more narrow aud confined, seem to be opening out and widening every day.

The receipts of the Society during the past year have amounted to £6457 6s. 4d. being greater than those of the former year by £313 17s. 5d. and are the largest ever reported by any Committee of the Society. The number of copies of the Scriptures issued during the past year has been 18,159 Bibles, and 33,253 Testaments, total 51,412 copies-being an excess over the past year of 11,354 Bibles and Testaments. Of these copies of the Scriptures issued during the past year, 9,982 Bibles, and 18,914 Testaments were sold; the remainder, namely, 8,177 Bibles, and 14,339 Testaments--22,516 copies were granted partly to Auxiliary Societies, Branches and Associations, partly to Day Schools, and partly to Charitable Institutions such as Hospitals, Prisons, Ships, &c.

The number of New Institutions of different descriptions formed during the past year in connection with the Society has been 163, namely, 2 Auxiliary Societies, 145 Branches, and 16 Associations. The number of Bible Institutions now in connection throughout Ireland is 591. The encrease of these Institutions during the past year has been chiefly in those parts of the country, which most require them, and in the county of Cork alone there have been established since the last Anniversary-120 Branches and Associations.

The Octavo edition of the Scriptures in the Irish language and character, undertaken and executed by the British and Foreign Bible Society is completed. And now for the first time those multitudes in this country to whom the Irish language is vernacular, have the means of acquiring in their own language, a knowledge of the abounding grace of God to a guilty world.

The Stereotype Pocket Edition of the Irish Scriptures, which is in progress under the superintendance of the Committee, has been retarded more than had been anticipated; but it is now proceeding with celerity, and has advanced to the end of the Book of Isaiah.

Irish Bible. As the following communication of a correspondent relates to the subject of the edition of the Scriptures in Irish, now ready for circulation, we are happy to give it insertion here:-:

"After nearly a century and a half, the Holy Scriptures have just been republished in the Irish language. The good providence of our God has permitted the accomplishment of this effort of

VOL. VI.

Christián patriotism; and we may hail this event as a pledge of his good-will and gracious purposes in behalf of that part of the population for whose benefit this measure was undertaken.

"In consequence of this appearance of the Sacred Volume in the Irish language, a new sphere of usefulness appears to open upon those parochial Ministers and private Christians, who live where the native language is generally ised. Should they not feel it to be their duty to acquaint themselves with the Irish character and pronunciation, so far as to be able to read the Irish Bible to their ignorant countrymen ? Previously to their visiting the cabins of the sick and dying, they might mark out what portion of the Word of God they intended to read, and endeavour to read it in the native language, that a readier access might be obtained to the affections of those whose spiritual welfare they desire to promote. We should, under such circumstances, feel ourselves to be placed, as it were, in missionary stations, and be as willing to learn the tongue which is used and loved by so many of our countrymen, as is the missionary to learn that of the people to whom he may be sent. We have every reason to hope that such a step would be productive of the most healing and conciliatory effects. I cannot but regard this as a duty imperatively binding upon us in the present critical time. May it please God to bind this duty upon the consciences and hearts of his people; and may He, by His Spirit, quicken and enrich them to immediate and earnest endeavours to fulfil it.

"A FRIEND TO IRELAND'S BEST INTERESTS,"

Continental Society.-The Tenth Anniversary meeting was held at the Rotunda on Tuesday the 22d ult. the Right Hon. Viscount de Vesci in the chair. Resolutions were moved and seconded by the Rev. Dr. Singer, Messrs. Stewart, Macartney, H. White, Lyne, L. Foote, W. Bushe, and Dr. Robinson. The meeting separated at half-past 4 o'clock.

Oxford.-The following notice has been issued by the Vice-Chancellor, and the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford :

"The Right Hon. Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, upon offering a Writership in the Hon. East India Company's service, as an object of competition to the junior members of the

University, commissioned the ViceChancellor, and the Dean of Christ Church to make such arrangements as they might deem necessary for carrying his wishes into effect. In the discharge of this trust they give notice that,

"I. The examination of the Candidates for this Writership will be holden in the Convocation House, and will begin on Monday, June 9, at ten o'– clock in the morning, and be continued on the days immediately following.

"II. The subjects of examination will be the four Gospels, and Paley's Evidences-some of the best Greek and Latin classics-ancient and modern History, with the geography and chronology of each-English prose composition-the elements of pure Mathematics and of Natural and Experimental Philosophy.

"III. The Examiners appointed for this occasion will nominate the person to be recommended to Mr. Wynn for the Writership.

"IV, Each Candidate must announce his intention of offering himself by leaving at the Vice-Chancellor's house, on or before the 29th of May next, a certificate of his birth, and a testimonial from the College or Hall to which he may belong. No person will be admitted as a Candidate who shall signify his intention after the last-mentioned day.

"V. No person can be admitted as a Candidate who will have completed, on the 15th of October next, 22 years from the day of his birth."

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

The Rev. Henry Brougham, Curate of Killashee, in the Diocese of Ardagh has been presented by his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, to the living of Tallow, in the county of Waterford.

The Rev. W. Higgin, A. M., Chaplain to the Richmond General Penitentiary, has been presented to the living of Roscrea.

The Rev. Robert Shaw, Vicar of St. John's, Kilkenny, has been presented to the united parishes of Dunmore, Muccalee, and Kilmodum.

CONFIRMATION.-His Grace the Archbishop of Armagh held a confirmation at the Parish Church of Forkhill, on Monday, the 10th instant, when one hundred young persons came forward, and, by participating in this solemn rite, publicly took on themselves the vows which their sponsors had pledged themselves to at their baptism. After the service of the day was concluded, those persons who had been confirmed were conduct ed into the large school-room of Churchhill school, where a repast was prepared for them, at the expense of their benevolent Rector, the Rev. Mr. Campbell.His Grace, accompanied by all the Clergy who had assisted in the ceremony of the morning, came into the room, and expressed in the warmest manner how highly he was gratified; he declared he had never witnessed so delightful a sight, as he did not expect to find in that wild mountainous country, so large, so respectable, and so well conducted a congregation, as he had that day. the pleasure of meeting in the Church of Forkhill,

AFFAIRS.

the phrase with deep regret) is supposed to exist, but the judicious severity exercised towards the murderers of Mara, in the County of Tipperary, will, we hope, have its effect. The Public Meetings have been as interesting and as well attended as in former years. All passed off without opposition except that of the Hibernian School Society, where Mr. O'Dwyer, of the Roman Catholic Association, opposed the proceedings, and was confuted by Mr. Urwick and Mr. M'Crea. We observe that the Association, on a motion by Mr. O'Conniell, returned thanks to Mr. O'Dwyer, for having routed the biblicals," and denied the truth of the resolutions of the Kerry Schoolmasters; a document o f of whose truth we are just as convinced as we are of Mr. O'Connell's determination to deny it.