The Sun.
London, England, 1825-05-16 00:00:00

SCHOOL OF ARTS.

• Friday evening the fourth winter course of in.
struction was closed in this institution. The concluding lecture
seas on the important subject of the steam-engine, and was de-
livered by Mr. LEES, who deseribed, by a variety of drawings,
the earlier stages of its invention, and a beautiful model of the
improved engine of Watt was set to work in the room. At the
close rof the lecture Mr. Lees delivered to the students the
badges of merit, which, he Said, had been adjudged to them
from that consideration alone. The first medal in the junior
mathematical class was awarded to Gilbert Smith. The se-
cond (which was given by Mr. Wilson, the former lecturer),
to Alexander Brown, joiner.—In the senior mathematical class,
the - first medal was adjudged to John Hastie, mason ; the se-
cond. given by Mr. Wilson, to William Shedder), iron-turner.
Mr. Lees took a short retrospect of the past Session. In allusion
to their mathematical studies, which he considered by far the
most valuable to thtm, he said, he had only conducted them
by such gradual steps as were coasistent with a thorough un-
derstanding of the subject. The Session was, however, too
limited for acquiring the more useful branches of the mathe-
matics, and, should he continue to fill the situation of lecturer,
it was his intention to have a separate class for more advanced
pupils, by which means he wouM be enabled to communicate
such a knowledge of the science as they could carry with ad-
vantage into their respective trades. In conclusion Mr. Lees
paid, the intercourse he had with them had been of such a gra-
tifying descriptien, that he would always feel most'willing to
forward the views of the mechanics of Edinburgh. The address
was received with long continued cheering.
In the course of the Session, now finished, when the Rev.
A. Wilson was about to leave the institution, a subscription
was commenced, with a view to give that gentleman some mark of the sense. the students entertained of his valuable Cer-
vices.. An elegant time-piece, (which cost 201), was considered
the-most appropriate ; accordingly, it was p resented ,bearing
the following inscription
To the Reverend A rfnitmw Witsox, A.M.
Late Lecturer on Mathematics and Mechanical Philosophy.
In the School of Arts, Edinburgh.
From the Students,
As an expression of their gratitude for the valuable instrar-
tions he imparted to them, and in testimony of their respect
and esteem.

---
The Presbytery of Paisley met on Wednestbty last. The
only flatter of public interest which came before them was ari
great want of an established provision for
.minist..za of the
Church of Sczland, to the population of the British colonies.
It wiis stated by sonic members, that a great proportion of the
population of our colonies originally belonged to our national
church, and were still desirous to continue that connection
that Government had too much acted on the idea that EpiF,u),-
pacy ought to be the establishment of the colonies—that Pros-
byterians had Bower. r, in proportion to their numbers an equal
right to form part of that establithment:—that, upon this prin-
ciple, in connection with our East India Settlements, a bill Ball
da
Earl
ioo
fp liel aa st
he
ootrilaiote 1
..1/sligoil I Cohnutil•icil:
even passed au, scrcrnd reading, though the interest of Presby-
had lately, in
pt earl!
.a.
yn 1
nwla'lrlaif:neirAat list hmaatertliifiecEe
057bb
jeeccto:inlemhirliuctattiinien ilv.ospitehotfhae
fPavrooesbraybt.eirayreep
tion—and that,
therefore, then present. might be a yery proper time to overture
the'General AsSerrihly,.suggesting the scheme. of an 'united ap-
i°the part of the. Church to his' 'Alajeity's Govern-
mPleicnatt,fon enrthe ektension oi, our Presbyterian establishment in
the colonies and settlements belOnging to Great Britain. Dr.
Stewart and Mr. Getldes'being appointed to draw up an over-
itre, it was afterwards read, apprOved of, and unanimously
adopted. ___! Edinlii:•7gh , C6.4' rant, May. - )

Mri...kNefioriY A ecti)F:srr:—Sattird:ly afternooti
abillit• three' o'atielt,' a a little boY aged eight years of the
natWe 'ttf Nil-N:6k* was arint.‘iing himself on the banks of the
Reent's Canal; • hear the Ben ''Jorison public,house,
fieltbc• in-' the ilireetiOn. or Mile'lpid, he was unfortunately
drOWneth • ft apipeiir;4 that the little fellow while endeavouring
to •cateh. a bung that wis floating in the black ditch which
carritm off tit& wash •watti; fell in. During the .Whole of yester-
day; a'number of meti•'Were engaged tri_endeavottring to find
the body,. when, excavation'W pumping were both resorted jO4
but in-vinn, and it 'still remains a matter of uncertainty as to
-whether the body has not actually got under the bed of the
canal.