widows and orphans of artists so subscribing, to be supported by voluntary subscriptions from the public, and the professors of art, and styled "The Artists Benevolent Fund." The members of the joint stock, society accept of nothing from the public: their necessities, whatever they may be, are met by funds supplied by their own industry. The members have increased every year since the first establishment of the institution; and as the society is not limited to any number, all artists of merit residing in the united kingdom may become members. The second branch of the institution, the benevolent, fund, is intended for the benefit of the widow and orphans of such artists only as have been members of the joint stock society. Unless an artist contributes annually to that fund, his widow has no claim on the benevolent fund; if he does, his widow and children have a claim as matter of right to an annuity, for life. Although both branches of the institution have been in the active operation of their benevolent intentions for several years, it is gratifying to find that their funds are in a highly flourishing condition. The capital of the benevolent fund is considerably more than £5,000, exclusive of the donations and subscriptions reported at the anniversary, which amounted to £500.

Literary Fund.- Thursday, May 10, was held the thirty-second anniversary dinner of this incorporated society, at the Freemasons' Tavern ; the Earl of Chichester in the chair. The privileges conveyed to the institution, by the charter granted by his late majesty, which enables its members to acquire real property, are approximating rapidly to the extent permitted, which is £2,000 per annum. In annual subscriptions and donations, the distinguished patronage before enjoyed by the society is maintained in its full extent.

London Orphan Asylum.-The sixth anniversary dinner of the friends and supporters of this institution, was held on Thursday, May 10, at the City of London Tavern; H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex in the chair, who entered at some length into the details of the institution. The principal object now was to raise £10,000, to commence the building, which it was estimated would cost £15,000. This building was to contain 300 children, of whom 200 were to be boys. There were at present in the establishment 110 children. The usual toasts were subsequently given; and, previously to retiring, his royal highness announced that a subscription had been raised, in the course of the evening, to the amount of £1,470.

Scottish Hospital.-The anniversary of this most useful charity was celebrated on Saturday, May 12, by a dinner, in the Freemasons' Tavern ; H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, in the chair, supported by Prince Leopold, Lord Keith, &c. The subscriptions of the evening amounted to £660, of which his majesty contributed 100 guineas.

Political Economy Club.-On Monday, May 14, a dinner meeting was held, at the Freemasons' Tavern, for the purpose of originating a club or society, for promoting the knowledge of the science of political economy; there were 20 gentlemen present, amongst whom were Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Malthus, Mr. Keith Douglas, Mr. Holland, Col. Torrens, Mr. Hill, Mr. Musket, Mr. Tooke, &c. &c. A set of rules for the government of the club were read and adopted. We understand that the members are to dine together, once a month, during the season, for the purpose of discussing questions connected with economical science.

St. Patrick's Schools. On Monday, May 14, was held at Freemasons' Tavern, the anniversary dinner of this institution, the object of which is, the education and clothing the children of the poor catholics, in St. Giles's, and its vicinity; and providing an asylum for the maintenance of destitute female orphans; the Duke of Sussex in the chair. The children who were the

objects of the charity, entered the room at about half-past nine, and paraded round the table. A medal was placed round the neck of the most deserving boy and girl, by his royal highness, accompanied with an appropriate address. A considerable sum of money was afterwards raised in the room, to promote the objects of the charity.

British and Foreign School Society.--On Thursday, May 17, the anniversary meeting of this truly philanthropic society was held, at Freemasons' Tavern; H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex in the chair, who apologized for the absence of the Duke of Bedford, who had been under the necessity of leaving town, and at the same time read a letter from his grace, couched in the warmest terms towards the society, and enclosing a donation of £100 per annum. The report represented that the cause of universal education was going forward, with an even and steady pace, at home as well as abroad, where the society claimed a considerable share in the extension of liberal views; and from the extensive correspondence which they had entered into with all quarters of the globe, they had the satisfaction of being widely instrumental to the diffusion of light. In the metropolis alone, 20,689 children had been educated, on the system of mutual instruction. They now enumerate 43 schools in the metropolis, upon the same system, of which, 23 have been established within the last five years, and they are still increasing at the same rate. The committee had found that the difficulty of establishing schools but rarely arose, from the want of support for them; for the poor wanted nothing to make them appreciate the benefits of education, of which they were, in most cases, eager to avail themselves, but it arose from the cost of erecting a school room, which the poor themselves would afterwards support. In no instance had the rise of one school been attended by the fall of another; on the contrary, in most instances, the success of one had prepared for the successful introduction of another. The British system was spreading progressively through Scotland and Ireland. Many masters had been taught last year, at the school in the Borough. In India, this system had gained a footing amongst one hundred millions of souls, who were under British influence. At Calcutta, no less than 88 schools had been established; and a school for the education of females, a thing never heard of before, in that quarter of the globe, was about to be instituted. The natives were perfectly disposed to partake of the education offered, and there was no doubt that, if the enterprize were carried on with spirit, they would be enabled to chase away that numerous train of evils which always accompanied superstition. The progress which the British system was making, on the continent, was particularly satisfactory. In France, and the Netherlands, it had answered beyond the greatest expectations. In Italy, their progress had been, in some measure, impeded by the late convulsions; but at Florence, no less than 23 schools had been established, of which three were for girls. With Spain, the committee had maintained a constant communication, and the subject would soon be taken into consideration by the Cortes. Many schools had, however, been established there, already. The report proceeded to give a most interesting account of the progress which education was making in North and South America, at St. Domingo, and other islands in the same quarter of the globe. It concluded, however, by representing that much remained to be done, even in our own country, and exhorted the pious and liberal not to slacken, but to increase their endeavours, for the success of a cause in which the highest and best interests of society were so greatly concerned.

Jews' Free School.-On Thursday, May 17, the first stone of the Jews free school, in Bell Lane, Spitalfields, for 600 boys, and 300 girls, was laid

by the president, Samuel Joseph, Esq. accompanied by the officers and committee; on which occasion, the Rev. Dr. Herschel, chief rabbi, delivered a very emphatic prayer for its success. This school, established about four years since, by the Hebrew nation, for the instruction of the Jewish poor, has evinced most astonishing proofs of the efficacy of the improved system of education, and promises to become one of the most important means of improving and ameliorating the condition of the poorer classes of that community.

Sons of the Clergy The anniversary meeting of the corporation of the sons of the clergy took place at St. Paul's Cathedral, on Thursday, May 17, where a sermon was preached, by the Rev. Thomas Rennell, A. M. vicar of Kensington, and christian advocate in the university of Cambridge, from St. John, c. 18, v. 36. The collection at the cathedral doors amounted to £236. 1s. 6d., which (coupled with the money at the rehearsal,) netted £310. 1s. 6d. In the evening, in Merchant Taylors' Hall, one hundred and fifty gentlemen sat down to an elegant and sumptuous dinner, at about five o'clock, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor in the chair, supported by the Duke of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury, &c. A liberal collection was afterwards made, for the benefit of the institution.

Royal Humane Society. The anniversary of the foundation of the Humane society was celebrated, on Thursday, May 17, by a dinner, at the City of London Tavern, the Duke of Northumberland, the president, in the chair. In the course of the evening, the company were presented with a striking proof of the utility of the society, by the introduction of the individuals, who, by its agency, have been rescued from premature death, and restored to society, during the last year, and who amounted to no less a number than 131. Several gentlemen, who had been instrumental in preserving the lives of some of their fellow-creatures, received honorary medals from the hands of the president.

British India Society.-On Saturday, May 26, a most numerous and respectable meeting was held, at the great room of the Thatched House Tavern, for the purpose of considering the propriety of founding "A Society for the Moral and Intellectual Improvement of the Native Inhabitants of British India;" the Right Hon. J. C. Villiers, M. P., in the chair, supported by the Earl of Clare, Lord Bishop of Gloucester, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Dunally, Lord Gambier, Lord Gosport, Sir James Macintosh, M. P. Sir Wm. Burroughs, Mr. Wilberforce, the Right Hon. J. Sullivan, Admiral Sir J. Saumarez, Mr. Fowell Buxton, M. P., and several directors of the East India Company; and others, who had filled high official situations in its service abroad. Zachariah Macaulay, Esq. warmly urged the necessity of educating female society in India. Robert Stephen, Esq. made a similar appeal, and the recommendation was then embodied in a resolution. The whole business of the meeting went off unanimously, and a large subscription was supplied in aid of the commencement of the institution.

Asylum for Recovery of Health.-A meeting of the subscribers and friends of this excellent institution took place on the 27th of May, at the Thatched House Tavern; Mr. Holland, of the Albany, in the absence of the patron, H. R. H. the Duke of York, in the chair. The Report stated the amount of donations since last general meeting to be £871. 17s. and of annual subscriptions £137. 18s. Of these sums, £500 was invested in exchequer bills, and the remainder is in the hands of the treasurer. resolution was proposed, and unanimously agreed to, that a suitable place be taken for the formation of an asylum, and the persons named in the motion were authorized to treat for the same.

A

Society of Arts, &c.-A most numerous and respectable meeting took

place, on Wednesday, May 30, at Freemasons' Hall, for the purpose of hearing the annual report of this society, and witnessing the distribution of honorary medals to the successful candidates in the several branches of the fine arts, manufactures, &c. The report contained many interesting facts, strikingly illustrative of the success of the exertions in the society. After it had been read, H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex, who presided, distributed the honorary rewards, accompanying each with some appropriate observations. The first gentleman named was, C. Fyshe Palmer, Esq. M. P., to whom were given two large gold medals, and a large silver medal; the two first for planting 280 acres with 893,420 forest trees, and 30,700 oaks for timber; the latter for sowing 216 bushels of acorns on 240 acres. The next was a large gold medal, given to Thomas Wilkinson, Esq. of Fitzroy-square, for sowing 240 bushels of acorns on 260 acres. The small, or Ceres gold medal, was given to Sir W. Templer Pole, Bart. Shute House, near Axminster, for raising 896,000 oaks from acorns. To Henry Potts, Esq. the large silver medal, for planting 194 acres with 528,240 forest trees; and to Edward Dawson, Esq., of Aldcliffe Hall, near Lancaster, the large gold medal, for embanking 166 acres of marsh land from the sea. To the candidates, in the polite arts, there were 41 medals, of different kinds, distributed. Mr. W. Salisbury, of Brompton, received the Ceres silver medal, for matting made of the Typha latifolia, or bull-rush, which promises to be a source of employment to many poor persons. The Isis gold medal was given to Mr. Bishop, for his discovery of millstone of superior quality. In mechanics, there were 14 inventions. Lieut. N. H. Nicholas, R. N. received the large silver medal, for a semaphore, of superior construction. Mr. S. Barlow, of the royal academy of Woolwich, received the large gold medal, for the invention of an instrument to correct the local variation of a ship's compass. The gold medal was also granted to Mr. Jacob Perkins, of Fleet Street, for a most important invention of instruments, to ascertain the trim of a ship, whether loaded or unloaded, at sea or in harbour. This gentleman also received the large silver medal, for the discovery of a method of ventilating the holds of ships, and warming and ventilating apartments.

Society for the Suppression of Vice.-The operations of this society have been chiefly directed to the suppression of the sale of obscene prints, and snuff boxes, and to punish flagrant violations of the sabbath. During the last four years, the society has instituted 191 prosecutions, all of which have either led to convictions, or to recognizances not to repeat the offence. They have also instituted prosecutions against Mr. Carlile and his wife, for the sale of infidel publications; and also against Davison, which latter alone has cost them £177. 10s.

Employment of the Poor.-At a meeting of the provincial committee, for encouragement of industry and reduction of the poor's rate, lately held at the King's Head Tavern, Poultry; Benjamin Willes, Esq. in the chair. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that permanent relief to the distressed labouring classes can only be effected by legislative enactment.— 2. That the circumstances of society, at this time, cordially suggest the necessity of providing suitable employment, whereby the labouring portion of our community may be enabled to subsist, without parochial aid; and that, for this purpose, the cultivation of the soil, especially waste land, offers a most eminent resource.-3. Resolved, therefore, that the petition to the House of Commons, now read, for a bill for affording employment and relief to the distressed labouring poor, be adopted; also that a copy of the same do lie for signatures, at the King's Head Tavern, Poultry.-4. That copies of this petition be printed, and sent to agents, fixed on for the purpose, in every town and village, and that such agents shall obtain as many

signatures as possible.-5. That in cities, and large towns, which contain more than four parishes, agents for this object be procured in every parish. -6. That it be recommended to each agent fixed on, in their parishes, to employ the public crier to give notice that this petition lies at such inn or other public place, as may be chosen by such agent.-7. That to carry these into effect, one agent for each county shall be fixed on to obtain agents in all the towns, &c. which his county contains.-8. That a subscription be opened for defraying the expenses.

St. Bartholomew's Hospital. We are happy to announce to the public, that the governors of this Hospital have abolished all fees, and ward dues, on the admission of patients. The poor will be received, in future, free of any charge whatever. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on those who have brought into effect this act of real philanthropy. The admission of patients will, hereafter, be on every Thursday, from 11 to 12 o'clock.

Benevolent Institution for delivering Married Women at their own Habitations.-The friends and subscribers to this valuable institution had their fortieth anniversary dinner, at Freemasons' Hall, on Friday, June 1st. M. A. Taylor, Esq. M. P. in the chair. During the last year, 968 married women received efficient assistance, and though there were 19 critical cases, only one woman died.

Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline.-On Saturday, June 2, the annual meeting of the society took place, at the Freemasons' Tavern; the Duke of Gloucester in the chair. The report stated, that there had been great improvement in prison discipline during the last year, and alluded to the very beneficial effects that resulted from the infliction of hard labour upon old and deterinined offenders. It dwelt strongly upon the good effects of religious instruction to prisoners, and related many instances where, from the moment this had commenced in prisons, the number of criminals had considerably decreased; and there was scarcely an instance of the re-commitment of persons in these prisons, who had been once discharged. The committee spoke in the warmest terms of the exertions of the ladies' committee, and of the beneficial results of their labours, and presented a Aattering account of the happy consequences which had accrued from the plan adopted, of procuring an asylum for juvenile offenders, who, after being punished for their crimes, were turned loose upon society, without friends, and without any resource, but a return to their criminal pursuits.

Widows' Friend and Benevolent Society.-The eleventh annual meeting of this society was held at Bridewell Hospital, on Monday, June 4th, 1821; the president, the Rev. H. Budd, in the chair. From the report of the proceedings of the society, during the past year, it appeared that 1068 cases, consisting of 3777 individuals, had been relieved, of which 465 cases had received effectual relief; and nearly 10,000 visits had been made to the poor. During the past winter, the society had distributed amongst their cases, 614 tons of potatoes, 25 barrels of herrings, 5 bushels of grits, 1154 chaldrons of coals, 62 mattrasses, and 96 bed rugs. The receipts of the year, including a balance in the hands of the committee, on the 1st of May, 1820, of £223. 9s. 9d. amounted to £1834. 3s. 10d.-the expenditure to £1741. 18s. 4d. leaving a balance of only £92. 5s. 6d. to carry the committee through the summer months. We are sorry to hear that from the want of funds, this excellent society is impeded in its useful labours; several distressed and deserving cases have been discontinued, and several of the visitors have not received the amount of their disbursements for the last two months. National Schools. The annual general meeting of this society, for the education of the poor in the principles of the established Church, was held