The Sun.
London, England, 1825-07-08 00:00:00

NEW ACADEMY.

EDINBURGH, JULY 5.--Yesterday, the first
annual Meeting of the Subscribers to the Edinburgh Academy
was held in the hall of the School. On the motion of Robert
Dundas, Esq. of Arniston, the LORD JUSTICE CLERK was
called to the Chair. The Report was read by John Russell,
Esq. the secretary. It began by stating, that as far as the ex-
perience of the first year would go, all the anticipations of the
subscribers would ultimately be realized. The building had been
found sufficient for the accommodation of the scholars in all its
parts. Each apartment was set apart for a_particular class, in-
stead of a particular master. The whole expence of building th a
school, levelling the ground, &c. was 12,2641.105. The Rector's
report to the Directors was read, as part of the general report. It
stated that the Edinburgh Academy was opened under circum-
stances quite unprecedented in the annals of teaching. Three
hundred and fifty pupils met together for the first time under
one roof. The attainments of such a number were so very dif-
ferent, that no examination could possibly place each in his
proper class ; and it required no ordinary degree of exertion to
overcome the difficulty of reducing that discordant mass to
unity. It next adverted to the teachers having, in a great
measure, carried on the business of the school without cor-
poreal punishment operating rather by the fear of dis-
grace than bodily pain. It then gave a general view of the
progress of the different classes—that in the junior classes
being the greatest. This circumstances was attributed to
some of the pupils having been placed in classes higher than
their previous attainments qualified them for. The report al-
luded to the premiums which the Directors have agreed to
give; Ist, For superior scholarship—a gold medal to the dux
of the first class, and a silver one to the dux of the other class,
with books to the scholars next in order ; 2d, To the pupils
who have made the greatest progress in studies; and, 3d, for
general good conduct and diligence. The number of scholars
was limited to 110 to each class, and the Rector's to 160. The
number of scholars this year was—ln the first class, 110 ; in
the second, 73 ; third, 65 ; fourth, 57 ; and fifth, 66 ; total
372. The gross expence had been 13,6971., and the
receipts 12,3251., making an excess over the income of
1,3721. ; but against that there appeared 6001. not paid
by the subscribers. It was resolved by the Directors that the
school books should be sold by the janitor, and the profits ap-
plied to the purchase of class libraries. The plan had suc-
ceeded ; profits to the extent of 11111. had been realized since
October, with which sum a library of 130 volumes had been
procured for the Rector's class; and 91 volumes for the fourth
class. Donations had been received from Lord Robertson of
the whole of Principal Robertson's works—from David Con-
stable, Esq.—and from Messrs. Longman and Company. The
report concluded by paying a high compliment to the Rector
and masters, whose conduct had met with the entire approba-
bation of the Directors.
JAMES MoNcitEirr, Esq. in rising to move that the report
be printed and circulated, confessed, that all he had to say
might be compressed into a single sentence. What had already
taken place they had all witnessed—they were all aware of the
extraordinary success which had attended the establishment of
this seminary. The institution was commenced under very
great difficulties—the great expence which was to be overcome
in the first instance—the difficulty of procuring a proper site
—and, particularly, the difficulty with respect to the old esta-
blished High School, a seminary which was alike respectable
and distinguished for the numbers who attend it, and for the
diligence and eminence of the masters, as teachers and scho-
lars—men who deservedly possess the esteem of their fellow-
citizens. Mr. 31. then proceeded to notice the obligations
the subscribers were under to their most excellent Rector.
The difficulties he had to overcome were very great, when
it was considered that all the classes were composed of boys
who had come from different schools, and who had been
accustomed to as many different modes of teaching. It was
therefore impossible, by any examination, to extract suffi-
cient information as to the state of knowledge of each pupil.
It was, however, worthy of remark, that it was exactly two
years since the foundation of the edifice in which they then
stood was laid; and now they were at the end of first session
of the establishment, with such a report before them. That
report was highly to be approved of—for it was not a mere eulogy
on what had been done, but was a plain statement of facts
which could be judged of by every one, in which, with a most
commendable spirit, those parts of the system that had not yet
succeed so well as had been hoped, were as pronimently no-
ticed as those wherein success had been most conspicuous. In
so far as regarded the state of die funds, it was truly gratifying
that, after such exertions, the whole excess above the income
was only between 6001. and: 7001. After noticing that an inti-
tution of that nature may be conducted without exercising that
personal severity which it was to be feared was too often done in
seminaries throughout the kingdom, he concluded with moving
that the report be printed and circulated; anti that the thanks.
of the meeting be given to the Directors for the manner in
which they had conducted the affairs of the institution.
The Loan JUST ICE CLERK said, he felt great pleasure in
tendering the thanks of the meeting to the Directors, for the
zeal, diligence, and ability, with which they discharged their
duties, for to them were the subscribers principally indebted
for the success of the institution.
Sir. DuNnas, as Chairman of the Directors, said a few
words, which were not distinctly heard.
On the motion of Lord Hermand, Louis Ferrier, Esq., James
3loncrieff, Esq., and George Wauchope,
Esq., were elected
directors, in the room of those who go out by rotation.
The thanks of the subscribers were voted to. the Lord Justice
Clerk, and the meeting separated.

ASCENT OF MR. GRAHAM'S BALLOON.

CAMBRIDGE.—The inhabitants of this place
and its neighbourhood were gratified by the ascent of Mr.
Gita tram, with his balloon, on Tuesday evening last. It be-
ing 14 years since Mr. Sadler ascended from Cambridge, the
novelty of the spectacle attracted an immense concourse of per-
sons from the towns and villages within 20 miles. The indivi-
dnals who paid for admission, we should presume, were nearly
3,000, whilst the numbers who occupied the Castle-hill and every
elevated spot in the vicinity, as well as the streets and roads
near the place of ascent, were unprecedented. The only con-
venient spot which Mr. Graham could engage, was a large
farm-yard on Mount Pleasant, where the inflation of the balloon
commenced at twelve o'clock. Mr. G. intended to have began
earlier, but the van by which the sulphuric acid was conveyed
being overturned about eighteen miles from London, did not
arrive till the middle of the day, and several of the ves-
sels containing the vitriol having been broken, a consider-
able quantity of the acid was lost. The balloon appeared
to be rapidly filling for the first two hours, when Mr.
Graham found it requisite to obtain more oil of vitriol in the
town, hut was unable to procure so great a quantity as had
been lost. At about half past six the car was attached to the
balloon ' • and the preparations being completed in a short time
afterwards, the intrepid aeronaut stepped into the car; but
in consequence of a deficiency of gas, he was obliged to leave
the grappling irons behind. He then took off his coat,
which he also threw over, and, bowing to the spectators, who
greeted him with reiterated cheers, he directed the cords to be
loosened, when the balloon rose steadily and in the most beau-
tiful style, the evening being remarkably:serene. It went up so
directly perpendicular, that five minutes after the ec:•.:ent he
threw out a parcel of newspapers, some of which fell on the
platform from whence the balloon was launched. In about
six minutes after, he dispatched some more papers, which
were exactly seven minutes reaching the ground. He threw
out a third parcel of newspapers, many of which were picked,
up at New Town. The balloon took a south-easterly direc-
tin, passing directly over Cambridge, and remained in sight
fourteen minutes, when it entered a cloud ;—about ten
minutes after, the balloon was again visible, and continued in
sight until it descended beyond Gogmagog Hills.—The aero-
naut informs us, that after passing through the clouds, the bal-
loon rose rapidly, and required no small degree of skill to ma-
nage it, there being so much difference between hydrogen and
carbonated hydrogen gases. Although the evening was cloudy,
he experienced a great change above the clouds, getting into
most delightful weather, the sun shining on the cloud with such
splendour as to give them the appearance of rolls of muslin
edged with silver, and here and there vapour quivering along
at least a mile beneath him. The greatest altitude attained he
considers to be at least 2 miles and three quarters, or 3 miles,
when he commenced descending, and in 3 minutes he began en-
tering the clouds. Being aware that he had a considerable less
quantity of gas than when he ascended, and having no ballast
to lighten himself, he formed the balloon into a parachute,
for the purpose of ensuring a safe descent, by which means he
reached Terra Firma with the greatest ease imaginable, after
being in the air three quarters of an hour, and in two minutes
several persons came to his assistance. Mr. Graham descended
in a field near Babtaham, belonging to Mr. Webb, about seven
miles and a half from Cambridge ; and having procured a post-
chaise from Bournbridge, he returned to the Black Bear Inn,
about ten o'clock at night, where he was welcomed by a great
number of individuals. He has now accomplished 28 ascents,
without the slightest accident to himself or injury to his bal-
loon.—( Cambridge Chronicle.)

MANSION HOUSE.—Thomas Baker, a Clerk in
the twopenny post-office, Lombard-street, charged on the oath
of Westbrook, a stamper, and others, with secreting a
letter containing cash, whilst employed therein, was this day
brought before the Right lion. the Lord MAYOR, forbis final
examination, and fully committed for trial, and the parties
bound over to prosecute at the Old Sessions.