that in a large family it would be very unnatural if
fathers kept their sons at school when they can earn
three or four shillings a week. Boys in this district of
Norfolk can get certain employment when they are
seven or eight years old; they are removed from
school at about that age; and I think the most desirable
plan would be to endeavour, if possible, to teach those
boys in adult schools, when they are old enough to see
for themselves that it is desirable to learn."

An Agricultural Society has been Established in
Tipperary. it consists of 120 members, and its president is
the Earl of Derby. Its first anniversary was held on
the 20th ult.; and Lord Stanley, in the absence of
his father, presided. In proposing success to the
society, Lord Stanley remarked that it was the first
time he had addressed a meeting on that side of
the Channel. Fifteen years ago there was a Farming
Society in Tipperary, a small association, in which the
same persons gained the prizes every year. But in the
hard times, the times of trouble, that society died a
natural death; and this new one, arising at the beginning
of a new æra for Ireland, was founded on a broader
foundation, and comprehended alike the wealthy and
the poorer classes. He enlarged on the benefits
conferred upon districts and agricultural science by these
societies, and pointed out to the amusement of the
audience a few of the grosser defects of farming in
Ireland—abounding weeds, wasted manure, small farms.
It was a calumny to say, as some had said, that the
peasantry of Ireland were naturally idle: he did not
believe that; he repelled that calumny. Who was it
that made the railway? who was it that dug the canals?
who was it that did all the hard work that was done in
all the great towns in England? who that cleared the
new lands in America and removed the forests? who
did all these things? in nine cases out of ten he was
prepared to answer it was the Irish peasant. Who had
improved every country in the world but his own? If
he went back to causes for this state of things, no doubt
he could find them; but in stating them he should say
something that would not be agreeable to all or practically
useful at the present moment. He believed that
much of the misery they had to deplore was caused not
by one class but by all classes, and that all were equally
in fault. He would say, let bygones be bygones. He
believed that a new æra had opened for Ireland, and
that they would now consult their own duties by taking
immediate advantage of its advent. Let them only use
half the energy in the good work which they had wasted
in feuds and in factions, in political and sectarian
dissensions,—let them do this, and they would go far to
make Ireland what God and Nature intended her to
be, and what man had hitherto prevented her from
becoming—the garden of Europe and of the world. In
acknowledging the "health of the Earl of Derby,"
Lord Stanley apologised for his absence, both then and
permanently; and drew down "tremendous cheers"
by closing a brief speech with the declaration that he could
not forget the maxim which should be written in letters
of gold over the door of every landlord, especially every
Irish landlord—"Property has its duties as well as its
rights."

At the recent anniversary meeting of the West Buckland
Agricultural Society, Lord Ebrington presided in
the absence of his father. In the course of his address
he remarked, that although the children of the smaller
farmers are making progress, yet, compared with the
children of labourers who have the advantage of free
institutions established by private benevolence and
largely endowed by the State, they are losing ground.
This was the preface to an offer of £25 for three years
to any farmer's son who should pass the best examination
in English history, geography, and practical
mathematics.

         PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

The Queen, Prince Albert, and Royal Family, have
returned to Windsor Castle. They left Balmoral on
Tuesday morning, the 16th inst.; rested for the night
at Holyrood; and arrived at Windsor next evening.

On the 24th inst. the Queen received an address from
the Corporation of the City of London, congratulating
her Majesty on the glorious successes of the British army
and fleets, in conjunction with her Majesty's allies. The
address was presented by a deputation, consisting of the
Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and principal members and officers
of the Corporation. They were received at Windsor by
her Majesty, seated on the throne, with Prince Albert
on her left, and attended by the great officers of state
and the members of the royal household. The Queen
returned a most gracious answer; and the Lord Mayor,
Alderman Wire, and Deputy Dakin (the mover and
seconder of the address), had the honour of kissing
hands.

The Queen has conferred the Regius Professorship of
Greek, vacant by the death of the late Dean of Christchurch,
on the Reverend Benjamin Jowett, M.A.,
Fellow and Tutor of Baliol College.

A meeting has been held at Rochdale for the purpose
of presenting a testimonial to Mr. Sharman Crawford,
the late member for that borough.

The people of Oldham have held a public meeting,
convened by the Mayor, and adopted a memorial to the
Queen, praying her Majesty "to grant an unconditional
pardon to John Frost, Zephaniah Williams, and William
Jones, but more especially to John Frost, as that
unfortunate gentleman has expressed a strong desire to
return to his native country before he dies, being now
upwards of seventy years of age."

The Friendly Societies of Manchester gave a tea-party
at the Victoria Hotel on the 27th ult., for the purpose of
presenting an address to Mr. Bright, and of voting
thanks to Mr. Gibson and Mr. Sotheron for their
exertions in defeating Lord Palmerston's Friendly Societies
Bill of 1854, and in passing the bill of 1855.

The Earl of Clancarty, a Protestant nobleman, has
granted a site for a Roman Catholic presbytery-house at
Ballinasloe.

Prince Frederick William of Prussia left Balmoral
on the 1st inst.; the Queen and Prince Albert escorting
him to Castleton of Braemar. Before he departed,
however, he had been joined by one of his Aides-de-
camp, Baron de Moltke, who remained as a guest of the
Queen for three days.

Captain and Brevet-Major the Honourable Leicester
Curzon, of the Rifle Brigade, the bearer of the despatch
announcing the successes achieved by the army under
the command of General Simpson and the capture of
Sebastopol, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-
Colonel in the Army.

Sergeant Brodie, who interfered to prevent a duel, or
mock duel, arising out of the practical jokes, among
military officers at Canterbury, is no longer in active
service: he has been superannuated, with a low rate of
pension. His appointments in the regiment were lucrative,
and it is considered that he has been punished for
daring to interfere with the freaks of officers. A testimonial
expressive of the public feeling has been set on
foot, and the Earl of Shaftesbury has subscribed £5
towards it.

Major-General Markham has arrived in England.
He has returned home in ill-health, arising principally
from a change of climate from India to the Crimea, and
from a hurried journey through India, Egypt, and
Turkey. His legs are so swollen that he can hardly
walk. Although not 50 years of age, he looks almost
70. His face is very thin, and he is literally black with
exposure to the sun. He wears an immense beard,
which is quite grey.

A numerous meeting of the County Magistrates of
Norfolk have resolved to congratulate Major-General
Windham on his escape from the perils of the attack on
the Redan, and to present him with a handsome sword,
in testimony of their sense of his exemplary courage,
constancy, and self-devotion.

General Sir George Brown has gone on a continental
tour, accompanied by Lady Brown. The gallant general
purposes to pass the winter at Nice.

Dr. Southwood Smith has resumed his professional
practice. "For more than a quarter of a century,"
says the Daily News, "of zealous service and professional
sacrifice, Dr. Southwood Smith has at length
been rewarded with the privilege of beginning the
world again. The end of his unfailing success in