SINGING, AND EDUCATION. 321 
arrival in the islands in 1817, it was in general 
use ; and whenever we walked among the habita¬ 
tions of the people, some parts of it broke upon 
the ear. It is now, however, very seldom heard. 
The “ Old Hundredth Psalm/' “ Denmark,” “ Si¬ 
cilian Mariners,” and others of a more moderate 
date, are among their greatest favourites. 
The Bible has been the basis of the greater part 
of the instruction given in the schools, but not to 
the exclusion of other departments of knowledge. 
In addition to the various portions of Scripture, 
and numerous tracts that have been printed, a 
system of arithmetic has been prepared by Mr. 
Davies, and a table of chronology, which is exten¬ 
sively used; and, so soon as the entire volume of 
Scripture shall be completed, other useful works 
will be translated. Although a work on geogra^ 
phy has not yet been printed, many of the natives 
have a tolerably correct idea of the extent, popu¬ 
lation, and relative positions of the most import¬ 
ant countries of the world. They are fond of 
calculations, and make themselves familiar with 
figures, so far as their books enable them to pro¬ 
ceed. The schools are important appendages o 
every Missionary station, and are considered such by 
the most intelligent and influential of the people. 
As it respects the spiritual improvement of the 
rising generation, the understanding of the Scrip¬ 
tures, and the extension of Christianity, Sabbath- 
schools are the most interesting and encouraging 
sections of this department. The scholars are the 
same as in the day-schools, but the mode of in¬ 
struction pursued is different. Writing, reading, 
and spelling are not taught, but the time is de¬ 
voted to the religious instruction of the children. 
Each class is under the care of a native instructor, 
II. v 
