sympathy and additional insult. imprecations on the heads of their To-day I sought an interview with enemies, they stamped as though the Sultan; I obtained it with diffi- they were treading on the necks of culty, and when at length I had those for whose blood they thirsted, unfolded to him the purpose of my and anticipated their sanguinary visit, had laid before him the des- triumph with frantic exultation, the patches I had received, had stated wonted apathy of the Mussulman the steps I proposed to take, and, being altogether lost in their fierce suggesting the necessity of prompti- desire of revenge. At length, the tude, had requested that full powers conspirators departed, and Abdallah might immediately be granted, I was was left alone. "Weak, deluded ordered to defer everything till the fools!" he muttered to himself, Monarch had submitted the subject" and do you then so deeply feel to the judgment of Amrad. Let the the injuries of Abdallah? Are you Padishah abdicate his throne, if he so soon weary of the gentle sway of please, in favour of Amrad, Abdallah peace and benevolence? And can will never acknowledge himself one you expect that when Abdallah shall of his subjects. He may draw have reaped the glorious reward of around his favourite all the troops his treachery, he will suffer you to of the empire, but they shall not live to promulgate his duplicity toprotect him from the edge of the wards his prince and benefactor? sabre." He was silent, and a mur- No! One of the first acts of my mur of assent arose among his reign shall be the order for your auditors. Encouraged by their destruction; and the people of applause he again spoke: "And, Stambool will easily forgive the my friends, shall Amrad perish blow by which the piety of Abalone? Shall we expose ourselves dallah revenged the murder of his to the secret but certain vengeance friend and the extinction of the of a despot? Does not Abdallah Light of the Universe." But while already possess the affections of the he was thus uttering the cruel people? Is he not already virtually counsels of his soul, the emissaries Sultan ? And will you not, my of the Sultan entered the room, and friends, prefer to be partakers of the betrayed traitor was borne away his beneficence, rather than to con- to prison and to death. "You see, tinue, what you now are, the sport my Caled," softly said Zapphira, and the slaves of a tyrant? The "Power is not happiness ;" and she friends of the orator arose in tran- led the merchant from the palace of sport and exclaimed, "Long live Abdallah. Abdallah! Commander of the The scene was now changed, and Faithful! And then were the Caled found himself, with his mysinvisible visitants witnesses of a terious companion, in the private dark and bloody plot. The day apartment of Amrad. The Moollah was named; the place was fixed; was walking impatiently about the it was determined that the Sultan room, and venting his anxiety in and the fated Amrad with their broken ejaculations. "What avails whole families and adherents should all this toil?" he said, be assassinated, and that Abdallah are weary,-my brain throbs,-my should be proclaimed the successor mind is exhausted with its exertions; of the murdered Emperor. They but have I yet found the object of gnashed their teeth, they heaped my labour? Have I been able to 66 'my eyes nistered to the female some medicine, resumed his seat at her side. "This must seem but a wearisome world to thee, my son," said the woman. "True," said the mother, "but your companions have gone to the wars, and I hear that the fame of their exploits is talked of by all our countrymen. If your kindness towards me had not kept you here, you might have gained a name of glory as well as they." answer the momentous inquiry, length the youth, having finished What is truth? Alas! no. Every his reading, rose and put the volume advance that I have hitherto made carefully away, and, having admiin knowledge has only served to shew how great is the length of road yet untravelled which is lying before me; every eminence I have scaled has shewn another rising above it. Men talk of my wisdom, and are "It would be so, my mother," said astonished at my skill, but of what the youth, "if I had no hope of a value is the blind admiration of ig- better; but though the valley in norance? I cannot conceal from which I am wandering be dark, and myself that I am as unwise as they. the mountains which surround it They tread confidingly the path rugged and high, yet I know there which their fathers have trod, and is a sunny prospect beyond, and I worship as they worshiped. But I believe that I shall one day behold cannot yield an implicit credence to it." the precepts of Mohammed; I cannot bow my mind to receive with reverence a faith which I despise. I have rejected the religion of my country, but not with the hope of finding a better. The outward worship which I yield is but the worship of an apostate, and the meanest devotee whom I meet in the mosque, is in the sight of Allah far superior to Amrad the Wise." " "Knowledge, thou perceivest," whispered Zapphira to Caled, as she drew him from the spot," is not happiness." Again the scene was changed, and Caled found himself standing in a scantily-furnished apartment of a small cottage, which stood in the meanest part of the suburb of Pera. On a couch, there reclined an aged female of a venerable appearance, but pallied and emaciated with disease. By her side sat a youth, whom Caled recognized as the Greek whom he had seen and despised while gazing from the window of his house. The young man was reading aloud from a large volume with seriousness of pathos, and the sick woman was listening with eager attention. The merchant also list- "I am happy, oh! my mother; ened, and heard with surprise the for I do not look around m name and the words of Jesus. At happiness; I look upwards "I might, perhaps, have found glory in war, but surely I have found safety here." “ But, then, for me, you have forsaken the pursuits and associates which are congenial to your age. Others are wandering in the bowers of enjoyment, and gathering the roses of pleasure." "Nay, but have not I gathered the flower of heavenly wisdom, which, though less gaudy, is more sweet than they all.' "But you are poor, your daily labour scarcely suffices for the maintenance of us both, while others are lodged in palaces and fed with dainties. Surrounded as you are with untoward circumstances,whence, my child, can you derive consolation? Are you, can you be happy?" WHAT IS THE STATE OF MORALS look within. I look upwards, and ment, as to produce the most I see the smile of God; I look favourable impressions. Far be it within, and I behold the reflection from us to say that all this is only of that smile in my own bosom. I appearance, destitute of reality. am happy; for from that volume This would be to fall into an out of which I have been reading, opposite error equally far from the and from the Spirit by whom it was truth, but a careful investigation of inspired, (and from no other source facts will justify us in asserting, that could I have drawn the profitable the greater portion is so. "Men lesson,) I have learned in whatso- dress for company," and appear ever state I am, therewith-to be before others under the most content." favourable circumstances possible. "Fortunate boy!" involuntarily This is the case with young men. exclaimed Caled; contentment, Whatever their principles may be, then, is happiness;" and, turning or whatever may be their private to address Zapphira, he started to habits, when they appear before the find himself alone, and in his own public eye, and especially when they chamber. M. N. come under the notice of those they serve, they generally assume an appearance and carriage,"such as they believe will ensure respect. Under these circumstances we must not be IT has often been said, that Lon-surprised if the most favourable imdon is unacquainted with the condi- pressions are made as to their moral tion of its inhabitants; it may with character. But it should not be equal truth be added, that society forgotten, that it is not under such in general are not aware of the real circumstances that real character is condition of young men, either in a to be discovered; and in forming moral or religious point of view. an opinion of them as a separate On few subjects have greater mis- class in the community, we should takes been made. As the rudiments seek a better foundation on which of education have been more gene- to rest our judgment. It appears rally diffused, and the facilities for necessary to follow them in their general knowledge increased, it has hours of relaxation, and into that often been taken for granted, that society with which they mingle, and those who are rising up around us to those places of resort to which to engage in the active duties of they go. Without this we shall not life, are proportionably advanced in see them as they are. Their real sound principles and morals. No- character is not only hid from the thing can be more erroneous, though casual observer of their conduct, we are ready to admit that at first but frequently from their nearest sight such an idea might be readily friends, and relations. The decepformed. In the counting house, the tion is carried to a very melancholy office, and frequently in the domes- extent. Solomon speaks of "a external decency has young man void of understanding," d, which has lulled there are many such, where they led to such false con- are little expected. To look at ided to thi there has them; to hear their intelligence; uch courtesy ease of to behold the exhibition of their nd gentloan deport- talents; is pleasant, for all looks well-all sounds well, but if you He then became acquainted with follow them in the darkness, and their real state. He saw it, his trace them into secret places, what heart bled for them, and he gave a humiliating scene! how different his time, and finally his life to their to outward appearances! The beau- | cause. If the condition of our tiful exterior covered a heart given young men were as distinctly to wickedness, and a soul polluted understood, their claims would no by sin. These are the facts which doubt be as powerfully felt, and it seems necessary to come at, in many a benevolent bosom would our enquiry, and for want of which heave with ardent desire to unite in so many mistakes have been made. seeking their good. In common Yet there has always been a diffi- with most other persons we are not culty in obtaining them to any insensible to the difficulty in giving extent, for various reasons. Those such a view as is required for the interested in the question have been purpose, but still we feel disposed hitherto comparatively few in num- to make the attempt, with the hope ber, and those who were most that it may at least stimulate some anxious to obtain accurate informa- to enquiry. We purpose as briefly tion, have found many obstacles in as possible to lay before the reader their way, for want of time, oppor- such facts as we have either coltunity, or general knowledge of the lected from observation, or the habits of young men. Their obser- testimony of others on this imvations have necessarily been rather portant subject. of a local, than a general character, We should rejoice if either of consequently unsatisfactory. What these would warrant us to bear appears to be required is a compre- testimony to the general excellence hensive view of the question as it of their lives, and the holiness of will apply to young men in general. their character; but whilst with Their importance in Society calls for gratitude we shall have to refer to it. There are probably in the Me- some good that exists among them, tropolis alone, not less than three we shall be compelled to speak for hundred thousand young men, that the most part of mournful facts, and is to say, persons from fourteen to appalling scenes. To convey the twenty-five years of age, and in all most correct idea of their state, it our large towns and cities a very will perhaps be better to speak of large number more. The condition the different classes into which they of such a mass of persons, on whom may be divided. That class which so much must depend in the future first claims our attention, is that history of Britain, ought to be which embraces those who are known with as much accuracy as living under the sanctifying influpossible, and must be known, be- ence of religion. These we prefore any great interest can be ex-sume are to be found united with cited on their behalf, or any con- the various sections of the Christian siderable effort made to promote Church, for having first given themtheir happiness and usefulness in selves to the Lord, they will feel it the world. Even the benevolent their duty, and privilege, to unite heart of Howard did not fully feel with the people of God ording for the misery of those persons who to his will. How were confined in gaols until he was really to be found appointed Sheriff of Bedfordshire. profession of atte re an look within. I look upwards, and ment, to produce the most. I see the smile of God; I look favourable impressions. Far be it within, and I behold the reflection from us to say that all this is only of that smile in my own bosom. I appearance, destitute of reality. am happy; for from that volume This would be to fall into out of which I have been reading, opposite error equally far from the and from the Spirit by whom it was truth, but a careful investigation of inspired, (and from no other source facts will justify us in asserting, that could I have drawn the profitable the greater portion is so. "Men lesson,) I have learned in whatso- dress for company," and appear ever state I am, therewith-to be before others under the most content." favourable circumstances possible. "Fortunate boy!" involuntarily This is the case with young men. exclaimed Caled ; contentment, Whatever their principles may be, then, is happiness;" and, turning to address Zapphira, he started to find himself alone, and in his own chamber. M. N. WHAT IS THE STATE OF MORALS By the Rev. J. Allen. or whatever may be their private habits, when they appear before the public eye, and especially when they come under the notice of those they serve, they generally assume an appearance and carriage, such as they believe will ensure respect. Under these circumstances we must not be Ir has often been said, that Lon-surprised if the most favourable imdon is unacquainted with the condi- pressions are made as to their moral tion of its inhabitants; it may with character. But it should not be equal truth be added, that society forgotten, that it is not under such in general are not aware of the real circumstances that real character is condition of young men, either in a to be discovered; and in forming moral or religious point of view. an opinion of them as a separate On few subjects have greater mis- class in the community, we should takes been made. As the rudiments seek a better foundation on which of education have been more gene- to rest our judgment. It appears rally diffused, and the facilities for necessary to follow them in their general knowledge increased, it has hours of relaxation, and into that often been taken for granted, that society with which they mingle, and those who are rising up around us to those places of resort to which to engage in the active duties of they go, Without this we shall not life, are proportionably advanced in see them as they are. Their real sound principles and morals. No- character is not only hid from the thing can be more erroneous, though casual observer of their conduct, we are ready to admit that at first but frequently from their nearest sight such an idea might be readily friends, and relations. The decepformed. In the counting house, the tion is carried to a very melancholy office, and frequently in the domes-extent. Solomon speaks of " tic circle, an external decency has young man void of understanding," been preserved, which has lulled there are many such, where they suspicion, and led to such false con- are little expected. To look at clusions. Added to this, there has them; to hear their intelligence; been so much courtesy, ease of to behold the exhibition of their manner, and gentlemanly deport- talents; is pleasant, for all looks a |