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THE TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY IN LONDON FOR ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS AND CIRCULATING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES IN IRELAND. 1818.

Schools established on their solicitations; but parents also, in many instances, have subscribed one half-penny per week to the masters for each child instructed at the expence of the Hibernian Society. It must be observed, however, in explanation of this statement, that there are in fact, no

The Committee have the pleasure to observe, that the aspect of the Society's concerns in Ireland, continues to be encou-subscriptions to masters or schools exclu raging and gratifying.

In the last Report, the Committee had to remark upon the deficiency of pecuniary means to defray the necessary expences of the Institution. It therefore became their duty, by all the means in their power, to interest the public in behalf of an Institution, which had done so much to merit attention and support, and whose important and active course was impeded by the want of pecuniary supphes. This duty they have endeavoured to fulfill; and they have reason to be thankful that personal exertion, by ministers, and other individuals of talents and influence, has been followed by public liberality; and, that the Society has thereby derived considerable advantage.

But the attention of the Committee has not only been given to the supply of past deficiencies-to the support of an ascertained amount of expenditure, and to the increase of subscriptions from British ge nerosity. It has had respect to Ireland; to the system on which the Society's Schools were founded; to the variations which have since occurred, as to many of these establishments; and to the circumstances under which numerous applications are now made for the formation of additional schools, in several counties in that part of the kingdom.

At the commencement of the Society's operations, it established and supported every School at its sole and exclusive expence; and the circumstances which made it necessary to do this still exist in numerous instances; so that, at the present time, many of the schools remain wholly sup ported by the Society. The excellence and usefulness of the schools, however, soon became so evident, that application were made for an increase of them, and an opportunity was thus afforded the Committee, of soliciting and obtaining from respectable and benevolent individuals, the subscription of an annual sum, in aid of the Society's payments for the support of such Schools. There is so much propriety and expediency in a measure of this kind, that the Committee have endeavoured to encourage and extend its operation; and the instruction and the conduct of the Schools have so generally commended themselves, that not only have patrons come forward to advance an annual sum in aid of

sively, all are in aid of the Society, and are strictly accounted for by the masters to the Inspectors, at the settlement which is made at the end of every quarter. The effect of this system on the funds of the Society may be seen in the following iustance. During the last quarter, 56 new schools have been opened: but the amount which will be received as an annual subscription of three guineas for a School, and as contributious from the parents of the children, in every case in which such subscriptions and contributions could be obtained, will make the charge of these 56 Schools to the Society, only equal to 34, if the whole expences had been defrayed by this Institution.

A union of sound principle, of appropriate liberality, and of prospective benefit, appears to the Committee to be included in these measures; and they have the pleasure to report the following gratifying

results.

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The other branch of the Society's concerns, "the Circulation of the Holy Scriptures," has partaken of a collateral and very considerable increase. The British and Foreign Bible Society, with its accustomed liberality, has granted to the Hibernian Society, 1000 English Bibles, 2000 English, and 500 Irish Testaments; and also 200 Irish Bibles for sale or gratuitous distribution previously to which, there were dis tributed, in the course of the last year, 1610 Bibles, and 6457 Testaments! When it is considered, that the Hibernian Society has diffused these treasures of divine and saving knowledge, among thirty two thousand, poor and destitute children, and among one thousand two hundred and fifty dark and ignorant adults; and in a part of the kingdom in which the most unwearied efforts are made to exclude the pure light of heavenly truth,

and to perpetuate the darkness and errors of superstition, it may be reasonably and confidently expected that by the blessing of God, the most important, extensive, and permanent consequences will result from this branch of the concerns and operations of the Hibernian Society.

This last observation naturally connects itself with the encouragement which the Society gives to the practice of reading the Scriptures, among those who perhaps never before knew that God hath spoken by Prophets, by Apostles, and by his dear Son; that this word is in their own language, and that it is able to make them wise unto salvation. A correspondent observes, "Parties for reading the Scriptures multiply in the vicinity of many of our Schools there are meetings for adults; many of them cannot read, yet they attend on those who can with the most earnest attention, With great pleasure and gratitude the Committee report the assistance which in the course of the last year has been rendered to the Society, by the kind and zealous exertions of ministers, the liberality of individuals, ond the co-operation of Auxiliary Institutions.

They feel themselves particularly indebted to the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, by whose zealous and successful exertions on behalf of the Society in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as in London, its debt has been considerably reduced, and its funds materially benefitted. They have also pleasure in acknowledging the kindness of their friends in Scotland, (particularly in Glas gow and Edinburgh) by whose continued and increased contributions, they have been so effectually aided.

In addition to the Auxiliary Societies formed at Reading aud Heuley, immediately after the last Annual Meeting, the Committee are happy to announce the establishment of one at Ipswich, for the County of Suffolk, and another at Liverpool, from which they expect to derive considerable accession to their funds.

It will appear by the statement of the accounts of the Society, that the debt to the Treasurer is not so large as it was at the time of the last Annual Meeting. The Committee are therefore somewhat relieved from the anxiety and embarrassment which they felt; and they beg to express their cordial thanks to those Auxiliary Institutions, and benevolent individuals, by whose liberality and zeal, an amelioration of the funds of the Society has been effected. To the stated subscribers, whose pious benevolence has consolidated the interests, and supported the continued exertions of the

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On comparing a table in this report with the previous statements of the Society since its establishment, it will be seen that the number of Distressed Foreigners Relieved, from 1807 to 1814, was...... 1904 April, 1814 to 1815... April, 1815 to 1816... making in the whole four thousand and nineteen relieved since the establishment of the Institution.

1019

1096

The increase in the number of Distressed Foreigners, who applied to the Society for assistance, and were relieved within the last year, is chiefly to be accounted for by the great events which have taken place during that period. Even the happy return of peace, justly hailed, at all times, as one of the greatest blessings of Divine Providence, has unavoidably produced a sudden and violent change in the state of some branches of trade and industry, the effects of which must have pressed with peculiar weight upon a very considerable number of Foreigners. Many of these were altogether thrown out of the occupa tions which they had long usefully exercised in this country, and, desirous of returning to their native land for employment and subsistence, had not the means of effecting it; whilst others, with wives and some of them with numerous families, after a residence of several years in England, were, by the temporary suspension of their usual means of support, reduced to the last degree of wretchedness. So much, indeed, had this sudden pressure added to the number of those common cases of distress which this Institution was, in its origin, intended to relieve, that the Board could not have granted assistance to so many objects, if they had limited their expenditure to the actual receipts of the year; and they consider it as one of the happiest results of that illustrious patronage and munificent liberality which the Society had experienced in the preceding year, that the Board have, by these means, been enabled to supply a deficiency which must otherwise have compelled them either

wholly to withhold, or so to lessen their, assistance, as to render it ineffectual in a variety of cases, the most interesting and urgent.

music, and the first principles of religion are the branches of instruction pursued in this school. As the monitors are the principal spring in this machine, the greatest The Directors have with peculiar satis- attention is paid to their selection." The faction observed the beneficial effects of report (from which we quote this) enters the weekly pensions which forty persons, | briefly into the whole system of manage. many of them having helpless families, meut-strongly urges the formation of anohave continued to enjoy during the pre-ther school for both sexes, and the organization of a Sunday school for the instrucceding year. tion of adults.

The Directors feel great satisfaction in noticing here, a circumstance, forming a pleasing novelty among the occurrences of a charity, whose usual occupation is the conferring of alms.

About two years since, a Foreign Merchant, who had been reduced by misfortune, to ask some assistance from the So ciety, was provided with a small sum, without the least expectation of reimburse

ment.

In the mouth of August last, this gentleman attended the Board, with the friend who had recommended him, and stated, that, at the time of his receiving the gift of the Directors, his circumstances were such, that the amount, although small, was of incalculable service to him; and, without it, he might have sunk altogether. That since that period he had again prospered in business, and now begged gratefully to return the douation of the Society, with the addition of an annual subscription of one guinea.

This incident speaks for itself. It is one of those which alone would manifest the inestimable value of this Institution.

Here follow a number of authenticated cases, and an extract from the laws of the Society.

SCHOOLS IN FRANCE.

Another Report was delivered, Jan. 31, to the members of the Municipal Council of the town of St. Hypolite (Gard) by Dr. Boisière, respecting a school of mutual instruction, opened there in Sept. 1817. It contains 160 scholars, paying and not paying. Of those who pay, there are 114 of the Reformed Church, and 8 Catholics; of the free scholars, 30 Catholics and 8 of the Reformed. This is a Normal school, intended for the education of masters and monitors to supply all the new schools in the departments of the Gard and of l'Herault. That of Nismes will in a little time be composed of 400 male scholars and 300 female. That of Andure contains 200. At Montpellier, at Marsillargues, Congenies, Sommières, Vallerargue, Ganges, Sauve, La Salle, Alais, Usez, Vigan, similar schools are in full action, and the children are eager for instruction.

At Orthez, a school for chidren of both communions was opened with great solemnity in Aug. 1817, in the great hall of the hotel de la Marie, by M. Gabriac (son of the President of the Consistory), in the presence of Lieut. Gen. Dessein, the mayor, the sub-perfect, and a numerous and brilliant assembly. On this occasion Te Deum was sung at the same time in both churches.

COTTAGES FOR THE POOR.

The Earl of St. Vincent has lately caused two cottages to be erected on his estate at Rochettes in Essex; they are joined together, and are remarkable for their beauty and simplicity. On a plate in the centre he has placed the following inscription:

Elementary Schools upon the principle of mutual instruction, (the plan of Bell and Lancaster) are multiplying rapidly in the bosom of the evangelical churches of France. The Committee of the school of the English reformed church at Paris, have published a report on the state of that school to the close of last year. They state that it was founded in July, 1816-that it began with 3 scholars, and has increased to 200, both sexes included-and that they are under the care of separate Committees, one of Ladies being appointed to superin- For having brought up their families free of pa

tend the females. The principles on which the schools are founded are faithfully maiu tained by daily instructions from the master, and by the generous care of M. Bellot, a member of the Committee, who furnishes the monitors with particular instructions in their several duties. "Writing, reading, arithmetic, elementary, geography, church

These Cottages were erected

By JOHN EARL of ST. VINCENT,
A. D. 1918,

As an asylum to two industrious families,
URIAH and ELIZABETH PAGE,

JOHN and ANN POND,

rochial assistance,

A reward due to merit;

It is to be hoped this will excite emulation.

We have much pleasure in recording this circumstance, and especially as we are informed that this is but one of many instances of his Lordship's attention to the poor.

Poetry.

ELEGY.

Emma's Grave.

Slowly approach yon yew-tree shade,
'Neath which is grav'd the tender tale
Of her, within its fring`d turf laid,
Poor Emma, lifeless, cold, and pale!
And read the silent record there

Of one, whose life was chill'd by scorn,
Was blighted by thy damps, Despair!
And slighted love, too meekly borne.
́Oh! if some swain, of pity's mould,

Has e're felt tears bedew his eye,
The while some rustic tongue is told,
More than the lay could well supply;
Then, mem'ry to his gen'rous mind,

While musing on her hapless lot,
May trace the scene, when lilies twin'd
In wreaths, bedeck'd this silent spot.
Or, further to his fancy trace,

When scented flow'rs, and deadly rue,
O'er her white shroud and beauteous face
'Twas each young maiden's task to strew.
Perchance, more faithful still, may tell,
What sighs were breath'd of grief profound,
When sadly toll'd her fun'ral knell,

And struck with awe the hamlet round. And, o'er her grave, mark many a print

Of warbling birds with soft impress, Where many a rose of richest tint,

Has blush'd in nature's loveliness. When one, more fair than all beside,

Nurtur'd by some peculiar care, Expanded forth in leafy pride,

And shed its sweetest fragrance there. At fall of eve, this rose I view'd,

And then the balmy flow'r bloom'd gay; But ah! ere morn, each op'ning bud,

With dew o'er charg'd, had droop'd away! Like Emma was this short liv'd rose, Which met th' orient morning dew, Its leaves of beauty to disclose,

Then sink in tears beneath the view. Oh! could the sun's soft glow alone,

With genial warmth lost auty raise,
This flow'r, in lovely pride had blown,

And flourish'd still to nature's praise.
Its leaves their wonted bloom would wear,
And plac'd in Emma's bosom, twine
More fresh, when water'd by the tear
Of eyes that speak a love like mine.

THE LAST TEAR.

She had done weeping, but her eye-lash yet
Lay silken heavy on her lilied cheek,
And on its fringe a tear, like a lone star
Shining upon the rich and byacinth skirts
O' the western cloud that veils the April even.
The veil rose up, and with it rose the star,
Glittering above the gleam of tender blue,
That widen'd as the shower clears off from
Heav'n.

Her beauty woke,-a sudden beam of soul
Flash'd from her eye, and lit the vestal's check
Into one crimson, and exhaled the tear.

A LADY'S CHOICE. Supposed to be written by herself. Whene'er to change my present state, Kind beav'n shall decree,

Be this the model of my mate:

In mind and body free.

Let honour all his actions guide,
Be upright and sincere ;
Let virtue in his breast reside,

And lodge sweet Pity there.
Let him have never been the cause

Of injur'd virgin's tears;
Or sorrows which, by Nature's laws,
The feeling parent bears.

In learning and in sense complete,
And wholly free from. pride;
No foppish dress, but plain, and neat,
Have reason on his side.

Let him be gen'rous, brave, and kind,
And then, oh! may I prove,
The woman suiting to his mind,

That he can only love!

Blest with a partner to my heart,
While life's so shortly spann'd,
Naught shall divide, till death shall part,
The matrimonial band.

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'Tis good to have and feel that inward power Which doth surpass the strong man's puny

might:

Prepared thus, in life's most fateful hour

We unappalled stand, and brave its spite; But better still, and cause for praise, to have Fair conscience sitting smilingly and calm, Fresh-living hopes that look beyond the grave, And are to wounded hearts a present balm; And cheerful, wholesome thoughts, which smile and bloom

Above the body's wreck, like flow'rets o'er a tomb. C. F. W.

Hard by there is a secret green wood nook,

Happily by faries form'd, for the repose And pleasure of their queen :-a silvery brook, Reflecting all that overhangs it,-flows Musically by, with noise of many springs ;

The young birds tenant it, and woo, and pair, And silent sit to hear the thrush, who sings

His frequent song of summer-blytheness

there ;

'Twill soon be reach'd, if we use willing speed;
Then let us hence-making so little stir,
Our light steps shall not rouse the grasshopper,
I have a song to breath— a book to read-
And we will pass the hours in such employ
As shall to our twin hearts give certain joy.
C. F. W.

PLATONIC LOVE.

By J. Dunton.

Since Love hath kindled in our eyes

A chaste and holy fire,

It were a sin if thou and I

Should let this flame expire.

What though our bodies never meet,
Love's fuel's more divine;

The fixt stars by their twinkling greet,

And yet they never join.

False meteors, who still change their place,

Though they seem fair and bright; Yet, when they covert to embrace,

Fall down and lose their light. If thou perceiv'st thy flame decay, Come light thy eyes at mine; And when I feel mine fade away,

I'll take fresh fires at thine.
Thus, when we shall preserve from waste
The flames of our desires,

No vestals shall maintain more chaste,
No more immortal fires.

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