The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-18 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, -MONDAY EVENING, • -JUNE 18, 1855. '

THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND.

An adjourned general meeting of the Slane 00er/-
reties was held ea Saturday lest at Willis's Rooms, Et.
II Juan's, to take lath consideration the report of • special
committee appointed at the previous meeting. The meeting
was rather thialy attended.
Mr. B. B. C•eazu. having been unanimously called to
he chair, the usual head preliminaries were disposed of,
slier which
mareat, head Sir T. I.
The Ce•lahl•ir proceeded te rood the fallowing donnas
hem the Marone of Lowdown", es
Swinburne, vies president of the
llatehpeenare, Jana 16, MSS..
84,—HavIng bees tar • web maw yams poet homerad with the
nominal preeldeney el the Me sari Prod liedirk, sad with
emalcomy at their awed nephew ded* fiat I deli
are lett It my day ha aimed the wiseeng weft eenemeeel die
du to take great throe Mee washbowl^ led I net Mee dipt
to attend the cabinet summseed kr ihk .h OM same beer.
It bar Oran me peat Mears Whew that the lemma drispes are
not stated to envoy any Woken epee the
_amine dile 'swat-
tee, who bare assidewmk &Wails* gloat kir atten-
tion to the adainleleaden d the Seek el the SIMIYIN MI
that no improper me d those fealle bas bees alleged, er st
toot salennisted. Veen mesh delalk• hake bed ea=
tuoultyagioarleiem, I es eet empire Waive on
thall• Me Mee Wads • leti
''altee;Lis I.."• The eserdaire Jeri same= et the of
the misty. 1 meat be Immekted teespraesa 'tram Min ,by
iMem. le antemen enalleeplree a a kmtbseighei Weeks
of la madam meg ael bee In a gam ik,resest, mi *Meer
kg • peaks el Ile memillma
le the essrosissara said
immile of a Mew dik mime= ft thengh meesselzen •
make male) Me new elledes est nesalseMpeanbedel lit
wait Dike the kwellike Ma lbeinant, If rest a pergenni MM.
sues of pties awl eteelmap. be ft the =CI: the Asada
wee* Wens the edgiest eneinei . Mee
he
he
mere Ineeltd, eel pale mereleed re mid he ea-
mild seer 'dein fuel,, tifill moil mite theMl esetirekelly ee
ereheens bah aged& Miesesell bp there ereekewiswe I dada le
wee l• reek waif Chet den et imparkilltp disk hostess
Welke like et preeMent, If au* a imp Is Selleated. WORN
Id* lame any earkiled ea to its proltallemealt.-1 haw, Ira.
Lucuartrak
2bie Oakum ef the literary Yager's/snob
Dwain—l am mite em ides the mseteg el the thaw 1
MIMI teise. ea a etsboreadent nal sehmeher to that fled kr
many me m, is. sexless the It dwell be bans se the misabin
Mae Moil that ism mutely adverse td the mowed ateratioa.-1
I sm, ha - Swaronusa.
16, Ortereeorliase, ram 16.
Mr. C. %cisme presented the report of the special cola.
mitts., which embodies the following suggestions :—" That
revocable annuities should be conferred upon reduced atsa
of letters and scientific writers; that loans without
should be granted, especially to those who, hawing=
their lives, may be unable to pay this ow that year's pre-
mium ; that the rooms of the society should serve as a plus
of re-union for Its members, literary men of all countries
being invited to enroll themselves without payment; that,
in those rooms, a library should be formed, and that mama
mimes should be held in them dialog the Lanka emonn
I a addition to these °Waite, the Committee memeell le
retain the function of relieving the temporary anemeities ef
distressed authors, which the society now }irksome." Mr.
Dickens moved that this report be adopted.
Mr. i. FOR/STIR smooded the modes.
Mr. K. Ilium moved the following amendment :
" That this meeting acknowledges with gratitude the labours
of the special committee appointed to consider and report ea
the gentles of • new charter for the Literary Fend, sad
Tategoles the value of some of their suggestions as subjects
of futaredeliberation, but, considering that the proposals
therein °attained involve an entire alteration of the nature
and interest of the society, sad that its means are inadequate
to the attainment of those parlous, this meeting is not pre-
pared to recommend the application for • new charter to
sleet those objects."
Mr. Pottocit, in seconding the amendment, said that be
epee ma attire stranger to soy party' feeling, and was acts-
end fm the course be took solely from • desire to promote
detbendit of the society, and to keep it true to the objects'
he which he believed it to be formed—the relief of literaryl
men is distress. He believed it would be a pervenim of
M Vats of the Literary Fond to apply It to any other
that, however meritorious in itself.
V. Drami. sea., supported the original monist, and Dr. I
liorienu. opposed t.
Lord STINLIT said he thought it would have heel
more convenient if those who recommended change in en
existing society had come forward to state their views, is
order that there might be an opportunity for comment ea
their statement. However, the want was supplied
by their presented report, which, es he understood it,
embodied proposals for three alterations in the institution.
Two were not unimportant, but one was of very great lm-
portents. One alteration referred to the granting of lams,
not as donations. It was a matter of detail, and might he
fairly left in the society's hands, to deal with it as they
thought fit, merely tying them down not to imperil either
their capital or their income by their transactions. There
were practical objections to lotus to any amount. If mosey
were lent on marketable security, doing so would be no
favour at all ; but if it were not lent on security, the com-
mittee might calculate on losing their capital, and on having
their operations limited. He understood the difficulties
some penoas migbtlabou under in accepting money as •
gift, but that did not make him see the necessity of l
ens
as any oite:whe bad received the massy ass gift might sub
sapiently convert it into a lout, by becoming a donor of the
amount to the society. (Hear.) However, the point wee one
for aster discussion. He was of opinion that it would be better
if the executive power were placed in fewer hands, and in
those of persons who would feel themselves more respon-
sible than • council and numerous committee ; bat the
question then arose. whether such an alteration in their
constitution would be worth the exposes of a ne ~ charter.
(Herr, hear.) With respect to the large and kr
portant alteration 'molested in the report, vie , that
of grafting another association, entirely distinct, on the
present one he wanted more information than he had yet
received. But looking to the difference between the existing
society and that propoted—between the character of that
society and • literary college—be could not hope for their
useful amalgamation. It appeared to him like an ainalgis
station between Chelsea Hospital and the Army and Navy
Club. (Hear, hear.) The funds of the society now
lamented to about 2,0001. a Test.. A small surplus was laid
by. Was it intended to deal only with the surplus, and she
with the funds? If they dealt only with the surplus fund,
that would be found infinitely too small for their purpose.
If they proposed to divert any part of the charity's funds a
ease must be made out for doing so, and it must also be
shown how it was to be disposed of. He saw nothing ci
that sort in the report of the special committee. With
increased funds and income the objects proposed could, it
was said, be accomplished. Well, it they could do it, let
them ezhibit their augmented funds' their new subscribe's,
and the existing society would then be able to meet them
on equal terms. (Hear, bear.) It would be a perfectly his
propesitioa to make that societies of this sort, with equal
funds, should be aningemated ; but it wee ney diffuse*,
to wish to dela with the funds of an exist's"
society, and apply them to another purpose, with-
out giving any security for the raising of additional theme.
On this head be should like to hear some explanations trots
the speaal committee. What amount of income would be
added ? The present surplus funds were between 3001. sail
4001. a year. What could be done with that surpl
would us f
Would it be sufficient for the proposed expenses It
not. A larger house would be wanted; a large library fey
use and referent* would be required ; and these could not be
obtained for less than some thousands of pounds. He amid
not sue from what source they could get foods, wale*
indeed, they WIN taken from fonds already applied to WWI
purposes. If the committee could est feeds, well sad goa
l
t aria raise fficient to establish and support this dab,'
orinstitation. su
Let Ven show their capital, sad thee MI
the two associations meet end amalgamate on fair and gen
per terms. (Hear.)
Kr. CIIARLII DICIIIIII considered that when the
seconder of the amendment told them that the funds of the
institution were lamentably insuffienat, and left untouched
the statements put forward on the former occasion by kilo
friend Mr. Mike, be was saying the mat bitterly iTOßiali
thing of the society that the liumes mind could conceive.
(Laughter.) The hon. gentlemen who moved the amend-
ment had appeared, In common with other gentlemen who
had addressed the meeting, to look at the proposal to grant
Imes to distrersed literary men entirely in the character of
" leaders." He (Mr. Dickens) was anxious that the meet.
lag should regard the subject in the light of " borrowers."
(Cheers.) He would put the question to the meeting as
not one
con-
of
feeling, and ask whether gentlemen present could
ceive the ease of a high-spirited literary man, who would
refuse to apply for a gift of money,but who would be willing to
amok the fond for a loan to waist him in his difficulties.
One speaker had said that the literary men who might have
obtainsd a loan might repay it in the shape of subscriptions
es the society. But he (Mr. Dickens) would ask if there
wee say man of bonier who, baring received a loan of
1001. from the fund, would hive the audacity to put down
his name oa the list of subscribers se • donor to the society
Of that sum when he repaid it? (Char
on The suggestion
waa founded upon a perfect misooscepti of the literary
character sat honour of the country. (Cheers.)
A lif —Chateathriend did it. (Hear.)
IL,. DICLINS—Then be did extremely wrong.
Mr. Mosaic—l would do so. too.
M. Ozonise—Then you would do extremely wrong like-
wise. (1. laugh.) With respect to the proposal of the
committee to establish a place for the nouns of literary
men, it had been objected by one hos. gentleman that the
Athematic and other clubs already existed, to which lite-
ran, men might resort. Why, there was also a
fins build-
ing known as the London Tavern, whieh was eqally open
and aomarible to literary men. (A laugh.) But
the accommodation proposed to be provided by
the committee was of a character suited to the
requirements of persons who were altogether toe
able avail themselves of privileges such as them to
which he bad referred. (Cheers.) It had bun said that I
the committee wished to take a very large proportion of the
30,0001. belonging to the Fend, and appropriate it to other
purposes. Redline of the sort was intended; and the NSW 1
mikes bad expressly stated Is their report that the hods'
required would be supplied by these son
who weal
avail themselves of the privi.ege of the proposed new kale
tenon. ;Chun.) The object of the literary isstitadea
was to induce literary sea at home end abroad to take a
greater interest is the society. sad in card moms the'
ensurenee anticipated that We iserilleel IMMO* wield
e a correspondieg inseam le erotellsoffiella be dr Lb&
racy Fund, sad they proposed that the .eeperhaest dierld
at fine be made upon a very mull seek. aid at an aIIINIS
sembeel expense. (Cheers.) He would ask e
ante-ver j
_geode-
sea t to consider whether the Literary Flee
of an weeded isterast 'moat literary Meet Let
bill leak armed the room, and—he said it with* am-
_ ... -- the -.

speeiel committee respecting loess and annuities ? Tha
sassier would guide his vote.
Mr. M. Illiwsza said his amendment left the propositions
alluded to by Mr. Forster an open question. AU it objected
to was gning for a new Wisner.
The CHAIRMAN said that before be put the amendment I
and resolution he would answer the question put to the rem-
mime. Aeons of them, be took upon himself to state that
the propositions named by Mr. Forster should meet with dm
most serious eonsideration of the general committee.
Mr. I. Fongrtn—The answer is particularly satisfactory

glebe Literary Fend ? (Cheers.) The alto/atlas" proposed is
the media of assisting literary men were suggested by lite-
Pry men animated with a feeling in f of their art,
who desired to do it good, and actuated also by an earnest
desire to wake up this society, and make it do more for
literature thee it bad ever yet dose, or would ever aw
somplish if left to itself. (Chests.) He knew well that
befog awakened was at all times, and under all circum-
stances, an eatstmely disagreeable process; they all knew
this, for they experienced it every day of their lives. (A
lough.) But the Literary Fund had really overslept itself
by a great number of y• are, and it was absolutely necessary
to knock it up ; and, pleas Rod, they would get ft out of bed
by some means or other. (Chain and laughter.)
Sir .1. Foliose said he wos of opinion that a new charter
was desirable, with a 'Jima( improving the constitution of
the society, and obtaining other ejects, each as the grant's"
of annuities and the making of loess; but be was sorry to
say (although he sigaed the report of the special committee)
that the more he considered the subject the more he was
disinclined to go the length of tniting a literary society
with a charitable society. (Hear, hear.) He thought that
the obtaining of a better building was of vital interest to
them. He was of opinion that a committee should be ap-
pointed to examine the report, and see what portions of it
could be advantageously embodied in a new charter.
The Bishop of OIPORD said be had list ned with great
attention to the speech of Mr. Dickens in explanation of the
entraniog of the report, as to the real purport of which there
seemed to be some doubts, but the effect of that speech was
only to dee-en and strengthen his doubts as to the wisdom
of the change recommended in the report. The real par-
port was to change the society, which was sow merely
eleemosynary in its character, into a society for the enoow
ragmen% of literature.
Mr. Dicaxsa—For coupling the two.
The Bishop of Oxiono—Yis, that was the more corset
word ; but whilst coupling the two, he begged the meeting
to weigh the full force of the words in which the t ecommen-
dation was made. It is therein stated They consider it
reasonable that the Literary Fund Society, incorporated
thirty-seven years ago, should remember in 1865 the
satooishieg diffusion f literature among the English
people since 1818, and should, in the greatly altered circus
stance", aspire to toosethiug beyond a mere eleemosynary
association with literature, and presentation of it to the
community." It would therefore appear that something
more was requind—more encouragement should be gives
to literary men, and the only way to co it was to form •
society which should be a sort of literary guild, which should
bring men together, and make them mote sestina and warm
io behalf of literature. What w a the inducement held
forth to these literary gentlemen to assemble together is the
hall of this literary guild, if it should be built? They were
to have books of reference, and perhap", a dish of Sou-
°hong. (A laugh.) He would ask any ens whether such in-
ducements were sufficient to bring literary men together ?
It was well known that the Royal Society required far more
than this to draw philosophers together. Literary societies
starved epos tea and flourished on dinners. (Laughter.)
That was the condition of things. If easy a middling dish I
of tea was to be had you would get them together. He
knew literary man pretty well, and was not to be told that
such birds did not know too well how to distinguish the
chaff and the good wheat to be draws into your trap by
that. (Laughter.) The right reverend prelate then pointed
out the espouse that the proposition would entail, and in-
sisted on the folly of trying to compote with the Atheenani
sod established literary slab. If they thought that they
mild make their guild a comfortable club they were mi.-
, taker and they would find their funds fail them. From
, his experience he was of opinion that club-house eomforts
sod charitable societies should be kept separate. They
shimmed themselves to two different class of per-
sons—to persons who wished to relieve and honour
genius is different ways. The gentlemen who drew
up the report were trying to bring persons together who
wooed he better apart. Be agreed with Mr. Dickens that
there were persons and bodies that required to be awakened.
, He would adopt his figure of speech, bat in doing so would
MON caution in waking persons up. It was not to be done
Ise suddenly, for the person so awakened might step out of
the window when he thought he was merely stepping on to
the floor. He would bid them take care of Mr. Dickens's
sadden waking, lest they might break their seeks in jump-
, big out of the window. (A laugh) With respect to the
granting of loans he had consulted persons whose opinions
were of great value, and they all agreed that there was
, nothing in the society's charter to prevent the general emir
mitts' from granting them, under certain limits. He was
aware how difficult it was to bring down men of genius to
practical views • for they had such vast hopes and such
, expanded aspirations. He was decidedly of opinion that the
society would do better by allowing it to remain a charitable
sue, and not give it another character; and, in coselusiem,
• he bogged the meeting not to be led away by propositions
, Mist were not practicable. and by impracticable theories of
bringing literary men together asocial hours. (Hear.)
Sir E. B. LYTTON rose for the purpose of clearing away
the misrepresentations which appeared to attach to some of
the remake of his friend Mr. Dickens. His friend Mr.
Dickens did not ittend to cast any sneer at the gentlemen
who sat in the platform department of the room. What
he meant to say was, that great dignitaries of the church,
men of great property, and wealthy members of parlismest,
were not so wall aware of the feelings and dispositions of
, working literary men as he was; and he (Sir B. Lytton)
, was much confirmed in the justice of that opinion by the
, eloquent speech they had just heard, and by the contempt
cut on the proposal to afford some kind of accommodation to
, distressed and hard-worked literary men, who, the right rev.
bishop thought could be only brought together by banquets
, sad entertainments such as were given to those who held
high situations in the church—to members of the Houses of
Lords and Commons. (Hear.) Their object was this.
Thoy looked to the intentions of Mr. David Williams, the
originator of the institution, who took perhaps too enthu
thistle a view of the dignity of the literary character, but
who considered authors, by right of their calling, to belong
to the aristocracy of the country, and gentlemen by the
nature of their business. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Williams drew
a marked distinction between the charity given to others
and that grateful assistance we lent to those who, to use his
own language,' were the ornaments of the nation and the
golds of mankind." (Hear, hear.) He took that to be a
fair index of the views of the founder of the society, and that
such was the spirit was further evinced by the circumstance
that they were compelled to administer the charity in secrecy;
that was to say—to respect the feelings of distressed authors.
(Hear, hear.) The first thing they had to consider, then,
was whether they would not show more respect for these
&Aims' if they did something more than discharge the mere
elesmounuy duties of the society. (Hear, bear.) His
friend Mr. Milne' spoke uf the importance of making a
donation to a man at what might be the turning point of his
life. But if be knew hard working literary men as well
se they did, he would know that this turning point occurred
at every moment of their lives. He held, therefore, that
they should give to such dist:maid literary men some as.
eared but modest income, on which they could depend, but
revocable in certain cases—such as disgraceful conduct—
so that they might not be compelled year after
year to expose their rage, to open their woanis, and to
reiterate their cry of Dais oboists* Bellisario. (Cheers.)
They accused literary man of wanting discretion, but sup-
pose a case in which be showed discretion, followed their
advice, and insured his life. A bed year came, and he
could not pay the premium. He came to the meaty for a
loan ; and where was the hum ? (Hesr,hear.) They secured
the funds of the society, and eared the spirit and inde-
pendence of the man. Mr. Milos said, " Suppose t's did
not pay, would you summon him to the County Court ?"
No such thing ; Mr. Mimes mistook the conditions. If the
man could not pay, the worst that could occur would be
that the loan would be changed into a gift. (Cheers.) But
in 99 cases out of 100 the money would be payed back, while
a life policy would be saved for a family. (Hear, hear )
Let him tarn to hintedt point. They (the special com-
mittee) were appo to consider whether they could
suggest any improvement in the constitution of the
society. They found a perfectly dead part in the
administration—• council without functions or duties".;
and what they had to consider woe bow, they could
theca itality. They found that great objections existed to
unes of some check on the committee, and they
resolved to elevate the commit into that check, so as, if pos-
sible, to prevent those abuses of the funds which had been'
consplained of. Now he would ask the committee, were
they so wide awake—bad they been so awakened urg—as to
consent to extending their ass stance to loans and pensions ?
(Hear, hear.) If they granted that, half the object of the
special committee would be gained. (Hear, hear.) Again,
Mr. Milne" had insinuated that the gentlemen connected
with the Guild of Literature and Art wanted the society to
lend its money for their objects. They wanted quite the
reverse, because so much was it their object to
have loans and pensions granted that if the gene-
ral committee had come heartily into their objects,
it was the intention of the Hand to hand over
the funds they hod collected, and it would have bees their
pride to *bah, as hard-working literary men, that they
could have given to the society immeasurably more than any
moms the aristocracy had bestowed on it. (Cheers.) He now
come to the monstrous proposition which had excited so
much animadversion. In his opinion nothing could be
more practical. They had large rooms of which everyone
whetand the gnostic° they had to consider was
er they could be turned to any use conformably to the
principles of the society. Yes, what use? They did not
wish that the author should always appear as a mendicant,
begging book ia hand. Did they propose to make a club ?
No such thing ; but a monies fir modest literary men, who
now seised to be practically ignored, and who could not go
to the Atheemum. The committee thought to give such men
a room in which they might talk ever matters, And a book or
two for reference, and when they met their fellow labourer",
shake them by the band. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps they
wished also to have a few reunions, which might bring all
the order familiarly together. As to abstracting the funds,
beyond an additional servant and a fire, it nun entered
their heads. With respect to 11946111, such as were held by
the leagued societies, it was 'particularly specified that, if
held, they should be at the eat of the individual. These
were their plural objects; and as an author anxious to up-
hold the dignity of his art, having toiled and laboured foe
and hoping before he died to NM the literary chancier
mere appreciated Muth at present, he entreated the meedn
Is pewee beim they rejected • proposition which men of
MMus thought the beat for their position, and which, in
his essesienee and on his honour, he believe I would do
mere he the dignity sad character f authors than anything
she that eyed be devised. (t. Hear," god sheers.)
Mr. J. FOsgTSII said that he should oppose to the opiates
"(Mr. Ihnhant Merewatbu that of Mr. Jams 8. Wines,
sae of the ablest of living bursars. Mr. Wines saidthat the
shuts allowed the alterations proposed in the report of the
1 committee. Before he voted be should like to know
`or it was their in-

to Re.
Ike Csatatun then put the amendment, which was
carried by a large msjirity, and the reso.ution fur the
ad •ptioe (tithe report was negatived.
Thomas having been voted to the chairman, the mesas
separated.

MUSIC.

HINNIES AND DENMAN'S PATENT PIANOFORTE
—This newly-invented instrument was exhibited on Satur-
day evening at the Polytechnic Institution by Mr. Rey-
nolds, the organist of St. Bride's, who explained its nature
end performed several pieces upon it. The novelty consists
in the arrangement of the keys, which certainly eff ads the
player some remarkable advantages, by facilitating the exe-
cution of difficult passages, and enabling Lim to produce
effects otherwier quite impracticable. It would require the
aid of a diag•em of the key-board, sad of musical note", to
make this invention clearly intelligible. The natural scale,
arranged on the common pianoforte in one row of white
key., is here arrears.' in two rows ; the first row being in
thirds—e, e, g, b, 0., while the row behind it contains the in-
termediate notes, likewise in thirds—d, f, a, c, &c. ; and there
is a third row of Mace keys as on the ordinary instrument.
Coosequently the key-board is only one-half the ordinary
length, and twice the number of notes are brought under
the same stretch of the hand, without any dintiantien of
the width of the keys. It is evident that this arrangement
must have many advantages, particularly in the execution
of up, ggio passages, and in the production of much fuller
sod more extended harmony than is practicable on the com-
mon pianoforte. But there are ale) disadvantage', and the
greatest is the entire change in the method of fingering,
to which performers taught is the ordinary method will be
unwillisg to submit. Scale passages easily placed on one
row of keys must necessarily be increased in difficulty by
being played on two rows; and other objections of a simi-
lar kind may paten* be made. But at the same time we
mast observe that Mr. Reynolds seemed to have conquered
any difficulties which the new mode of fingering may pre-
sent ; for he played Mendelssohn's Wedding March, a fan-
tasia "The Standard Bearer," and the Overture to Zonijoa
with apparent facility, producing very striking and remark-
able affects.
MRS. JOHN MACFARREN'S SECOND MATINEE.-
The last of this lady's aeries of pianoforte concerts gins es
another opportunity of doing justice to her talent, and re-
cording her sums, in one of the most brilliant fantasias of
Thalberg ; in Prudent's fanciful " Revell des Feee;" fa
Dohler's very effective "Nocturne ;" and, in the classical
style, Mozart's quartet in minor, of which the violin
viola, and violoncello parts were excellently played by
Messrs. Watson, Clementi, and Aylward ; Meadalmobs's
pianoforte duet, " Andante con variazioni," with Mr.
Sterne'', Bennett; and a Sonata of Beethoven with Herr
Ernst. Mrs. John Madarren's command of the instrument
and admirable style qualify her no less for the arduous task
of instruction, and she is deservedly esteemed in both capa-
cities. Herr Ernst played two of his most charming solos;
and a variety of pleasing vocal pieces were sung by Miss
Stabbach, Mille. Jenny Bauer, Mr. Miranda, and Mr.
Weiss, sad accompanied on the piano by Mr. Walter Mac-
fsrren. The concert took place on Saturday, at the Bee-
thoven Rooms, which were crowded by an elegant audience.

ROYAL INSTITUTION.

COLONIIL RAWLINSON ON ASSYRIAN ANTIQYITIRI.
The lecture-room of the Royal Institution was
more crowded than on Friday eveni2ite the Isar
lecture evening of the season, on which occasion Prince
Albert honoured the meeting with his presence, to
hear Colonel Rawlinson describe some of the results of
his recent excavations in Assyria. Colonel Rawlin-
son stated that he had keen pursuing his investigations
according to instructions from the British Museum, for Woe
years, extending the field of operations opened by Kr.
Layered over a tract of nearly two thousand miles of
country, along the Euphrates and Tigris to the Persian
Galph. The hos made at different points of tide
extended area have brought to light relics of the most in-
terestiag kind, far surpassing in antiquity the Nineveh
marbles of Kr. Layard, and comprising a number of tablets
and cylinders with wri ten inscriptions which tend to throw
much light on several doubtful portions of ancient history. The
oldest relic was an earthenware slab, or brick, from a temple
built 2,000 years before the Cbristian era, inapreued with the
name of the king who reigned in Chaldea at that time.
Colonel Rawlinson explained that the kings of Childs* and
Assyria exercised the exclusive right of having their names
impressed on the bricks used in building, and that by this
means, aided by the inscriptions found in the temple", le
was enabled to ascertain with considerable accuracy the
periods at which the temples had been built. Some stone
carvings, excavated from buildings the dates of which were
thu ascertained to belong to a period at least 800 years be-
fore the birth of Christ, are of a character far superior to
any of those of more recent date excavated by Mr. Lsyard,
especiaUy the figures of animals in hunting scenes. In
addition to the carvings on fist slabs, there were found
sevetal smell models of &tamale, some of which were exhi-
bited on the lecture table, which were executed with great
skill, and they are in as perfect a state of p ion as if
they had bean recently done. Among the most interesting
records of thou ancient times are the tablets and cylinder',
with written inscriptions on their surfaces, mead' which
Colonel Rawlinson has been enabled to deciph r. A tablet
eat:acted from one of the temples built by Nebuchadnezzar
wee shown, the inscription on which was in very small cha•
rosters, and was translated. After stating the circumstances
wader which the temple was built, and lauding the works
sea greatness of the King, the tablet cos tainted some pas-
sages which Colonel Basilian° thinks allude to the insanity
of Nebuchadnezzar, and his recovery; but that part has
sot yet been clearly deciphered. Among other curious
relics shown to the company were two earthenware cylinders,
taken from a temple a few miles from the site of ancient
Babylon, which had been supposed to be the remains of the
Tower of Babel, and a view of which is given in ; ictorial ,
Bibles. A French commission had been sent to examine
the lofty mound, and excavations were made in it without
any result; but after the French commissioners had aban-
doned the enterprise, it was resumed by Col. Rawlineon,
who succeeded in extracting the cylinders, from toe inscrip-
tions on which it appeared that it was a temple to the seven
spheres, which had been built about 400 years before Nebu•
chadneasses reign,and restored by that King. Col. Rawlinson
said that the inscriptions contained on the tablets he had
excavated tended to reconcile the discrepancy between the
Greek historians and the Bible history respecting Belshazzar.
The name of Belshazzar is not mentioned by the Greek his-
torians, the Babylonian king conquered by Cyrus being
called by them Nabonadius ; but it appears from some if
the excavated inscriptions that Belt& was the eldest
son of Nabonadius, and that he most probably shared the
throne with his father. One of the remarkable relies
shown by Coloael Rawlinson was a large piece of polished
ivory, engraved with mathematical symbol", so small as to
require a powerful lens to distinguish them, and it is cox-
Puttered that the engraver must have been assisted by a
lees in working on so microscopic a scale. The experience
gained by Colonel Rawlinson during his researches enabled
him to ascertain the exact positions in which the cylinders
having the inscriptions were deposited in the temples,
and the Arabs who worked under him attributed this power
to aecromency, and the needle compass he consulted was
viewed by them as a talisman, so that when the Colonel ar-
rived at Bagdad he was besieged by applicants for informs.
don where lost reperty was to be found. The lecture,
though it only noticed some of the most salient points of the
discoveries made during three years of uninterrnitting inves-
tigation, was sufficient to prove their great importance ; and
the glimpse thus afforded increases the anxiety to see the
three ship loads of thote works of the ancient Chaldean
and Assyrians secured by Col. Rawlinson displayed in the
British Museum.
In the library, among many other objects of interest,
were engravings of the earrings of Ass ?WI hunting scenes,
representing well-drawn figures of 'chute, and there were
also several Assyrian bricks with inscriptions.

The examinations for the Ashburton Prizes for
Inetruetioo in Common Things will be held en bloaday
neat, that for make, at Wolvesey College, Wieehester ;1
sad that for females, at the Salisbury Training Institution.
The prism amount to 701, and will be given in money or
otherwise, as may be preferred.