BRITISH SPIRITS.

In the year 1867 there were 23,326,613 gallons of proof spirits distilled in the United Kingdom; a further decrease of 2,241,349 gallons. In England the quantity distilled was 7,016,013 gallons; in Ireland, 5,493,604 gallons; and in Scotland 10,813,996 gallons, a decrease of 1,185,123 gallons-England and Ireland having also both decreased. There were 22,765,181 gallons taken for consumption, paying 10s. per gallon duty, of which England consumed 11,323,713 gallons; Scotland, 4,983,009 gallons; and Ireland, 4,892,654 gallons. Scotland and Ireland were both in excess of the previous year, and the total decrease of consumption was 1,017,016 gallons; and 717,914 gallons were exported, or used for ships' stores, duty free. At the end of the year there were 11,480,987 gallons in bonded stores in the United Kingdom.

Of methylic alcohol, 630,420 gallons were sent out by licensed persons, and 32,187 gallons were sold by the excise.

BRITISH FISHERIES.

The fishery commissioners report that in 1867 there were 14,208 boats, manned by 46,219 fishermen and boys, employed in the herring and the cod and ling fisheries, an increase over the preceding year of 393 boats and 794 fishermen and boys. The estimated value of the boats, nets, and lines increased also by 30,7231., and reached 1,020,1887. The herring fishery was the most prolific since 1862: 825,589 barrels of herrings were cured, an increase of 167,422 barrels; 317,421 barrels were branded, an increase of 67,911 barrels; and 478,704 barrels were exported, an increase of 98,638 barrels. The returns of the cod and ling fishery also show a small increase-119,638 cwt. were cured dried, and 10,819 barrels were cured in pickle; the export was 46,225 cwt. The commissioners report in favour of the removal of all restrictions upon modes of fishing, and notice that steam is about to be applied to the fishing in two shapes, one using steam-tugs to tow the fishingboats to their stations, the other to have the fishingboats fitted with an engine and screw.

JUDICIAL STATISTICS.

CRIMINAL CLASSES.-In the year ending at Michaelmas, 1867, there was a decrease of 1,163 in the whole from the number of the previous year. There was an increase of 83 in the number of thieves and depredators, and a decrease of 116 receivers of stolen goods, of 295 prostitutes, of 202 suspected persons, and of 633 vagrants, or tramps.

charged, 23 were not tried or acquitted on the ground of insanity. The commitments for murder were 94, of whom 60 were acquitted, 7 were found insane, and 27 were sentenced to death, of whom 10 were executed; of the remainder the sentences were commuted to penal servitude-in each case, except of one female, for life. The total number of convictions was 14,207, of which 1,401 were for offences against the person (including those for murder), 1,514 offences against the person with violence, 10,227 for offences against the person without violence, 148 for malicious offences against property, 469 for forgery and offences against the currency, and 448 for other offences not included in the foregoing classes. Of the punishments (exclusive of those for murder), 3 were sentenced to penal servitude for life, 13 for more than 15 years, 58 for periods between 15 years and 10 years, and 1,772 for 10 years and under. No sentence to penal servitude is now for a less period than 5 years. Of imprisonments for shorter periods, varying for more than 2 years to 1 month or less, there were 11,801; and 270 offenders were sent to reformatories or industrial schools, while 263 were fined or discharged on sureties.

In the summary proceedings before magistrates there was a decrease of 7,105, the number for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1867, being 474,665, of whom 384,369 were males and 90,296 females; and of these, 280,196 males and 55,163 females were convicted.

PRISONS.-The total number of commitments in the

year 1867 had been 145,184, of whom 110,100 were males and 35,084 were females. These include 11,647 debtors on civil process, and 2,139 for military offences. Of recommitted prisoners there were 46,415, and an increase on the whole of 8,843. Excluding debtors and military offenders there were 131,398 commitments; of these, 32,724 males and 13,738 females could neither read nor write, 59,684 males and 20,067 females could read, or read and write imperfectly, 495 males and 430 females could read and write well, 195 males and 17 females had received superior instruction, and of 807 males and 240 females the amount of instruction was not ascertained. These returns continue to show that ignorance promotes crime; in the classes unable to read and white, or who can read and write imperfectly, there is the largest proportional increase of offenders.

ECCLESIASTICAL.-CONFERENCE OF
BISHOPS.

A remarkable assemblage of bishops of the Protestant Episcopal communions of England, Ireland, Scotland, the British Colonies, and the United States of America, was convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the chapel of Lambeth Palace, on the 24th September.

The proceedings were opened by the celebration of the Lord's supper.

No less than seventy-six members of the episcopate were present, some from very remote places, as Labuan, Louisiana, New Zealand, Cape of Good Hope, New England, British America, &c.

Several English bishops were absent from the assembly, which gave rise to some dissatisfaction in the conclave, and remarks of various kinds out of doors subsequently. The Archbishop of York's absence was much commented upon.

During the year the police had information of 55,538 indictable crimes, and 28,132 persons had been apprehended, an increase of 4,989 crimes and 942 apprehensions. Of the 28,132 persons apprehended 21,496 were males and 6,636 females; of the total, 5,816 males and 2,742 females were discharged, 93 males and 24 females were discharged on bail to appear if required, 1,406 males and 257 females were bailed to appear for trial, 38 males and 3 females were committed for want of sureties, and 14,133 males and 3,610 females were committed for trial. Of the crimes committed, 2,799 were offences against the person, including 135 murders; 5,911 were offences against property with violence, 43,731 offences against property without violence, 471 malicious offences against property; 1,382 forgery and offences against the currency, and 1,244 not included in the above classes, such as perjury, attempts to commit suicide (an offence still nearly half of the class, numbering 616), offences against the game laws, which only amount to 54, &c. Altogether, there were 18,991 per- The conference itself was opened by a speech from the sons to be tried, of whom 15,208 were males and 3,783 primate himself, who explained that he had called this were females; of these, 4,741 were acquitted or dis-assembly of the episcopate at the request of the bishers

The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a very brief address, after which the Archbishop of Dublin read the epistle for the day, and the Archbishop of Armagh, the gospel. After which the prelates retired into the hall set apart for the convocations.

The press was refused admission, the Archbishop of Canterbury having engaged two short-hand writers to report for the meeting.

CHAP. XIII.]

of British America and of the United States. It was not intended to assume the functions of a synod, they could not enact new canons. It was to discuss and interchange opinions upon various very important matters that they had met. He specified no less than ten of these; and the first which would bespeak their attention was "The promotion of the Union of Christendom." On this subject "the Primate of all England spoke for a considerable time, and declared that the desire for union was but the echo of the petition which the Saviour offered in behalf of his church, when he prayed the Father that those who should believe in him might all be one in the Father and the Son."

He then called the attention of the "right reverend fathers" to the position of the colonial bishops, whose status had been rendered uncertain by recent decisions of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

He denounced the assumption of episcopal superiority by the Catholic bishops, and called for charity, tolerance, and temper, in the discussions which might ensue.

Much of what passed was never known to the public. The results of the debates were, as far as "the rev. fathers" thought fit, published in the form of two documents, which, emanating from such a source, were regarded as of great importance throughout the country, the colonies, and the United States.

The first was an address "To the members of the Anglican communion," signed by three archbishops and seventy-three bishops. The other document consisted of a series of resolutions which were adopted, it did not appear whether unanimously, nemine contradicente, or by majorities.

The following was the address

"We, the undersigned bishops, gathered under the good providence of God for prayer and conference at Lambeth, pray for you, that ye may obtain grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

"We give thanks to God, brethren beloved, for the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love towards the saints, which hath abounded among you; and for the knowledge of Christ which through you hath been spread abroad among the most vigorous races of the earth. And with one mouth we make our supplications to God, even the Father, that by the power of the Holy Ghost He would strengthen us with His might, to amend among us the things which are amiss, to supply the things which are lacking, and to reach forth unto higher measures of love and zeal in worshipping Him, and in making known His name: and we pray that in His good time He would give back unto His whole Church the blessed gift of unity in Truth.

"And now we exhort you in love that ye keep whole and undefiled the Faith once delivered to the saints, as ye have received it of the Lord Jesus. We entreat you to watch and pray, and to strive heartily with us against the frauds and subtleties wherewith the Faith hath been aforetime and is now assailed.

"Build up yourselves therefore, beloved, in your most holy faith; grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Show forth before all men by your faith, self-denial, purity,' and godly conversation, as well as by your labours for the people among whom God hath so widely spread you, and by the setting forth of His Gospel to the unbelievers and the heathen, that ye are indeed the servants of Him who died for us, to reconcile His Father to us, and to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

"Brethren beloved, with one voice we warn you; the time is short; the Lord cometh: watch and be sober. Abide steadfast in the communion of saints wherein God hath granted you a place. Seek in faith for oneness with Christ in the blessed sacrament of His body and blood. Hold fast the Creeds, and the pure worship and order, which of God's grace ye have inherited from the Primitive Church. Beware of causing divisions contrary to the doctrine ye have received. Pray and seek for unity among yourselves, and among all the faithful in Christ Jesus; and the good Lord make you perfect, and keep your bodies, souls, and spirits until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ."

The other document was as follows:

"INTRODUCTION.-We, Bishops of Christ's Holy Catholic Church, in visible communion with the United Church of England and Ireland, professing the faith delivered to us in Holy Scripture, maintained by the Primitive Church, and by the fathers of the English Reformation, now assembled, by the good Providence of God, at the Archiepiscopal Palace of Lambeth, under the presidency of the Primate of all England, desire: First, to give hearty thanks to Almighty God for having thus brought us together for common counsels and united worship. Secondly, we desire to express the deep sorrow with which we view the divided condition of the flock of Christ throughout the world, ardently longing for the fulfilment of the prayer of our Lord, 'That all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me;' and, lastly, we do here solemnly record our conviction that unity will be most effectually promoted by maintaining the Faith in its purity and integrity-as taught in the Holy Scriptures, held by the Primitive Church, summed up in the Creeds, and affirmed by the undisputed general councils-and by drawing each of us closer to our common Lord, by giving ourselves to much prayer and intercession, by the cultivation of a spirit of charity, and a love of the Lord's appearing.

"Resolution I.-That it appears to us expedient, for the purpose of maintaining brotherly intercommunion, that all cases of establishment of new Sees and appointment of new Bishops be notified to all Archbishops and Metropolitans, and all presiding Bishops of the Anglican Communion.

"Resolution II.-That, having regard to the conditions under which intercommunion between members of the Church passing from one distant diocese to another may be duly maintained, we hereby declare it desirable:

"(1) That forms of letters commendatory on behalf of clergymen visiting other dioceses be drawn up and agreed upon;

"(2) That a form of letters commendatory for lay members of the Church be in like manner prepared ;

"(3) That his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury be pleased to undertake the preparation of such

"We beseech you to hold fast as the sure word of God all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and that by diligent study of these oracles of God, praying in the Holy Ghost, ye seek to know more of the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, very God and very Man, ever to be adored and worshipped, whom they reveal unto us, and of the will of God which they declare. "Furthermore, we entreat you to guard yourselves and yours against the growing superstitions and additions with which in these latter days the truth of God hath been overlaid; as otherwise, so especially by the pre-forms. tension to universal sovereignty over God's heritage asserted for the See of Rome; and by the practical exaltation of the blessed Virgin Mary as mediator in the place of her Divine Son, and by the addressing of prayers to her as intercessor between God and man. Of such beware, we beseech you, knowing that the jealous God giveth not his honour to another.

"Resolution III.-That a committee be appointed to draw up a pastoral address to all members of the Church of Christ in communion with the Anglican branch of the Church Catholic, to be agreed upon by the assembled Bishops, and to be published as soon as possible after the last sitting of the Conference.

"Resolution IV.-That, in the opinion of this Con

ference, unity in faith and discipline will be best main- | wise provided for, the declaration of submission to the tained among the several branches of the Anglican Com-regulation of Synods, and the question of what legislamunion, by due and canonical subordination of the tion should be proposed for the colonial churches, be Synods of the several branches to the higher authority referred to the committee specified in the preceding of a Synod or Synods above them. resolution.

"Resolution V.-That a committee of seven members (with power to add to their number, and to obtain the assistance of men learned in ecclesiastical and canon law) be appointed to inquire into and report upon the subject of the relations and functions of such Synods, and that such report be forwarded to his grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, with a request that, if possible, it may be communicated to any adjourned meeting of this Conference.

"Resolution VI.-That in the judgment of the Bishops now assembled, the whole Anglican Communion is deeply injured by the present condition of the Church in Natal; and that a committee be now appointed at this general meeting to report on the best mode by which the Church may be delivered from the continuance of this scandal, and the true faith maintained. That such report be forwarded to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, with the request that he will be pleased to transmit the same to all the Bishops of the Anglican Communion, and to ask for their judgment thereupon.

“Resolution VII.-That we who are here present do acquiesce in the resolution of the convocation of Canterbury, passed on June 29, 1866, relating to the diocese of Natal, to wit:

"If it be decided that a new bishop should be consecrated-As to the proper steps to be taken by the members of the church in the province of Natal for obtaining a new bishop, it is the opinion of this house, first, that a formal instrument, declaratory of the doctrine and discipline of the church of South Africa, should be prepared, which every bishop, priest, and deacon to be appointed to office should be required to subscribe; secondly, that a godly and well-learned man should be chosen by the clergy, with the assent of the lay-communicants of the church; and, thirdly, that he should be presented for consecration, either to the Archbishop of Canterbury-if the aforesaid instrument should declare the doctrine and discipline of Christ as received by the united Church of England and Ireland-or to the bishops of the Church of South Africa, according as hereafter may be judged to be most advisable and convenient.'

"Resolution VIII.-That, in order to the binding of the churches of the Colonial Empire and the missionary churches beyond them in the closest union with the mother-church, it is necessary that they receive and maintain without alteration the standards of faith and doctrine as now in use in that church. That, nevertheless, each province should have the right to make such adaptations and additions to the services of the church as its peculiar circumstances may require, provided that no change or addition be made inconsistent with the spirit and principles of the Book of Common Prayer, and that all such changes be liable to revision by any Synod of the Anglican Communion in which the said province shall be represented.

"Resolution IX.-That the committee appointed by Resolution V., with the addition of the names of the bishops of London, St. David's, and Oxford, and all the colonial bishops, be instructed to consider the constitution of a voluntarily spiritual tribunal, to which questions of doctrine may be carried by appeal from the tribunals for the exercise of discipline in each province of the colonial church, and that their report be forwarded to his grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, who is requested to communicate it to an adjourned meeting of this Conference.

"Resolution XI.-That a special committee be appointed to consider the resolution relative to the notification of proposed missionary bishoprics, and the subordination of missionaries.

"Resolution XII.-That the question of the bounds of the jurisdiction of different bishops, when any question may have arisen in regard to them, the question as to the obedience of chaplains of the United Church of England and Ireland on the Continent, and the resolu tion submitted to the Conference relative to their return and admission into home dioceses, be referred to the committee specified in the preceding resolution.

"Resolution XIII.-That we desire to render our hearty thanks to Almighty God for His blessings vouchsafed to us in and by this Conference; and we desire to express our hope, that this our meeting may hereafter be followed by other meetings, to be conducted in the same spirit of brotherly love."

After a resolution of thanks to his grace of Canterbury, for having convened the conference, and for having presided, the archbishop solemnly offered up the prayer for the church militant. The "Gloria in Excelsis' was then sung by the assembled bishops, his grace the president pronounced the benediction, and the conference was closed.

In connection with the conference, public services took place at the Church of St. Lawrence, Jewry, one of the largest and handsomest of the City churches. These services proved very attractive to members of the church, there being among the preachers, during the several days they lasted, English, Irish, Scottish, American, colonial, and missionary bishops. The offertory at each service was devoted to whatever object the bishop who might preach thought fit, generally towards the furtherance of church work abroad. The Bishop of London was announced for the first sermon; but he was prevented from being present, and the pulpit was occupied in his place by the Bishop of Louisiana.

CHURCH CONGRESS AT WOLVERHAMPTON. A "church congress" was held at Wolverhampton on the 1st of October, under the presidency of the Bishop of Lichfield. It was held in the Agricultural Hall, where over 2,000 persons were said to have assembled. The "bishops, deacons, and clergy" met at 11 o'clock in St. Peter's schoolroom, and proceeded in clerical costume to the collegiate church of St. Peter,-the mayor · and municipal authorities forming in the procession. A choral service was performed. The Bishops of London and Lichfield read the lessons, and the Dean of Norwich preached, who delivered a discourse intended to please all parties, but which, like all bad attempts to compromise, irritated all. He complimented the ritualists as having revived the church, considered their practices such as should be regarded with forbearance, moderation, charity, and respect, and declared that ritualistic differences were no new things in the church, as they had existed among the Apostles themselves.

At the evening sitting the right reverend president | addressed "the fathers and brethren" at some length. Archdeacon Moore and Mr. Kettle, judge of the Wor- !! cestershire district of county courts, delivered addresses on "The State and Progress of the Church in Staf fordshire." The unusual circumstance of a judge taking part in a church congress drew much attention to Mr. Kettle's oration, and some severe animadversions in "Resolution X.-That the resolutions submitted to hostile newspapers, generally the Conservative press, this Conference relative to the discipline to be exercised lauded his honour for his courage and his sentiments. by metropolitans, the court of metropolitans, the scheme Mr. Kettle especially complained of the church being for conducting the election of bishops, when not other-expected "to collect alms" for educational purposes.

Addresses were delivered by the Earl of Harrowby and the Rev. J. H. Isles, on an extension of the area of parishes, which were followed by a discussion, in which Mr. A. J. B. Beresford Hope, the Rev. Dr. Fraser, and Mr. Winter, Q.C., took part.

The proceedings on the 2nd were interesting as on the opening day. The questions before the assembly were church patronage, and the position of stipendiary, or assistant curates. The Bishop of Oxford, Mr. Beresford Hope, and the Rev. J. J. Halcombe, of the Charterhouse, were among the speakers. A "side meeting" of high churchmen was held at the School of Art, where the 'ecclesiastical vestment exhibition was opened. Archdeacon Denison took the chair, and amongst the speakers were Bishop Twells, of Orange River Free State; the Hon. and Very Rev. Dr. Duncombe, Dean of York; Mr. Mackonochie, of St. Alban's, London, and several other gentlemen. It was resolved to call an aggregate meeting of high churchmen in London, to memorialise the ritual commission on the subject of ceremonial observances. In the evening there was a large meeting, at which Earl Nelson and the Rev. Charles Marson read papers on church missions. Amongst the other speakers were the bishops of Cape Town, New Zealand, and Iowa.

On the 3rd, the proceedings were resumed. The Bishop of Lincoln presided, and there were on the platform the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Earl Nelson, Lord Hatherton, the Bishops of Oxford and New Zealand, | Archdeacon Denison, &c. As on the preceding days, the hall was crowded. Several papers were read on "The Bible and Science." Archdeacon Denison delivered a forcible address on that subject. The afternoon sitting was devoted to the question of the "Appropriation of Seats in Churches," upon which Mr. E. Harford, of Manchester, read a paper; the Rev. Dr. Wilkinson and others spoke; and it concluded with "The Offertory," upon which the Rev. G. Fraser, Rural Dean of Wolverhampton, read a paper. Others addressed the meeting.

The congress was terminated without any angry controversy, the occurrence of which was much apprehended from the conflicting opinions of these dignitaries, clergy, nobility, and gentry, on a great variety of subjects.

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. With reference to the state of letters in England in the year 1867, the writer of history is bound to indite the fact that "sensationalism”—a graphic title for a very morbid, and by no means elevating, style of fiction had been for a long season, and was then, making sad havoc with the character of our national literature.

Still some signs became observable, towards the close of the year, of this mischievous and deteriorative style being about to retire from its raid on the legitimate standard attributes of British authorship; and by all who had its interest at heart, it was devoutly wished that it would soon find a place of rest in the unsortable chaos of Time's waste-basket.

To turn from the contemplation of such vagaries and vapidities to that of the rationality, the worth, and social healthfulness of real life, is a most appreciable enjoyment.

"THE EARLY YEARS OF H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT," affords this very essential refreshing of the mind, and the sustension is absolute and lasting. This book, the homage of the Queen of Great Britain to the memory of her deceased husband-a homage which exalts still more the royal personage who pays this simple tribute of a pure, fond, and faithful heart to the universally acknowledged worthiness of one who was not only possessed of all the social virtues of domestic life, but was distinguished as the greatest utilitarian of his age, and, specially, the most devoted friend and

promoter of the science of popular industry, which England ever owned-was compiled by Lieut-General the Hon. C. Grey, under the direction of Her Majesty. It was well said, "No homage which the Queen has paid to her husband's memory is more expressive than the humility and simple confidence with which, in 'The Early Years of H.R.H. the Prince Consort,' she has trusted to the world the particulars relating to hersolf."

It is impossible not to recognise the graceful fact that her Majesty, true to those innate feelings of her woman's love, which sorrowing affection rendered more chastened still, has been scrupulously self-denying, in retiring her name and identity from numerous incidents and positions of the narrative, in order to throw that light she loved better than her own-better than herself, into the foreground. All details which could contribute to that object being taken from her diaries, memoranda, and correspondence, with a devoted fearlessness.

The work, it would appear, was at first intended only to circulate among friends and relatives, for the first book was restricted to such a circle; but the counsels of its readers prevailed, and hence the nation and civilised society in every part of the world has received a boon it will not fail to treasure. The peculiar circumstances of the case make the issue of this work an historical endowment, and, as time wears on, the character will be more and more intensely impressed upon it. In the future afar off, it will, more than it is now, be estimated for this sterling principle of preciousness, that it brings into a clear ungarish view the exalted moral example of a royal home ever held above suspicion-a palace of virtuous happiness inaccessible to vice; and presents a faithful tracing of one of the most noble and illus trious characters that ever distinguished the royal family of England.

Prince Albert was a clear, matter-of-fact definer of general, as well as special duties, and an unvarying observer of them. Otherwise he could not have held, with a credit never surpassed, his most difficult because in many ways anomalous position, under the scrutinising eye of the most watchful and severe-judging nation in the world. By his unassuming diguity of manner, from which he never descended, he held his own status intact in the wide and chequered range comprised between the extremes of peer and peasant. By his devoted application to the maturing of the material interests of the people he attracted their consideration; through his perseverance in that cause, he gradually won their respect; by his proved providence and ability in directing their reproductive industry, secured their business sympathies; his identification with progress in its universality achieved their popularity; while his self-isolation from politics, whether of court or country, commanded a national admiration, intense no doubt, but tempered with a suspicion of “part-playing" unjust to the man as it would have been unpardonable in the people, had it not originated in that traditional jealousy of the democracy not only of England, but of every other country, which purblinds it to the integrity of beneficial influences flowing spontaneously through an atmosphere of regal regions. Yet untrue indeed was the familiar axiom that virtue insures its own reward, had not its manifold attributes, forming in the main the character of the Prince Consort, lived largely in their own right on the profound regard and respect of the nation. But however honoured, however venerated, Prince Albert was never beloved by any of the classes of this country, and it was not until ho was too suddenly removed from among men by the hand of death that this stolid veneration seemed electrified into warmer and more genial feeling. Then was he estimated by his loss, and that loss was considered in its magnitude and importance to be irreparable. The nation mourned not with the outward signs and mockery of woe, but in sad, sincere reality. Then came upon the people memories of him who had so walked to

society had been called away from life and usefulness during the year. The eminent and learned Earl of Rosse, chancellor of the University of Dublin. The scientific world owed to him a debt of gratitude for the

all good purpose among them, and of whom it might be said that his initiative was, in his years, wise and good beyond all parallel. In proof, the following extract is a trustworthy evidence, and impressive in its details:"From the moment of his establishment in the Eng-production of his magnificent telescope, the finest in the lish palace," we read, "as the husband of the Queen, his first object was to maintain, and, if possible, even raise the character of the court.

world, at Parsonstown, King's County, Ireland. The resolution of the "Nebula" was owing to the new power of inspecting the heavens produced by this instrument. Lord Wrottesly, less eminent than Lord Rosse, was nevertheless a loss to the society. Faraday, the great chemist, so intellectual, amiable, and beloved, was perhaps as much missed as Lord Rosse.

The astronomical portion of the society's report was exceedingly interesting :

"Astronomers will be glad to hear, on the president's authority, that the four-feet reflecting telescope, constructed by Grubb, of Dublin, for the observatory at Melbourne, is so nearly completed, that it will be ready for shipment to the antipodes early in the coming year. A paper by the Rev. Dr. Robinson, of Armagh, descriptive of this magnificent instrument, was read at the opening meeting of the Royal Society's session, from which we gather that its performance is all that can be desired; and that Mr. Le Sueur, who has been appointed observer, has so thoroughly mastered all its details, that we may expect in good time a rich harvest of observa

"With this view, he knew that it was not enough that his own conduct should be in truth free from reproach; no shadow of a shade of suspicion should by possibility attach to it. He knew that, in his position, every action would be scanned,-not always, possibly, in a friendly spirit; that his goings-out and his comings-in would be watched; and that in every society, however little disposed to be censorious, there would always be some prone, were an opening afforded, to exaggerate, and even to invent stories against him, and to put an uncharitable construction on the most innocent acts. He, therefore, from the first, laid down strict, not to say severe, rules for his own guidance. He imposed a degree of restraint and self-denial upon his own movements which could not but have been irksome, had he not been sustained by a sense of the advantage which the throne would derive from it. He denied himself the pleasure-which to one so fond of watching and inspecting every improvement that was in progress, would have been very great-of walk-tions from the southern hemisphere." ing at will about the town. Wherever he went, whether The meeting of the Astronomical Society was also a in a carriage or on horseback, he was accompanied by his equerry. He paid no visits in general society: his visits were to the studio of the artist, to museums of art or science, to institutions for good and benevolent purposes. Wherever a visit from him or his presence could tend to advance the real good of the people, there his horses might be seen waiting; never at the door of mere fashion. Scandal itself could take no liberty with

his name."

Those rules of conduct he never, since his marriage, deviated from; and such a code of self-government, it must be conceded, was the most apposite that could be formed, to the exalted and morally responsible estate to which Providence had called him.

"With what strictness of self-denial the prince carried out these admirable rules of conduct, society is well aware; and perhaps he would have gained in fleeting favour, at least with certain classes, had he been less devoted and conscientious. He was a model gentleman; and there are certain people who think, that a man of irreproachable conduct must necessarily be a bore."

To the following the well-regulated mind of the reader might hesitate to accord credence, but coming, as is inferred, from the highest authority, it must be received as one of the facts of the royal compilation. "There were some, undoubtedly, who would gladly have seen his conduct the reverse of all this, with whom he would have been more popular, had he shared habitually and indiscriminately in the gaieties of the fashionable world, had he been a regular attendant at the race-course-had he, in short, imitated the free lives and even, it must be said, the vices of former generations of the royal family."

Fortunately for the country, the time had come when through the improved prism of its civilisation it could, and did, appreciate the moral excellence of the domestic life of which the Queen and Prince Albert were illustrious examples, not only to the British Empire, but to all the courts of Europe. The country rejoices in the reflection those domestic virtues brightly, yet serenely, cast on the reputation of its people, and in such popular enhancement is the sovereign herself deservedly endeared and honoured a thousand-fold.

The Royal Society held its annual meeting under the presidency of General Sabine. He announced the completion of "The Catalogue of Scientific Papers."

Three very eminent fellows of this time-honoured

complete success. Their former president, the Rev. Mr. Pritchard, was again elected to that honour. It was reported, under the head of "Telescopes," that an Eng- | lish artist (sic) had nearly completed an object-glass of the unparalleled aperture of 25 inches.

The Royal Geographical Society held its anniversary ¦¦ meeting, Sir R. I. Murchison, the president, in the chair. The president gave the details of the society's financial || position, which proved to be very satisfactory, the society having so large an excess of income over expenditure as to be enabled to add 1,000l. to its funded property. A sum of 2007. had been devoted to the Leichardt Search Fund; a further sum to the search for M. G. Rohlfs, last heard of at Lake Tchad. A medal was awarded to Admiral Boutakoff, a Russian officer, who, by launching a steamer on the Sea of Aral, had facilitated the communication between Russia and China. Another medal was awarded to the same distinguished officer, and was received on his behalf by his friend, Captain Crown, also of the Russian navy. The Victoria Medal was awarded to Mr. J. J. Hayes, an American traveller, who was considered to have penetrated farther than any previous traveller towards the North on the open Polar Sea. The medal was received, in the absence of Mr. Hayes, by Mr. Adams, the American minister, who remarked on the general utility of investigation, even though it may not lead to the expected result; and reminded his hearers of Columbus, who, in endeavouring to find a new way from Europe to Asia, did in fact discover a vast new continent lying between the two.

In the month of September, during this year, the British Association held its annual meeting. The members assembled at Dundee, under the presidency of the Duke of Buccleuch. The attendance was excellent. A long catalogue of our ablest scientific men expressed the quality of the company.

There was less of novelty in the sections than usual.

A

The report of the Lunar Committee was presented by Mr. J. Glaisher. Numerous papers were read, some on physical subjects, others on pure mathematics. curious "Real Image Stereoscope" was described by Mr. J. C. Maxwell, by means of which the spectator could view the image through a single lens instead of applying the eyes to two glasses, as in the ordinary stereoscope. Under the title of "Meteorological Obser vations at Sea," Mr. F. W. Moffat detailed some curious