The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-21 00:00:00

OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATION&

TO TRI EDITOR OF THE KIIIIIIIIL

Sta,—Will you permit me to call your attention
to the regulations of the Oxford Local Examinations, which
have recently been issued, for the year 1862
The second section, which applies to the "rudiments of
faith and religion," states, that questions will be set in,
first, " the Ist book of Kings and the Gospel according to
Bt. Matthew ;" and second, "the Catechism, the morning
and evening Services, and the Litany." It is further stated,
that every candidate will be required to answer questions in
both portions of this section, unless his parents or guardians
object on conscientious grounds : that any candidate, on
whose behalf each objection shall be made, may, if be
chooses, answer questions and gain marks in the first portion
only ; but that no one can be held to have satisfied the ex'
1
amine. in the sestina without both portions. 1 have :Always
understood that these tniddle•clase examinations were
intended to be conducted on the broadest basis, without
i distinction of sect or party ; but this regulation obviously
places the child of a dissenter, who may conscientiously
' object to an examination in the second portion, at a con.
sidotable disadvantage. He may be perfect in his know-
ledge of the Scriptures, and may answer all the questions in
the first portion quite satisfactorily, but in consequence of
this regulation, he will, when the lists are issued, be placed
in the same category with a boy who is utterly ignorant
both of " faith and religion," and who may not have been
able to answer a single question either in one section or the
other. My eldest boy, just over 14, is very noxious to enter
as a candidate, but as a nonconformist, I very much doubt
whether I can allow him to do so, under such a regulation,
which appears to me to pines a brand upon a dissenter, and
which I cannot but think will operate so es to prevent many
children of nonconformists from entering as candidates. I

nisy just add, that I believe this is the irst year in which
any much regulation has been made.—l am, &c..

Leicester, Feb. 13.

A DII33ENTPJA.

THE BALLOT SomerrY.—The weekly meeting of
the executive committee was tick! on Tuesday at the offices,
5, Guildhall-chambers, Mr. 11. E. Marsden in the chair.
Mr. Elt, Mr. Bootema, Mr. Whitehurst, Mr. Man, Mr. Le I
Maitre, Mr. F. Mess, and Mr. Harper Twelvetrees, were
present. Various subscriptions were announced. The re-
sult of the election at Great Grimsby having been reported,
it was resolved—" That this committee, while indifferent
to the result of • contest between two anti-ballot candi.
dates, is hopeful that it will teach the so-called liberal
party that it is useless for them to light whilst the bands of
, the constituenciee are tied by the intimidation and car-
ruption inseparable from the parent system of voting."
SOCII7I POE THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE FINK
ARTS.--Last evening Mr. John Stewart delivered an inter.
sating lecture oa the Palaces and Pictures of Italy. The
insetted knowledge of the lecturer enabled him to eater
fully into the styles of interior decoration in these Italian
and his descriptions of the present state of art in
ftailir sere listened to with attention and interest.
Z ooLootrat. SomrrY OF LONDON. —At the
monthly general meeting held yesterday at the society's
Louie, in Hanoverequere, Dr. J. E. Grey, V.P., in the
chair, Captain C. Fairholnie, R.N., Messrs. W. Hardman,
T. Hyde Hills, T. M. Musgrave, G. Lawson, F. Norris, H.
Sargent, and Mrs. Annie Glenn* were elected fellows
Dr. P. von Sleeker, of Leyden, was elected a foreign
member ; and Dr. W. 0. Ayree, of San Francisco, Dr. Roth,
R.A., of Mauritius, Dr. J. Victor Carus, of Leipsic, and
Messrs. Josiah Rivera, of Cape Town, and A. Downs, of
!tallier, were elected corresponding members of the
'moiety. The Baroness de Samuel, Sir T. Cunningbame,
Bart., Ik. Holliston, and Messrs. John Morley, C. J.
Knight, W. Speed, T. 0. Stock, Edward Frankland, F.B.S.
G. Mitchell, J. E. Green G. W. Lawrence, and G. Nicoll
were ;impaled as candidates for the fellowship. The report
of the council announced, among other things, that they
had, in accordance with the requirements of the charter,
tilled up the vacancy in the council and preeideutship
, caused
Consort,
by the death of his Royal Highness the late Prince
1 Consort, by electing the Right lion. Sir George Clerk,
Bert., president of the society until the next anniversary
meeting.
THE LINENDRAPERE' INSTITUTION. —The 30th
annual meeting of the members of this institution was held
last evening, at the London Coffee-home Ludgate.bill ;
Mr. Pearce in the chair. The report etatea that during
1861 the auto of 2,055/. 3a. 9d. was granted for relief in 125
cases, and, although the applications were more numerous
, than usual, every deserting case was relieved. During the
1 put year 23 life and 36 annual subscribers bad been added
to the society, and 29 persons bad disqualified by non-
payment of abscriptions. The total income for the past
year was 2,7351. hits. Bd. The total capital of the institution
I now exceeds 40,0004, but as at premed invested it pro-
. ' duces only 3/. per cent. The directors, therefore, recom-
mended that the trustees be empowered toilers/it all monies
(over and above the sum of 20.090(. now in theThreeperCent
Consols) in Bank or Eat India Stocks, New Indian 51. per
Cent., or any other docks in aeoordmice with • recent legis-
lative enactment with regard to the investment of trust
0 i funds. The present number of life subscribers was 1,600 ;
. : annual subscribers, .iii ; and auxiliary subscribers, 110.
1. The report concludes with ureng upon the members the
duty of increased exertions on behalf of the inetitution. The
. report wes
. I CetraraLiderALAoß. ONE SHILLING DAT.
' I THURADAT, Tn. 90.—Admissions on payment, 648;
, ditto by own labels, 548—total, 1,196._ . . .

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