but performed by a choir accompanied by an organ, the congregation joining but little.  The sermon was about the usual length of one in Scotland, lasting about an hour, and extemporized from notes.  The preacher was eloquent, and possessed of a strong voice, which he gave the reins to in a manner which would have captivated the wildest Highlander.  The discourse delivered was in aid of foreign missions, and the method he adopted in dealing with it was—­first, powerfully to attack monarchical forms of government and priestly influence, by which soft solder he seemed to win his way to their republican hearts; and from this position, he secondly set to work and fed their vanity freely, by glowing encomiums on their national deeds and greatness, and the superior perfections of their glorious constitution; whence he deduced, thirdly, that the Almighty had more especially committed to them the great work of evangelizing mankind.  This discourse sounded like the political essay of an able enthusiast, and fell strangely on my ears from the lips of a Christian minister, whose province, I had always been taught to consider, was rather to foster humility than to inflame vanity.  It is to be presumed he knew his congregation well, and felt that he was treading the surest road to their dollars and cents.

Among other curiosities in this town is a human one, known as the Golden Man, from the quantity of that metal with which he bedizens waistcoat, fingers, &c.  During my stay at New Orleans, he appeared decked with such an astounding gem, that it called forth the following notice from the press:—­

ANOTHER RING.—­The “gold” individual who exhibits himself and any quantity of golden ornaments, of Sunday mornings, in the vicinity of the Verandah and City Hotels, will shortly appear with a new wonder wherewith to astonish the natives.  One would think that he had already ornaments enough to satisfy any mortal; but he, it appears, is not of the stuff every-day people are made of, and he could not rest satisfied until his fingers boasted another ring.  The new prodigy is, like its predecessors, of pure solid gold.  It is worth 500 dollars, and weighs nearly, if not quite, a pound.  This small treasure is intended for the owner’s “little” finger.  It is the work of Mr. Melon, jeweller and goldsmith, on Camp-street, and is adorned with small carved figures, standing out in bold relief, and of very diminutive size, yet distinct and expressive.  The right outer surface represents the flight of Joseph, the Virgin, and the infant Jesus into Egypt.  Joseph, bearing a palm-branch, leads the way, the Virgin follows, seated on a donkey, and holding the Saviour in her lap.  On the left outer edge of the ring is seen the prophet Daniel, standing between two lions.  The prophet has not got a blue umbrella under his arm to distinguish him from the lions.  The face of the ring exhibits an excellent design of the crucifixion, with the three crosses and the Saviour