Egypt: Coptic Christians.-The visit of the Rev. J. R, T. Lieder, of the Church Missionary Society, to the settlement of the Coptic Christians in the Faioum, Upper Egypt, has furnished the following particulars:

"About 300 Christian families live in Medineb-and, therefore, at least 1000 souls: these are besides the Bishop and Priests. The Christians have no church in Medineh: formerly they had two, but the tyrannical and rapacious Mahomedans have taken them away by force, and have changed them into mosques: the Christians are, therefore, now obliged to go to church in the country: the next church is an hour's distance from Medineh, and is called Deir Assab. Deir signifies a kind of Monastery, and there are five such in the vicinity of Medineh. These Monasteries are most solitary, in general situated far from the city and from villages; and, I think, out of fear and precaution, because of the rapacious Mahomedans, who would snatch away every church, if situated near a town or a village. Besides these Monasteteries, there are no churches in the Faioum. The evil consequence of the great distance of the churches is, that only few are able to attend, because of the heat of the climate; and thereby many remain ignorant in regard to the principles of the Christian Faith, become indifferent, and at last turn Mahomedans.

The Copts have eight Bishops in Egypt; several of these live in the Patriarchate at Caïro, and only visit their Bishoprics at certain times of the year.

Beside the Patriarch and the Bishops, there are 300 Coptic Priests in Egypt; 50 of whom live in Caïro. Only the Patriarch, the Bishops, and three Priests in Caïro have an annual income: all the other Priests are obliged to beg their bread and clothes from their parishioners, and many of them live in great poverty.

The Copts have, properly speaking, four Ecclesiastical Orders-the Patriarch, the Bishop, the Kumus, and the Priest. A Kumus is one who prepares -himself to become a Bishop. if one dies: he may properly be called ViceBishop, and no one can be ordained as Bishop among the Copts unless he has reviously been a Kumus. The Pa

triarch, the Bishop, and the Kumus, are obliged to live in celibacy; but the common Priest marries: only once, however; for a second marriage of a Priest among the Copts would be considered a flagrant sin. If a Kumus should wish to marry, he may obtain permission to do it, and may also keep his office; but then he can never lay claim to a Bishopric.

Next to these four Ecclesiastical Orders, the Copts have three others, but lower-the Areef, which is translated by the Catholics, Dean; the RaisEshshamamiseh, which is translated Archdeacon; and the Shammas, or Deacon. The Areefs are, in general, those blind Schoolmasters who teach the children to learn by heart some prayers and passages of the Scriptures, and whose duty it is to instruct them in religion; the chief function of an Archdeacon is to teach some of the children of the rich Copts to read, and also to read sometimes the Gospel in the church; and the Deacon is also accustomed to teach children to read, and to read sometimes the Epistles in the church. The Archdeacon and Deacon need only to know how to read; and very often little boys, of seven or eight years of age, enjoy these titles.

The first three Orders only are called by their proper titles, together with the common title Abuna; for instance, Abuna Patriarch, Abuna Uskuf, and Abuna Kumus: the fourth Order, or the common Priests, are called by their name, joined to the title Abuna; thus, Abuna Michael, Abuna Athanasius; but the three lower orders are called only by their titles: the Areef, the Rais-Eshshamamiseb, and the Shammas.

The Copts, like the Catholics, make much of the Apocrypha; and the more so, as many principles of their Church are derived from it. They have an Apocryphal Book which they call "The Praxis of the Apostles;" on which they ground many of their ceremonies; they say that it was written in an assembly of the Apostles in Jerusalem, like those precepts, Acts xv. 23-39; but they know nothing of its genuineness.

The Copts administer the Holy Supper, in general, every Sunday in their churches, but only the bread,

and every one who wishes may partake of it; but the wine is received by only a few, whom the priests think worthy of it with these they go into a separate room, and give them two or three spoonfuls of wine; for the Copts, like the Abyssinians, administer the wine by means of a spoon, The bread of the Sacrament any one may receive, without preparing himself for it: but not so the wine; if any person wishes to partake of this, he is obliged to fast some days before and after, and is to abstain from spitting for several hours."

Syria. The Maronite patriarch has lately issued the following interdict, denouncing excommunication against all of his flock who dare to hold any intercourse with the missionaries.

"We command and ordain, by the word of the Lord that is Almighty, with regard to all our people and chil dren of the Maronite Denomination, of whatever character they may be, whether Priests or people, of whatever rank or office, that they separate themselves from these individuals, the Bible-Men, followers of the Scriptures, with a perfect separation, as to all connection and commerce whatever, whether it be religious or worldly-that is to say, let there be with these individuals neither buying nor selling, neither borrowing nor lending, neither giving nor receiving. Let no one learn in their schools, even though they be schools for the poor and ignorant; and let no one teach in them any sort of science, or any sort of language whatever. Moreover, let no one dwell with them, as a hired man or servant, in any capacity whatever, And after the publication of this our Circular, whosoever shall dare to transgress this our command in his temerity, if he be a Priest, he falls by that act under the condemnation of the loss of office; and if he be one of the common people, he falls under the great excommunication, the power of absolution from which is reserved to ourself."

Smyrna.-The late Rev. Elnathan Gridley, American Missionary, gives the following interesting account of the funeral of a Greek female, which he had an opportunity of witnessing:

"A low bier, standing near the centre of the church-floor, bore the corpse it was the remains of a female.

On her head was a white turban, in

which was gracefully entwined a large braid of hair, passing high over her forehead: she was decked in a long, light-brown, silk mantle, with edges trimmed with sable: her head was resting on a pillow of yellow silk, beautifully figured with gold: a small coverlet of the same was spread over the lower part of the body, and hung down from the foot of the bier: she seemed like one who had thrown herself on a couch, to rest a little from the fatigues of a journey. No coffin, no shroud, none of the wonted habiliments of the dead were seen: on each side of the bier were large waxen candles; and around were standing hundreds of sympathizing friends, each bearing a lighted taper in his hand. Half-an-hour, or more, the Priests alternately chanted and recited the Burial Service; and, at short intervals, nnmbers united in a sacred soug the Scriptures were opened, and from the Ancient Greek was read, The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.

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"An ancient Priest, with a long hoary beard, standing by the side of the dead, in their own native dialect, then addressed the people. He stood there, he said, to speak for her who could no longer speak for herself; and, for her, to forgive any, who might ever in any way have injured her. If she had herself injured any, he hoped that now they would freely forgive her; the assembly, with united voice, responding, We forgive! and may she also be forgiven of her God!'-then crossed themselves, and bowed. The crowd then parted, and the relatives of the deceased drew near; the eye of the husband was now, for the last time, fixed on the dear object of his affections; and, as he gazed, the falling tear bespoke the anguish which he felt thrice he crossed himself, then bowed and kissed the cheek now cold in death; and so feeling, so affectionate, was this last farewell, that no one could pronounce it a ceremony merely all the tenderness of a parting scene was there.

"The deceased was then borne to the depository of the dead; and, when laid in the tomb, the Priest poured oil on her head, repeating from one of the Psalms of David, The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

NETHERLANDS. Religious Elementary Education.Under the Austrian government the state of elementary education in Belgium was most deplorable, being confided, for the most part to ignorant and prejudiced monks. During the administration of the French, matters were very little altered- but since the formation of the Netherlands, government has done much for the education of its subjects, although it has met with great opposition. The manufacturing classes having it in their power to amass wealth with comparative ease, have little feeling of the want of instruction, while the clergy decry the public establishments, and endeavour to attract the youth to the minor seminaries. The government, however, is not without encouragement to proceed, as it is seconded by many philanthrofic individuals animated by the success already obtained.

Each

province is now divided into a certain number of district-schools with an inspector, who is responsible for the state of education throughout the district assigned to him. He is bound to look to the execution of the rules, to visit the schools, and report their situation. According to the instructions here, the legal adviser of the teachers, whom he is charged to direct in the manner best fitted to promote education. He is to advise on the necessary measures with the local and general authorities of the scholastic establishments, as well as for the appointment of teachers. None of these can be admitted without a certificate of ability, signed by the provincial commission-for scholastic instruction, and they are obliged to pay every attention to propriety of conduct and cleanliness. The situation of teachers is obtained at the competitions. There are two Normal Schools for teachers, one at Harlem, and the other at Liere. Periodical meetings of the teachers for the purpose of communicating their experience are encouraged by the government. chart of the low countries similar to that of France by M. Dupin has been drawn up by M. Sommerhausen-the result of the documents furnished for this map shows, that while in France the most uninstructed department sends only one scholar in 268 inhabitants to the Schools, the same province in the Netherlands sends only one in 17 or even 14-at the same time it is to be remarked that M. Dupin's calculation embraces only the male popula

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tion while the other includes the children of both sexes.

Prussian Schools.-In the present States, according to the census of 1825, there were 12,256,725 inhabitants, of whom were 4,487,461 children under fourteen years of age, so that the latter formed above a third of the whole population. The number of children is so great, that a very large proportion of the earnings of the poorer classes is expended on them; one of the most serious charges is that for education; even assuming that their instruction in the public school does not commence till they have completed their seventh year, about three sevenths, that is in the Prussian dominions above 1,920,000 of them are in want of it. Every three years lists are published, shewing the number of public schools, of the masters and mistresses employed, and of the children of both sexes who receive instruction in them; at the end of the year 1825, there were

Elementary schools for both

sexes,

Central schools for boys,.. 458 Ditto

20,887

giris, 278 736

Total,........

..

In these schools are employed
Masters,.
Mistresses,.

21,623

22,261

704

22,965

Besides 2,021 Assistant Masters and Mistresses.

Protestants in France - The Protestants residing in France are divided into two communions, viz. the Lutherans, or those who adhere to the Confession of Augsburg, and the Reformed, or Calvinists, who adhere to the Confession of Geneva. From the "Statistique des Eglises Reformées de France, par A. Soulier," just pub Jished, we learn that the Protestants of the Reformed (or Calvinistic) communion have 438 edifices consecrated to public worship, in which 305 pastors officiate. These are governed by 96 consistorial and oratorial bodies, (consistoriales et oratoires.) There are 451 Bible Societies and Associations, 124 Missionary Societies and Associations, 59 Societies and Depositories for the circulation of Religious Tracts, 8 Provident Societies, 79 Sunday Schools, and 392 Elementary and Boarding Schools. For the education

of young men for the sacred office, there are two theological faculties ; one at Montaubon, the other at Strasbourg. In both there are professors of theology, evangelical morality, ecclesiastical history, sacred philology, and pulpit eloquence; and at Montauban there are professors of classi

cal literature and philosophy. By a decree dated January 11, 1828, Baron Cuvier (a Protestant,) is appointed Director-General of the affairs of the Protestant churches in France ;-a nomination which appears to have given great satisfaction in that country.

We know not whether the following article will be thought to come properly under the denomination of "Religious Intelligence," but as it arrived too late for insertion in any other part of our present Number, and as it contains "Intelligence" relative to the manners and feelings of our peasantry which may be interesting to our English readers, we have given it insertion here, (though at the expence of omitting other matter,) rather than defer it to another month:

SIX DAYS' TOUR TO THE WESTWARD.

MR. EXAMINER-I live in the centre of the kingdom, and at the full of the last moon, taking an eccentric fit, I rambled from home just for six days, and send you herewith the Journal of all I saw and heard; .if it be worth your notice, you will be pleased to have it printed, if not, it may share the fate of your many "rejected addresses."

I am, Sir, A CONSTANT READER.

My first stage was to Boyle. Here I rambled about, and observed that my Lord L. had made many improvements; the town has of late assumed a very neat appearance. I was quite vexed at seeing a modern-sash window in one of the ivy mantled towers of the beautiful Abbey! Oh such taste! as ridiculous as to see a venerable old gentleman dressed like a dandy. Walking over the bridge, I was grieved to observe my friend King William daubed over with lampblack. How comes this,' said I to the waiter at the inn? Why, Sir, we have had Mr. O'Connell preaching out of that window to a fair full of people a few days ago, and the statue was spattered the way you see it the very night after, though I hear that King William was a good warrant to let every man go to church, meeting, or chapel, as each one pleased; these times his Majesty never has a clean face, not even of a Sunday, and more's VOL. VII.

the shame; but may-be the time will come when he will recover his looks, and I hope it is not far off. For a farthing I would have pulled the Counsellor out of that window the day he was making the speech, for he abused our landlord, my Lord L. and that only because he wishes the poor to read, and write, and know the word of God.' This honest fellow seemed to speak from his heart, and I gave him an extra shilling on leaving the inn.

Next day I proceeded towards Tubbercurry, through a wild and naked country. About half way I visited a school the master was a Roman Catholic, and his pupils were of the same faith. I found here many of the exceptionable books specified by the Commissioners of Education, such as "Freyney the Robber." I asked one boy who had an octavo in his hand what he was reading; he replied 'the history of Conny the Bear.' Not hav ing ever heard of such a bear, I looked at the title page, and found it to be

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