every christian, especially, to do something towards accomplishing the abolition of slavery in the West Indies. Let us not cease to petition the Legislature to accede to our wishes, in that firm and respectful manner, which Britons, when they are hearty in the cause they wish to carry, have ever found successful. Let us by every laudable means, shew the impolicy and wickedness of slavery; and the real condition of this oppressed people! Let us exhibit the ferocity of their cruel task-masters as it ought to be done; and by developing that degradation under which they suffer, in its proper light, kindle in the minds of our own countrymen and friends, the flame of philanthropy; let us feed that flame till it shall burn purer and brighter; and till benevolence shall accomplish the undertaking, by conferring the blessings of freedom upon all those, who at present writhe under the torture of the whip; groan beneath the oppression of the chain; and mourn in sorrow and anguish, the misery of their bondage and captivity! Nor will we cease from these exertions, until the last slave ship shall have visited the coast of Africa; and we will not relax our efforts, until every man, whether he be tanned by the rays of a vertical sun; or whitened beneath the icy rigours of a northern sky, shall bask in the sunshine, and enjoy the resplendent effulgence, of the "genius of universal emancipation!"

We can however do a little more. He who expresses a desire to benefit the slaves of the West Indies, and does not do what he can to ameliorate their sufferings, is not a true friend of that unhappy race. In profession he may be; but in practice he is hostile to them. It has been carefully calculated; and this calculation rests upon the sure basis of truth, that if one person in ten, throughout these realms were to refrain from partaking of West India produce, slavery must come to a speedy termination. The cause, then, is in our own hands! Let us not at this juncture, suffer the disgrace of a defeat! Unhappily, the reply which is frequently given, when this proposition is mentioned, namely, abstinence from

West India produce, proves that little personal interest is taken in the matter. Did that deep abhorrence exist in the hearts of our countrymen, which ought to shew itself, when slavery and oppression rear their head, we should hear no such reply aswhat can I do? If that detestation, every freeman ought to encourage against thraldom and tyranny, really had a place in our hearts, we should not lament our inability, and thus "throw cold water" upon so laudable an enterprize.

Let the person that does so feel, reflect that he is eating that, which is, if I may so express myself, slavery and misery in their concentrated form; and is drinking the very essence of cruelty and sorrow! They are the produce of cries, and groans, and tears, and sweat, and blood!

There is some hope that we may succeed, since we have no painful sacrifice to demand; but suppose we

were called on to make some sacrifice? Can we afford to make none in such a cause? I blush for the man who could mention them in this case. Let then humanity and benevolence prevail; and let not the cries and groans of 800,000 of our fellow beings be disregarded. Come, if you wish to come to this subject, with “clean hands," not furnishing a stimulant to rapacity and cruelty. Thus you will enjoy the pleasing reflection, that as you have not participated in the guilt of slavery, so you will not share its condign punishment.

If any reader be still influenced by the weak objection, that little good arises from individual exertion, let him reflect, that eternity consists of accumulated moments, and the world of the minutest particles. Let us try the experiment, by casting from us West India produce as the "accursed thing !" Let us no longer hold "fellowship with the workers of iniquity;" and we shall soon perceive the dawnings of that day, when those lands which are now covered with the darkness of slavery, shall be irradiated with the glories of the sun of liberty!

I am Sir, yours, &c.
JUNIUS.

THE GAMESTER REFORMED.

(concluded from Page 28.)

Ar midnight, Mr. Wellsted ordered his carriage, accompanied by his eldest daughter, determined on visiting the house of play, and making a powerful effort to snatch his son from the scene of ruin and intoxicating sensuality. As the coachman pulled up at the door of the gamester, the old gentleman pressed his daughter's hand, and requested her not to leave the carriage; but a sudden conviction impelled her forward, and there was no time for expostulation. The feelings of the father were too powerful to be restrained by ordinary formalities: indeed, he was half unconscious of his situation, when the suspicious servant, surprised at seeing a lady enter the hall, hastily inquired whom he should announce." Mr. Wellsted-I seek my son, Sir!" said the old gentleman, and immediately followed to a splendid room, which appeared crowded with gamesters of all ages: the hoary debauchee and the yet unpractised stripling, joined together in the fatal infatuation of play; whilst here and there, the maniac laugh of success formed a melancholy contrast to the haggard expression of the unfortunate, whose losses had provoked a bitter though momentary reflection.

On entering the door, the first object that arrested attention was Henry Wellsted. He sat at some distance from the players, apparently in a state of the deepest agony: a pack of cards were scattered at his feet; and every thing, indeed, too plainly indicated the ruin in which he was involved. He had not yet observed the unwelcome visitors, when at the same instant, two familiar voices uttered, "Mr. Wellsted!"-" Henry !" At the subdued, reproachful tone of the father, and the still affectionate exclamation of his sister, he suddenly started from his seat, and looked wildly round the room; but in a moment he met the countenance of his parent, and sunk exhausted into those arms which even yet were open to receive him.

The nature of this unexpected visit was scarcely known to the assembled

gamesters, before the intruders and the object of their search had driven from the door. A few sentences of powerful expostulation was all that the old gentleman addressed to his son, until they found themselves at home; when the former embraced his daughter, and retired almost instantly to his library, to which in a few moments, the young man was summoned.

"Henry," said Mr. Wellsted, without a word of preface, “I have sent for you, that you may learn my fixed and solemn determination respecting your future situation in my family. Heaven only knows that I have endeavoured to be a good father; and your mother, she does not deserve to have her heart broken by the thoughts of your vices. But I am resolved, if you are determined to continue in your evil ways, I will cease to give you any protection or support; and you may consider yourself a stranger to me, and all that are dear to me. But if on the other hand, you are desirous of returning into an honourable course of life, all the past shall be forgotten-and you have still a father."

It needed not the mild but resolute tone of Mr. Wellsted to awaken his son to the full conviction of his crimes; the whole career of his vices came full upon his mind, and he fell upon his knees and asked but for one more trial of a parent's patience, and a little farther measure of his forgiveness.

"You have it all, my son!" exclaimed the old man, the tear of joy trickling down his cheek,-" and may God give you grace to turn from the evil of your ways and live!"

The heart of the young man was too full for utterance; but his spirit joined with his father's prayer; and he again ventured to address a supplication for aid to that God from whom he had so long been a stranger, and into whose presence he had not dared to venture but for the inviting consolation of the gospel:-" Let us therefore boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

come

This happy event chased away the grief that had settled over every member of the family; for it was impossible

To the Editor of the Selector.

SIR,

It is sorrowful to reflect that almost all the great men who have appeared in different ages of the world, and who have attempted to make mankind wiser and better, have suffered persecution. The intelligence and virtue of Socrates were punished with death, and Anaxagoras was dragged to a prison for teaching a just notion of the Supreme Being. Galileo was publickly condemned at Rome to disavow sentiments, the certainty of which he had made abundantly manifest, and which are now recognised by all the world; and Harvey was assailed with perpetual ridicule for teaching the greatest and most important physiological truth ever discovered by the ingenuity of man. It is a curious fact that Priests have ever been the greatest persecutors, and have ever been the last to admit the value of a discovery or the impor

tance of a truth.

I am, my Lord, &c.

SUNDERLAND.

To the right honourable the Earl of Sunderland, principal Secretary of State..

I

Right honourable. Nov. 8, 1684. received the honour of your lordship's letter, wherein you are pleased to enquire concerning Mr. Locke's being a student of this house; of which I ;-- -That have this account to render; he being, as your lordship is truly inform'd, a person who was much trusted by the late earl of Shaftsbury, and who is suspected to be ill affected to the government, I have for divers years, had an eye upon him: but so close has his guard been on himself, that, after several strict enquiries, I may confidently affirm, there is not any man in the college, however familiar with him, who had heard him speak a word either against, or, so much as concerning And altho' very the government. frequently, both in public and private, discourses have been purposely introduced to the disparagement of his master, the earl of Shaftsbury, his party and designs, he could never be provoked to take any notice, or discover in word or look the least concern, so

that I believe there is not in the world such a master of taciturnity and passion. He has here a physician's place, which frees him from the exercises of the college, and the obligation which others have to residence in it; and he is now abroad upon want of health. But notwithstanding that, I have summoned him to return home, which is done with this prospect; that, if he comes not back, he will be liable to expulsion for contumacy; and if he do, he will be answerable to the law, for that which he shall be found to have