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the Appendix to Smart's work on Elocution, or Howlett's "Instructions," &c., which latter publication is inserted by the Bishop of Salisbury, in his list of books recommended by him to candidates for Holy Orders.*

It must however be admitted, that much more benefit may be derived from a good oral instructor, than from the best written directions. But such a one is seldom to be met with, except in London; and, therefore, is not within reach of the greater part of young clergymen, who commonly begin their pastoral labours in the country. In such situations the "intelligent friend," to whom Dr. W. allows his learners to apply, will rarely be found. In a few years their manner of reading and preaching becomes fixed, and incapable of alteration. Besides, as they are frequently engaged in classical tuition, which often includes instruction in elocution, it is generally found that those who teach are not fond of being taught, and are illdisposed to receive hints on the subject of delivery from any friend however intelligent. If instruction, therefore, is to be given at all, it should be given at an earlier age, during the course of education both at school and college; at a period of life when the ear is quick in perceiving the distinctions of sounds, and the voice has little difficulty in acquiring them, and when, moreover, instruction may be enforced by authority. The necessity for such instruction is pressing: without it, a mannerism in reading will inevitably result from the hurried repetition of grammar-rules and other school-lessons, from the rapid reading which is adopted to save time, and from the ear's being accustomed to the measured cadence of Greek and Latin poetry. Unless this cantus dicendi be frequently corrected by a judicious instructor, to expect that at a more advanced period it should be tuned into any thing like the natural extemporaneous manner, merely by Dr. Whately's rule of "fixing the mind earnestly on the meaning of what is to be delivered," is to expect an utter impossibility.

On the subject of "action," Dr. Whately observes, in conformity with the principles maintained throughout his book, that

No care should in any case be taken to use graceful or appropriate action; which, if not perfectly unstudied, will always be intolerable.-Pp. 351.

But he admits,

If any one finds himself naturally and spontaneously led to use, in speaking, a moderate degree of action, which he finds from the observation of others not to be ungraceful or inappropriate, there is no reason that he should study to repress this tendency.

His concluding remark appears to be novel. He says, that action should always precede the word. The general rule hitherto has been, that it should accompany it. Probably the rule should vary according to circumstances: when the action is intended merely to add force to the word, it should accompany the word; but when action is employed to direct the eyes of the hearers to some object, then it should precede. M. Å.

Another work on the same subject is mentioned in the list, but it is merely a republication of part of Sheridan's book.

MONTHLY REGISTER.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

BARKING DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

THIS Committee notice, with feelings of gratitude and satisfaction, that their funds have experienced no material diminution since the last audit. The amount received for books sold is something less than that of last year, but the value of the stock in hand is proportionably larger. The Committee, however, feel satisfied that the great importance of their cause is very generally acknowledged in the Deanery; in proof of which they beg to lay before the Anniversary Meeting a statement of the sums contributed in this district for the promotion of Christian knowledge; viz. 717. 8s. by members of the Society; 991. 3s. 6d. by members of the Committee; 6l. 14s. 2 d. for books direct from the Society; and 677.118.61d. for books supplied through the Committee, making a total of 2441. 17s. 2 d., besides a few contributions to the Native Schools in India. The surplus remaining in the Treasurer's hands over the expenditure of the Committee, has been remitted to the Parent Institution, in promotion of its general designs at home and abroad.

The means which the contributors in the District have placed at the disposal of the Committee, have been employed in promoting Christian knowledge in this populous neighbourhood in such ways, as, in the opinion of the Committee, would be most likely to meet the necessities of the poor, and to contribute to their present comforts and future happiness.

The Committee's Shops, established about two years ago, for the sale of books to the poor and to members, at the reduced prices of the Society, and to non-members at a small increase upon that price, have fully realised the expectations of your Committee. Some additional expenditure is caused by this arrangement, in the remuneration made to the shopkeepers for

their trouble; but the Committee feel assured that the members and contributors will not consider this expense as uselessly incurred, when they are informed that the facility afforded by these shops for procuring the books on the Society's Catalogue has been the means of increasing the dissemination of the Scriptures, of the Liturgy, and of sound works on the Christian religion, doctrine, and practice.

The distribution of books through the Barking Committee, during the last year, was as follows; viz. Bibles, 157; Testaments, 97; CommonPrayers, 428; Bound Books and Tracts, 1121.

The Lending Libraries in the district appear to be duly appreciated by those for whose benefit they were originally formed: constant applications are made for the use of the books, and instances have occurred where the perusal of them has been attended by the happiest effects. Since the last Report, an additional Library has been established in the parish of Barking, for the use of the poor living in Great Ilford, and additions have been made to one or two others. The Committee cannot dismiss this part of their Report, without calling the attention of the Anniversary Meeting to the great utility of Lending Libraries, in reference to that numerous, and therefore important, portion of the community— the labouring classes. In our National Schools we teach the children of our poor to read, and we bring them up in habits of piety, decency, and order; that they may adhere to those habits, and, with the blessing of God, turn the instruction which they have received to good account, when removed from our immediate inspection, is a point deserving our serious consideration; your Committee conceive that the information contained in the Lending Libraries will materially contribute to this end.

Passing on from the immediate

objects of this District Society, the Committee feel peculiar pleasure in alluding to the gratifying accounts of the state of education, in the principles of the Established Church, within this county. Throughout the county, there are 295 Schools, in which 22,277 children are receiving instruction, on the National System, in the doctrines and duties of the Gospel. In the Barking Deanery, comprising seventeen parishes, there are sixteen Schools, in which 2538 poor children are thus instructed. Whilst, in our Schools, the children are trained up to be worthy and useful members of the community, and prepared to receive ministerial instructions; that they may not, when grown up to maturity, "perish for lack of knowledge;" or, as is too often the case, be induced, for want of suitable accommodation, to stray from the fold in which they have been brought up, your Committee rejoice at the successful issue of the efforts made in this neighbourhood for procuring the erection of additional Churches. In the populous and extensive parishes of Barking, West Ham, and Walthamstow, we may hope soon to see these sacred edifices rising to the glory of God, and the advancement of the eternal interests of our fellow-creatures.

Your Committee, in conclusion, beg to call the attention of this Meeting and the public, to the labours of the Venerable Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. It is instrumental in promoting that knowledge in every quarter of the globe, and all sorts and conditions of men are assisted by its benevolent endeavours. It inculcates lessons of piety and morality in the infant mind; it unfolds the truths of the Gospel to those by whom they are still unknown, or recals them to the recollection of those by whom they have been heard and neglected. With such important objects in view, the Committee rely upon the cordial and continued support of this wealthy district, and confidently ask the assistance and co-operation of those to whom

God hath given abundance, and who may not be already associated with them in this pious and charitable work. ▲ne design, assuredly, deserves a general co-operation. Let us then arise and be doing, and the Lord be with us.

PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

ON Wednesday, August 27, being the eighth anniversary of the Plymouth District of this Society, the Committee and friends of the institution met at the Guildhall, at ten o'clock in the morning; and from thence, accompanied by the Mayor, Justice, and other members of the Corporation, proceeded to St. Andrew's Church, where Divine Service was performed, and an appropriate sermon was preached by the Venerable Archdeacon of Totnes, from Rom. x. 18, "Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." After the sermon, a collection was made in aid of the funds. The attendance of the children of the several schools supplied with books by the Society, rendered the occasion additionally interesting. At one o'clock, a most respectably attended public meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, when prayers having been read, the chair was taken by Richard Rosdew, Esq.; and the Rev. R. Lampen, Secretary, read the Committee's Report, which gave a most gratifying account of the progress of the Society. The sale of its books since the year 1825, had rapidly increased each year, and was now greater than could have been anticipated. The Report alluded to the donation of 50% by the late J. Pridham, Esq. and spoke of that gentleman in the most honourable terms. It also noticed the death of the chairman of last year, Admiral Bedford, and paid a just tribute to his memory. The Report was followed by some able speeches in support of the Society.

A District Committee of this Society has lately been formed at Devonport.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL.

Barking District Committee.

IN reporting the progress of the last year's proceedings, the Barking District Committee of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, congratulate the friends of the Institution on the satisfactory account of the operations of the Society, as detailed in the last Report, and on the progressive increase of the funds placed at its disposal in furtherance of its benevolent designs.

In the Barking District, your Committee observe with satisfaction and thankfulness, that the cause of the Society has met with very general support, the subscriptions and donations for the past year amounting to 116. 58. 7d. and the collections, after the triennial sermons in the Churches of Barking, Woodford, and Little Ilford, and the Chapels of Leytonstone and Great Ilford, amounting to 80l. 13s. 1d. making a total of 1967. 18s. 8d. contributed by this District in furtherance of the important objects of a Society

established for the grand purpose of disseminating the principles of Christianity, and promoting the advancement of pure religion in distant and unenlightened quarters of the globe.

The most gratifying and interesting accounts continue to be received by the Society from its labourers in distant regions, encouraging them to proceed, unweariedly, in our labour of love. It is our province, it is our high privilege, to plant and to water, and God, in the sure word of prophecy, has promised to give the increase. On this sure word of prophecy our labours are founded; we, therefore, confidently appeal to every sincere Christian for cordial and liberal support in our humble but earnest endeavours to spread the truths of salvation, and to hasten the rising of that glorious day, when "the desert shall blossom as the rose," and God's "laws shall be known on earth, his saving health among all nations."

SOCIETIES FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, AND THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS. Exeter District Committee.

On the 11th of September, the Anniversary Meeting of these Committees took place. After Divine Service in the Cathedral, and a sermon by Dr. G. Barnes, late Archdeacon of Bombay, a collection was made at the doors of the Cathedral, amounting to 1051. 9s. 4d. Having adjourned to the Guildhall, the Bishop of the Diocese took the chair, and after a few preliminary observations, read the Twelfth Annual Report.

The Report stated that the total number of books, tracts, and papers, issued during the last year, is 1,656,066, being an increase on the preceding year of 194,314;-the books, &c. bearing the following respective proportions: . Bibles, 58,532 - increase, 3,636; - Testaments and Psalters, 80,246 increase, 4,699;-Common Prayer - Books, 153,421 - increase, 6,753;-other bound books, 106,552— increase, 14,755;-small tracts, half

bound, 1,061,315-increase, 130,471 ;

books and papers, 196,000 - increase, 34,000 ;- -an increased sale having been particularly observable in the districts of Plymouth, Barnstaple, Bodmin, and Launceston. In money,

the following disposition of the funds of the Diocesan Committee had taken place:-1,500l. towards the establishment and support of Native Schools in India; 3,250l. East India Mission; 3001. part vote of credit to Bishop of Calcutta; ditto, Bishop of Nova Scotia, 451.; ditto, Bishop of Barbados, 344l. 14s. 6d.; Episcopalian Schools in the Highlands of Scotland, 100%; allowances to Society's Missionaries and School-Masters in the Scilly Isles, 4787.15s. 3d. The total expenses of the year amount to 68,540l. 2s. 2d. being an increase on the preceding of nearly 2,000l. The Diocesan Committee have given 50l. and the Bodmin Committee twelve guineas, as free

donations, towards the general purposes of the Society; and a new Committee has just been instituted at Devonport. A Branch Depository has been established at Teignmouth, and 31. 6s. 11d. collected at the two Churches, besides several new subscriptions and donations in aid of the necessary additional expenses. Two Pounds in books and tracts have been granted in aid of a National School at Staverton, and a donation of books required by the Central School to the value of 12.178. Parochial Lending Libraries,

in addition to those formerly announced, have been established at Milton Damerel, Cookworthy, Buckland Brewer, Gwennap, Manaccan, St. Anthony, Totnes, Chittlehampton, Bulkworthy, Shobrooke, Langtree, Allhallows on the Walls, St. David, and St. Sidwell's, and that at Mylor has been considerably augmented; and the Report concludes with expressing the hope " that through the blessing of Providence, the increase of Christian knowledge will lead to that happier result, the increase of Christian practice.”

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LADIES' SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE EARLY EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN OF NEGROES.

THREE years have now elapsed since the formation of this Society. At that period, though aware of the magnitude and difficulty of the undertaking, the Society had but an imperfect knowledge of two important grounds of encouragement, from which, under the Divine blessing, they anticipate increasing and ultimate success-the one, the ardent desire for instruction manifested by the negro and free children of colour*-the other, the readiness of many of the clergy and resident proprietors to give their co-operation and support to every well-organized scheme for the improvement of the

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the Auxiliary Association of Ladies, in the parish of St. Elizabeth, have succeeded in forming schools in the neighbourhood of New Carmel. We will add, merely, that the Branch Association is also contemplating the establishment of schools in Carpenter's Mountains, in the immediate vicinity of the lady of the Attorney-General, who has taken a kind and active interest in the cause.

The annual grant of 50%. sterling to the parish of St. Thomas-in-the-East, is, at present, employed in supporting a Catechist in the district of Port Morant, by which means religious instruction is given to 220 negro children, and to fifteen adults, on six different estates, also to two schools of free children of colour, containing fiftythree scholars. Of the negro children, fifty are not only catechised, but taught to read. This extensive parish has within itself a Branch Association of the "Incorporated Society for the Conversion and Religious Instruction and Education of Negro Slaves," and it is in connexion with that Society that this is enabled to accomplish what has been stated.

From the parish of Portland the most grateful acknowledgments have been received of the sum voted to the assistance of the Maroons, who, as was stated in our last Report, were erecting for themselves a chapel and schoolhouse. The clergyman of that parish made a pressing request, some months ago, for a supply of elementary books, the want of which, he stated, alone pre

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