The National Register.
London, England, 1822-05-20 00:00:00

NATIONAL SC HOOLS.— OH Wednesday last, fits •
annual examination of the male and female children
educated at the national schools, on the British
system of Dr. Bell, took place at the central school,
Baldwin's-gardens, Gray's-Inn-lane, on Wednesday
last, his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury in
the chair. Before one o'clock, the hour appointed
for the examination, the very spacious school-mom
was crowded to mess with a brilliant assemblage
of beauty and fashion, attending to witness a sight
so interesting to all who regard a careful juvenile
education, as the source of national prosperity and
honour. About cue o'clock, the Rev. Primate took
the chair, supported on his right and left by several
bishops. The room was filled to excess. The ex-
amination was conducted with very great regularity,
and the catechetical queries were answered with
much correctness and care. The children read the
different portions of Scripture assigned to them with
a surprising accuracy, and clearness of tone, winch
uffonled greas satisfaction to the highly respectable
audience assembled. The definitions and explana-
tions given by them extempore, to numerous parts
of the Bible, &c. were remarkably pertinent.—
About half-past three o'clock the examination end-
ed, with the children singing a passage from the
Psalms, which they executed with much spirit.—
The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed in the
warmest terms, his satisfaction 'at the conduct of
the children—a sentiment re echoed by the com-
pany at large, which consisted chiefly of ladies.—
Amongst the company we observed the Archbishop
of York, the Bishops of St. Asuph, Exeter, Llandatf,
Worcester, and Lincoln. Lords Kenyon, Radstoch,
and Gardner; Sir J. Langham, Sir R. Woodford,
and Sir English Dolben; Lady Richardson; Arch-
deacons Blomfield. Watson, and Prosser; Mr. Wil-
berforce, and Dr. Wordsworth, &c. &c.
On Monday last, an adjourned meeting of the
South Sea Company took place at the Company's
House in Threadneedle-street. Mr. Bosanquet. the
chairman, entered into explanations and details re-
specting the Pension Contract Plan of Government.
Among other particulars, he mentioned that during
the term of 45 years the sum advanced would be 23
millions, the return about 2S or 29 millions.—Not-
withstanding the chairman's elucidations, the scheme
appeared to the meeting in general, we believe,
very complex. Mr. Higgins, after some remarks
on the subject, moved, that " No engagement be
entered into with Government until a dividend of
four per cent. being the charge of management to
which they were entitled for the South Sea House."
—This proposition was rejected, and a motion of
Mr. Thornton carried, that " The Governor and
Deputy Governor of the Bank of the South Sea
Company be authorised to treat and contract with
government for the proposed annuity."—Anotber
resolution was also passed, that for the purpose, an
additional capital be nutted, not exceeding the sum
of 3,600,0001. the amount of the present capital.
The meeting afterwards adjourned. The amount
subscribed on Monday was 210,0001, stock, and
122,0001. money. The amount not subscribed by
the proprietors of South Sea Stock will be open to
public companies, and to the public generally.
.IhATH or TUE BISHOP OP M EATH.—The
Dublin Freeman's Journal announces the death of
the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Doctor
Thomas Lewis O'Beirne, Bishop of Meath. His
lordship was originally educated for the functions of
a Roman Catholic Priest, but having recommended
himself to the notice of the late Duke of Portland:
he abjured the Roman Catholic Nth, Lecame
Protestant Clergyman, and was, in 1799, promoted
to the see of Meath, one of the most valuable in
Ireland, in point of income and patronage. The
.Minister has now three mitres at his disposal. The
Dean of St. Patrick's, and Dr. Bisset (first Chap-
lain to Marquis Wellesley), it is said, will be pre-
sented with two. The Hun. and Rev. Gerald Va-
lerian Wellesley, brother of the Marquis Wellesley,
has been mentioned as likely to become one of the
new Archbishops. The Hon. and Rev. Pa-
kenham, Dean of Ardbrackan, brother of the Earl
of Longford, is mentioned as likely to succeed to
the See of Meath.
For many years the landholders in Norfolk ap-
peared to study how to decrease the number of
film's, by throwing two, three, or more farms into
one—they find,however, that this is bad policy, and
we learn with pleasure that many landlords are now
busied in subdividing their farms, so as to place them
within the reach of honest, industrious men, with
small capital : this will lessen the poor rate, serve
individuals, and restore a class of beings to society,
who have for many years been driven from it by the
mistaken views of the landed proprietors.
Mr. Secretary Peel stated, in the course of a de•
bate which took place in the House of Commons on
Friday night last, on the subject of llchester gaol :
that he had given orders for a prosecution against
Bridle, late keeper of the prison, and that he had
also directed eminent surveyors to examine and re-
port upon the present site and state of the prison,