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so long encumbered the finances of the charity, and the liberality of the Committee for conducting the late musical festival has served materially to improve the condition of its funds.

The formation of a library for the use of the pupils of the school was commenced in the year 1824, and the Liverpool District Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, whose proceedings have been always characterized by an anxious zeal to promote the diffusion of useful and religious learning, presented the Trustees with a copy of each of their publications. To these, several additions have since been made. Mr. Brown presented 20l. to be expended on the same object. The present Treasurer made some considerable important contributions-he gave Mavor's Universal History, in 60 vols.; Nicholson's British Encyclopædia of Arts and Sciences, and 18 vols. of Voyages and Travels, by Kerr, besides some other useful and popular works. The Kildare Place Society, instituted with the express view of advancing the cause of education in Ireland, published a series of books peculiarly adapted to the purposes of a lending library; and when Mr. Grant, one of the Commissioners for inquiring into Public Charities, was in this town, in the year 1828, he was so much pleased with what he saw in the school, that he most kindly increased the collection by the addition of a complete set of them. Mr. Horsfall, during his

mayor

alty in the last year, sent a donation of 351. for the purchase of a pair of globes, in the first instance, which has proved a most acceptable and useful acquisition, and the remainder of the sum he directed to be expended in in

creasing the library. By these means, the collection is gradually assuming a respectable appearance: and whilst it furnishes the pupils with a store both of amusement and instruction, it operates also as a strong incentive to good conduct, the privilege of reading the books being confined to those boys whose general behaviour is considered deserving the indulgence. Another most important advantage has been gained by the establishment of this library: by allowing the books to circulate amongst those boys who have been apprenticed from the school, on their producing a written certificate of good conduct from their employers, the connexion between them and the Institution is thus kept up after they have left it; and this has been found productive of the most beneficial results, both to the masters and apprentices. Applications for this privilege are on the increase, and the Trustees consider it their duty to promote this feeling amongst the young men by every means in their power; because it will enable them to guide their reading into a safe channel, and to direct the knowledge they have acquired in the school to its proper end. They are convinced that the best preservative against the spread of evil principles, and the contagion of bad example, is making knowledge subservient to religion.

The number of children at present in the Institution is 350, viz. 250 boys, and 100 girls; of which number, 131 are orphans, 198 fatherless, 8 motherless, and 13 who have parents, but in indigent circumstancs.

R. DOBSON, Esq.
Treasurer.

POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

DOMESTIC.-To have expected any thing satisfactory from the present ministers would have argued such a total inattention to passing events, and such an heretical and Jewish view of his

torical fact, that we certainly are not disappointed at the measures which have characterised the parliamentary career of the reformers since our last. Of their miserable policy, their doltish

insensibility to many, as we think, of the great interests of the country, we are not called upon to speak. There are, however, matters of deeper and holier interest, to which we must devote a few lines. The forest of our Carmel is threatened by the revolutionary axe; the veil of our temple is sought to be torn asunder by the hands of the disaffected. On presenting a petition from a few small gentlemen of Cambridge, in favour of Dissent, Lord Durham was peculiarly eloquent, and talked of the illiberality and uncharitableness of the Established Church, of the dreadful deprivations inflicted on the pious Apostles of Dissent, and of Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics in general,

"Anxious to set the unshackled reason free,

To pen sedition and preach blasphemy." But my Lord took nothing by his motion; and whiggery is clearly at a discount in the Upper House.

In the Commons, an "ill-faured chiel," of the name of Ripon, has been venting his spleen by an indecent attack upon the Bench of Bishops. The man, whose ignorance is only exceeded by his impudence, which latter is unqualified, consummate, and deplorable, met with the support of some fifty, of what little Waddington, the billsticker, facetiously calls the useful classes, who to their own astonishment find themselves in St. Stephen's. On this occasion Lord Althorp behaved like the representative of an old and noble race, and declared that he would not insult an assembly of British gentlemen, by attempting to argue with the concocters of this notable scheme; and sat down amid loud cheers from all parts of the house. The snail who proposed, and the slug who seconded this notable scheme, drew in their horns, and the land has had rest since.

The only enlivening speck in the dark horizon of our prospects, is the

introduction of two or three bills for the better observance of the Sabbath, and the suppression of the blasphemous associations and disgusting placards which disgrace our metropolis. Before our next, the Church Reform Bill will be in progress—we shall have our eyes upon the speakers.

FRANCE. The fruit of the tree of revolution is nearly ripe; and the French are reposing beneath the Upas shade. What that fruit is, and how delightful the shade, we learn from the French papers. Louis Philippe is supported on his throne not by the affections of his people, but the bayonets of his Guards. Commerce is declining, agriculture annihilated, and the necessaries of life double the price they were under the legitimate Kings of France. So much for French Whigs.

PORTUGAL.-The King of Portugal gallantly maintains his ground. Don Pedro, aided by English Whigs, Belgian Whigs, French Whigs, and Polish Whigs, plunders Portugal, destroys her commerce, depopulates her towns, and massacres her loyal sons. But then he is a model of Portuguese Whigs.

SPAIN. In this deluded country civil war continues to rage, and as the spring advances, we shall probably have occasion to record the shedding of blood, and destruction of property. And this state of things results from the intrigues of Spanish Whigs, anxious to support the interests of a usurper, who is a specimen of the Spanish Whig.

BELGIUM.King Leopold is the Whig Monarch! Verbum sat.

RUSSIA, AUSTRIA, AND PRUSSIA.— The wisdom which has characterised the policy of these great powers, continues to ensure the blessings of peace and plenty at home, and respect abroad.

IRELAND remains in statu quo. But it is quite refreshing to read of the general burst of indignation, with which the base attack of O'Connell on Baron Smyth, has been met by every individual in Ireland entitled to the name of gentleman.

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BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.-A very magnificent gold clock and silver inkstand have arrived by the ship Asia, Captain Biddle, as a present to the Bishop of Calcutta, from his late parishioners at Islington. Both the clock and the inkstand represent pieces of gothic architecture, the former having the appearance of a model of a cathedral front.

REV. MR. STRACHAN.-The Rev. Mr. Strachan, late minister at Charles Chapel, Plymouth, has been presented by the congregation with a pocket service of sacramental plate, as a memento of their affectionate regard for him, and their high esteem for his ministerial services amongst them.

REV. DANIEL EVANS. The inhabitants of Sherborne have presented to their late curate, the Rev. Daniel Evans, a silver tea-service weighing eighty ounces, and an enclosure of fifty sovereigns. Mr. Evans has lately been instituted to the living of East Lydford, Somerset.

REV. MR. GLEIG.-Mr. Gleig's parishioners met at Ash on Friday, and adopted resolutions expressive of their regret at his departure from among them, after a service of twelve years, and congratulating him on the preferment presented to him. A subscription is opened among them to present him with a piece of plate.

REV, FORTESCUE TODD.-Lately a handsome presentation of plate was made by the parishioners to the Rev. Fortescue Todd, on his leaving the curacy of Chardstock, near Chard, Dorset, as a token of their grateful esteem, and in testimony of the sincere and zealous discharge of his ministerial duties while curate of Chardstock.

REV. PETER HALL.-The parishioners of St. Edmonds, Salisbury, have presented the Rev. Peter Hall with a sumptuous tea-service of plate on his leaving Salisbury,

for his extensive cure at Chelsea, as a mark of their esteem and respect for the zealous and indefatigable manner in which he discharged the duties of his sacred office, whilst holding the cure of that parish.

REV. JACOB ROBSON.-The ladies forming part of the congregation of Tyldesley have presented the incumbent, the Rev. Jacob Robson, B.D., with a handsome gown and cassock, in testimony of their respect and gratitude to him, for the faithful discharge of his ministerial duties, and of their unshaken attachment to our venerable Establishment.

BEQUEST TO KING'S COLLEGE.-We understand that the late W. E. Gosling, Esq. has bequeathed a sum of 1,000l. to King's College, London, towards finishing the buildings, and that his executors have very liberally intimated their intention of paying this bequest free from the legacy duty.

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR H. WORSLEY has also made a munificent donation of 2,000. to King's College, for endowment of an exhibition to be applied to the purpose of educating young men in that institution for the office of Missionaries of the Established Church in the East Indies.

THE LATE DR. BABINGTON.-A sum of 1,300l. has been raised by subscription for the erection of a suitable monument in St. Paul's Cathedral to the memory of this physician, alike eminent for his private virtues as for his high professional talents.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.-The number of members in England and Wales, belonging to the Temperance Society is 73,530.

CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. It is intended to build a Catholic Cathedral on a grand scale at Prior Park, near Bath. Dr. Baines is at present at Rome, and it is understood that the subject of the proposed Cathedral forms part of the object of his visit to "the eternal city."

PREFERMENTS.-The number of preferments noted in February, was forty-nine: one was in the gift of his Majesty; fourteen were in the gift of the Church; six of the Lord Chancellor; and twenty-eight of lay corporations or individuals.

THE BELLS FOR APPLEBY CHURCH, which were cast at Mears' foundry, London, have lately arrived at their destination, and have been hung under the superintendance of a person from London. They are a peal of fine sweet-toned bells, according to their size, the tenor weighing between ten and eleven cwt.

HANDEL'S COMMEMORATION.-The time fixed for the commencement of the festival in commemoration of Handel is the 24th of June, and the first public rehearsal will probably take place on Friday, the 20th. His Majesty takes a very great interest in the matter, and is desirous, as much as possible, to stand in the same position with regard to it as that occupied by his venerated father in the great Commemoration.

ORDINATIONS.-The Bishop of Lincoln's next ordination will be held at Buckden, on Trinity Sunday, the 25th of May.

We understand the Lord Bishop of Salisbury has altered the time of the ordination at the Palace from the 20th of April to the 13th of the same month, and that the candidates are to appear on the 8th for examination.

The Bishop of Oxford intends to hold an ordination at Christ Church on Trinity Sunday. The candidates are required to send their certificates and testimonials to J. Burder, Esq., 27, Parliament-street, Westminster, on or before Saturday, the 12th of April.

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PAPISTICAL DISCUSSIONS.—A discussion is shortly to commence, and to continue for six days, between the Rev. J. Lyons and the Rev. E. Tottenham, on the Protestant side, and the Rev. J. T. Brown, Professor of Theology in St. Gregory's College, Downside, near Bath, and friends, on the Roman Catholic side. Two subjects have been selected for debate, viz. "The Rule of Faith," and "The Sacrifice of the Mass," to the discussion of each of which three days are to be devoted.

SALE OF CHURCH PROPERTY.-At the auction mart, the following presentations were lately sold :-The next presentation and perpetual advowson to the rectory of Fetcham, Surrey, residence, &c., with 89 acres of glebe, with the great and small tithes arising from 1,130 acres; the present incumbent aged 81 years, 7,000.-The next presentation to the rectory of Holleswell cum Hedingworth, near St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, with rectory-house, premises, and farms, in all 424 acres, land tax 281.; the present incumbent aged 64 years, 3,2001.

POOR CLERGYMEN.-The election of poor clergymen, with good characters and large families, to partake of Dr. Taylour, Mr. Myddleton, and Mrs. Ann Cam's benefactions the present year, will take place in May next. Blank petitions may be had at the Corporation House, 2, Bloomsbury-place, London.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY.-Messrs. Thomson, Cundill, and Bird, have been recommended by the examiners for the Barrington Scholarships. The Dean and Chapter have received for the University Library, a valuable set of books from Mr. Brown, of this city; Burke's Works, from the Hon. A. Trevor; Buckley's Edition of the History and Life of Thuanus, 7 vols. folio, 1733, a Hebrew Bible, 3 vols. 4to., (R. Stephens,) supposed to have belonged to Hooker, also Collinson's Life of Thuanus, the Analysis of Hooker, and Preparation for the Gospel, from the Rev. J. Collinson, rector of Gateshead.

LONDON UNIVERSITY.-Statement of the number of students in the University on the 22d of February, 1833, and on the same day, 1834.

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The number of pupils entered between the 1st of October, 1832, and the 20th of February, 1833, was 250. The number entered in the corresponding period in this session was 318. The amount received for fees in 1833 was 6,158., and this session it was 7,3431. leaving an increase of 1,1857.

THE VOLUNTARY CHURCH IN SCOTLAND.-Debt, dissension, and disgrace, are the characteristics of the voluntary church in Scotland. A pamphlet has been published in Newcastle entitled, A New Exposure of the Rev. Seceders of the Voluntary Church Association, which ought to be read throughout the country. It plainly proves that even in its infancy the voluntary system has all the corruptions which are the usual accompaniments of an irreverend bankrupt old age. Its professors are ignorant, its principles are degenerate, and its debts reduce it to a state of abject dependence. In Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Paisley, Kilkaldy, Dysart, Hamilton, Jedburgh, Dunning, Douny, Kincardine,-in fact in all Scotland there is scarcely a "voluntary church," as they are cantingly called, that is not so encumbered with debt as to be wholly incompetent to any thing like that free correction of misconduct which is essential to the support of religion and morality. The pamphlet we have alluded to gives a variety of most significant hints as to "the disgraceful pecuniary encumbrances which are lying on the great proportion of voluntary meeting-houses," and enumerates debts, "as a small specimen," to the amount of near 40,000l. Drs. Wardlaw, Hugh, Kidson, Ferrier, Stark, and Brown, and Messrs. Johnstone, Baird, Law, Pettigrew, Auld, MacFarlane, Struthers, Clark, and Harrower, all reverends of the voluntary system, are by name referred to in vindication of the statement of the

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