The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-11 00:00:00

TBE GIRLS' HOME.

Yesterday a public meeting in favour of this
institution, which ham just been opened at 22, Charlotte-
street, Portland-place, was held at tnai Marylebone Ineti-
tution, the Dean of Wrsvaissvits (in the absent* of the
Duke of Argyll through indisposition) presiding.
The Rev. W. L. CLAY moved the first resolution, viz. :
" That the state of juvenile female destitution in the
rostespolis demands insasediale and constant attrition,
and that industrial schools for destitute girls not con-
victed of crime form the best means of preventing crime
among female children."
The motion was seconded by Mr. J. M. CLABON and
carried unanimously.
The Rev. F. D. MAURICE, is moving "That this meet.
ing welcomes the establishment of the Girls' Home as
likely, from its object and constitution, to be • valuable
means of training the destitute child to industry and
godliness," explained that as the chapel of which he
was incumbent had no parochial district it had been
suggested that the establishment of a Girls' Home would
be a work of practical Christian philanthropy in which
the congregation might very properly interest itself.
The institution had already been opened. A matron had
been appointed, and there were two inmates—a small
beginning no doubt—but inasmuch as he bad noticed
that societies which had begun in a quiet and un-
ostentatious manner had in the end attained greater
prosperity than others which had. had • more am-
bitious commencement, he saw grounds for encou-
ragement rather than for despair in that circum-
stance. The institution had so far been liberally sup-
ported, but if it grew as he hoped, it would require
en income of at least 5001. or 60W. a year, and he trusted
therefore that it would receive much larger funds than
had yet come in. The objects of the promoters would be
to afford to those whom it benefited a happy home, to
give them a sound religious education, and to make them
thoroughly good servants.
Mr. G. W. BELL, who seconded the motion, dwelt on
the great success which had attended the boys' homes,
and announced on behalf of the promoters that the new
institution would be conducted on principles as nearly as
possible identical. He insisted strongly on the great need
of such institutions. Bad as was the case of poor boys,
they did sometimes, as they grew up, become honest men,
and even valuable members of society ; but the future of
girls left to run wild in the streets could not be contem-
plated without • shudder. Moreover, there was a general
need of industrial training for girls in the humbler walks
of life. He believed it was a very rare circumstance
indeed, comparatively speaking, for a poor man's wife to
be thoroughly up to her work ; but those who passed
through the home would not have to complain of any want
of proper instruction to fit them for the position they
might expect some day to fill, that of wives and mothers.
The motion having been agreed to,
Mr. MAURICE moved • vote of thanks to the Dean of
Westminster, and expressed his regret at the absence of
Mr. Layard, Mr. Cowper, and Mr. Hughes, who hail pro-
mised to attend, but who had been detained by their par-
liamentary duties.
The Very Rev. Dean, in replying, observed that the last
time he was in that building be had come to hear Mr.
Carlyle give his lecture on hero worship. Without going
so far as to hold up his rev, friend as a hero, he might say
that he could not but feel attracted to any work in which
Mr. Maurice took an interest. (Cheers.)
The meeting then broke up.

HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN. Her
Royal Highness the Princess of Wales has been pleased to
signify her intention of becoming the patroness of this
useful institution, and has shown her interest in its wel-
fare by contributing 30 guineas to its funds.
THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—A large
meeting of the farmers and landowners of Nottinghamshire
was held yesterday to take steps for the purpose of invit-
e
ing the Royal Agricultural Society to hold their meeting
in the neighbourhood of Nottingham next year. Lord
Helper presided. The subscription already promised was
announced to be over 1,6001. An influential committee
was appointed to carry out the object of the meeting, eel
it was stated that, owing to its favourable situation, it is
very probable that the society will select Nottingham as
their place of meeting.
THE RIGHT or PRUSSIA TO GARRISON ',VERY-
BrEG.—The following is the text of the diplomatic con-
ventions relative to the right of Prussia to garrison
Luxemburg. They are found in the proceedings of the
territorial committee assembled at Frankfort:—" Art. 35.
—Art. 3 of the treaty concluded at Vienna the 31st May,
1815, and Art. 67 of the act of Congress of Vienna having
stipulated that the fortress of Luxemburg should be con-
sidered as belonging to the Germanic Confederation, that
disposition is nutintained and expressly confirmed by the
present act. However, the King of Prussia and the
King of Holland, acting in his quality of Gfltnd
Duke of Luxemburg. wishing to adapt the rest
of the clauses of the said articles to the changes
which have arisen from the Treaty of Paris of the 20th
November, 1615, and to provide in the most efficacious
manner for the combined defence of their respective States,
have agreed to garrison in common the fortress, without
that arrangement in any way infringing on the right of
sovereignty of the King of Holland, as Grand Duke of
Luxemburg, over the town and fortress.—Art. 36. The
King of Holland, as Grand Duke of Luxemburg, cedes to
the King of Prussia the right to name the commander of
that fortress, and consents that, ns long as it is held in
common, three-fourths of the troops of all arms shall be
Prussian and one-fourth Dutch, thus renouncing the right
of nomination which Art. 67 of the Congress of Vienna
bad assured to his Majesty."