AN AFFECTING SIGHT!

In the East India Dock, was seen, on a late sabbath, the Bethel flag waving at one out of three stumps, remaining from the broken masts of a once stately, but now half-wrecked ship. How striking to the passing and gazing observer! She still bore the marks of the late disastrous storms through which she had been mercifully brought with her precious crew, to this quiet haven; but now a Bethel, where God's mercies are acknowledged, and His word proclaimed to the rescued mariners from a grave in deep waters. The captain, a christian-like gentleman, had not only readily thrown open his spacious cabin for this sacred use, but, as he paced the poop before divine service, he feelingly gave us an outline of the distress of the ship in the storm. Pointing to the broken foremast, he said—" Ah! I had very nearly lost eighteen of my poor fellows at a stroke; for just as they were about going aloft to close-reef the fore-top-sail, the mast went, and they barely escaped. The ship, then labouring in the midst of the gale, all dismasted, was a dismal sight; but it had been much worse, if I had lost my lads!"

I held two solemn services on board this ship; but I found it not less affecting to visit some others, as a number of ships had just arrived n this dock, from the stormy deep, and on board of each there was some tale of woe to tell. One crew had the pain to witness a ship founder near them, without being able to save a single life! All perished before their eyes! As she sunk, two poor fellows ran up to her mast-head; but all soon disappeared together.

A pious captain informed me of a brother captain, who had been reported drowned with all his crew, save one, who was mercifully preserved, though in the darkness of dreadful night, by getting upon the broken mast which parted from the other part of the wreck. As he drifted before the tide and storm, he passed different other wrecks, beating on the same sand ;—he called out for assistance, but no answer was returned. At length, coming towards one wreck, where he saw a single mast remaining, he thought the only hope now left was, to swim to her, if he could; he therefore stripped off his clothes, ventured out, and happily succeeded in reaching the wreck when almost breathless. But finding himself unsafe, by the sea breaking over the ship, he was compelled to ascend the mast-head; and on coming to the top, to his surprise, he found a living man, who proved to be the captain of the ship, and the only person on board; but who was almost deprived of the little remaining life he had, by the appearance of a man from, he knew not where. Next morning, at day-light, they were both taken off alive, by a smack, the former captain having nothing upon him but one stocking, which, it seems, the benumbed state of his hands prevented him getting off at the time.

For the past two or three weeks, it has been my heart-sickening duty in my daily visitation, and evening services amongst the shipping, to listen to, and, in various ways, to improve such melancholy events.

LLOYD'S COFFEE HOUSE.

One of the most important local objects in the commerce of this enterprising country, and indeed of the globe itself is, " Lloyd's Coffee House," a name, which is derived from the first person who kept it, and who little imagined that it would progressively acquire a celebrity, as great in the annals of the commercial world as that of any sovereign in the history of courts.

This establishment became, many years since, the resort of a very considerable body of English merchants, and other men of business, more particularly brokers and underwriters, who assembled to divide among themselves, and to be responsible to each other, for the losses produced by ships either damaged, captured, burnt, or subjected to any other injury in the course of their different voyages.

The Coffee House is also a central point of political information, because the ministers, knowing its importance, select and appropriate this place, as the direct medium of conveying the first intelligence of every national concern; and the tidings, whether good or bad, flow, as from an original source to the public in general. Indeed it has now enjoyed this distinction so long, that, whenever a rumour is in circulation, to say, "We have it from Lloyd's," gives it a currency and sanction to which it would not otherwise be entitled. In short, Lloyd's Coffee House is now an empire within itself; an empire which in point of commercial sway, variety of powers, and almost incalculable resources, gives laws to the trading part of the universe; and, if we combine its authority with that grand mart of business-the Royal Exchange, there is not a place in the world can vie with this assemblage of British merchants.

LONDON POST OFFICE.

A few years ago, the ordinary business of each day was in letters in the inland office alone, 35,000 letters received and 40,000 sent, (23,475,000 annually,) exclusive of the numbers in the foreign office department and the ship-letter-office, and altogether independent of the two-penny post. The number of newspapers daily varied from 25,000 to 60,000, (on Saturday 40,000 and on Monday 50,000,) of which number about 20,000 were put into the office ten minutes before six o'clock. After that hour each newspaper was charged one half-penny, which yielded a revenue of fully £500 a year, and of which 240,000 newspapers were annually put into the office from six to a quarter-before-eight o'clock. The revenue derived from charges, for early delivery in London, was £4000; and the sum obtained by the charge of one penny on each letter given to the postmen, who go round with bells to collect the letters, was £3,000 a year, giving 720,000 or nearly 2000 daily. The revenue of London was £6000 a week, above £300,000 a year; and yet of all this vast annual revenue, there has only been lost by defaulters, £200 in 25 years.

Since the reduction of the postage, the number of letters is much greater, but the revenue less.

[By the Rev. E. E. ADAMS, A. M. Seamen's Chaplain, Cronstadt.]

The site of this city was originally a retreat for the Danish fishermen. In the middle of the twelfth century, a castle was erected here by government, to protect their fishing interests from pirates, who infested the shores of the Cattegat. It became at length a port, and the seat of an extensive trade; taking the name of Kiopbenhaven,' or, Kiobmandshaven,' which signifies harbour of merchants. This name is retained by the Danes, and by some of the Scotch highlanders. Since the bombardment in 1807, the trade of this port has rapidly declined.

The fortifications of the city are of great strength, and very high, being even with the roofs of the dwellings. These furnish a delightful promenade in summer, commanding a wide ocean-prospect, and the richest rural scenery.

The harbour is safe and commodious; and vessels come, by means of a canal, into the heart of the city, bringing coals from England, and abundance of grain and vegetables from Holland and Sweden, as well as from various parts of the islands of Denmark.

Copenhagen is not destitute of objects to interest the stranger. Amongst these may be numbered the Observatory, a large building of brick tiles, with two wings forming a right angle;-from the angle arises a round tower, with a ballustrade on its summit. This tower is ascended by a winding way of very gradual inclination, up which one of the former emperors of Russia is said to have driven his horses and chariot. From this observatory astronomical observations have been made for two hundred years, by Tycho Brake, and his successors.

In one wing of this celebrated building is a library, containing about 400,000 volumes, many of which are Latin and Icelandic manuscripts. The observatory was erected by Christian IV., a zealous patron of science, in the early part of the seventeenth century.

Rosenburg Slat, or Palace, is another of the works of Christian IV. It was begun in 1607. Its material is brick; its architecture is peculiar to king Christian Iv., who drew the plan of it, as also of the Exchange. It partakes somewhat of the oriental style, having spires and depressed domes, the gable ends resembling those of Dutch houses, with sharp roofs. This was erected in the suburbs of the city, in a forest, which is now a beautiful garden of walks, and flower-beds, and fountains. Many of the trees remain in their natural state; and amongst them are some bronze lions rampant, and other animals. Within the palace are many curiosities of arts and arms, which belonged to the kings of the Oldenburg dynasty, both of the predecessors and successors of Christian IV. Amongst the armour, is a ponderous sword of

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Charles XII. of Sweden, a present to one of the Danish kings. attempted to brandish it, but my puny arm was not sufficient for the task.

The sleeping-room of Christian IV. is open to visitors. He was a sailor, and slept in a hammock, swung in this close apartment.

A new palace of granite is nearly completed. It is of the ionic order, modern style. When finished, it will combine great strength with spaciousness and beauty. The grand dining hall surpasses in richness and majesty of style, any apartment of its kind on the continent. It is adorned with the designs of Denmark's artist, Thorwaltzen, which represent the Graces, and Aurora scattering roses upon the earth.

Of the several churches in Copenhagen, the True Kirke,' a chaste ionic building, recently completed, attracts the most notice from strangers; as it contains the statues of our Saviour and the Apostles, the work of the great Thorwaltzen. These statues are of white marble; that of the Saviour being eleven feet, and those of the Apostles eight feet in height, standing each upon a pedestal of red granite. Paul takes the place of Judas Iscariot. These statues are noble specimens of art. Peter stands with the "keys of the kingdom" in his hand ; in his stern features, lurks the indications of a tender and zealous heart, In the visage of John, reposes angelic sweetness; his right hand holds a reed, and his left a book open; whilst his upturned eyes seem gazing upon mysteries than cannot be revealed. Paul stands with a sword in his hand, indicative of his energy in the cause of Christ. On his brow are stamped the marks of genius and of holy courage. The robes of the apostles are most tastefully wrought, hanging in folds so natural and light, that one would almost mistake them for real drapery; and so perfect are the touches of the artist's chisel, that the veins on the arms and feet of these statues present a soft cerulean shade, as if the bright streams of life were coursing there.

The statue of our Saviour is formed from no external model. The artist must have moulded, in the yielding block, the image of his own conceptions; and yet he seems to have blended in that face all the mind can fancy of manhood and divinity. Although humility and condescension seem to prevail, yet the majesty is indescribable. He stands with his hands extended, in the posture of invitation, as if uttering the words sculptured in the granite on which he stands," Kommer til mig" -"Come unto me!" The light entering from above, and falling upon the arched and gilded wall behind the Saviour, casts a mellowed halo around his head. Before this unrivalled statue of modern art, an angel kneels, with wings extended, holding a baptismal fount. These statues are altogether too large for the hall of the church.

The effect of a representation of the Saviour's betrayal, and ascent to Calvary, is lost by its position. The whole would much better adorn some nobler fabric.

[To be continued.]

The above flag is a new device for a universal temperance flag. "The Bethel flag" has long been known to the world, as a signal for worship, so that when it is hoisted by a vessel of any nation, and in any port, the sailor will point to it and say, "There is a praying ship." Much might be gained to the cause of temperance, if a signal could be adopted, by common consent, and become equally well known to the world, as "The Temperance Flag;" so that, as soon as it was displayed, all might regard it as a token that no intoxicating liquors were allowed there. This plan originated with a ship-master, who learned, by bitter experience, the evils of intemperate drinking; but having, as he hopes, seen the error of his ways, is desirous of encouraging his brother seamen to abandon the use of strong drink wholly and for ever.

The principal figure in the flag is the rainbow, which, it is well known, is caused by the simple element of water, enlivened by the rays of the sun. It is a standing token of God's sacred covenant with man. In the left hand corner, near the staff is BRITANNIA, and in the opposite outer corner above, is the dove, with the olive-branch, the wellknown emblem of peace; while, below the whole, the word Temperance appears in large letters.

The device might be adopted as a banner for temperance societies, Sabbath-schools, etc., by some of whom it is already adopted, and painted on silk; and, in this case, the whole seven colours of the rainbow might be represented, with all their hues, and other scenery might be added; but, when made of bunting, and used as a flag on shipboard, it would probably be better to simplify it as much as possible; to have the ground white, the rainbow made of three circular stripes of bunting set into the flag, of the colours of blue, yellow, and red, those primary

* Every nation is, of course, left to adopt its own device.

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