The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-31 00:00:00

THE CENSUS.-LAST

The Census-office, at Craig's-court, for the last two
or three days has been comparatively quiet, having
issued all its tons of returns and instructions to all parts
of the country. By " taking time by the forelock " the
necessary arrangements for the census of last night were
so complete, as to leave the officials a lull of repose after
their recent very pressing engagements. Some excite-
ment was experienced up to the last hour, owing to the
information which had to be given to those who had not
perfectly understood their instructions, and in conse-
quence of a pleasing fact respecting the educational de-
partment which it is very gratifying to notice.;
It appears that the estimate formed at the Census-
office, of the number of schools in the country, had been
very far below the reality, and in consequence it was
necessary to supply a largo additional number of
the forms to that department. This deficiency of
schedules applied more to England than to
Scotland, for which country a large supply had
been furnished. But the estimate for that country, in
the first instance, was by no means adequate. The num-
ber of forms for day-schools sent to Glasgow in the first
instance was 800; for adult evening schools, 200; and
for Sunday-schools, 200; but it has been found neces-
sary to increase the number for day-schools to 1,500;
for adult evening-schools to 800; and for Sunday-schools
to 1,000.
Daring the latter part of last week, after the issue of
the schedules, the most gratifying evideace was given of
the willingness of the public to supply the desired infor-
mation. In some cases they wished the enumerator to
fill up the schedule then and there, and offered to give
him all the information required. A few old people have
shown some lingering recollections of the poll-tax; but
they have been very few who have indicated any un-
willingness to give adequate replies to the queries
proposed. The printer had been besieged by some
fifty or sixty persons who had mislaid their papers,
and who applied to him under the impression that he
was the, proper authority to supply the defect. The
enumerators and local registrars have reserved stores of
schedules to meet such cases, and also double schedules,
with lines for 55 names, where the household is very
large, besides being able to furnish any further quantity
that may be required. Individuals who may be at a
loss would also find their wants in this respect at once
met, by application to the head office, where, perhaps, it
would be well to report all cases of neglect or omission.
As far as has been ascertained, all parties are willing
to co-operate in producing an accurate and ample census,
whether old or young, married or single, rich or poor,
lay or clerical. An excellent example will be set by one
lady at the west-end of London, at the head of a very
large family, of some 800; who, though married, is the
head of her family, and who, through her Lord Cham-
berlain, will duly answer to all the queries of the sche-
dule, and accurately report her own age and place of
birth, with all requisite particulars as to her husband
and seven children, an example which, it is hoped, will
be readily imitated by her subjects, whose numbers are
now to be ascertained.

MR. COMPTON'S BENEFIT.—That most artistical
of our low comedians, Compton, takes his benefit at the
Olympic Theatre this evening, on which occasion he appears
as Dr. Pangloss in the Heir at Law, and as Paul Shack in
Peake's excellent farce Master's Rival. No actor on the
stage has won his laurels more fairly than Mr. Compton, or
is more deserving of his high reputation. We anticipate for
him a bumper.
The Duke of Brunswick and Mr. Charles Greene
contemplate another attempt to cross the Channel in the
Nassau balloon. They will start from Hastings very pro-
bably in the course of the next few days.
The services at St. Barnabas were resumed yes-
terday, and notice given that they should be continued as
heretofore. The interior of the church remains untouched,
and the choral service has been retained, though the old choir
is missed. The sermon was preached by the Rev. James
Skinner, late fellow of Durham University, from 1 Cor.
9. The discourse was listened to with great attention by a
crowded congregation.
SECESSIONS FROM ROME.--Two members of the
Church of Rome have recently been received into the Church
of England by the Rev. J. W. Grier. The ceremony was
performed in the presence of the congregation
_assembled in
Antimte Ghigcbt stOliniciSes