STRANDING OF THE SHIP SAMPSON, OFF NEWFOUNDLAND.

[The following is an extract of a Letter from a Passenger, who sailed on board the ship 'Sampson, bound to New York, from London.]

We left Portsmouth on the 1st of May, and had unfavourable winds until the 28th, when the fog, which had been thick for five days, became so dense, that we could not see our sails. At six o'clock, being below in our berths, we were alarmed by the cry of "breakers a-head.” I immediately rushed on deck, but the scene I cannot describe. It was too evident that we must strike, for the ship was hemmed in by breakers; and at the moment, the fog lifting a little, we saw land about 700 fathoms distant. The first shock being over, captain Smith told me to go to a rope, and help the seamen in launching the boats; and one was immediately sent in charge of the second mate, to discover what sort of place it was, and if any inhabitants; and while it was gone the ship struck. This is a sensation which you must feel, to thoroughly comprehend; the ship seemed to shake in every board, and the masts tottered. The captain ordered one of the men to stand with axe in hand at the foot of the mizen-mast, and cut immediately he gave the word; but the ship righted, and by this time the boat had returned, the second mate stating that the place appeared to be a rock, or island, for they had walked two miles, and it appeared to be leading them round. The passengers, that is the women and children were then landed first, some of the men, mere children in point of moral courage, almost crying to be allowed to go in the boat, for the ship kept striking every five minutes, and it was necessary to hold fast by something to be enabled to stand on deck. All the passengers were landed, and had begun to make fires on the rock, or island; the place being about six miles round, and having a projecting head, but of which, in consequence of the thickness of the fog, we could see nothing when we left the ship. The ladies were all lying on the mattresses, which had been sent ashore for them; the men were some round the fires, others straining their eyes to see if they could descry our boat, and when the captain landed they gave us three cheers. I shall never forget this scene: the fires were flaming above the trees, and every minute a tree would fall into the flames. There now came on a heavy rain, which soaked me to the skin : so we lay down on the soft ground, and were thankful to find ourselves on anything firmer than water, and I slept well for five hours. But now comes the most disgraceful scene in the midst of our sufferings. Most of the crew were blacks, and the moment we struck, the liquor appeared to be their only object of solicitude. They came begging it of the passengers, whom I entreated not to give it, and got all I could and threw it overboard. They then went to the steward's stores, and demanded some; but the captain gave the steward a brace of pistols, and desired him to shoot the first man who broke into the liquor-room; however they managed somehow to get enough to make them all drunk, and in the night they took one of the boats and got on board the ship, when they broke open nearly all the passenger's boxes. Captain Smith himself was robbed of a case of jewellery and two gold watches, worth 700 dollars; and one of the cabin ladies (a countess) lost a case of the same, worth £300.

The next morning we were espied by fishermen, who came to our assistance, and we all re-embarked, the ship having drifted off the rocks in the night, the fishermen acting as pilots. The ship had now anchored with seventy fathoms chain, which we were obliged to let go, not being able to weigh it, and we got once

more out to sea, steering for Whitehead Harbour, near Cape Canso. We struck twice again, getting out. Shortly after, captain Smith came to me, and said, 'Brown, you see that headland that projects out? I want about five volunteers to take a boat, and stop on the corner of that, and make a fire all night, as we shall have to get round it, which I do not think can be done to-night; and I shall not trust to the fishermen, as, if I have a fire there, I shall be enabled to avoid the rocks." Farebrother and myself accordingly went, and took three of the steerage passengers (countrymen) with us, to chop the trees, and two seamen. There was

a heavy sea, and it rained incessantly; but we landed at dusk, the two sailors returning with the boat, with a codfish which happened to be in the boat. We remained till ten o'clock next morning, when a fishing boat took us again on board-captain Smith cordially thanking us, telling us we had materially contributed to save the ship, and a cargo worth £70,000; for in the night Mr. Whiting, the mate, saw by our fire that the ship was steering on a rock which he had seen in the day, and mentioned it to the captain, who immediately ordered an anchor to be let go; and in the morning the mate threw a biscuit from the deck into the breakers-a narrow escape. By cutting away the foremast, the ship got next day into Whitehead Harbour, when all the passengers were landed.

+ Great Yarmouth, July 29th. On the 24th instant, a vessel, name unknown, got upon Hasborough Sand, and afterwards sank in deep water: the crew have never been heard of.

Halifax, July 14th. The ship 'St. George,' Allen, of and from London, sailed with a cargo of dry goods for New Orleans, 29th April last. June 4th, encountered a violent north-west hurricane, which continued to rage until she was driven on shore the 17th, at eleven o'clock P. M., on the Cat Keys, Florida shore. Captain Allen, the mate, and fifteen of the crew were swept overboard and drowned. Two men and a cabin-boy, the only survivors, were rescued by captain Appleton of the schooner 'Comet,' of New Providence, (Bahamas) and taken to Key West: they had been clinging to the wreck forty-five hours. The St. George was owned by Henry Fletcher, Esq., Lower Shadwell.

PIRATES. Intelligence by the schooner Apparition,' of Jersey, Captain Gruchy, from Monte Video, arrived at Cork :

“On the 2nd of July, lat. 17 N., long. 28 30 W., boarded by two pirates, who after overhauling the ship, left us, taking with them a cask of water. Eleven men armed with pistols, knives, etc. came on board. The captain of one of them was a short stout man, having a pair of white flannel trousers on, and pistols in side pockets, dark complexion, black whiskers, and wore a cloth cap. The other captain was a tall man, grey eyes, yellow look, sandy whiskers, wore a yellow shirt, and old gold lace cap, and was armed with a knife and pistols. He spoke french fluently, and appeared to be the commodore. The interpreters were a middle aged man, having grey hair and mustachios, a pair of white trousers, and wore a white manilla hat; he was also armed. He spoke a little english and french. The other interpreter appeared to be labouring under the sickness common on board of slavers. Amongst the remainder were some blacks, and a man whom we took to be an Englishman, also armed. There were two schooners, carrying no topsails. The decks of both were crowded with men."

CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

THE CHURCH AS IT OUGHT TO BE:-or EVERY MEMBER EMPLOYED ;-A book for all Christians. By the Rev. J. SMITH, Cheltenham, Author of "the Believer's Daily Remembrancer,” etc. etc. etc. Second Thousand. In cloth, 32mo, pp. 222.

Cheltenham :-R. Edwards, High-street.

London :-Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. Allman & Co. Holborn Hill.

This is a practical little work. The main object seems to be, to exhibit to the christian the relations into which he has been introduced as the subject of divine grace, and the high and solemn obligations arising out of these relations. In other words, that there are certain great imperative duties involved in the very profession of christian faith, from which no power can release him; and that in whatever situation the man be placed, it is required of him that he be found actively employed for Christ. To impress these truths on the mind of the christian professor, and to awaken his activities in the service of his Lord and Saviour, the work before us is well adapted. Nor can we but hope that the excellent author may have his reward in the more enlarged efforts of the whole christian church.

WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH MISSIONS?-Exhibiting the Miseries and Degradations of the Heathen Nations, and the Duty of all to support Christian Missions. Designed especially for the use of Missionary Collectors. By the Rev. T. TIMPSON, Author of the "Key to the Bible," etc. etc. etc. Illustra ted with Ten Engravings. 18mo, pp. 72. Gilt edges.

MISSIONARY NARRATIVES OF NORTH AMERICA. Being No. I. of a Series, designed to interest young persons in Missions to Heathen Nations. By the Rev. T. TIMPSON, Author of the "Companion to the Bible," etc. etc. etc. 18mo, pp. 36.

London: Snow and Co. Paternoster-row.

Our friend, Mr. Timpson, is certainly to be praised for his literary industry. His pen is never idle. Nor is it ever employed in what is light and trifling. His works are all of a highly useful and practical character. In the present state of our Missionary Institutions, when the field of labour is daily enlarging, and the resources are comparatively restricted, it is important that the minds of christians should be informed and interested in the subject of missions; and that those who have espoused the sacred cause should be strengthened and encouraged. Now to these ends the works before us are well adapted; and these secured, the author will enjoy the best reward.

Monthly Ehronicle.

DECEASE OF MRS. J. EDWARDS.

It is our painful duty to have to record the recent and sudden death of MRS. EDWARDS, the excellent and efficient GOVERNESS of the Society's Female School. Having no doubt of her personal interest in the Redeemer, and with her faith steadily reposing in his infinite merits, her end was peace. She fell asleep in Jesus. Her spirit has joined the myriads of the redeemed in heaven. Absent from the body, she is present with the Lord.

Intelligence of this melancholy event having been conveyed to the Board, in a letter from the surviving and bereaved partner, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :—

RESOLVED, That this Board has heard, with deep regret, of the decease of Mrs. Edwards, the late governess of the Society's school; and while they entertain a lively sense of her efficient services, through a series of years, beg to convey to her surviving partner their heartfelt sympathy under his trying bereavement, and pray that the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, may not only sanctify this dispensation of his providence to the mourning family, but sustain and console their minds under its pressure.

It is only necessary to add, that the youngest daughter of the deceased, who is resident with her father, has been appointed, pro tempore, to fill up the situation of governess. The Board have reason to believe, that she is, on the whole, well qualified for the duties of the office; and as soon as circumstances will admit of it, a permanent arrangement will be made. The schools are in active operation, and we may add, in a very efficient and prosperous state.

AGENTS' MEETING-HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING, 10th SEPTEMBER.

At our last monthly conference, several members of the Committee were present, which greatly tended to encourage the Agents, and to strengthen the bond of union between them and the Board. The reports which follow require no comment. They are both interesting and encouraging.

AGENTS' REPORTS.