SECTION III. Library of the Society of Inquiry. This Library, though older than the Society, is deficient in the number and variety of its volumes. Some account of its origin is contained in the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ide, who was Librarian of the Society from its first formation until September, 1812. "There was a small library given by benevolent individuals for the use of those students whose attention was particularly turned to the subject of missions, before the Society of Inquiry was formed. A number of books were given after it was reported that such a society was in contempla tion, before it was actually formed. These were generally given or sent to Samuel J. Mills, as being well known to be deeply engaged in the missionary cause, and they formed the foundation of the present library. After the organization of the society, donations to the library became more frequent. The number of books was, however, so small, that at first I kept them all upon my writing table. Before I left the seminary, which was in September, 1812, they had increased to something like a hundred volumes." The library thus founded, was annually increased by the addition of from fifteen to twenty volumes by means of periodicals and other works purchased by the Society. A few donations were also received, as has been mentioned under the history of the Society, page 18. Some other. contributions from various individuals have been received since that period; particularly from the Missionaries of the American Board, who have generally deposited in the library, copies of the works which have issued from the mission presses at the different stations. The library now consists of 655 volumes. In this number are included translations of the Bible into several oriental languages, among which may be mentioned the entire Bible in the Bengalee, Mahratta, and Crissa languages; besides translations of the New Testam nt into the Armeno-Turkish, Cingalese, Hindoostanee, Malabar, and Sanscrit languages. There are also the Psalms of David translated into Persian by Henry Martyn, and the Gospel of Luke translated into Chinese, by Dr. Morrison; also copies of the Bible in several of the modern languages of Europe. The library also contains Grammars of most of the above mentioned languages; besides a variety of Tracts, spelling-books, &c., printed at the Sandwich Islands, and various other missionary stations. Measures have recently been taken to obtain complete sets of the Annual Reports of the benevolent Societies in Great Britain, which it is believed will place at the disposal of the Society an immense mass of valuable information. An entire copy of the Reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society has already been received, also some Reports of the Church Missionary Society, and the Reports of some other societies are expected soon. Qne object of the Society, as set forth in the original Constitution, was, 66 to disseminate information relative to the subject of missions." In pursuance of this object, members of the society have exerted themselves in preparing articles for various religious papers and reviews. In addition to this, the following publications have either been prepared by the society, or been issued under its direction. Buchanan's Researches, and Memoir relative to India-Horne's Letters on Missions Missionary Hymns -Memoir of Samuel J. Mills, second edition-A Tract, on the condition of Females in Pagan and Mohammedan countries and an annual "Statement of Facts" respecting people of color. SECTION IV. Museum of the Society of Inquiry. This Museum contains a small collection of curiosities from foreign lands illustrating the dress, manners and. customs, and religious rites of heathen nations. I: owes its existence to the generosity of individuals, and partieularly of the Missionaries who have gone from the society; several of whom have occasionally made contributions to the Museum. It is proposed to give such a sketch of a part of the contents of this collection, as shall assist the reader to form a general idea of its character, and shall at the same time convey actual information respecting the various articles, to those who have not the specimens before them. KAPA, or cloth from the Sandwich Islands, made from the inner-bark of the paper mulberry, and bread-fruit trees. The process is the following:—The bark is carefully separated from trees of three or four years' growth, and deposited in vessels of water, where it is suffered to remain until the fibres become loose and easily separated. The strips are then laid upon smooth blocks of wood or stone, the edges of the contiguous strips being carefully brought together, and the whole is beaten with a mallet. By this process the strips of bark are made to adhere, and the texture of the whole is rendered more firm. This being several times repeated, it assumes its present form. It is dyed with vegetable colors laid on with the hand, a small |