The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-10 00:00:00

THE FXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1850.

AMERICA.
(97 Mark Itlisinek]

(ROW on OWN

LIVERPOOL. FRIDAY, Now!.
The United 8 etas mail deem ship Atlantic, Capt.
West, the first of the new American steamers, passed
Holyhead this forenoon at 1110. She in expected in
dm Mersey about 8 or 9 o'clock.

CO, Court.

We are authorised to state that upon the return of
the coon from Osborne, about tae middle of June, the
Karen will bold the usual droving-rooms, and that it is
alai her Majesty's intention to Mee balls,

Prises Albert presided yesterday afternoon at a
',means of the Itnyat Commission for the promotion of the
Ethibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, to be
held t t the year 18.51. His Royal Highness arrived at the
ne • Pslace of Weseminrer at trine o'clock, attended by
L'eut.-Colostell the H .a. Aleasader Givelon. The odamie-
sionen present were the Hulot Rome, Berl Granville, Lard
S anleiv. Lard Overstune. the &Ott Hon. H. Labouchere,
8:r Richard Westamnet. Sir Charles L.ell, Mr. Batley,
Mr. Cobden, M.P.' Mr. T. P Gibezo, Mr. John Gott. and
Mr. hl?ermaa Thoeapsoe, M.P. Before the mettleg of the
weemniesion a preliminary meeting of the building wool:tee
was held at tes o'clock yesterday mornin4; and, alter the
Rays! Commissioutn bad assemti!ed, the committee, com-
posed of Mr. Colder, Mr. B .rry, Mr. R. St proforma Mr.
C. R. C.,ekrrvll, Mr. Brunel, and Mr. T. L. Drmaldsou,
with Mr. M. ll.gby Wyatt, bad so interview with
the trommisaioneri and present. d their noon on the plans
proposed for the building in Hyde-park The committee
&leo submitted to Prince Albert sad the sommissiners asses-
'sr oti 8 • plans forth* proposed buildin• for the eabiition.
C load Reid, chairman of the incentive c minuets was pre.
sent. Mr. S! de Rowell, secretary to the royal commission,
ass in attendenst. The meeting brake up sista o'clock.
The ILiches4 of Kent, accompanied by the Prince
of Lfiningen and erince II tweed at Snit Weiner honoured
the pertermance at the Rsyal Italics Open House with her
presence yesterday evening.
A devitc.ion from Luntk•th upon the mbject of
!he Me•rep Iran Intent at But. consist or of the Right Hon.
Hoz. C D'Eyazosirt, M P., Mr Charles Peanos.M P , Mr.
It 'ben churchwarden of Limbeth, Wens John
D eulton. J. Pleas. J. Ota ly. R. Hopkins, P. H. Holland,
H. C. Edwards, Simnel Sidney, and J. B. Cluk, v.stey
e'en, had on interview with Sir Grosse Orey yesterday at
the Home.olll7.e.

Tee Earl of Carlisle gave a ditner to the eabieet
Enisosts.,. ua Wednesday evenint, at his residence iu Grua•
vemosplsce. Tne ministers preeeat were tee stqwe of
L snedowne, the Esti at pinto, Sir Gram, Gres, Viscount
Palmeri:nu, Est'. 0.. y. Sir Charts. Wad, Sir Inns
u. the Right Use. H. Labosedtere, and the Righ. lion.
Fon Maule.

rho Rev. °meld Sergeant, Gaon of .lancluiver,
and the Can -n Cliftan, Lad an int,rvivw with Sit
Ueorite Orry yet.. tday.
Mr. John Wood, chairman of the Board of Inland
R.! , had as ietetv.ew wi.h the Chancelier of tte Ex-
chAser, yeetewlay, at hie oth-tal etwasace in ll)wadly-
Met

Mr. R. Birley, Mr. Morley, and Mr. Thome
Mu, churchwardens of MaraLhasura, dad an mtarraan
Taut.lay with S.r Georg? 0r.,.

LOAD LONDES110201:GOI COXVEUB►ZIO'cE.—Lord
L mulish rumen had a eine. razl.ollle on W. ds.( SU,
evening. at his mansioei on Ins Terrace, Piccacily,
at •aisa M%•iy ZOU gentlemen eminent to their attain-
ments Is mettle, literature, end the arts amembled
in obedience to his luutship's inv:tation.

..is
the Ant occAsion upon which the noble foal's
had been dm .on open sinee ite acquisition by his
It is a msraitl:.-nt k mos *LA nth etkulated for the dasp!ay
of hoopf alit, slain to that of which it was the scene on
Wednesday.

WESTMINSTER RAGGED DORMITORY AND
COLONIAL TRAINING ScROuL OF INDUSTRY.

The annual mteting of this institution was held
yesterday v.nicg at St. Martin'e-hall, Loan-ewe; L,rd
Asture. M P., in the chair. The Isicy of the late, room
was cruerdtd, and there wee also • lillawrOlLl attes.daace us
the platform.
Atter • devotional service,

The CHAIRMAN said thee had met that evecing to eels-
brat- the anniversary of an tats .t imui,untn, which, whe-
ther its object or the mode of its ..peration were ems lined,
was well is. tided to their countenance end supp trt. Taut
initiation was now about to be placed under tne regular
imminent at a committee, Invir.g hitherto le en me-
Deed almost szdusevely by one person, Mr. Nash,
of whose ab.lity, dikgenee, principles, and kindness
of heart, Inhibited ander the most trying circumstances, it
was impossible to speak with anequm• praise. It wee far
better that an instidstum of that nature, woos, operations
weal he hoped, be loose•bat extended, should be placed
under a eommittee, in ord. r test it might obtain a Bremer
amount of public confidence. (Clans ) While, how. v, r, he
was menus that it should be supported to the full extent of
its capacity, he did not desire to we its operations very greatly
extended. It would be much better to have a greet many
hundred institutions estabushni in diffarena puts of tsetse-
tr.,polis than to Lave one institution profaning to thrust
its arms and carry its inspection into many mans
parts. He believed that there were hundreds of the
vinous who were moat auzions to ha extricated from
their present miserable conditi,n, let it not be observed
that they were giving etcouragement to vies and sin, and
aiding the reprobate and worthless. They had the highest
easesol• that the world *Vet saw for pursuing such a course,
to these who plumed themselves on their own meats, and
wk., full of sett-righteovisuess, refused to give the rigir.t
h. 114 of fellowship to the objects of this la•!itution, be
would say, that if sash a measure were milt out to them-
-elves, there was a time coming when none of them would
be Odin abide the trial. (Clines.) In such a case, they
miaht learn with bitter remorse that then was more '•joy
in b over one sinner that repented, than over ninety
and nine just penises who needed"—or who fund that
they needed—" no repentance." (Caters.)
Mr. NASH then road the upon, of watch the following
is a brief abstract:

commenced by alleging the steady success of the pest
operations, and inmate, confidence in the ultimata results.
The institution had already reclaimed a number of the
wont characters. Five reformed lads were now in Aus-
tralia. The institution bad been fitted up and placed in
its present position chiefly by the aid of a benevolent lady.
Under the rules there was no restriction as to parish or dis-
trict. Every applicant, if there was room for him, and his
case were eligible, oat at once admitted an probation. AU
the inmate+ were compelled to attend a place of worship
twice on each Sabbath, but they were not bound to any
particular place. Sinai the institution was established there
had been 163 applications; 76 had been admitted from the
anon, 13 from various prison', being recommended by
the chaplai .s; 23 did not complete their pro-
bation ; four were dismissed for misconduct ; three
absconded after completing their probation ; five
were dismissed for want of funds, two were restored to
their friends, two felled situsioas in England, fifteen had
emigrated to Australia, and five to the United States,
thirty were at present in the institution. Some instances of
reformation were then narrated. In the industrial depart.
meet the inmates were employed in shoemakiug, tetioring,
and carpentering, under competent teaehen. The el .thiug
was made principally for their own use. The sole object in
view was to train them to habits of industry. Five hundred
and oeveuty.siz 'alma of soup and ens hundred and forty.
four gear:ern loaves bad, during the last three months, been
supplied by Mr. Cochrane from his institution in Leicester.
square. In the conclusion of the report an earnest appeal
was made to the Clayish= public for pecuniary supp
Mr. WALKER, City missionary, moved the adoption of
the report. lie said it was twelve years since he Sot became
acquainted with the low neighbourhood of Dock.
lane, Old Pie-street. where he then found two
ragged schools, conducted by two most ezpert pickpockets.
The instouctisn on Sunday commenced about H o'cicck in
the evening, and having on one occasion been admitted by
helot, he saw the youths instruct, d in the best mode of is
triating a puree or a pocket har.dkerchief. On seeing this,
he determined to use his best efforts to subetitu'e for such
schools a school inwhich the bible was made the chief in-
structor. (Hear, hear.) It first occurred to him that it
would be well if he could collect on Sunday afternoon the
young men who trained the boys to get their living by
thieving. He succeeded in gathering togetber thirty or
forty of them in one room, woo.. OS met for months at three
o'clock on Sunday &fternuon, for the reading of the scrip-
tune and for couvenstioa; and the result showed how
mask good might be effected by kindness and sym-
pathy. Ose Sabbath day he requested ono of tame
men to accompany him to a place of worship; he
did so, and God so Wessel what he beard
on that enasion that for the last eight plan he bad been a
ragged school teacher, and had been most uselal in impart-
ing both secular and religions instruction to the very clam
of which be was formerly a leading member. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. EL GURNEY, who was received with load cheers,
seconded the remnant& He said he had been led to come
there by a desire to learn what was being dose by that un-
pretending institution ; and, after what he had hoard, be'
was heartily rejoiced that be bad come. (Cheers) He
' was to a Certain event a political economist, but he was not
one of those who thought that the taking of the destitute,
the vicious, and, he must add, the setae:tunas, by the hand,
was so infringement of sound p licy. (Cheers.) la the
I community amongst which his lot was east, seeking appeared
I to him more aeaswv than to pay attention to tne lowest
era le of soelety—to thus who were the meet vicious, and the
toasts/44'bn of thinking rightly for them.elves. ( Hear ) it only
two or Um thdividuals were rescued from the ranks of the
vicious, society must be benefited; bat the tomtit was nut
in truth of that limited extent. Although this institution
was bat in its infancy, they !caret from the report that it had
&heady embraced the CUM of a great many individuals.
Oa
the ground of policy be hod no hesitation ia 'apprising
.him
approval of the proceeding,. On the "rotted of humanity,
who dii ant desire to aid it? How could a geatlemen, who
had taloa% and bine,, employ it better than in efforts to
earnests •tbe vicious from • .r 1 ids° -.est Wane of Ids? (Hear.)
The nieolstinn was then put and carried unanimously.
ERNES r BUNSEN, E q , eon of the Prussian ambas-
sador. mov .1 the hallowing resolution :
'• That this meeting appreciates the value and nenni•y of
Snail an ea-ti taken es peculiarly adapted to meet the nen,-
I allies of convicted felons and vagrants who are anzious to

nedetin, mad pledges pelf to sumutrogs the exertions made
1w this issitsties or the &Saintliest of so great and Chris.
ties as skies."
Mr. C. COCHRANE seconded the resolution, which was
by Ike asseues.
PAYN E moved the following reeolotioe :
" That this 'seeig/ gratefully acknowledges the success
with which God has been phased to bless the efforts made
to this lastionien since its establishment, and trusts the
appeal now mode for additiosal leads will be cordially
to."
"Tett is a positios to afford a pnetisal proof of what
hod been dose in the ragged sehooi dormitory. He had on
his feet at that moment a beautifully-made pair of boats—
the work et 21 reformed thieves is that eorsutory—(elleten)
—presented to him with as appropriate letter, which bait
alresay been mad,: yobbo. He else woes a waistcoat made
by Me girls of the industrial class in toe Field-lane
school, and at home he had • pocket book which II
was made by the boys in the Refuge. Butoduag
there in boots so manufactured, he felt that the cause of th.
iastitution was plead on a foodcg—(Laughtery—trure which
it o not be ni,ived. The iusuatwa was much indebted,
both to lord Ashley and to Mr. Nash. lug auploma of
" D D." should henceforth be assumed by them, sod no:
be confined to doctors of divinity. Why ? Weems. they
dived deep, dissipated doubt., aiepelled delusions, disdaiued
despot, sad timidly defeated the devil. (Cheers.)
las resolution having been seconded by the Rey. Mr
ROBINSON, was agreed to.
The Rev. Mr. ROGERS, chaplain of Tuthill Fields
Prison, moved the tul owing resolution :
" That the millet ',hanks of this meeting were due to the
Right Run. Lind Ashley, M.P., ter his kinduess in presiding
spas this oecasioa."

The rev. gel.rieman declared his belief, as the result
of experience, that.. ;steatite criminals general, were acces-
sible to the influence of Cogitates sympathy, and that the
bestowment of care and kindness upon them, would iu many
kirences result in reformed's.
The Rev. Mr. BRANCH seconded the Tesoltrion, which
was carried by seclasnarion.
The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the compliment,
mid the praise bestowed on Irmself ronituded hint of an ex-
pression of the Doke of Welitnstoo. On one occasion, the
noble duke, in speaking of the praises haus d upon Ism fur
his victories, said, "It is all very well for persona
to land Re, but what should I hays done with-
out Ins proper materiels to work with ?" So,
also, he (Load Ashley) would say, that utiles the settee
of which he was the advocate, wire suppmzed be a vast
number of persons, sod in • liberal misuser, all kis own
cautious would be stie:eas

ins sleeks( then dawned.
A collection vs. made is the course of the evening.

THE ASSOCIATIONS OF WORKING MEN.

xo. 11.

It is as well to declare at the outset of my labours,
that I enter upon my task with no idea of es ablieh-
ing a favourite theory, or of refuting the theories of
opponent.. My situ will be to collect the mo-t
authentic facts, and to chronicle them in an impartial
spitit. I shall not prebab.y discover that the manage-
ment act the associations or working men is, in all
cases, perfect, but, on the other band, I am not going
un a pilgrimage in seadch of chicanery and deceit.
At hire nelieviug to the fullest extent in the beneficial
rebut. s of Mechanics Institutes generally, and as far
as they go, I shall endeavour to point out ttseir defects
io principle tether t:,an in precise. It will be my
duty to explore a vast conglomeration of machinery
intended for the benefit of the indusirial sad
the object of such a scrutiny can be Lone other than
to r.soive from a chats of power a system that shall
work to harmony—as the minute st cot-wheel helps
to impel the engine.
Al) tits: visit was naturally to the parent of Loudest
Mechanics Ins.itutes—v.z., that situ ited in Smith-
anspten-builoings, Chancery-late. This insiitution,
at the foundation of whici Dr. Birkbeck presided is
1823, has existed up to the present time without ha,-
lug bed recouree to the shifts and I xpenients of other
institutions of a similar nature. It has nut only been
presided over by the Btrkbeck family from its foun-
dation, but is also indebted to its original president
he a loan of 3,000!. which the doctor advanc d to de-
fray the cost of building the theatre. Ab.te 2,0001.
of th a debt remains unpaid to this hour. In the
more flourishing days of the Institute a certain sum
w.s paid off the debt annually ; but of late years it
has been found impossible to meet more than the in-
terest. This decreased proeper;ty may be traced at
once to the distressed condition of the working men,
and to an advance made about fourteen years
ago in the rate of subscription. The seers.
tary told me that any depression in trade
was at once followed by a decrease in the number of
members. The institute is a luxury, and the
first economy of the poor man is his
Illfett.llloll from it. A notion has gained ground
of late years that the Mechanics' Institutes of London,
Manchester, and Liverpool, are not supported by
workmen, but by tradesmen and clerks. The London'
Mechanics Institute,situsted in the immediate vicinity
of the law offices, is certainly one where we should
expect to find a corroboration of this popular idea;
but on making a particular inquiry into toe callingsl
of the 600 members who now constitute the lestitute,
I find that workmen form a decided majority. The
original object of this institution has ben adhered is
' uniformly. The benevolent and enlightened views of
its founder have been steadily kept in sight, and the
patronage of other classes of men has not led the
authorities to believe for one momers', that the
working men were not, after all, their safest
reliance. This steadiness of view is shown in the
constitution of the committee of management, whisk
waists of thirty members, twenty of whom, accord-
ing to the original draft of laws, must be bond Ale
working men. I inquired whether or not this rale
was strictly adhered to, and was told in reply that the
law was inviolable. The secretary then showed me a
list of the pre sent committee, and specified the cellist
of each member—and I found, as he had stated, that
itwathirds cf the entire number were men who lived
by manual labour.
'rue house occupied by the Institute is spacious and
well arranged, the rooms open to members being a
reading-room, well supplied with the daily and weekly
' newspapers, and all tbe magazines and aerials;
class rooms for the various classes; a library,
stored with upwards of six thousand standard books;
and the theatre for lectures large enough to
hold a thousand persons. There are two
lectures weekly throughout the year; hut I do not
find that the subjects chosen are those which would
be likely to attract, and, at the same time, improve
Iworking men. There are, for instance, a body of
working jewellers (living in a cluster about St. Ow
Wants Danes) who are members of the institute; yet
no lectures, so far as I can ascertain, have been deli-
vered on matters connected with their trade ; yet a
very interesting lecture might be written on the his-
tory of the great diamonds, and the various processes
of polishing, setting, &c. ; and another on the meal*
in vogue in various °pantries to measure tiara
Ttese subjects, which, if well trea'ed, would I
be interesting to all the members, might be lart*
conducive to the improvement of the working je
lets. Then again, lectures on the application of me
Ishanical power, on the cultivation of taste, on the
elements of art, would have their immediate result in
the stimulus they would give to the working mw
generally. The present syllabus of the instiiute, in-
stead of announcing lectures on these practical sab-
jeets, offers discourses on eloquence, astronomy, Pales-
tine. &c. This is a great mistake.
The library is open for the delivery of books from
10 in the morning till 10 in the evening, and the
reading-room closes at 11 p.m. The library contains
all the standard novels, and the great books of re-
faience. Novels, I was informed, formed the chief
reading; and Bulwer appears to be the favourite
author. I inquired of the secretary whether or not be
hand that any members pursued a regular and sound
course of reading. In reply, I was informed that se-
veral members studied bard, and that Whateley's
logic, and books of that class, were often asked for.
Men who have been at work throughout the day, are
seldom disposed to engage in any abstruse study in
the evening. They seek relaxation: they will pro-
bably read Harriet Martineau's exciting tiles illustra-
tive of political economy, but they will seldom feel
inclined to grapple with Ricardo. The secretary
and librarian allowed that his experience tended to
corroborate the belief that labouring men require in-
structive amusement rather than knowledge in scho-
lastic garb. They must he interested before they
will consent to learn. This position cannot be more
forcibly shown than by referring to the comparative
popularity of lectures. I made particular inquiries
on this head, with the view of ascertaireing the com-
parative attractiveness of purely scientific lectures,
dramatic readings, and musical lectures. I wu in-
formed in reply that dramatic readings and lectures
on music, illustrated by vocalists, are the most attrac-
tive and the beet attended oe*-- 'cements offered by
the Instil Good and e. ' in short, is

snstitute. _ cheap amusemebt,
the object sought by the members. Many ins'ancee,
however, occur of unremitting and successful study ;
and among the members of the Institute are several
who have made considerable progrcu in algebra.
The institute contains a museum, apparently well

supplied with specimens illustrative of the scienees of
mineralogy, geology, &c., as well as with a small c
,l-
lection of chemical and mechanical apparatus.
The subjects taught in the classes, according to the
prespectuo, are, English grammar, Lain, writing,
arithmetic, mathematics, practical geometry, practical
perspective, drawing, landscape figure, architectural,
mechanical, and ornamental ; painting and drawing
fr. m the living model, modellins, French practical
chemistry, short-hand, experimental philosophy, lite-
rary composition, phrenology, elocution, end vocal
and instrumental music.

I have now enumerated the advantages which this
institute offers to mechanics and others; it remains
to be seen how far the premises given out arc ful-
filled. For this purpose I shall consult not only the
masters who are engaged for the various classes, but
also the members themselves. The late rapid de-
crease is the number of members it is riebt, in the
absence of other eviderce, to attribute to the depres-
sion in trade; but it miy ha well, and certainly is
fair, to ascertain as far as porsible, whether other
causes have not operated to produce this ex-
tensive seossiion. There must be some ressei
for the gradual withdrawal of 500 members
dating from 1842; though trade, in this interval of
eight years, his suffered many fluctuations, it has,
nevertheless, had its gleams of prosperity ; aid at the
present time the working classes are certainly not in
a more impoverished condition than they were before
the abolition of the corn laws. This contradic:ioa can
be explained away only by direct communication
with some of the seceders; and the purport of my
next letter will be to give a fell statement of their
reasons fur their secestion. The gentlemen who con-
duct the London Mechanics' Institute will be aware
that I enter upon this inquiry simply with the view
of ascertaining whether or not the decline of their
nurn,)ers is attributable to remediable or irremediable
iotluencts.

Having thus enumerated the advantages offered,
—having given the bill of fare,—l will briefly allude
to the cost of the entertainment. Upwards of one
hundred members arc under twenty years of age. The
subscription is 11. 4s. yearly, or Bs. quarterly, and
2.. 6d. entrance fee, paid in advance. Sons and ap-
prentices of members have the privilege of attending
either the evening classes or the lectures at 3s. per I
quarter. Ladies are admitted to the lectures, and
allowed the use of the circulating library, at
3.. per quarter. These terms ate larger than
those on which other mechanics' institutes
exist; institutes offering, moreover, far greater
advantages than the London Mechanics'. Yet I am
told that it has been seriously proposed to raise the
rate of annual subscription. The pre inint income of
the Institute is about 1,000!.; and this sum, it is
found, is barely sufficient to meet the current ex-
penses; yet, as I have before said, other irsti.utes
(some with libraries of 15,000 volumes instead of
6,000) flourish at a less c)st to their m.nibt-rs. I shall
be at some pains in the curse of my investigations to
compare the systems of manegement adopted in the'.
town and country institutes, discriminating b.itween
"niggardly thrift tha• defeats its own object," and
that prodigal expeocliuie which is d.fficult to',
retrieve. lamat a less to understand how, after'
an existence of t wenty-s- Yen year., the greater'
portion of the debt incurred in the building of the
theatre remains unpaid. The existence of this deb•,
after such a lap=e of time, argues a false economy, and
suggeats bad management. Apia, no books have
been kept, by which it is possible to trace the number
of mechanics and artisans who have been connected
with the Institute since its foundation ; this is a grave
omission, since it annihilates the possibility of de-
fining with any degree of certainty the amount of
gond effered. There may be difficulty in keeping a
perfect classified list of members, since the
numbers vary every three menthe, and not
above half the members subscribe through-
out the year. The greater part of the members
are quarterly subscribers, and many of these
discontinue their sub-eription when the days lengthen
and their labours do not terminate till a later hour.
'thus, all shopmen, such as drapers' assistants, and
workmen, such as jeweller. and carpenters, do not
attend the Institute generally from Easter till Mi-
chaelmas, because the length of the day during the
intervening months ke-ips them at their work to a
late hour. Clerks, masters, and youths therefore are
the most constant members ; and there are at the
present time three or four subscribers who have been
members since 1828.

The important position which the Lord= Me-
chanics' Institute holds in the estimation of its fol-
lowers renders it important that its operation', influ-
ence, and condition should be made known fully ; accl
I am bound to acknowledge publicly the courtesy and
willingness on the put of the secretary and librarian
to give me all information in his possession.

LAW ASSOCIATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF WIDOWS
AND ORPHANS Or PitoritesioNAL Mss.—Yesterday, the
1 general meeting of this society took place at the
Law Institution, Chancery lane. Mr. James More in the
chair. Tee report (which wee received and adopted) stated,
that the condition 01 the association had gradually improved
since its establishment in IMI7, but the directors lament that
a greater influx c f subs:ribers has not taken place during the
year ; only 10 Oaf nth'''s having been added to the list. The
toady! capital now amounts to 21,0001. stock, consi.ting of
10,6001. Three-and-a-Qiarter per Cents , and 10,4001. Three
per Cent. Redueed. '1 he directors cannot forbear to record
their sense of the libetalty of the bankers and br. kers of
the association, for having csrried t!•rough these trans•
actions, involving an amount of upwards of 40 0001. 'wilt,
without any charge to the association. No new case of the
primary class has come before the board during the past
year ; but in two instances assistance to the amount of 911. Ss.
has ben afforded, to enahle the parties to emigrate. The re-
lief afforded to the primary class of applicants has been only
9161. 54., while that of the previous year was 9151.105. This di-
minution hes been cased by the death of 34,1 the applicants, as
reported in last year's statement, and other circumstances ;
and in the present year a still further diminution will occur,
by the emigration of the applicants above alluded to. As
no new easel of the primary class have arisen to require the
aid of the society, it may be a subject worthy of considi ra-
tion, whether some addition may not be made to the fund
usually voted for the other clause. The sum voted at the
last annual meeting far the ben. fit of the widows or families
t persons who had not been, or had ceased to be subscribers
to the society, was 1501., being 501. lets than in recent years;
and the directors are concerned to state, that the eases
then already on the books, and receiving find allow-
ances, at once absorbed nearly the whole of this
grant; the consequence of which has been, that in
four cases the directors have been compelled wholly
to reject the applications, for want of sufficient means wht re-
with to meet them ; and in two other instances to diside the
sum of 41, which was the whole of the money then remain-
lag for came of this description. The directors trust that a
larger grant will in future relieve them from the painful ne-
cessity of rejecting applications, which they conc. ive the
subscribers in general world feel anxious to include among
the objects of their beneficence, and they strongly urge all
their frieads—and those in the younger ranks cat the profes-
sion especially—to join the society. The usual formal busi-
ness having been disposed of, the meeting separat:cl, with a
vote of thanks to the chairman.

FEMALE SERVANTS' HollL—Yesterday evening
the annual meeting of the friend• and supporters of this
institution was held at Eaves 's. Hall, the Rev. Joseph Brown,
Rector of Christ Church, Blackfriars, in the chair. Having
read several letters from clergymen and gentleman who
were prevented attending, be observed, that though at its
commencement the institution bad met with much opposi-
tion, the present was its fourteenth anniversary. This was
the first society which established homes for servants oat of
place, and now there was scarcely a large town in the king-
dom in which such institutions did not exist. From the re-
port it appeared that the number of female servants ad.
stilted as instates of the society's houses at Hatton-
garden, and Nutford-place, Edgware-road, during the
put year was 457, of whom 398 had been provided with
situations ; 34 remained in the home on the 31st of March
last. No less than 3,800 bad availed themselves of the bene-
fits of the institution since its establishment in 1838. Since
1844, 17,000 servants had registered themselves, and 5,180
families had applied for servants. The income of the institu-
tion daring the past year amounted to 5411, and the expen-
diture to 0251., leaving a balance in band of 161. The habi-
tithes were between 1301. sod 1401, in addi'ion to a mortgage
on the house in Nutford-place, of which 3751. was still out-
standing. The report having been adopted, the rev. chair-
' man' after a judicious address to the female servants presen.,
gave a handsomely bound bible and a sovereign to four
young women who had been inmates of the home, and had
remained for three years in their present situations. The
meeting was addressed by the Rev. Mr. Simpson, the Rev,
W. 8. R fwe, chaplain of Herseasongerlane gaol, and others.
PARLIAMENTARY ANDFINANCIAL REFORM.-MEET-
-1140 AT Chit/IMO/I.—TIN third meeting of the members of
the Croydon association was held at the Gun Inn on Wed-
nesday evening. There was a very numerous attendance.
Mr. Matson (a tenant-fermerl and Mr. Wickham attended
as a deputation from the National Reform Association. Mr.
John Hempttead (overseer) in the chair. Mr. Matson ad.
dressed the meeting at considerable length, proving that
tenant-farmi re who were fighting under ire banner. of the
Duke of Richmond, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord Stanhope, would
ultimately share the fate of the retainers of the ancient
barons, who, after fighting hard and losing the battle, either
perished from starvation during the retreat, or, if they wee
lucky enough to get h sae, were confined in dungeons for
life. Mr. Wi:kham gave a Mena, of the rise and progress
of the NAtinnal Reform Associstion. Mr. Applety moved
and Mr. Ridge vecondvil a revolution eapri ...ire of the con-
' lidence of thus meeting in the plane of the National Reform
Association. This was (tarried unanimously. On the mu
tion of Mr. Parker, a sub cription in ail of the funds of
the National Aloud-viva was commenced.