Star.
London, England, 1816-05-25 00:00:00

NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

The universal efforts now made for promoting the
education of the lower orders, is honourable to the
age
iind nation in which we live; and the interest
which female rank, fashion and beauty, take in this
labour of benevolence to promote morals and industry
is deserving of high commendation. For the support
and encouragement of several of these Schools many
Ladles employ their spare time in executing works of ,
fancy to be sold for the purpose of furnishing the
children with books—How sweet such labours !
We should not do justice to the amiable feelings
and kind-hearted benevolence of our fair country:
women were we to neglect noticing the display of
them manifested on Saturday last at the Argyle
Rooms, where a kind of fair was held for the benefit
of these Schools. Ladies of rank, fashion and gentility
became bontiguieres on the occasion, adorned the
counters with their own workm.inship, and exerted.
their persuasive eloquence, aided by the artless
earnestness of childhood and innocence, to make the
visitors open their purses. We never before witnessed
such a scene—the rooms were crowded, and the fair
venders had the felicity to collect lot millinery, toys,
ornaments, &c. by lotteries, raffles, and other induce-
ments, upwards of sc2o s, clear ofall expenses.
Nor must we omit to mention the sale of the same
kind, and for the same charitable purposes, which
took place at Melrose Hall, the seat of D. H. Ream.
Esq. on Vs'ednesday last. All the rank and fashion of
the neighbourhood had contributed to the collection
of vendibles, and all attended. Temporary awnings
end booths were erected for the spew, the weather was
tine, and the display of female corks of art was rich
in variety and fancy, and very imposing. The lotteries
and raffles produced much amusement, and a large
sum of money—every face beamed with benevolence
and every heart was happy. How could it be other-
wise ? The visitors had the happiness to see at one table
275 boys from the neighbouring schools, enjoying a
hearty dinner, provided by the benevolent munificence
of the hospitable landlord, who had previously dis-
tributed sixteen dozed of Bibles and Prayer-books.—
The children were all clean and orderly, and many
of their parents were present, rejoicing in the blessing
conferred on their offspring by those who had so
kindly undertaken to provide for their instruction.
When the important business of the fair was ended,
the Nobility and Gentry of the neighbourhood of
Pultney, about 1000 in number, were furnished with
refreshments in a booth erected for the purpose. All
was harmony and philanthropy—never were happier
hosts or better pleased guests' assembled on any oc-
casion; and we cannot doubt that the example thus
given will become very general among the elevated
and the affluent.

• We are requested to state that the following Wbtks
will be Published, by Mr. COLIURN, in the course of
the ensuing week :-1. Adolidse Nouvelle, by M. Bei-
JASON DE CONSTANT. 2. Edgar, a National Tale,
by Miss Arnrrosi, Author of a System of Private
Education. 3. Eighteen Hundred and Sixteen, a Satirical
Poem, by the Author of All the Talents. - 4. The Flo-
rises Manual ; or Hints for Me Construction of a Goy
Flower Garden, by the Author of Botanical Dialogues,
&c.
ACClDENT.—Yesterday a boy, 12 years of age, was
killed by a butt of beer rolling over him at the door
of the Hawk public-house, in Hampstead. The
draymen had just set down several butts in the street,
is order to lower them into the cellar ; **ten the de-
ceased strided one of them, which being on a decli-
vity, rolled, and the bey falling, it passed over him,
and crushed him to death.
UNHAPPY CarasTaoenz—Friday se'nnight, a far-
"per and, his wife, on their return home from spend-
ing the evening with a friend, had occasion to cross
a wooden bridge over the Bann, in the llkrish of Tul-
lylish: In a neglected part of the bridge there is a
hole. The woman, who had a young child folded
with her.cloak in her arms, did not perceive this dan-
gerous openings She unfortunately stepped into the
bole— but, as she descended, she seized, with one
hand, tke edge Of the broken part of the bridge, whilst
with the other, she endeavoured to save the child.—
In her struggles, however, she dropped the babe, and
finding it gone, precipitated herselt alter it. The bus,
band, whO had been at a little distance from his wife,
arrived in time to perceive, but not to prevent, this
unhappy catastrophe. In. hopes to save his wife and
child, he plunged HILO the river, where he*found the
current so strong, :is to render his efforts to rescue
them unavailing. Finding himself, after a long strug-
gle, sinking, he cried aloud for help. Mr. Christie's
bleachers came to his aid, in time to preserve him
*from showliing ; but his wife and, child were irrecis.
verably lost: Tbeir bodies were cast on a bank by the
grew, but quite lifeless..-o+ut Pater.) •