Europe that are destitute of a liberal system of public education. - Constantinople, Madrid, and, I am sorry to add, London! It may be better that it should be so at Constantinople and at Madrid, under the superintendance of the execrable Ferdinand and the Inquisition. I long vehemently to strike off our capital from this unboly alliance with Mussulmen and Spaniards. It is all in character with their systems that they should have no universitics; but it is not consonant with the glory, and literature, and liberty of England, that London, its capital, should be without a University of Education. London is the place which has the most powerful effect on public measures: London is especially the scene of cultivation, and it is here that the national and intellectual character of England should receive its highest polish and accomplishment. I hope that all will be united in one cordial sentiment, recollecting that, in projecting a plan of education for the capital of a great country which regulates the concerns of one half of the civilized globe, you confer an inestimable blessing, and promote the happiness and good of men who are yet unborn.

Lord John Russell.--It may be impossible for us to imitate the genius and poetic talent of Mr. Campbell; but we may all imitate his attempts to be useful. As theological learning is made such ample provision for in our universities, and among other bodies, it does not seem expedient to provide for it here. At Cambridge and Oxford, which have been chiefly under the superintendance of the clergy, it is easy to proceed in the old course; but in a new institution there is danger, lest, as in Germany, those who profess to teach Christianity, should teach any thing but Christianity. But it is not needful here. The reason why it is so necessary in the universities is this: they take the whole guidance of youth upon them; it would, therefore, be very wrong for them not to teach religion. But here they will be, mostly, under the guidance and inspection of their relatives and friends. It has been justly said, that such a step as this is necessary for the upper and middling classes. We cannot attempt to stop the progress of knowledge among the labouring part of the community; all that the higher classes, therefore, can do is, to strengthen their minds, and increase their stock of knowledge, that they may be preserved from the injury they might other wise sustain.

Rev. J. Fletcher, A. M. of Stepney. I consider the week that is now closing, one of the most important I have passed for a long time. On Monday an institution was formed to assist in the study of all languages in the known world; Tuesday I witnessed the laying of the foundation

stone of a theological college for the use of Dissenters; and now I behold the foundation of a university for education on the most liberal and comprehensive basis. The motion which I now second, pays just and proper homage to the exertions which are made for the purposes of theological instruction; thus rendering it unnecessary to touch on any points that might, in the least degree, affect the harmony of our operations. I congratulate the inhabitants of this metropolis on the proceedings of this day. A system of education is proclaimed which will be unfettered and unshackled. The inhabitants of the North have set us an example in this respect, which is well worthy our imitation. Who does not know that, to the Caledonian schools, and to the liberality of their universities, is owing, in a very great measure, the elevation of the Scottish character. Next to religion, in preserving the minds of the young from the contagion of a vast metropolis, is education. Give them habits of industry, provide for them superior education, and thus you give your merchants and professional men a high degree of moral and intellectual power. We have heard again and again the maxim of our great philosopher, that "knowledge is power." But Bacon derived this maxim from revelation; for Solomon had said, "The wise man is strong." And if knowledge be a power of the highest importance; if it be a power of such high importance in counteracting vicious propensities, then that species of knowledge should be most widely promoted. I hope that ages yet unborn will have to look back on the transactions of this day with grateful recollection.

The Hon. J. Abercrombie, M.P., Goldsmid, Esq. B. Shaw, Esq. J. Waymouth, Esq. J. Wilks, Esq. Dr. Birkbeck, S. Favell, Esq. T. Denman, Esq. M.P. and J. Gurney, Esq. severally addressed the meeting. The Lord Mayor then briefly returned thanks, and the meeting broke up.

Ceremonial of laying the foundation of the new Edifice for the Mill Hill Grammar School. On the 16th of June, 1825, the first stone was laid of the new edifice for the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School, which was founded in January, 1808, at Mill Hill, in the parish of Hendon, and county of Middlesex.

After the usual services of an annual public day, the Treasurer, Samuel Favell, Esq. attended by the Committee, the Masters and Pupils, and a very numerous company of ladies and gentlemen, proceeded to the ground, where convenient accommodations had been made, under the direction of the architect.

The Rev John Townsend directed the singing of a part of the 67th Psalm.

The Treasurer then addressed the company in words to the following effect:

"Honoured as I am, this day, in being appointed to lay the first stone of a new building for the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School; and highly gratified as the Committee must feel, in being surrounded by such a respectable number of their friends, many of whom were the early labourers in this vineyard, I cannot utter another word till I have recorded their unfeigned gratitude to that kind Providence, which has so far succeeded the labours of seventeen years. They humbly trust that they now see the dawn of a still brighter day; and that the long desired and expected improvements, the commencement of which they are assembled to witness, will greatly increase and extend the comforts and advantages of this Institution to the rising generation.

"In a day remarkable for the expansion of the human mind in every department of literature, science, and art, it would have been unworthy of the Dissenters of the metropolis of England to have neglected the establishment of a public Seminary for classical and other elementary instruction. This day supplies a proof that they have felt the impulse. On such an occasion, it is impossible that a Dissenter should forget, that little more than a century has elapsed, since a bill passed both Houses of Parliament, to prevent us from educating our own children, and to compel us to put them exclusively under the tuition of conformists to the Church of England. The remarkable providence of the Most High delivered our fathers and their posterity from this most iniquitous and tyrannical measure, by the death of Queen Anne, on the very day when it was to have passed into a law. We live in better times. We can never forget the sufferings of our brave and illustrious ancestors, into whose labours we have entered; the Owens, the Baxters, and the Howes, of one age; the Bradburys, the Watts's, the Doddridges, of another.

"But, while we are not ashamed to avow our principles as Dissenters, we have higher objects than any that might be considered as sectarian or exclusive. We admit the sons of parents of every religious denomination, when we have sufficient testimonies of respectability of character, who wish to have their children educated in strictly moral and religious habits, as well as in solid literature. It is upon these great principles of learning, morals, and religion, that we establish this School. These are the foundations upon which we rest our Institution; and, we trust, that they will be more durable than the stone which I shall now have the honour to lay.

"An enlightened statesman, the late Mr. Whitbread, and that eminent mathe

matician, Dr. Hutton, after minute examination, approved of our system, and sent to our school, the one, the child of his friend; the other, his grandson. We have to congratulate our friends, that nearly six hundred youths have gone from our Seminary; most of whom are now rising in society, in law, physic, or divinity, as well as in commercial life, with honour to themselves and credit to the Institution. Some of them have become efficient members of the Committee. Others, who have joined the Established Church, have obtained high honours in the University of Cambridge. Several private schools have risen out of the Mill Hill Establishment; and, since our object is the wide and liberal promotion of good education, and good principles, we cordially wish them success. Yet the attachment of our early friends is not weakened by our liberality to other Establishments Our scholars, especially, can never forget their Alma Mater as well might their right hand forget its skill. These rising young men form the basis to which we must look for permanent support. The shadows of the evening are coming upon many of us. We must rely on the exertions of our sons and our youthful friends. They will reflect that the Mill Hill Institution has no private interests to promote, but, that its pole-star has ever been the comprehensive welfare of the religious public; and, I trust, they will not fail zealously to maintain this excellent Establishment, and carry down its benefits to the latest posterity.

:

"It would be improper for me to say much to this enlightened audience upon the subject of general education. If the chief end of man is "to glorify God, and enjoy him for ever;" and if reason is the distinguishing faculty of man, then the early cultivation, and the christian direction, of that faculty, must be the best means to secure that glorious end. Youth is the period in which to make the strongest impressions upon the mind, and in which the future character is generally decided. This I take to be just logic, and sound divinity. We point our youth to a Bacon, a Locke, and a Newton, as the lights of science, the glory of these latter days, and the ornaments of our own country and we form their taste by the majestic languages, and the inspiring subjects, of Homer and Euripides, Demosthenes and Cicero. But with these we unite the sublime excellencies of Christianity. The academic groves of Greece or Tusculum, and all the philosophy of the Stoics and the Epicureans, could give to their votaries only cold and cheerless maxims under the calamities of human life; dark and gloomy indeed, in the prospects of futurity. Our aim is to teach our youth the unspeakable value and the solemn responsibility of living

under a dispensation in which life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel. By the combined influence of learning and religion we sow the seeds of Bible Societies and Missionary Societiesof every enlightened effort and every beBevolent institution. By the formation of character upon christian principles, we cherish the noblest sympathies of our nature; we teach men to love, not only their neighbours and friends, but even their enemies; we teach man to regard man as his brother, in every clime, and of every colour; we hail and promote the fulfilment of those divine prophecies which encourage us to expect, that oppression, cruelty, and war, that hideous scourge, shall cease to the very ends of the earth; and thus we are humbly labouring to prepare the triumphs of that Saviour whose first advent was announced

by the angelic song, Peace on earth, and good-will to men.'

"May I be indulged, for a moment, in some allusion to myself? I believe, indeed, that there is no topic which admits of more pleasing reflection with respect to the expenditure of time or property, than that of education. Two periods of my life I have always considered as memorable upon this account; and the transactions of this day will doubtless form a third. The first of these occurrences took place about forty years ago, when I was upon the first Committee formed by a general meeting, holden in London, for the establishment of Sunday Schools. The half of that body were Churchmen, and the other half Dissenters. The late Rev. Mr. Owen considered that meeting as affording the precedent which eventually led to the closer union of religious bodies; a principle which has been acted upon so extensively, and has produced such important benefits. I do not know that I can name any other gentleman who was present at that meeting, except my respected friend Mr. Gutteridge, whom we all rejoice to see among us this day.

:

"The second occurrence in my retrospect was, when I first set my feet, with a few friends, upon these grounds. The house was old and decaying there was no room fit for a school; and my friends said, it would require more thousands than we had hundreds, to commence the projected Institution. We paused and doubted: we took a walk upon the terracethe beauties of nature cheered our heartswe thanked God, and took courage.'

"The Committee of Management for this Society has been regularly composed of the three denominations of Protestant Dissenters Presbyterian, Congregational, and Antipædobaptist. Our differences on minor points have been merged in attachment to our common cause, and love to

the great principles of our common faith; and we have acted together in great har mony. The names of Maitland, Gutteridge, Hankey, and, indeed, of the whole Committee, are too well known to the public to need any further pledge of principle or conduct. One thing I am bound to say with regard to pecuniary affairs. A more honourable or independent body have never acted together. In seventeen years of great labour and devotedness of time, they have never expended one shilling upon themselves, or upon any object which they did not believe to be subservient to the interests of the Institution. Much of our prosperity, under the bless ing of God, has arisen from the vigilance of the Education Committee. The incessant attention of Dr. Smith, and other ministers of that Committee, by quarterly examinations in the Classics, and that of Dr. Gregory in the Mathematics, have been of unspeakable importance. a remarkable and gratifying coincidence, that, on the same Committee, we have a venerable minister, the Founder of a national charity for the Deaf and Dumb; and another ininister, who was, in a great measure, the origin, and has, ever since, been an efficient Secretary, of the British and Foreign Bible Society. To them, and to the Rev. Dr. Waugh, Mr. George Clayton, Mr. Berry, and Mr. Yockney, we are under the highest obligation.

It is

"Our present establishment* consists of Mr. Corrie, First Classical Master; Mr. Priestley, Second; and Mr. Bedingfield, Third; Mr. Ryland, Mathematical Master; Mr. Outin, French Master; Mr. Newland, Writing Master; Mr. Renton, Drawing Master.

"Trusting that many now present will live long to see the increasing prosperity of this Society, and that the top-stone of this building will be brought forth with exultations of joy, we say, with devout gratitude, Not unto us, O Lord; not unto us, but unto thy name, be the glory!'"

Mr. Favell then took his station near the stone. The Architect, Mr. Tite, presented and displayed his plans and elevation. The First Classical Master, Mr. Corrie, read the following Latin and English inscriptions, which were engraven on a polished brass plate:

The Committee is actively employed in looking out for a gentleman, whose character and talents will render him well qualified to fill the office of Chaplain and Minister of the Institution, and who will consecrate his efforts of piety and zeal to the private and public instruction of our pupils, in the history, evidences, doctrines, and duties of our holy religion; and in the conscientious reasons of our protest against the Church of Rome, and our dissent from the Church of England.

with the growing importance of this Institution, and of the Independent denomination. The architectural design of Mr. J. Davis was selected from five others, and the lowest contract for its completion was accepted; which, however, amounts to £16,397.

On Tuesday, the 28th of June, the foundation-store was laid. On this interesting occasion, notwithstanding the inauspicious state of the weather, a large and respectable company assembled, who were first addressed by Mr. Wilson on the circumstances of the Institution, which rendered the new erection necessary. The Rev. Dr. Harris then read the following inscription engraved on a brass plate, which was subsequently deposited in a cavity of the foundation prepared for it.

ÆDIFICII. VSIBVS.

ACADEMIE. OLIM. HOXTONIENSIS.

CAVSA. SCILICET.

IVVENVM. PIORVM. ATQVE, INGENVORUM. QVI. MELIORES.

EVANGELIO. SANCTO. PREDICANDO. INTER. CHRISTIANOS. INDEPENDENTES.

DICTOS.

ADPETANT. FACVLTATES.

LITERIS. SACRIS. HVMANIORIBVSQVE.
AC. DISCIPLINIS.

GRATVITO. IMBVENDORUM.
CONLATIS. FAVTORVM. PECVNIIS.
DICATI.

HÆC FVNDAMENTA.

THOMAS. WILSON. ARMIGER.

ANNOS. PLVSQVAM. TRIGINTA. THESAVRARIVS FIDELIS. PATRONVSQVE.

MVNIFICVS. LOCAVIT.

IVNII. XXVIII. A. S. M.DCCC.XXV. GEORGIO. QVARTO. FELICITER, REGNANTE.

THIS FOUNDATION STONE
OF A BUILDING

ERECTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR THE PURPOSES OF

AN ACADEMY SOMETIME AT HOXTON NAMELY

FOR AFFORDING GRATUITOUS EDUCATION IN SACRED AND USEFUL LITERATURE AND SCIENCE

TO YOUNG MEN

OF PIETY AND GOOD TALENTS
WHO DESIRE TO IMPROVE THEIR
QUALIFICATIONS

FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL
AMONG CHRISTIANS OF

THE INDEPENDENT DENOMINATION
WAS LAID BY

THOMAS WILSON ESQUIRE
FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS
THE FAITHFUL TREASURER AND LIBERAL
BENEFACTOR

JUNE XXVIII. A. S. M.DCCC.XXV. IN THE PROSPEROUS REIGN OF GEORGE * THE FOURTH.

Glass jars, containing the coins of the present reign, and the last Report of the Hoxton Academy, were then placed in the foundation, and covered by the brass plate; when the Treasurer spread the mortar, and the stone was lowered, which, after being adjusted with masonic care, was struck with the mallet, and the ceremonial terminated.

The Rev. George Clayton, of Walworth, then delivered an eloquent and appropriate address, in which he recounted the great principles which were recognized in the transaction of the morning, and the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, M. A. of Stepney, offered up a solemn and earnest prayer, for the divine benediction on this important undertaking. The 117th Psalm was then sung, and the audience retired delighted with the beauty of the situation, and the completeness of the model, which was exhibited.

About 130 gentlemen afterwards dined together at Canonbury Tavern, and the pleasure of the company was much increased by the presence of Dr. Morrison, of China; Rev. H. Townley, of Calcutta ; and many other respectable ministers educated in Hoxton Academy. The Treasurer reported the state of the subscription list, which contains two donations of £200. each, and twenty of £100. with smaller sums making £3000. which have been received. And we trust, that this attempt to erect a building worthy of the growing reputation of Dissenters, will meet with the liberal patronage of all our churches.

The Commission for Literary Documents.— It is known that the recent discovery of the Miltonian MS. in the State Paper Office, attracted the notice of his Majesty, under whose auspices, the work, so long lost to the world, is now published. We understand, in consequence of this and other interesting discoveries made within the last few years in the same quarter, his Majesty has been pleased to appoint a Commission to examine the documents in that valuable depository of the records of former times, with a view to the printing of the most important of them. The Commissioners named, are, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr. Secretary Peel, Mr. C. W. Wynn, Mr. Croker, and Mr. Hobhouse. Lemon, the Deputy Keeper of the State Paper Office, by whom Milton's MS. was found, has been appointed Secretary to the Commission.-Courier.

Mr.

Dr. Styles and the Libels of the Sunday Monitor. As the injurious libels inserted in the above newspaper upon the character of Dr. Styles were extensively read, we have great pleasure in copying the following apology from the same columns; especially as we know that it is published not merely to avoid the consequences of a legal process, but with a desire to coun