LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

NUMBER LI.

DUNDER, Dec. 31st 1857.

MY DEAR FRIEND:— I found it impossible to send off another letter from Aberdeen, much as I desired to do so. My last week was, (if possible.) more full of engagements than those that preceded it. and I am inclined to believe that had I stayed three months, instead of one month among my hospitable, warm-hearted and vigorous Aberdonian friends, plans and engagements would have multiplied and extended, ad infinitum.

Part of two mornings, last week, I gave to visiting several of the Industrial Schools. I was particularly interested in the one known as 'SHERIFF WATSON'S SCHOOL,' and there I spent some time in hearing the children examined in several branches of their studies. Sixty little children of the poorest classes, are in this excellent establishment. I believe that as many as eighty names have been on the books. Most of them were engaged in sewing and knitting when I entered, and the nimble little fingers continued the same occupation while their voices charmed me by singing a number of well selected songs, both secular and sacred, in solos and choruses. ' The old Arm Chair,' and 'The Troubadour,' were sweetly sung by two little sisters. (Catherine and Janet Maver,)—when I asked for some real Scotch songs, all eyes brightened, and I was responded to by 'Come ye by Athol?' 'Will ye no come back again?' and 'Bonnie Dundee,' and the more they sang, the faster moved their little fingers and the knitting needles! I expressed a with to hear the girls read, so a book was handed to me. I expected to find simple scripture lessons, when, to my surprize, the girl at the head of the class began in clear, distinct voice to read Byron's magnificent apostrophe to the ocean:

"Roll on! thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll!"

and extremely well she performed her task.—Some of our young ladies, so brightly "finished," as to have forgotten such a commitment as

reading, would be far distanced in this department, by several little girls in Sheriff Watson's establishment, who really read with due 'emphasis, pause and tone.' I could not help thinking of the great progress education has made among the lower classes, in the present century, and wondering what the noble poet would have thought, could he have listened to one of his greatest efforts, from the lips of a little girl, brought into a charity school, from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Aberdeen! Time fails me to tell of the well performed geographical and arithmetical lessons. Towards the close of my visit, I talked with the children of the great advantages they possess is contrasted with those of the poor slave children. The teachers in the well-ordered establishment are worthy of all praise. The school is, I am informed, entirely supported by the Free Church friends. We drove next to 'the Juvenile Industrial School.' and had the pleasure of seeing a number of rosy-faced, chubby little boys and girls enjoying their dinner, and then adjourning to play. Next day I visited the main Industrial Schools, (supported by all denominations,) of which the Juvenile School is a branch. I heard the children examined in Scripture history, and sing their new Christmas hymns. Possibly their thoughts were wandering to a certain festive occasion that was about to take place the next evening, and that near visions of Cake came in between them and the distant memories of Noah, Daniel, Jonah, &c., but certain it is that some of them presented our ancient friend in an entirely different light, and upset my gravity not a little. In the singing, too, harsh and loud tones were substituted for rich fullness of voice, and I was very sure that the singing master was not the same as at Sheriff Watson's School. I did not see this School to advantage, and regretted that I was unable to be present at the tea drinking of the following evening. Next we went to the 'House of Refuge,' and visited a School in connection with it, where the reading and the examination on the meaning of words were very satisfactorily executed by a number of the little boys, brought in here form 'the highways and hedges.' I did not omit seeing the 'Night Asylum,' to which any poor creature may come, and obtain a night's lodging, and a breakfast, without money. No poor, miserable outcast need perish of cold and hunger in the streets of Aberdeen. Benevolence is largely at work in this important northern city; and though the Aberdonians have not a character for liberality, in

other cities and towns of Scotland, they are rich in benevolent institutions of all kinds, and support them well. I was rather amused by Aberdonians saying to me, 'We have the character of being hard as our granite houses!' I regretted exceedingly that I was unable to visit Mr. Wilson' 'Ragged Kirk,' and to see something of the marvelous changes this excellent man is, (with the blessing of God,) bringing to pass in some of the worst localities of the city; but the body, you know, sometimes conquerors the spirit! and with my mind and heart set upon fulfilling my engagement at the 'Kirk,' the body was prostrate and I was unwell to go.

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CHRISTMAS is kept more in the North of Scotland than in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and a real old fashioned English Christmas we had, with a large party of merry, juvenile faces, round the table, and an orthodox plum pudding, visible among curling wreaths of blue flame, in the centre of the table, (did the wonderful orator GOUGH, waste his eloquence in Aberdeen, on Christmas eve, or whence sprung that suspicious looking blue flame!) The Christmas Tree won praise form all, and as both Paris and London had contributed to its decoration, and every one was remembered in the way of presents, I do not think this is much to be wondered at. I could not journey so far as Leicestershire to spend this social season with my dear cousins there, and it was, therefore, exceedingly kind of my first friends to make me so entirely one of their family this Christmas. On Saturday, I revisited old Aberdeen, and went over the Cathedral and King's College, and renewed my acquaintance with a lovely family. One of the daughters of which presented me with a spray of scarlet Japonica, in full blossom. The weather continues exceedingly mild, for the season, and the 26th was a splendid day. I, therefore, saw both unfortunately it being vacation time, the Librarians were absent, and the famous Library was closed. The exploring of that, and of a great many other places and objects of interest, stands over until I re-visit Aberdeen. To the many kind friends of all parties, and denominations, who united to further the interests of the important cause I went to the Granite City, to advance, I feel much indebted; when I come to speak to personal kindness, and to think of those who showered them upon me, with lavish hands and warm

hearts. I feel that it will be a bright day for me when I once more see the sun shining on the sparkling granite houses of Union Street, Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society is large, influential, young, vigorous, and highly intelligent, and as the financial crisis that has so largely affected this and many other towns, has not influenced, Aberdeen to any extent I trust that the ladies will, at once, set to work, in earnest, and do what they can in behalf of the slave.

I was glad to be present last evening at the Annual Meeting and Soiree of the Dundee Ladies' A. S. Society. The attendance was large, the meeting interesting, the addresses good. My excellent friend, Rev. Mr. Borwick, read the Report, as usual. I regretted its mournful tone, although, under all the circumstances, I could not wonder at it, since Dundee, in common with many other manufacturing towns, is feeling deeply the effects of the financial crisis, and just before we went to the soiree, news came of the failure of the Provost of Dundee, which did not tend to raise the spirits of the friends. With due deference, however, to the Report of the Committee, I differ from it entirely, when in speaking of the Anti-Slavery cause, the Dundee Committee say: The interest felt it in Britain has, of late, they feel, considerably abated.' My experience is of another kind. There is no lack of interest, but there is a lack of money, and the subscriptions in 1858 for the Anti-Slavery cause, are scarcely likely to be as large as they have been in the few la[s]t years.

Patient waiting and careful expenditure of the funds in hand will soon mend all this; meanwhile, I do wish our Anti-Slavery friends to be thoroughly informed on the subject, and then they will work intelligently, and keep themselves interested in what they are doing. No Society can decline or decay from without, if all be sound at heart and vigorous within. And then there are facts in plenty, to keep up the interest. It is not two years wince a noble Senator was knocked down on the floor of Congress, for exercising the right of Free speech. It is not one year since the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Dread Scott case, stirred our spirits within us, and made us repeat our vows anew of ceaseless hostility to slavery, and now, when Kansas is on the eve of civil war, and efforts are being made in divers quarters for the restoration of the Slave Trade, under a new name, shall we complain of want of facts as an excuse

for our little doings?

Long life to the Dundee Anti-Slavery Society! They make a judicious disposition of friends—may they increase largely in time to come, and the future Reports of their Committee partake of the cheering tone of the closing paragraph of their present issue.

It was very pleasant to have so many warm shakes of the hand, and good wishes as came to my lot last evening, from the kind of friends here, who two years ago, first welcomed me to Bonnie Dundee, but the warm greetings and kind words of my worthy friend, the Chairman, were nearly overwhelming, all underserved by me, as they were, but after all, I believe it is much more pleasant to most of us to be praised than blamed by our friends, whether we acknowledge it or not.—What think you?

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"The year is growing old," and in a few more hours, 1857, with its hopes and fears, its joys and sorrows, its alarms and apprehensions, will have passed away, to join its predecessors.

To the inhabitants of our little island, this has been an exciting and eventful year, and many families are plunged in grief and mourning now that little dreamed of sorrow, when they listened to the ringing in of the last new year.

The calamities in India have made a vacant seat in many a happy circle. Many who thought themselves wealthy a few months ago, are now penniless. Stern lessons have been learnt by many, and taught too many, by which I trust we shall individually and nationally so profit; that if spared to see the coming in of another new year, the 'silver lining' of the 'cloud' that now hangs over us may be visible.

Do you know Tennyson's beautiful lines on the year? They are not so appropriate in Scotland as in England, since here no ringing of bells ushers in the new year:

1.
"Ring our wild bells! to the wild sky,
The flying clouds, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night,
Ring out, wild bells, and let them die!
Ring out the old, ring our the new,
Ring, happy bells across the snow,
The year is going, let him go—
Ring out the false, ring in the true!
Ring out the wild bells, &c.

2.
Ring out the grief the saps the mind,
For those we ne'er may see again;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind,
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart the kindlier hand.
Ring our the darkness of the land!
Ring in the light that is to be!
Ring out, wild bells! to the wild sky,
The flying clouds, the frosty light!
The year is dying in the night,
Ring our, wild bells, and let him die!"

That year now coming in may prove propitious to you, and your readers, is the wish of yours truly,

JULIA GRIFFITHS.