been, members of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge," was held at Bristol on Monday, the 27th ult., when petitions to the King and to both Houses were agreed to, against the admission of dissenters to degrees.-Bristol Journal.

We have great pleasure in stating, that petitions to the House of Lords, against the arrogant claims of the dissenters, are in course of signature in all the parishes of this city. We hope that, in the course of another week, the example will be followed by every parish in Great Britain.-Ibid.

Wesleyan Methodists. It was stated last week, in the Morning Chronicle, that delegates from this body of Christians had joined the Dissenters' Union in London. We have the best authority for saying that this is untrue, and that the Wesleyan Methodists disown all fellowship with the unholy league now conspiring against the church; they touch not the unclean thing."-Ibid.

The Rev. Robert Gray, M. A. (nephew and examining chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Bristol) delivered an eloquent and appropriate discourse on Sunday morning, at Clifton Church, in aid of the funds of the Church Building Society.-Ibid.

The sum of 201. has been collected at St. Paul's Church, Bedminster, under the authority of the King's Letter, for the Incorporated Society for promoting the Building of Churches and Chapels.-Ibid.

The inhabitants of Stonehouse have

lately presented to their worthy Curate, the Rev. Richard Hodges, a handsome silver waiter, bearing the following inscription :--"To the Rev. Richard Hodges, Curate of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, from his parishioners, in grateful remembrance of his exemplary character and conduct, and especially of his unremitting attention to the interests and comforts of the poor. April, 1834.-Gloucester Journal.

An instance of good feeling (equally honourable and gratifying to all parties), has been evinced by the inhabitants of Fladbury, towards their highly-respected curate, the Rev. Wm. Ashmead Pruen, B.D., who, for twenty-seven years, filled that office :--The inhabitants, or rather the parishioners and householders, on his being separated from them, "one and all," contributed towards the purchase of a very elegant silver salver, to present to him as a memorial of their esteem. The salver, which weighs 100 ounces, has a suitable inscription.-Gloucester Chronicle.

Stroud. Archdeacon's Visitation. - The visitation was numerously attended by the clergy of the Stonehouse Deanery, on Monday, the 5th ult. Never was there a time, within our memory, when so much would seem to depend upon the unanimity and steady co-operation, among themselves, of the members of the ecclesiastical body. It is not sufficient merely to possess

strength-that strength must be displayed before the eyes of the country, to command respect, and to check the inroads of envious fanaticism.-Ibid.

We are happy to be enabled to inform our readers, that the books containing the signatures to the Declaration of the laity of the church of England, for this county, were returned this week to the central committee in London, and that the number of signatures returned from Gloucester, amounted to nearly 10,000, to which were added the residences and addresses of all who signed. Ibid.

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel has met with considerable patronage at Stroud. It must afford pleasure, that, in a town and neighbourhood so rising in other respects, the interests of Christianity and the church are not neglected, and that a numerous and highly respectable meeting, purposely assembled, furnishes so long a list of subscriptions and donations. This shews that the Society only wants to be brought into general notice, in order to obtain more general patronage, and that funds may thus be obtained, not only to carry on its present exertions, but to extend them more fully to all our colonies. The donations and subscriptions at the Stroud meeting amounted to 751. 9s. 6d. —Salisbury Herald.

HAMPSHIRE.

On Monday, the 21st ult., at the Visitation at Lyndhurst, the very Rev. the Archdeacon of the diocese delivered a most

impressive and excellent charge to the clergy. He alluded to the portentous appearance of the times, and referred to Hooker and others, who had stood forward as the champions of the Gospel at periods of the greatest danger, and who, by the purity of their lives, had disarmed the power and malice of their most bitter enemies. And he assured his reverend brethren, that primitive deportment in their own conduct, with zealous and unceasing watchfulness over their respective flocks, would do more for them than all human laws, in renovating the established church, and placing it above the assault of schism and doctrinal disputants. He further added, the power in their own hands was the remedy for the evil, and that, at the judgment-day of the Great Shepherd, he would require from them an account of the souls he had committed to their care.Salisbury Herald.

A handsome silver tea-service has been presented to the Rev. W. Bettridge, minister of St. Paul's Chapel, Southampton, by the congregation, in token of the high estimation of his eminent talents and devoted zeal during a period of six years.Cambridge Chronicle.

HEREFORDSHIRE.

At the Ecclesiastical Court, held in our cathedral, on Thursday, the 15th instant,

the Rev. Chancellor Taylor, in the course of a case, stated, that he knew it to be in the contemplation of the legislature, to make witnesses in all courts of justice, besides the usual obligation to speak the truth, take oath that, in giving evidence, they are not actuated by feelings of malice or ill will towards any of the parties concerned. Hereford Journal.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

On Wednesday, May 21st, the annual court of the clergy corporation for this county was held at the Town Hall, the Lord Bishop of Lincoln in the chair, when, after the treasurer's accounts had been audited, allowances to the amount of 2051. were granted to ten widows and orphans of deceased clergymen; and 1801. ordered to be dispensed as benefactions to twelve others, whose necessities pointed them out as proper objects of this excellent institution. Cambridge Chronicle.

On Tuesday, the 13th of May, a meeting of the clergy of the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, was held at the Town Hall, pursuant to requisition, when petitions to the two Houses of Parliament against the Bill now pending for the admission of dissenters into the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, were unanimously agreed upon.Ibid.

KENT.

Tithe Meeting. On Monday, May 19th, a meeting of the owners and occupiers of land took place on Barham Downs, for the purpose of determining upon a petition to Parliament in favour of the principles of the Tithe Commutation Bill, introduced by ministers. The High Sheriff of the county presided. There were present, Sir E. Knatchbull, bart., M. P., Sir B. Bridges, bart., M.P., Sir H. Montressor, Sir W. Cosway, J. P. Plumtree, Esq., M. P., E. Rice, Esq., and several others of the principal gentry in this division of the county. There were about 2,000 individuals in attendance. E. Rice, Esq. introduced his proposition for a petition in favour of the new Tithe Bill. E. Hughes, Esq. then proposed an amendment to the effect, that it would be more advantageous to the occupiers of land, if, instead of a tenth being exacted upon the produce of the soil, two shillings in the pound were paid upon the rental, and appropriated to the purposes to which the tithes were now applied. Mr. Fife seconded the amendment, which was put, and carried by a large majority. Very great interest was felt on this occasion, it being the first county meeting ever held in East Kent.-Hampshire Telegraph. [This was a triumph of the radical over the whig party. The conservatives took no part.]

LANCASHIRE.

The Jews and the Church.--At Liverpool, lately, an attempt was made to oppose the levying of a church rate, but it proved

unsuccessful; the number who voted for the church-rate being 477 persons, who gave 1,718 votes; whilst there appeared against it only 193 persons, and 547 votes, giving a majority in favour of the church, of 284 persons, 1171 votes. The attempt, then, to close the church was as signally defeated by the numerical strength of the friends of the church, as by the votes which they were enabled to give in respect of their property, which property, it should be remembered, they have, by these votes, voluntarily taxed. The Liverpool Standard mentions an interesting fact relative to this subject:-"This brief contest, observes our contemporary, "brought into the field, as allies of the church, the whole of the Jewish rate-payers, who, we are informed, voted to a man in its favour."-Gloucester Chrenicle.

Schism among the Wesleyans.-At a district meeting of the Wesleyan Society, at Manchester, held on the 28th and 29th of April last, the Rev. J. R. Stephens, (brother of the principal Editor of the Christian Advocate,) was tried on charges of having attended various meetings in the north, the purport of which was, to effect a separation between church and state, and delivering speeches expressive of his approbation of that project; of using his pulpit at Ashton to forward the same object; of accepting the appointment of Corresponding Secretary to a Church-Separation Society at Ashton; and the same having been proved against him, he was formally suspended, and required to leave This sentence has the Ashton circuit. Birmingham, that, at a meeting of local met with such decided disapprobation at preachers, trustees, leaders, &c., resolutions have been entered into to withhold supplies!!-Bath Herald.

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The annual meeting of the Man

chester and Salford district committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, was held in the Boroughreeve's room, at the Town Hall, on Wednesday, the 23rd of April last, the very Rev. Thomas Calvert, D.D., warden of Manchester, in the chair. The business of the meeting was preceded, as usual, by prayer, which was offered up, in the most impressive manner, by the very reverend the Warden. A statement of the receipts and expenditure for the past year was then read by the Rev. H. Fielding, one of the secretaries, from which it appeared, that the income of the district committee, from various sources, had been 1220l. 4s. 11%d., and that a balance remained in the hands

of the bankers, of 3591. 1s. 7d., and in

those of the treasurer, of 21. 4s 81%d.; and from a document read by Thomas Darwell, Esq., the treasurer, it further appeared, that when all the engagements of the committee were discharged, the balance in hand would be about 4501.; but of this sum, 2901. were owing for books sold on credit, a small part of which is not likely to be obtained.-Manchester Courier.

New Church in Cheetham.-On the 25th of April, a numerous and respectable meeting of subscribers, living in Strangeways and Cheetham, was held at the Derby Arms, Derby-street, when resolutions were passed, and a committee formed, for the purpose of carrying into effect the design of building a new church, on a plot of land generously given for that purby the Right Hon. Lord Ducie, capable of containing 1,500 sittings, 500 of which will be free. This church will stand at an advantageous distance from the new and the old road, viz., 180 yards from York-street, Cheetham, and 310 yards from Strangeways Hall, by the read about to be constructed. The perpetual right of presentation will be vested in the parties building, who receive, for every 251., a pew, containing five sittings, rent free for ever.- Ibid.

Bolton, April 25.-Church Missionary Association.The first quarterly meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening last, at St. George's Sunday-school, Little Bolton, the Rev. J. Slade, vicar of Bolton, in the chair. Several eloquent addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. Thistlethwaite, the Rev. Mr. Frost, and other clergymen, and a collection was made for the benefit of the association.-Ibid.

LINCOLNSHIRE,

The will of the late Col. Pierrepont, of Ryhall, Lincolnshire, contains the following bequests:-To the Stamford and Rutland Infirmary, 5001. for the permanent support of that institution. To the minister and churchwarden of Ryhall, 500.; the interest to be laid out in coals, which are to be distributed, between Christmas and Lady-day, among the deserving and indusrious poor to all succeeding generations. The tenants of the deceased to be released from the half-year's rents, due at Michaelmas next, and all his servants to be liberally rewarded for their past faithful services. Ryball estate, producing 1,5001. a year, is left to his nephew, Henry B. Pierrepont, Esq., son of the late Admiral Pierrepont.-Cambridge Chronicie.

MIDDLESEX.

National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church.-In consequence of the second grant of 20,000l. recently voted by Parliament, in aid of private subscriptions for the erection of schools for the education of the children of the poorer classes, this Society will continue to receive and

transmit to the Lords for his Majesty's Treasury, memorials for assistance towards the erection of school-rooms for the use of Sunday and daily, Sunday or Infant Schools. Forms of application may be procured of the Secretary, J. C. Wigram, A.M. Central School, Sanctuary, Westminster.

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Friday the 1st of May, a numerous meeting of the members of the above Society was holden at the Society's house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of appointing a select committee to examine all tracts and books issued by the Society previously to their publication. After some able speeches, the following resolution was moved and carried :-"That a Tract Committee be formed, consisting of seven persons, to whom all tracts and intended publications should be referred for their judgment and opinion, and that his Grace, the President, have five bishops to form a committee of reference on such parts of difficulty or doubt arising to the committee of seven, whose power of recommending books to be balloted for at the board, should be limited to such as are not objected to by the episcopal referees; and that no works should be struck out of the Society's list until assented to by the same referees."

St. Paul's School. The Apposition of this very ancient and very excellent school took place on Wednesday, 30th April. This scholastic festival is celebrated by a number of recitations of original composition, or select extracts from the ancient classics. It is generally attended by the parents and friends of the allumni of the institution, and by such illustrious persons as countenance it. This year the Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester, the Bishops of Chichester and Derry, and the Duke of Wellington were present at it. The original compositions recited appeared to be of very considerable merit, and a great number of youths distinguished themselves by a promising manner of recitation on this occasion. The Royal Dukes and the Duke of Wellington were greatly cheered on entering and departing from this seat of youthful learning.

The Congregation of St. Paul's, Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, have presented to the Rev. Thomas Bissland, M.A., of Balliol College, and Rector of Hartley Manditt, Hants, a very handsome piece of plate, together with a valuable collection of books, as a manifestation of their appreciation of his services while minister of the chapel. The poorer members of the congregation had previously begged his acceptance of a Bible, as a small tribute of their affectionate regard. - Oxford Herald.

Charter to the London University.-The committee of the Lords of his Majesty's

most honourable Privy Council, appointed to consider the petition to the King, respecting the granting a charter to the London University, held their first meeting on Thursday morning, the 24th of April, at the Council Chamber. There were present the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishop of London, the Lord Chancellor, the Chief Judges of the Courts of King's Bench, the Common Pleas, and the Exchequer, the Earl of Eldon, and the following Cabinet Ministers-viz., Earl Grey, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Ripon, Lord Melbourne, Mr. Secretary Stanley, the Right Hon. Charles Grant, Lord Holland, the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Carlisle, and Lord John Russell. Dr. Lushington addressed their Lordships in support of the prayer of the petition from the London University, and was followed by Mr. Kindersley, on the same side. Sir Chas. Wetherell, on the part of the University of Oxford, commenced his address to their Lordships, opposing the grant of the charter. At four o'clock their Lordships adjourned till Saturday.

The Privy Council again assembled on Saturday. Sir Charles Wetherell addressed their Lordships for four hours, as counsel for the University of Oxford, against the petition, and contended that as the established religion was not to be taught in the London University, their Lordships would be violating the constitution of the country if they advised his Majesty to grant a Royal Charter. The speech of the learned counsel was full of humour, and at times nearly convulsed their Lordships with laughter. In conclusion he said, if the prayer of the petition was granted, it would be in accordance with that spirit of liberalism and indulgence which Judge Jeffries dictated to James II., and which made that unfortunate monarch an exile from his native land. It would be advising his Majesty to violate the oath which had placed the present family on the throne. Mr. Bickersteth opposed the petition, on behalf of the University of Cambridge. He could not think their Lordships would recommend that the London University should be empowered to grant degrees. It was not an institution entitled to such honour and distinction. It was a mere trading company, the shares in which were regularly bought and sold in the money market. It would, in his opinion, be detrimental to the best interests of the country if a charter were granted to the London University. At the conclusion of Mr. Bickersteth's address, a long consultation ensued between their Lordships and counsel as to the future mode of proceeding, when it was. ultimately arranged that only one counsel should be heard for each of the parties opposing the charter, and that the further arguments should be proceeded with on

Friday next, at eleven o'clock. Mr. F. Pollock appears for the College of Physicians, Mr. Follett for King's College, and several other counsel for different learned bodies.

In answer to an address presented to his Majesty, on Thursday, 15th of May, by the dissenters of the three denomina. tions, resident in the metropolis, praying him to confer on the London University the power of granting academic degrees; his Majesty replied as follows:-Gentlemen,-the whole course of my reign must have proved to you that I am a sincere friend to religious liberty. It is, however, my duty, as the Head of the Established Church of this country, to protect its rights and interests. At present I can say no more, than that I shall always be ready to receive and consider such proper and respectful representations as that which you have now presented to me.”—Bristol Journal.

A beautiful piece of plate has been presented to the Rev. Sir Herbert Oakeley, Bart., on his retirement from the vicarage of Ealing, and promotion to the deanery of Bocking, "as a token of the respect and affection of his late parishioners, and in furtherance of an unanimous resolution of the vestry."

A superbly handsome silver salver has been presented to the Rev. James Hearn, by the inhabitants of the united parishes of Staines, Ashford, and Laleham. The following inscription is engraved in the centre" Presented to the Rev. James Hearn, by the inhabitants of Staines, Ashford, and Laleham, as a token of affection, and as a testimony of their approbation of his conduct, during a residence of seventeen years. 1834.

On Monday, 12th of May, a deputation from the congregation of St. John's, Bethnal Green, waited upon their late minister, the Rev. John Parry, late Fellow of Brasennose College, and Rector of St. John of Wapping, and presented him with a very handsome silver salver, containing the following inscription :-" Presented to the Rev. John Parry, M.A., by the congregation of St. John's, Bethnal Green, as a memorial of their regard and esteem, resulting from his unremitting exertions in his sacred vocation while their minister.-April 2, 1834."-Orford Herald.

The Duke of Wellington presided on Wednesday, the 14th of May, at the annual dinner of the London Orphan Asylum. The collection amounted to the unprecedented sum of 24601.

Numerous parishes of the metropolis have met in the course of the week to petition, in the strongest terms, against the proposed changes in the Poor Laws, and to adopt the most certain measures for opposing the Bill introduced by Lord Althorp.-Old England.

Anniversaries.

Sons of the Clergy-Friday, 9th of May, being the anniversary festival of the Sons of the Clergy, a splendid selection of anthems, &c., was performed on the occasion in St. Paul's. It having been known that her Majesty would be present, the cathedral was crowded with ladies and a numerous assembly of gentlemen long before the royal cortégé arrived; and from the manner in which the seats for their accommodation was arranged, the coup d'œil was highly attractive. At a little after one o'clock, her Majesty, attended by her suite, left St. James's, and the royal carriages having proceeded along the Strand, were met at Temple Bar by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs Harmer and Wilson, &c., who proceeded in state to the Bar, to receive and introduce her Majesty to the city with the usual ceremonies. The appointed hour for the commencement of the performance of the anthems, &c. (two) having arrived, her Majesty entered the cathedral, and, followed by her suite, was led by Earl Denbigh to the royal pew, situated in the centre of the right side of the cathedral, approaching the communion table. The Duke of Gloucester, in a Field-Marshal's uniform, accompanied by Capt. Boyd, entered almost immediately afterwards, and took his seat on the left of her Majesty; the ladies in attendanceviz., the Countess Howe, the Countess of Denbigh, Miss Mitchell, and Miss Wilson-having taken their places on her Majesty's right. The musical selections were given with magnificent effect by the effective choir. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev. J. Merewether, Dean of Hereford, and was principally devoted to the excellence of the doctrines, &c., of the Church of England establishment.

The annual examination of the children educated in the Clergy Orphan School, St. John's Wood, Marylebone, took place on the 22nd, before the Archbishop of Canterbury, the President, the Bishop of London the Vice President, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Winchester, Rochester, and Sodor and Man; the Deans of Salisbury, and Hereford, and a numerous assemblage of ladies, as well as of laity and of clergy, friends to the Institution. The appearance of the orphans was an indication of the excellence of the discipline established in the schools. The readiness, accuracy, and intelligence displayed both by the boys and girls in the different subjects of examination, and not least, in the religious part of their education, were highly gratifying to the audience. At the conclusion the Mcst Reverend the President was pleased to express his approbation in strong terms of the attention paid by the Master and Mistress, and their Assistants, and of the progress made by the orphans entrusted to their care.

VOL. V.-June, 1834.

The meeting of the Church Missionary May, at Exeter Hall. The funds of the Society was held on Tuesday, the 13th of Society were stated to be in a flourishing state, the subscriptions exceeding those of the preceding year by upwards of 30001.

The British and Foreign Bible Society held its annual meeting on Wednesday morning, the 14th of May. Exeter Hall chair, and the Bishops of Winchester, was well filled. Lord Bexley took the Chester, and Lichfield, were on the platform. The income has increased 80001. in the course of the year, amounting now to the enormous sum of 83,8901. An anonymous letter contained 1000l., and Mrs. Hannah More had contributed 1000l.

Royal Society of Literature.-On May 1, the annual meeting of the above Society was held at their house in Trafalgar-square, St. Martin's-lane, Colonel Leake in the chair. The Report of the Council commenced by expressing its regret at the death of their late noble President (Lord Dover), and stated that the Bishop of Salisbury, the Vice President, had discharged the duties of the office pro tem., and the Council recommended that the Earl of Ripon should be appointed to the vacant office. It also lamented the death of numerous other members of the Society since the last annual meeting, including Lord Grenville, Hon. Philip Yorke, Sir John Malcolm, Dr. Jebb, Dr. B. Clarke, &c. The present number of members, including 17 honorary associates, was 264. Its expenditure for the past year had been 8271. 8s. 5d.; and its receipts, including the annual donation of the King of 100l., amounted to (we believe) 853l. 10s.

King's College, London.-OnWednesday, April 30th, the annual Court of Governors and Proprietors of the above College was held in the amphitheatre of that institu tion, for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Council for the past year, the election of officers, &c. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair, There were also present the Bishops of London and Gloucester, Marquis of Bute, Sir Henry Halford, Venerable Archdeacon Cambridge, Hon. H. Legge, Dr. Doyly, Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Dealtry, Rev. C. Benson, J. Lonsdale, &c. The Report stated that in consequence of the defalcation of some of the proprietors, who had not made good their engagements, to the amount of 12,000l., a meeting had been called, at which it was agreed to make an appeal to the friends of the institution, and the Council had the gratification of announcing, that in advances of 10 per cent. on shares, and in subscriptions and donations, a sum of 7,2971. 17s. had been received up to the present time-which included the munificent donation of 1,000l. from the late William E. Gosling, Esq, Encouraged by this success, the Council 5 F