.) And also that his Grace will be pleased to direct that it be an instruction of the committee to inquire whether the particular mode of action for the purposes in question, and especially for facilitat ing the proceedings in the Ecclesiastical Courts of "canonical drafts" Appeal, would be the proper with a view to application to the crown for assent and license" to enact them; and (b) further to inquire into the measure of statutory aid which it may be needful to obtain from Parliament.

mended several specific amendments to the bill, and professed that, even with these modifications, they were unable to recommend legislation in the manner proposed by the bill. They further expressed the opinion that if the "Church Discipline Act" were repealed, and the existing consistory courts were reformed, there would be little difficulty in dealing expeditiously with such cases as were contemplated by the bill. The House resolved to transmit this report to the Upper House, with the request that their lordships would consider the objections it presented, and the amendments it proposed. The Upper House replied, through the archbishop: "We have given such consideration as we well can to the report which has been placed in our hands. There are in it certain proposed amendments of the present system of clergy discipline recommended by the committee, and some worthy of serious consideration, and they will receive very serious consideration, probably both here and elsewhere. There are other recommendations, too, worthy, no doubt, of no less serious consideration than the others, but which do not approve themselves to the majority of this House; but perhaps, on further consideration, these objections may disappear. Partly there are things in the report which do, and partly there are things which do not, commend themselves to our minds, and this difference of opinion was naturally to be expected." The Public Worship Bill was also discussed incidentally at the meeting of the Convocation in July. A gravamen was presented against it in the Lower House; and in the Upper House the archbishop made an explanation respecting it, and the Bishop of Lincoln made some criticisms of it. The Convocation proceeded, at its session in July, to discuss the fourth or final report of the commission on ritual. A committee was appointed to consider and report on the previous action of the Lower House on the subject of ritual, with instructions to report as early as convenient upon the "Ornaments Rubric" and the position of the celebrant. The recommendations of the commissioners with regard to a daily service were adopted, as follows:

Whereas, In the 34th Article it is affirmed that every national Church has authority to retain, Church' ordained only by man's authority: And change, and abolish ceremonies or rites of the whereas, In the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer it is affirmed that rites and ceremonies, being in their nature" things indifferent," may be changed upon weighty and important considerations, according to the various exigencies of times and occasions: And whereas, A large number of the clergy and of the faithful laity of the Church of England are of opinion that the use of distinctive dress in ministering the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ would tend to reverence and edification: And whereas, It would tend to peace that the desire of the clergy and laity should be granted: Resolved, That it is desirable that the use of a distinctive dress be permitted in ministering the Holy Communion, but only at such places and upon such conditions as shall be hereafter approved by lawful authority.

The Bishop of Lincoln proposed as an additional clause:

Provided it be distinctly understood nothing is

symbolized by such Eucharistic vestments as is in any way at variance with the doctrines of the Church of England, as contained in the order of the Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer.

The resolution and amendment were referred to the committee of the whole House.

The report of the Committee on Intercommunion with the Eastern Churches was presented in the Lower House of the Convocation on the 8th of May. A resolution was passed expressing gratitude for the directions issued by the Patriarch of Constantinople to his metropolitans, instructing their clergy to perform the rites of Christian burial for deceased members of the English Church. A resolution calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to use his endeavors to secure intercommunion between the two Churches, and especially to enable members of the English Church residing within the jurisdiction of the Eastern Church to avail themselves of the rites and sacraments of that Church, was, after discussion, withdrawn.

The Committee of the Whole on the Ornaments Rubric, which had been in session in the interval since the last meeting (in May), reported in the Upper House the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Ornaments Rubric is of doubtful and difficult interpretation, and that it is most desirable that it should be replaced by a rubric which shall clearly define what dresses and ornaments of the ministers shall be permissible in the Church of England.

The Bishop of Lichfield offered the following resolution, which was seconded by the Bishop of Peterborough:

bishop and bishops; and for an inquiry into the expediency of the appointment of a day of public intercession on behalf of the missions of the Church once in each year, or at such intervals as may be deemed expedient.

The Convocation of York met for organization March 6th. An address to her Majesty was unanimously adopted, praying that Parliament would maintain and improve the laws upon the subject of intemperance. At a subsequent meeting, May 22d, the following resolution was adopted in reference to the bill introduced in the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the regulation of public worship: "That while some legislation is expedient for the better administration of