is extended to other industrial pursuits," "on a basis
consistent with recognised commercial and industrial
principles," securing to the owner of the soil all his just
rights, and giving the industrious occupier a legal
guarantee for improvements. Lord Carlisle said, he
would not fail to transmit their opinions  "for the
consideration and encouragement of her Majesty's
government."

The annual meeting of the National Society for
Promoting the Education of the Poor, was held at the
Central School Rooms, Westminster, on the 6th inst.,
the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair. The business
was confined to the reception of the report, the
re-appointment of the managing committee, and the
discussion of one resolution. The report, which was
unanimously adopted, showed that since the last report
the treasurer had been authorised to pay the sum of
£8251, voted by the committee in aid of school buildings,
which have been reported as finished. By this outlay,
253 schools, providing accommodation for 29,383
scholars, together with 100 teachers' residences, have
been completed. The number of schools united to the
society during the past year has been 234; making the
total number of such schools 10,436. It was also stated
that 900 competent masters have been sent out during
the year from the Westminster Training-School to take
charge of schools. The receipts in the depositary during
the year 1854 amounted to £11,970; being an increase
of £340 over those of the preceding year. It was further
stated, that the sale of the monthly paper had steadily
increased, and now amounts to 6000 copies. The
Reverend Downes Willis moved, that as the inquiry
regarding the withholding of the catechism, in schools
connected with the society, has proved inadequate, a
more efficient investigation is necessary. The
Reverend John Carnegie, of Seaford, seconded, and
Archdeacon Denison supported the resolution. But the
Bishop of London pointed out that the inquiry could
only be made through the bishops; and that there were
no means of compelling those who had not inquired to
make an inquiry. The Bishop of St. David's and the
Bishop of Gloucester stated that they had declined to
inquire, and must still decline. Several gentlemen
pressed Mr. Willis to withdraw his motion, but he
persisted, and it was negatived by a large majority.

The anniversary gathering of the Charity Children,
of the metropolitan free schools, in St. Paul's Cathedral,
took place on the 7th inst. There were nearly 5000
children present, ranged without crowding, and in
admirable order, and a congregation of 15,000 persons
besides. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of
Llandaff. It is stated that this will probably have been
the last gathering of the charity children in St. Paul's.

The annual festival of the Artists' Benevolent Fund
was held on the 9th inst., at the Freemasons' Tavern,
the Earl of Harrowby presiding. The company
comprised many of our principal artists and patrons of art,
including among others Sir C. Eastlake, Mr. C. Stanfield,
Mr. D. Roberts, &c. The chairman in proposing
the chief toast of the evening,  "Success to the Artists'
Benevolent Fund," dwelt upon the advantage of the
institution, which, while it practised benevolence, at
the same time inculcated prudence. During the past
year the fund had paid annuities of £15 each to fifty-
two widows, and granted assistance to twenty–nine
orphans of artists to the extent of £137 10s. In former
ages improvidence had been regarded as the necessary
accompaniment and distinguishing feature of great
talent; but that mistake had passed away, and
professional men were upon the whole far from improvident.
Still the advantages might be greatly increased, and it
was therefore desirable, now that such great endeavours
were being made to foster art among all classes in this
country, that the professors of art, as well as its patrons,
should give their assistance to an institution which had
such peculiar claims upon them. Mr. G. Godwin, in
replying to a toast with which his name was connected, said
he considered the Art Union of London as of the greatest
benefit to artists. It had encouraged a taste for art, and
many commercial men who commenced their career in
art by gaining a prize in the Art Union had been led on
to become assiduous collectors of pictures. The Art
Union, twenty years ago, raised with difficulty £400; it
now had a steady annual income of £12,000 or £13,000,
which was all diffused among artists. A list of
subscriptions, exceeding in the aggregate £350, was read,
including 100 guineas from her Majesty.

A Treasury warrant has appeared in the Gazette,
repealing the existing regulations for the Postage of
Books, and issuing new ones. On and after the 11th
June, "books, publications, or works of literature,"
may be sent by post within the United Kingdom at the
following rates: every packet not exceeding four ounces,
one penny; above four and not exceeding eight ounces,
twopence; above eight ounces and not exceeding one
pound, fourpence; above one pound and not exceeding one
pound and a half, sixpence; and so on, twopence for every
additional half-pound. These packets must not exceed
two feet in depth or in width; they must be open at the
sides; and must be paid for when posted, not in money,
but being stamped with proper stamps. If the packet
should exceed the proper size, or contain any "letter,"
it may be detained, or given up, on payment of double
the amount of postage; if it contain writing, not being
a letter, then the difference between the amount paid
and the amount to which it is liable as a book packet,
together with the sum of fourpence, shall be charged;
if sufficient stamps be not affixed, then the difference
shall be charged together with a further sum of fourpence.
If the packet exceed the rate of postage to which
it would have been liable as a letter, no higher than the
letter rate shall be chargeable.

Sir Joseph Paxton has propounded a magnificent
plan of Railway Intercommunication in the Metropolis.
At a recent meeting of the committee of the house of
commons on metropolitan communications, he gave a
detailed account of a scheme for facilitating communication
from one place to another by the construction of
a "boulevard" or "girdle" Railway. Beginning near
the Royal Exchange, he proposed to pass through
Cannon-street, across the Thames by Southwark-bridge,
thence through the Borough to Lambeth, crossing the
river again near the Houses of Parliament, through
Brompton, by Gore-house, through Kensington-gardens,
to the Great Western, the North Western, and Great
Northern stations, with a branch to Regent Circus.
The length would be eleven miles, and the cost
£34,000,000. The trains would be worked on the
atmospheric principle. The projector expressed a belief that
the scheme would be remunerative.

The annual meeting of the supporters of the St.
Saviour's Southwark Ragged Schools was held at the
school-rooms on the 9th inst. In the absence of the
Earl of Shaftesbury, John Vickers, Esq., the treasurer,
presided. The report dwelt upon the pitiable lot of the
children of those who inhabit the courts and alleys of
the locality where the society carries on its operations.
It was mentioned, as an instance of the demoralisation
in the midst of which they live, that one man confessed
he had instructed no less than 500 such children to steal.
It was, therefore, a source of congratulation to the
inhabitants of St. Saviour's, that there was a place of
refuge for poor children. The average attendance
during the winter months was 140 to 180, and in
summer 110 to 140. These children came from the
lowest parts of the parish, and from the very poorest
class. Industrial classes of both boys and men had been
formed, comprising tailoring, shoe-making, needlework,
&c. Some of the boys were in the shoeblack brigade,
wearing a yellow uniform, and it was to be hoped they
would receive as well as deserve the patronage of the
inhabitants. No less than fifty bibles had been sold to
the scholars. An appeal was made to find suitable
situations for the children. The receipts for the year
had been £122 2s. 7d., and a balance of £5 16s. 6d. was
due to the treasurer. The report concluded with an
urgent request for further support.

The meeting in behalf of the Brewer's Court Ragged
Schools, on the 11th inst., at which the Duke of Argyll
presided, was equally interesting. These schools are in
the densely populated neighbourhood of Drury-lane.
The report stated that the attendance at the day-schools
averaged above 120, and at the night-schools 30; at the
Sabbath morning-schools 30, afternoon 70, and evening
36, making a total of 280. A mothers' meeting had
been opened during the year, for the purpose of instruction