The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-31 00:00:00

MECIIANICS. INsTITCTIuNs' SOIREE AT LINCOLN.
...The bell annual meting of the Midland Counties
Leinciatiac. of Mechlin,' and Literary Institutions was
held oa 'Tuesday at Lincoln. The annual dinner was held
In the tan moon, at the Great Northern !lute!. The Earl
of Yarl,:.:..ut:t, who wa. supported by Lord Carlisle, lion.
W. Mon...in, G. Dawson, Esq., &c. &c., presided. It was
followed by a soirie, which was held in the Corn Exchange,
the prior.„ial object of which was to assist the project
form d by the coimaittce of the Mechanics' Institute of
Lincolu, t erect a tear building of such an extent that
sullieient room may be allowed to all the departments of
the institute, which will include ample library, hall,
class-meeteke., and a tun-cuts. Upwards of hve hurt
dad IXl+O,lll were present, including the lion. A. L. Mel-
ville, the Mayor and Mayoress of Lincoln, the
Rev. E. It. Luken, the Rev. C. Mutter, &e.
The Earl of Carlisle proposed the first resolution, which
was to the following effect :—" That mechanics' institu-
tions, having for their object the advancement of the people
in solid and useful education, deserve the support of all
classes L.terested in the welfare of their common country."
in speaking of the effects of such institutions the noble lord
said,-1 know that the enemies of mechanics' institutes and
of popular institutions generally have barn apt to say that
they have u tendency to make ths mechanics and working
men, whom specially they arc intended to benefit, puffed,
proumptouus, conceited, and discontented. All I can
say is that if they do so, they fail singularly in their
purpose, and fall full short of their aim. It appears to
me tliat there are two principles upon which we
must mainly rely for success 'in any attempts to ruse
and regenerate mankind. The one is to have a very high
opinion of what we can do, the height to which we can
soar, the advauce in knowledge and in virtue which we may
make that is ambition as concerns our capacities. The
ether is to hive a mean opinion of what we at any time
know, or at any time have already done: that is humility
es concerns our attainments. The ambition should be ever
stirring us up to the even and steady development of
rithteous principles, and where the opportunity presents
its, lf, to the pivfermauce of noble, meritorious, and unsel-
fish actions. humility should ever keep iu view that there
is no sphere of life, however humble—no round of duties,
however unexcitio,r, which any one of you may not enliven
and elevate with qualities beside; which the successes of
statesmen and the triumphs of conquerors are but poor and
vulgar. 1 believe there is no eminence to which man may
not Tench, but be must reach it by suborning all unlaw-
ful impalas, and by subduing all mean ambitions.
There is a general craving in the human mind for great-
ness and distinction. That greatness and distinction,
1 am thankful to think, is within the reach of any one
ti obtain; but the greatueas and distinction must not bo
without you, hut within you. Ido not wish to attribute
to meth ones' institutes any exaggerated or imaginary value.
I do not hold them forth as singly curtaining the elements
with which we should hope to regenerate modern society,
but it is because I believe them calculated happily to chime
in with the exlsting wants and prevailing dispositions of the
times; to afford optiortnnities fur improvement and deve-
loprneat in quarter. where they would not otherwise be
found; to promote innocent recreation and blameless
amusement, mail generally to assist Ow progress of mankind;
it is on these account. that I venture to recommend
them to your cordial *yaw ithy and your active assistance.
The resalutiou was seconded by Mr. llollings, and unani-
mously adopted. A inotiin wa, also carried to the effect
that the bonding occupied by the mechanics' institute of
Lincoln was inanequ etc to the accommodation of its mem-
bers, so far as regarded the museum, lecture, and class-
rroms, and that therefore, as soon as pecuniary means would
allow of it, a new letilelin4 was to be erected. The pro.
lei dings of the evening terminated with a balL—Abridged
truss the &ohm Conetti,j !braid.
SIANCIIEsTER GEOLOGICAL Seel ETT.—The 13th
animal meeting of this society was held yesterday, in the
hall of the Manchester Natural History Society, George]
%t arcing Onnerod, Eot, M.A. F.G.S., in the chair. The
report, which was Mill by the how. secretary, stated that in
pursuance of resolutions praised at the last annual meeting
• conference had taken place with the council of the Natu-
ral History Society, which hail resulted in the amalgamation
et the geological museum of the two societies, and the
samosa! of this society to the premises of the
ether association. The joint geological collection
*Dahl be opened gratuitously to the public as
sea as the accessary arrangements could be completed.
'lie collection would scarcely he surnamed by that of our
ether pros incial museum in this country. The council
trusted that, situated in a pl ice affording almost every illus-
tration which a naturalist could require, the contribution of
Papers would be henceforth more abundant than heretofore,
and that an increased attendance would prove that the ob-
jects of the society were appreciated. The funds of the
seitiety having now hewn rendered free of all charge fur
rent, the council hoped to be able to enlarge the library and
to have more fonds at their disposal and spplicable to the en-
largement anal improvem. nt of the museum. They had great
pleasure in eanninunicating to the society, that the large and
valuable collection of coal fossil., formerly deposited by
Mr. Dante iu the MWWIAI2I, had now been presented by
him to this society. This muntficient donation would
greatly assist in completing the series of local fossils, in
which the esfiection was previously very deficient. Tree
report was agreed to, and the meeting then proceeded to
the electiou of otnctrs tor the ensuing year. Dr. Black,
G.S., was elected president; and the following gentle-
men were eternal vice presidents:—J. he wood, Esq., M.l'.,
; John Moore, Fos. F.L.S.; W. °emend, Es q.,
M.A., 1'.U.5., and U.S.; F. Smith, Seq., F.G.S. The
annual dinner of the society took place yesterday after-
noon, at the Palatine hotel, under the presidency of James
ileywoed, K. 4., M.P.
Nrw ACl' RELATING TO BAILVOTE COURTS.—

Nearly the last act et the late senior% was passed to define
the mineral customs in the Duchy of Lancaster, and to im-
prove the administration of justice in the Bannete
Courts." Thes: courts are of very ancient origin. The
Great Barmot.• Court has jurisdiction in mineral matters,
and by this act the Small Barmote Court can try actions,
Se., in a similar manner to the County Courts. The act is
not to preclude persons front proceeding in other courts.
This act Ririe to the Bormote Courts the same privilege* no
ere now est.•nded to other courts—rho right of examining
the parties and their wives. Not the least important pert
of the act F contained in the several schedule, annexed to
the same. Iler Jtajesty may appoint a " Steward" of the
Barmote Courts, and henceforth the grand jury of the
courts will be confined to 12 persons. New Tuba and orders
May be made forarrying the act into execution.

ALLEGED llentnut.—Yeaterday forenoon, at 12
o'clock, an inquest was held at the Percy Arms, Great
Party-street, Clerkenwell, upon the body of Mr.. Elizabeth
Deborah Davies, aged 32, whose death, it is alleged, had
been caused by the violence of her hushand, Thomas Davies,
who stands remanded on the charge of murder, (see report
under the head " Clerkenwell," in Thursday's paper). Mr.
Mears Ilanlinge, surgeon, of 24,Sackville-street,St. James's,
was the first witness called. Ile merely proved that the
injury on the head of the deceased was the cause of her
death. Henry Lewis, errand boy, in the employ of the
accused, was called in and sworn. It may be recollected
that when he was essmiactl on Wedise-day last be said, on
his return home on Friday last he heard Mrs. Davies say
that his master had beaten her with a shovel. lie now said
ti:at about a fortnight ago he saw his master beating his
wistresa. The inquiry was then postponed for a week.
Corte. [To the Editor of the E.rpress.]
Sir.—Misht nut such a system as the following, which you
will see so borrowed from the French, be adopted among
ourselves, and that with advantage. Let a thirty-shilling
pitse and a seven-and-sixpenny piece be coined, and we
should have then 30s. = 3.000, Ws. = 1.300, 10s. = 1.000,
to. =- .300, 2s. Gil. -= .230, 2s. sw .200, Is. = .100, &I.
.0•74, 3d. .023 ; the fourpenny piece and our copper money
might then be retained for a while, and allowed gradually
to fall into disuse. Hoping you will kindly allow this a
place in your infisentialjournal, I remain, your respectfully,
CD.V.