about 1000.

All then that are attached to the Unitarians and

Arians are about 3526.

I have seen in a provincial newspaper, recently, that there are six Roman Catholic Chapels in the principality of Wales. Until that announcement appeared I was not aware of the existence of so many. Only a few of these are well attended. The one at Holywell has a large congregation; and I must do them the justice to say that their conduct is both mild and courteous, forming a great contrast to some of the sectarians there, much to the disadvantage of the latter. Under present circumstances Popery finds that it cannot play the lion, therefore it thinks proper to put on the garb of the lamb. But the soil of Wales has been too well cultivated for the weeds of Socinianism or of Popery to grow in it with any degree of luxuriance.

In the Congregational Calendar of this year, it is stated that there are nine congregations belonging to the Society of Friends in Wales, but I have no means of ascertaining the total of members.

A tabular view of the state of the religious communities in Wales, given as accurately as possibly after much inquiry and deliberation.

Monmouthshire, in which there may be twenty or thirty

thousand people who speak the Welsh language, and are at

Total.

tached, either as members or hearers, to the different communities, is not included.

The rest of the inhabitants, which I estimate at from 80,000 to 150,000, must be regarded, I fear, as totally unconcerned about religion in any of the modes in which it appears amongst us.

In a very important sense, and to a very considerable extent, the Welsh are a religious people. In defending this position, it is necessary that some explanations be made. Religion has so pervaded Wales that the Bible is universally disseminated. Day-schools have answered the purpose of their institution, in reference to the wealthier classes of society; and as a powerful auxiliary, Sunday teaching has diffused instruction in places and among families which the dayschools have not been able to affect. The inhabitants generally are able to read the Scriptures. Exceptions undoubtedly there are, but they are mostly confined to children under ten, and to old people who have passed seventy, years of age. The institution which has produced the greatest effect on the religious character of the people is that of preaching the gospel. The extempore method of instruction, adopted by all the dissenting ministers, appears peculiarly suited to the genius of the nation. The Welsh discourses are generally distinguished for the vivid style in which sentiments are clothed, and a very animated mode of delivery; and by many a sort of chanting tone is used. All this is so grateful to the taste of the great majority of the people that they are not very attentive to instruction conveyed in a different manner. Nevertheless the sermons are frequently so full of matter that a change in that particular might very advantageously be made.

Some of the most pious people ever known to the writer have been natives and inhabitants of the principality. Though the education of the middle classes is so deficient, that the grace and elegance which learning confers, seldom distinguish any of them, yet in the absence of these, religious principles and

common sense, have done much in forming their character and giving to it a high degree of excellence. At one time I well knew a man of this class, whose character exhibited a multitude of excellencies, rarely met in the same individual. He was naturally a shrewd and intelligent man, but his intelligence was derived not so much from books as from a knowledge of the world. In religious information, however, he had made considerable proficiency. His Bible and a few other books, composed his library; but the contents of these he had carefully examined and well digested. His countenance was open and cheerful, and his address very affectionate and commanding. He had a peculiar tact for managing persons of all ages. The young revered him as a father, the middle-aged respected him as an oracle, and the old people felt conscious of his superior abilities. He was beloved and respected by all that knew him; and wherever he appeared the weight of his character was duly felt. He took an active part in promoting the education of the people, in a district which had no regular day-school, and was eminently useful in disseminating religious truth, and promoting peace and good will among his neighbours. The name of this individual was Mr. John Hughes, and he resided in a farm house called Yr Allt, in the parish of Llangaffo, in the county of Anglesey.

In the same county there resided a man who was considered the father of the neighbourhood. The respect which was paid him arose more froin his moral than intellectual qualities, and it is seldom that such a combination of moral excellencies are found in a person of the same grade in society. It could not be said that liberality, on an extensive scale, was the foundation of his good name; for such a display of generosity he did not possess the means. But it was found that kindness and good will towards others were the ruling sentiments of his heart, and these discovered themselves in innumerable acts, on a small scale, which benefitted others. It has frequently been observed that character is made up of incidents which betray,

unawares, the real disposition. In regard to the person we are considering, incidents of that nature, very favourable to his reputation, occurred almost daily. Sometime ago an adjoining neighbour of his, who held a small tenement of land, became so unwell that he could no longer cultivate it; in order to secure himself from loss, he resolved to let it to some person who was likely to do it justice. In his difficulty he consulted the individual whose character we are considering, who demanded of him what a year he considered it worth? The answer was fourteen pounds. "Well," said he, "I will give you fifteen for it" This is so contrary to the general hard-bargaining usage of the country, that it deserves to be recorded by way of example. The same man once in changing a bill of considerable value, at a bank, received one ten pound note instead of a five, which he did not discover until some time after he had reached home. As soon as the discovery was made he returned to the bank and restored the money.

Characters equally distinguished for real worth are frequently found among the other sex. The author remembers one of singular excellence. It was a farmer's wife, who possessed good natural parts, and, without the help of education, had acquired very correct knowledge of men and things. She made a most affectionate wife, and displayed great skill, prudence, and economy, in the management of her domestic affairs, and submitted to many privations for the purpose of finding means to educate her children. This excellent woman appeared to advantage in all the relations of life. As a christian there never was a more unblemished character. She seemed to love God with all her heart, and her heart was capable of feeling and acting with considerable intensity. She would not tolerate sinful practices in her presence. Her rebukes were irresistible, as they always arose from the kindest feeling, and were administered under the guidance of a very enlightened reason. Though a saint she had no sancti

moniousness. Her religion did not consist, like that of many, in groaning and disfiguring her countenance ; but in deep sentiment, well regulated affections, and constant propriety of deportment. She was not unfrequently serviceable to her neighbours, who sought her advice in difficulties. Her counsels were administered with so much prudence that she never gave a bad advice, nor was she ever involved in any unpleasant disputes herself. She bore the troubles of life without repining, and endured very severe trials without betraying a murmuring disposition. But though she seemed perfectly resigned to the will of heaven, her feeble frame broke down before she reached old age, and she has been, for some years, numbered with the dead. Never was greater sorrow manifested, at the decease of a person in her station of life. Her death was regarded by all that knew her as a common loss, for every one felt that he had lost a friend.

The late Mrs. Williams of Treddolffin, in the parish with which the writer is connected, was a most excellent woman. She was truly religious in her general habits, devising liberal things for the benefit of the poor that surrounded her. She has left behind her a name which is deeply revered by her relations, and highly respected by all that were acquainted with her.

These portraits of character, taken almost at random, are pleasing proofs of fixed religious principles and moral integrity. But they are only specimens, for multitudes of such persons are to be found in all parts of the principality. Two of the individuals, which we have described, have been selected from a parish considered to be the most depraved in the county in which it is situated. It is inhabited by persons of the most profane character. The profligate, the drunkard, the contemner of God, and the midnight robber, are to be found in that notorious place! There is no day-school of any sort in the parish; and had it not been for the labour of the Calvinistic Methodists, both in preaching the gospel and in