The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-05 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

will be paid over to the benefit of the Patriotic Fund
fur Officers' Widows.

Of course at this time of the year the degree exa-
mination affords plenty of matter for speculation.
Rumour assigns the senior wrangler to St. John's,
but Trinity-hall is also mentioned. It would be
curious if the struggle for the " head of the river "
and the head of the wranglers " should prove to be
between the same two colleges. '1 he former event
was decided last May Term in favour of St. John's.
Mathematical science and athletic pursuits are also
now presented somewhat in connection under the
roof of Mr. F. P. Fenner, in the market-place; he
has lately taken some large premises and fitted up
an extensive gymnasium, with all the newest inven-
tions in that line. Above this there is a large room,
which may be divided by folding-doors into three
class-rooms, for the Working Men's College—an ex-
cellent institution, presided over by the Rev. Harvey
Goodwin, and supported by the personal exertions
of many influential members of the University. The

matheMatical and drawing classes seem to be the
most numerously attended.
A handsome conduit•house is being erected in the
centre of the market-place, and when the chancel of
S. Mary's is restored, the effect on entering from
Sidney-street will be very striking, as nothing now
interrupts the view of King's Chapel and the Univer-
sity library. It is to be hoped that, with the resto-
ration of the chancel, increased accommodation may
be in some way provided for the undergraduates at
the University sermon. Lord Arthur Hervey has
been preaching an excellent course, to judge at least
from the concluding sermon which I heard last Sun-
day. His text was, "All Scripture is given by inspi-
ration of God," and be treated in an able and
thoroughly Christian spirit those dangerous yet
frivolous objections to the inspiration of the Bible
which we hear too much of at the present time.

J. F. B.

AT A REFORMATORY-SCHOOL MEETING held on &I-
tar-lay last, at Miss Carpenter's institution for girls
at Red Lodge, Bristol, previous to the meeting the
visitors were shown over the institution by Miss
Carpenter, and the various arrangements and rules
explained by that lady. Upon reassembling in the
school room, Mr. Miles, M.P.. addressed the meeting
at some length, pointing oat the advantages of the
system pursued and the benefit which must accrue to
all classes from the formation of similar institutions.
Miss Carpenter then briefly explained the principles
of her systems of instruction and reformation :

The system pursued' was daily reading and explana-
tion of the Scriptures, with prayer, and other religious
instruction. The regulations for intellectual training
were calculated to estate a taste for useful information, and
to awaken the higher faculties. The regulations for in-
dustrial occupation were those calculated to call forth the
energies and exercise patient application, choice being
alwio made of such as would fit the girls for domestic
service, and prepare them for whatever situation in life
they may have to fill.
In conclusion, Miss Carpenter expressed a strong
opinion in favour of parents being compelled to pay
towards their children's support, so that there might
be no inducement to neglect and vice, and explained
that she had that d*v received a letter from the
Secretary of State, informing her that Mr. Morgan,
of Birmingham, had been appointed solicitor to the
Government to enforce payment by parents in the
West of England and Midland counties.

A MEETING OF THE SCRREY MAGISTRATES took
place on Tuesday. the General Quarter Sessions
day, for the purpose of conducting the business of
the county. The Earl of Lovelace, Lord Lieutenant,
Mr. Puckle, chairman, Mr. Johnson, deputy-chair
man, Colonel Parrott, Mr. Drummond, M.P., Mr.
Alcock, M.l'., Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., and a fall bench
of magistrates, were present. A motion for a vote of
10.0001. for alterations in the old gaol at Kingston,
for the purpose of remedying the evils of indiscrimi-
nate association among prisoners, by enabling the
Governor to classify the prisoners in new and sepa-
rate wards, was opposed by the Earl of Lovelace and
Colonel I'arrott. on the plea of expense. and of there
being room in the prison for felons if the debtors
and deserters were removed. The original motiov
was carried by a majority of one. A further sum of
8,2001. was voted for the erection of a new wing t..)
the House of Correction, and a proposal for estab
fishing a juvenile reformatory was adjourned to the
next sessions.

THE BANK OF Messes. PALMER .\ND GREEN. of
Lichfield, unexpectedly stopped payment on Tues-
day last. The bank, established many years, occu-
pied a most respectable position ; but it arrears
that for several years since the death of Mr. Palmer,
who was indebted to it a sum far beyond what his
estate realised, the bank has yearly increased its
difficulties. Beyond this, nothing is known of the
immediate cause of the stoppage. On Monday the
London agents of the firm declined to extend ac
commodation, and at three o'clock the doors of the
bank were shut. The liabilities are put down at
t 20,0001., and the assets at 150,t)00f.