of the Scriptures had been circulated. We understood that about 14l. or 15l. was collected at the doors.

Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews. The anniversary meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, the 30th ult., at the Town-hall, the Rev. Professor Scholefield in the chair. The Rev. Charles Simeon, the Treasurer, read the report, from which it appeared that he had received from the Ladies' Association 491.9s. 1d.; from the Cambridge Auxiliary Society 821. 9s. 5d.; and from the Undergraduates' Society 1167. 5s. He alluded to the resignation of the Secretary, the Rev. Professor Lee, and on his proposing the Rev. Mr. Holmes as his successor, it was carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. Alexander, a converted Jew, in alluding to the difficulties which this society had to contend with on the Continent, said the Jews supposed, from the corruption they saw in the Roman Catholic Church, that Christianity was but a species of idolatry, and instanced, as a remarkable fact, that he himself and the Jews in general till very lately were not even aware of the existence of the New Testament. From the many interesting statements of the speakers who followed him, it appears that in many parts of the Continent congregations of from forty to seventy converted Jews are frequently met with; and so great is the desire to possess copies of the New Testament, that one of the Society's Missionaries in Poland was 'obliged to let the Jews who came for them pass out of his house from a back window, because by returning the same way they entered they would probably have been trampled to death.-Among the speakers were the Rev. Messrs. Webster, Shaw (from Ireland), and Carus,__Professor Farish, and R. Foster, jun., Esq. The collection at the door amounted to 187. 11s. 5d. The usual Sermons were preached at Trinity church on Sunday last, by the Rev. C. Simeon, when the sum of 51l. 1s. 6d. was collected; making a total of 691. 12s. 11d.

CHESHIRE.

The church of Wybunbury, near Nantwich, in this county, having very much sunk on the north side, it is considered necessary to take down the nave entirely. The tower, also, which is a very firm one, has declined five feet eleven inches from the perpendicular; Mr. Trubshaw has engaged to set it straight by the following method, which he is in progress of accomplishing :-An iron girder has been passed through the steeple from north to south, and has been secured by strong iron plates at each end; the earth has been removed from the inside to the depth of several feet below the foundation, which has been laid bare on the outside, and such stones as might bind the base on the north have been broken. Under the foundation on the south

side a row of holes in an horizontal line have been bored from within by a screw auger, which, it is expected, will cause the foundation on that side to sink; and by repeating this operation, it is considered that a sufficient quantity of earth may be gradually removed, so as to allow the tower to right itself without damaging the fabric. -Chester Chronicle.

Wednesday, the 14th inst., was observed by the inhabitants of Droitwich as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his mercy exhibited towards them, in removing from their habitations the dreadful pestilence with which they were for a short time most grievously afflicted; the shops were closed, all business suspended, and the churches crowded with grateful and attentive congregations.

Friday, the 9th inst., was observed as a day of thanksgiving at Chester. The shops were all closed precisely the same as upon a Sabbath-day. In the morning the members of the Corporation, in company with many of their friends, walked in procession from the Town-hall to the Cathedral church, where they heard divine service; and we are happy to say that the chapels and churches throughout the city were well filled by numerous and devout audiences.

man.

CORNWALL.

The annual meeting of the Falmouth Branch Bible Society was held on the 18th ult., in the Friends' meeting-house. Sir C. Lemon Bart., M.P., presided as chairThe report of the proceedings of this Branch Society for the past year was read by Dr. Boase, which stated, that the total receipts for the year amounted to 1587. 9s. 10d., 301. of which has been paid to the Parent Society as a free gift; the remaining value has been returned in copies of the Holy Scriptures, of which 261 Bibles and 126 Testaments have been distributed, besides 26 Psalters.

CUMBERLAND.

Carlisle British and Foreign School Society. A meeting of the friends of this institution was held in the Friends' Meeting House, in this city, October 22nd, Mr. G. Head, in the chair. Lieut. Fabian, R. N., and a deputation of gentlemen from the Parent Society, addressed the meeting, as did also the Rev. R. Hunter, T. Woodrow, and Mr. T. Stordey; and a resolution was passed that a corresponding Committee of the British and Foreign School Society be formed in Carlisle. A collection in aid of the Society was made at the doors.

DERBYSHIRE.

Derby Auxiliary Bible Society.-A meeting of the friends of this Society was held in the early part of the month at Derby, Sir G. Crewe, Bart., in the chair. The annual subscriptions amounted to 664l. 13s. 8d., and the Society have during the year distributed 705 bibles and 800 testaments.

DURHAM.

The parish church of St. Oswald's, in this city, being at present in a dilapidated and dangerous condition, owing to causes which could not be provided against, the Dean and Chapter of Durham have, in the kindest manner, appropriated to the use of the parishioners the Galilee chapel, within the precincts of the Cathedral, as a temporary provision for the performance of divine service on Sunday mornings. Service has been performed in this beautiful chapel on the two last Sundays, and has been well attended.

DEVONSHIRE.

Church Rates.-At the half-yearly meeting of ministers and deputies belonging to the Independents of this county, held at Earl Shilton, on Wednesday the 31st ult., it was agreed to recommend to their congregations the adoption of petitions to the next Parliament for a repeal of the laws imposing tithes, church rates, and Easter dues upon dissenters.-Leicester Chronicle. [What would be said of a body of Clergymen of the Established Church meeting together for the purpose of recommending measures to their congregations hostile to any religious sect? ED.]-Exeter Western Luminary.

Wednesday, 14th inst., was observed at Crediton as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God, in that, while neighbouring towns had been visited by cholera, that place had been mercifully spared. The day was kept with the greatest propriety by all classes of persons; the church, though large, was quite full; indeed, so large a congregation was scarcely ever remembered in it; and the other places of worship were also well attended. Thursday, 15th, was observed in a similar manner at Topsham and Dawlish.

DORSETSHIRE.

The Congregation of St. James's, Poole, have manifested their respect for the highly-esteemed Curate, the Rev. W. M. Dudley, by presenting him on his marriage with a silver tea-pot and cream-jug, bearing the following inscription :-" To the Rev. W. M. Dudley, Curate of St. James's, Poole. From numerous Members of the Congregation, in testimony of their approbation and esteem. Nov. 6, 1832."

Parkstone Church. On the 18th ult., the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Church at Parkstone, near Poole, took place. The Committee appointed to superintend the building assembled at Parkstone-green, between eleven and twelve o'clock, accompanied by the Rev. J. Ridout, the Rev. J. C. Parr, the inhabitants of the tithing, their friends, and a great number of persons from the neighbourhood, and, headed by a band of music, proceeded to the site of the intended building. The ceremony was performed by the Chairman of the Committee, Cap

tain II. Festing, R.A., when coins of his present Majesty's reign, and a slab bearing an inscription suitable to the occasion, were deposited. The Rev. Gentleman offered up an appropriate prayer. A hymn suitable to the occasion was then sung, in which the numerous assemblage of persons joined. On leaving the ground, the band playing the National Anthem of "God save the King;" the Committee, with the principal inhabitants of Parkstone, &c., returned to the committee-room, and partook of an excellent cold collation prepared for them.-Dorset County Chronicle. ESSEX.

Two Sermons were preached on Sunday, 18 inst., at Chelmsford Church, for the benefit of the Parochial National Schools; that in the morning by the Rev. C. A. St. John Mildmay, the Rector, and that in the Evening by the Very Rev. W. R. Lyall, Archdeacon of Colchester; the collections amounted to 487. 7s. 1d.

At the Essex Michaelmas Sessions at Chelmsford, the Hon. Mr. Strutt presided in the Crown Court; and in the course of his charge to the Grand Jury, in allusion to the Act of Parliament lately passed, establishing a rate for labour only, says "It provides that if an occupier of land works out his quota in labour, he shall not have to pay any thing to the rate. This I consider to be merely

want.

an endeavour to effect an improvement without being effectual. It is compulsory, and nothing of that sort can last long; it may be a consolation to people for a short time, but we cannot expect that a whole community can prosper where they are compelled to employ more men than they But there is a system which I think much better, and which is beginning to work far and wide,-I allude to the system of allotment, or apportioning to poor men a small portion of land according to what they may be supposed able to manage. The capital of the poor man consists in his surplus labour, which, if he is in constant employ, is not much, though it may be something in the spring. But he has many half days owing to wet, and, if in the winter, many little opportunities-especially if he is single-when, if he had a small plot of land, he might cultivate it advantageously to himself in a pecuniary point of view, and also to his moral improvement. This system has been carried on under the auspices of Lord Braybrooke, at Saffron Walden, with complete success. To shew that the employment of the people causes a decrease in crime, it is only necessary to observe, that in one report from Saffron Walden, in proof of the peacefulness of the neighbourhood, it is stated that, up to midsummer, there had been five consecutive Sessions without a single labourer being brought to trial. There is no doubt that pauperism increases crime."

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

A meeting was held at the Tolsey, on Tuesday, the 20th inst., at which the Lord Bishop of Gloucester presided, supported by the Mayor and many of the most respectable inhabitants, the object of which was the establishment of a benevolent society for bettering the condition of the poor and the prevention of pauperism. The Bishop, with whom the plan has originated, gave to the meeting a full and clear exposition of the objects of the proposed institution and the methods by which those objects might be accomplished. After much discussion his Lordship's propositions were adopted; a handsome subscription was entered into, and a Committee appointed to draw up a scheme of operations, and to put into practice the intention of the charity. The society promises to be eminently beneficial to the poor, by encouraging them to rely upon industry and good conduct instead of parochial assistance, and thus counteracting the inducements to idleness and vice; and we cannot help expressing our earnest hope that it will be supported both by the contributions of all benevolent persons and by their enrolling their names on the list of district visitors.

The following is the outline of the principal methods by which it is in contemplation to effect the several objects of this charity

1. The appointment of visitors who will undertake the trouble of visiting, as often as they can, the habitations of the poor of this city and suburbs, divided into districts for that purpose; and inducing by the moral influence of advice and pursuasion to rely on industry and good habits instead of parochial relief for the support of their families.

2. To adopt all practical methods for obtaining work for those who may have a temporary failure of employment.

3. To establish a clothing charity, to which is to be allotted a certain part of the annual subscriptions, and the management of which is to be entrusted to a Committee of ladies.

4. To relieve cases of extreme necessity which the Committee, in the exercise of their discretion, may consider real objects of this charity.

5. To keep a list of persons who are proper objects of this charity, and by the employment of an active servant as superintendant to make the best provision possible that none of them shall be neglected.

6. In compliance with the fundamental rule of the institution, to erase from the list any who apply for parish relief.

7. To purchase coals at the cheapest rate in order to retail them at a reduced price to the poor on the list of the charity, in seasons of scarcity and distress.

8. To recommend to the poor by every

possible means the habits of sobriety, industry, and cleanliness, and to confine all benefits of the charity to those who attend to such recommendations.

The Bristol Clergy Society held its annual meeting onthe 14th inst. It was well attended. The Sermon at the Cathedral was preached by the Rev. A. Mathews, B.D. Canon Residentiary of Hereford. The collections and subscriptions amounted to 4277. 13s. 1d.

Gloucester Auxiliary Bible Society.-At the meeting of this Society held at the Tolsey, Gloucester, the Rev. J. Kempthorne in the chair, 19. 12s. 6d., was announced as the amount of the subscriptions.

Tuesday, 13th inst., was observed, by the inhabitants of Tewkesbury, as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God, for their deliverance from that dreadful pestilence the cholera. The shops were all closed, business was wholly suspended, and the church and chapels were all remarkably well attended. No case of cholera has now occurred in the parish for more than a month.

HAMPSHIRE.

The Sunday School, at Forton, attached to the church of St. John the Evangelist, was opened with a bazaar, at which more than 801. were collected, promoted through the liberal exertions of Mrs. Stanhope Badcock, and many ladies of the neighbourhood. The choir of the church sung appropriate psalms, the performance of which, from the unwearied attention of the incumbent and the good behaviour of the boys, was acknowledged by hundreds in the most gratifying terms. The Committee have voted thanks to the ladies for their liberality and trouble, and also to the incumbent, the Rev. H. A. Veck, for his very able conduct in promoting the object of the bazaar, his unwearied exertions in furthering the wishes of the ladies, and his general affability and attention on the occasion. The annual examination of the children of the school, by the Rev. H. A. Veck, Incumbent, took place on All Saints' Day. After divine service, the children proceeded to the New School Rooms, and as soon as the company were assembled, sung together the 100th Psalm, old version. The examination then commenced; the children in general are much improved since last year in their reading, catechism, &c., and acquitted themselves greatly to the satisfaction of the numerous company present. The answers of the first class of boys to the numerous questions put to them in scripture history, and as to their faith and practice as Christians, did credit not only to their instructors and teachers, but to themselves, as members of this rising school. The children received above 50%. the amount of their annual penny subscription money, in tickets of 5s. for clothing, and an Allhallows cake each.

HERTFORDSHIRE.

St. Alban's Abbey.-Of the 130 subscribers for the reparation of this venerable pile, 30 were clerical.

KENT.

Kent Auxiliary Bible Society.-A meeting of this Society was held early in the month at Maidstone; John Stephens, Esq. in the Chair. The annual subscriptions amounted to 120l.; 209 Bibles and 68 Testaments have been distributed by the Society during the year.

We perceive by the newspapers, that Lord Tenterden has bequeathed funds to provide an annual prize for Latin verses, to be contended for by the boys of the school at Canterbury. This reminds us of rather a curious anecdote respecting Lord Tenterden and Latin verses which lately came to our knowledge. When his Lordship was a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he tried for the prize for Latin verses, which was contended for with him by our amiable, respected, and talented neighbour, the Rev. Canon Bowles, then a scholar at Trinity, to whom the prize was awarded.* A short time ago, being no less a period than forty years after the above occurrence, Mr. Bowles met Lord Tenterden at Salisbury for the first time after the awarding of the above mentioned prize, and his Lordship, on hearing the name of Mr. Bowles mentioned, immediately adverted to the literary contest in which he had been the vanquished party forty years before. It is not at all improbable that this unexpectedly awakened reminiscence respecting Latin verses suggested to his Lordship the bequeathing of an annual prize for this species of exercise to the boys of the Canterbury school.-Bath Chronicle.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

The principal inhabitants of Sutton and Upton, near Wansford, have presented to the Rev. Henry Clarke a piece of plate as a testimony of their respect, proceeding from their acquaintance with him during the long period of 38 years that he has been amongst them as curate of their churches.

The Earl of Harrowby has let small portions of land to the poor of Bardney, in this neighbourhood, at a moderate rent; one occupier out of the number, with good management, has obtained from his halfrood sixteen score pecks of capital potatoes.

MIDDLESEX.

Sunday Trading. On Tuesday, 13th inst., a public meeting was held at the London Coffee-House, Ludgate Hill, for the purpose of forming a society to promote the suppression of Sunday trading to petition Parliament for an alteration of the existing, but inefficient, laws; to invite the co-operation of public bodies and religious communities to petition Parliament on the same subject, and generally to promote the better observance of the Sabbath. Another object was, to urge on the attention of merchants, manufacturers, tradesmen, and others, the propriety and importance of paying their workmen or servants earlier in the week than Saturday, or at all events, to pay them on the morning of that day. Sir Andrew Agnew having been called to the chair, addressed the company with reference to the subject, and remarked that the present system of paydays was most pernicious, for it certainly led to much drunkenness and debauchery. Mr. Chambers, the magistrate of Union Hall, urged the necessity of enforcing the strict observing of the Sabbath, for he knew there was more drunkenness on the Sunday morning than any other day in the week. Mr. Alderman Venables thought that much of the evil of Sunday trading might be avoided by masters adopting the practice of paying their workmen on Thursdays instead of Saturdays. He had prevailed upon many masters who employed between 1,500 or 1,600 men to adopt this custom.-Mr Sheriff Lee considered Sunday traffic an unmixed evil. He had never known an instance of a person getting forward in life by this means. Many other highly respectable individuals addressed the meeting, and it was agreed to petition Parliament upon the subject.

On Wednesday the 7th inst. the National Society for the education of the Poor held a meeting for general business. The schools of five places were admitted into union with the society, and grants were voted in aid of building new school-rooms, amounting in the whole to 2451.

NORFOLK.

Norwich.-Sunday the 11th inst. was

observed as a day of general thanksgiving in this city, in all the parish churches. The corporation attended at the cathedral in the morning. Collections were afterwards made for the poor of this city during the approaching winter. Suitable sermons were preached, and collections for the same object made in the dissenting chapels also. Norwich Post.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

Northampton. On the 29th ult. the Rev. Wm. Thursby, M.A., who for many years has discharged with honourable fidelity and zeal the important and responsible duties of this parish, tendered his resignation to the patrons of the living. The motives which actuated the Rev. Gentleman to take this step are such as cannot but raise him, already exalted as he is, in the opinions of his friends and the parishioners generally. In his letter to the patrons, after acknowledging with much feeling the honour conferred upon him by his election to the living, Mr. Thursby says, "Feeling as I now do unequal to take that portion of duty at All Saints' on the Sunday which I have been in the habit of doing, without experiencing such fatigue and exhaustion as incapacitates me for the subsequent performance of Divine service at Hardingstone, in a manner at least satisfactory to my own feelings; being also more and more impressed with the conviction that you ought to have a resident incumbent, whose sole, undivided energy and attention might be given to so very responsible a cure of souls; believing, moreover, that in thus placing it in your power to secure for the parish so desirable an object, I should best be consulting the interest of the parishioners, and the good of the church,-I have determined to retire from the honourable post which, for near ten years, I have occupied." The gift of the living is in the members of the corporation residing in the parish. Their number at this time is, we believe, forty-nine. The Rev. W. Wales, J. W. Barlow, John Stoddart, Henry Hughes, and the Rev. C. W. Roy, have already canvassed the patrons as candidates for the situation.

NORTHUMBERLAND.

On the 27th Sept., the inhabitants of Allendale Town and neighbourhood presented to the Rev. Thomas Scurr an elegant and valuable silk gown, in testimony of their regard and esteem for his faithful services, as their clergymen, and for bis zeal and ability directed successfully in the education of youth.

The project, some time ago proposed, of establishing a college at Newcastle, is now revived. A prospectus of the institution is at present circulating, in which it is observed, "that a sum adequate to the construction of a building fitted for the VOL. II.-Dec. 1832.

purposes of the institution would suffice, since it seems highly probable, if not quite certain, that the several chairs might be filled by gentlemen resident in, Newcastle, who would at once be competent to undertake the duties of professors, and so zealous in the cause as to be induced to do so without further pecuniary reward than what might arise from the admission fees to their several courses of instruction." The sum required for the building, exclusive of the site, it is estimated, will not exceed 10,000l. "It is, therefore, proposed to raise a capital of 15,000l. in shares of 201. each. The shareholders to possess-1st, The right of proprietorship, with a power of transfer. 2nd, The right of voting in the election of officers, &c. in proportion to their number of shares. 3rd, The right of nominating pupils on from 20 to 30 per cent. lower terms than the ordinary fees of admission."

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

The parish of Gotham presented a scene of universal rejoicing on Friday, 12th Sept. From time immemorial the inhabitants have been compelled to fetch all the water for culinary purposes from the top of Weldon Hill, a distance of three quarters of a mile, which spring has been conducted down to the village at a considerable expense, by Earl Howe. To celebrate this event, a subscription was entered into, and the women and children, to the number of nearly five hundred, were regaled with tea &c. in the National School rooms, at which the curate's lady presided, assisted by several of the farmers' wives. The village band kindly volunteered their services during the evening; and on breaking up, punch and plum cake were handed round, when the health of the noble Earl and his most amiable Countess was drunk with three times three in the most enthusiastic manner. The men also collected nearly 11l. (the worthy Rector having sent a couple of Sovereigns, and Mr. H. Hemsley a fat sheep), and dividing themselves into four parties, partook of excellent dinners, at the four ale-houses, where the healths of the Earl and Countess Howe, the Rector, Curate, &c., were drank with appropriate applause.