groes who fhould repair to Africa. He proposed to unite them to the new colony at Sierra-Leona. He had fent, at his own expence, into Africa, a well-inftructed man, who had spent several years in obferving the productions of the country, the manufactures most fuitable to it, the place moft convenient, and the measures neceffary to be taken to fecure the colony from infults, and every thing was prepared. He had communicated his plan to fome members of the legislature of Maffachusetts, who did not at first relish it. They liked better to give lands to their negroes, and encourage them in the cultivation. But, fays the doctor, what can they do with their land, unaccustomed to war, and furrounded by favages? Suppofing them to fucceed, will you admit their reprefentatives to fit in your affemblies, to prefide over you? -No. Reftore them then to their native country.

The doctor was perfuaded, that when his defign fhould be known, thousands of the negroes would follow him. He had remarked, as well as I, the injustice of reproaching them with the spirit of idleness. If they are lazy, fays he, why fo much expence to go and fteal them from their country for the fake of their labour?

His reafoning begins to convince men of reflexion, and his plan gives a folution to the problem of Mr. Jefferfon.

The state of Massachusetts has fince received a requeft from the negroes, for the execution of the project. They have promised to give aid to it, as foon as they shall be affured of a fituation in Africa proper for a good eftablishment: they have even promised to furnifh veffels, inftruments, provifions, &c.

What advantage would refult to Africa, to Europe, and even to America, from the execution of this plan! For the blacks of Africa would gradually civilize by the affiftance of thofe from America; and the whites, whom they ought to execrate, would never mingle with them. By this civilization, Europe would open a vast market to her manufactures, and obtain, at a cheap rate, and without the effufion of blood, thofe productions which coft her at the islands so much money and fo many crimes. God grant that this idea may soon be realized * !

A fociety is formed in England, whofe object is to follow the establishment of Sierra Leona, and open a trade there for the productions of the country. This fettlement is on land belonging to the English, and dependant on the English government.

Another fociety is formed, whose object is partly the fame, but who wish to render this establishment independent of every European government. They have lately published their plan, under the following title:

Plan of a free community on the coaft of Africa, formed under the protection of Great Britain, but entirely independent of all European government and laws; with an invitation, under certain conditions, to those who may defire to partake of the advantages of this undertaking.'

In this plan, of which every friend to humanity must wish the fuccefs, it is declared, that the fociety is founded on the principle of univerfal philanthropy, and not fimply for the neceffities of commerce::-advantages too much prized; as if the happiness of all the human race confifted in the acquifition of wealth.

METEO

UPERIOR excellence is the general mark for calumny; and envy is ufually led to afperfe what it cannot imitate. A little mind is fcandalized at the preeminence of its neighbour; and endeavours to depreciate the virtues which it cannot attain to. Thus the diftempered eye is impatient of prevailing brightness; and, by attempting to obferve the lucid object, inadvertently betrays its own weakness. Pride is the fruitful parent of detraction; and it is the unjuft eftimate which men fet upon themselves, that generates in their minds this ridiculous contempt of greater worth. Perfons of this unhappy complexion regard all praises conferred upon another as derogatory from their own value. The arrows of the backbiter are generally fhot in the night; and the most unfpotted innocence is the game of this infernal deftroyer. The heads of his darts are imbrued in poifon; and it too frequently happens, that a fmall wound proves mortal to the injured. But to drop for the present these figurative expreffions, I would only obferve, that it is pity a well-regulated fociety cannot more effectually curb this impious licentioufnefs of thofe fons of darkness. If a wretch, neceffitated by the cries of a flarving family to feek illegal fupplies of bread, fhall make an open attack upon me, the conftitution of the realm configns fuch a pitiable malefactor to infamy and death. And fhall this miferable object of compaffion prove the victim of my refentment, while the backbiter may, with impunity, revel in the exceffes of his iniquity, and boaft de fance to all laws? As this is a topic, however, which hath been defcanted on by a variety of pens, I fhall endeavour to enliven it with the air of novelty, by throwing my further fentiments into the form of a vifion.

I found myself, during the flumbers of the night, in a very extenfive region, which was fubject to the ju

rifdiction of a fury, name Detraction. The fields were wild, and carried not the leaft appearance of cultivation. The tops of the hills were covered with fnow; and the whole country feemed to mourn the inclement severity of one eternal winter. Instead of the verdure of a pleafing herbage, there fprang up to fight hemlock, aconite, and other baneful plants. The woods were the retreats of ferpents; while on the boughs were perched the birds of night, brooding in doleful filence.

In the middle of the plain was a bleak mountain, where I discovered a group of figures, which I prefently made up to. On the fummit prefided the fury of the place. There was a peculiar deformity attending her perfon. Her eyes were galled and inflamed; her vifage was fwollen and terrible; and from her mouth proceeded a two-edged fword. A blasted oak was the throne which fhe fat on; her food was the flesh of vipers, and her drink gall and vinegar.

At a little distance from her I obferved Ignorance talking loud in his own applaufe; Pride ftrutting upon his tiptoes; Conceit practifing at a mirror; and Envy, like a vulture, preying upon herself.

The multitudes who paid their ad dreffes to this fury were a compofition of all nations and profeffions, of dif ferent characters, and various capa cities. There was the mechanic, the tradefman, the scholar; but the most zealous votaries confifted principally of old maids, antiquated batchelors, difcarded courtiers, and the like. Each ftrove to ingratiate himfelf with the fury, by facrificing the most valuable of his friends; nor could proximity of blood move compaffion, or plead exemption from being victims to her infatiable paffion. Some addreffed this infernal Moloch with the very fruits of their bodies, while others were triumphantly chanting forth the extent of her power, and