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National Society.

by Robert Owen, Esq. whose success-cated under its benevolent auspices. ful exertions at New Lanark have It also stated that the principles of the been long before the public. The school were extending, that thirty chair was taken by Mr. Lockhart. masters had been prepared to give Mr. Owen; Sir W. De Crespigny; the plan circulation, and that eight Mr. Maxwell, M. P.; Mr. Rowcroft; missionaries had made themselves Mr. Perkins; Mr. Baldwin; and Mr. acquainted with the branches of its Younge; together with several other economy, in order to carry the system gentlemen, took part in the discus- into foreign parts. The influence of sion. In the result, several resolu- this liberal plan had been felt almost tions were put, and carried almost una- from the equator to the pole. Russia, nimously. India, Ceylon, and South America, had enjoyed its beneficial effects, as well as various kingdoms and comThis anniversary took place at the munities within the range of these central school, Baldwin's Gardens, wide extremes. The debts at this Grays-Inn Lane, on the 15th of May. time due from the fund to individuals, The Archbishop of Canterbury took amounted to nearly £6000. The exthe chair. His Grace was followed on penses during the last year had exthis occasion by a numerous train of ceeded the receipts by more than the nobility and gentry, among whom | £450; but the advantages to mankind were, the Archbishop of York; the can hardly be estimated. Bishops of London, Llandaff, Lincoln, St. Asaph, Gloucester, and Worcester; Archdeacons Watson, Blomfield, and Prosser; Lords Radford, Kenyon, and Gardiner; Sir James Langham and Sons; Sir R. Woodford: Sir E. Dollen; Mr. Wilberforce; and the Rev. Doctors Renny, Yates, and Shepherd. The children assembled, amounted to 486 boys and 206 girls, whose artless and decent appearance created a very powerful feeling in their behalf. Several of these children were examined as to their proficiency in Christian learning; and their answers to the numerous questions proposed, were highly satisfactory to the company that had assembled on the occasion.

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British and Foreign School Society. The 17th anniversary of this liberal charity, was held on Thursday, the 16th of May, at Free Masons' Hall, His R. H. the Duke of Sussex in the chair. The meeting was unusually crowded with persons of high respectability. Among those who honoured it with their presence, without taking an active part in the business, were, the Duke de Broglio; Professors Cairns and Hanna, of Belfast; Professor Blumhardt, of Basle; Lord Suffolk, and several others.

The report was read by the Rev. G. Clayton. From this report it appeared, that the central school, in the Borough Road, contains 500 boys and 300 girls, and that from its commencement 21,396 children had been edu

The principal speakers on this occasion were, Rev. G. Burder; W. Allen, Esq.; Mr. Wilberforce; Rev. Rowland Hill; Baron de Stael, from France; Rev. Mark Wilks; Mr. Evans, M. P.; Rev. Mr. Cox, of Hackney; J. Randolph, Esq. Member of the American Congress; Mr. Van Owen; Rt. Hon. Lord Ebrington; Rev. Dr. Schwabe; the Rev. Nich. Bull; and Thomas Spring Rice, Esq. M. P. At the conclusion of the meeting a handsome collection was made at the door, several of the ladies condescending to hold the plates. Protestant Society for the Protection of

Religious Liberty.

Among the numerous societies which have lately held their anniversaries, there is not one that has excited a more lively interest, than that for the protection of religious liberty. Of this spirited and benevolent institution, the eleventh anniversary was held in the great room of the City of London Tavern, on Saturday, the 11th of May, when Lord John Russel was called to the chair.

It is well known, notwithstanding the lenient spirit of our laws, that many individuals, armed with power, and actuated by mean and bigoted principles, have seized every occasion that presented itself, to harass and perplex numerous persons, who, from conscientious motives, cannot submit to certain established rites. Thus oppression, taking shelter under the sanctions of law, has, in many instan

ces, presented a formidable front, from whose frowns the timid and the indigent have been compelled to retire, not knowing how to obtain redress. Actions such as these, gave birth to this society, in which wealth and legal talent are united, to shield the defenceless from the iron hand of oppression, to watch over the religious privileges which the laws of our country recognize, and to cite before higher tribunals, those who, in their local districts, imagine that their decisions are law.

The advantages which have already resulted from this institution are almost incalculable; but their full extent can never be adequately known. Numerous grievances the society has been known to redress; but it is highly probable, that its existence has prevented many acts more repugnant to the spirit of the British constitution than any which have been developed. It appears also, from the various instances adduced at the present anniversary, that the spirit of persecution still walks, so that the active members of the society, instead of relaxing their labours, have need to watch with the eyes of Argus, and to exercise a most unremitting vigilance.

At most of the anniversaries of this society, the commanding eloquence of Mr. John Wilks, one of the present secretaries, has excited deep attention, and called forth bursts of applause. On the present occasion his speech continued about three hours and twenty minutes, during which time it kept alive an unabating solicitude, in a large and highly respectable audience, who felt themselves deeply interested in the topics which were discussed.

In a general notice of the various anniversaries which have taken place in the metropolis, to which necessity compels us to confine ourselves, it is impossible that we can do any thing like justice, either to the eloquence of the speaker, or the importance of that cause which he so ably advocated; and what is more unfortunate for us, the emanations of a gigantic mind are not to be drawn in miniature.

Mr. Wilks, after traversing the kingdom, and exposing to the hisses and contempt they deserved, the puny efforts of provincial tyranny and persecution, directed his steps to the

continent of America, and recrossing the Atlantic, took a survey of France, of Spain, of Portugal, of Italy, and of Greece, in all of which he hailed the dawn and progress of Christian knowledge, and observed a movement towards that grand result, when the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of God and of his Christ.

The other speakers on this occasion were, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, of Gosport; Rev. S. Lowel, of Bristol; Rev. John Townsend, of Rotherhite; Rev. Matthew Wilks, of London; Rev. Dr. Stiles, of Brighton; and the Rev. Timothy East, of Birmingham. By each of the above gentlemen many appropriate observations were made, the substance of which, together with the general outline of Mr. Wilks's speech, may be found in the supplementary number of the Philanthropic | Gazette for May 24th.

Home Missionary Society.

The third annual meeting of this society, was held on Monday, May 13th, at the City of London Tavern. On this occasion the attendance was so great, that vast numbers could not gain admittance; and after some time had elapsed, it was found necessary, although two large rooms were filled, to procure a third at another tavern. In the upper room, at the former house, R. H. Marten, Esq. presided; in the lower, Thomas Thompson, Esq.; and the Rev. Dr. Collyer in the room occupied in the other tavern. The report states, that the society has 22 missionaries, whose labours extend over a village population of 80,000 souls, and that in 159 villages, they have 15,000 hearers, and several thousands of children in their Sunday schools. During the past year the receipts amounted to £3000, and the expenditure to £3500, so that a debt of £500 remains for public benevolence to discharge. On this occasion, many of the speakers, whose names have been repeatedly mentioned, again appeared to much advantage, in connection with others, which our limits will not permit us to insert.

Religious Tract Society.

This institution is of long standing. Its 23d anniversary was held on Friday, May 11th, Joseph Reyner, Esq. in the chair. The company was both

numerous and respectable. During | cism is now removed. As it is probathe last year 5,222,170 tracts had been ble no description of this extraordiissued. Since the commencement of nary creature has yet reached Engthe society, forty-five millions had been land, the following particulars rethrown into circulation. Several of specting it may gratify your curiosity, the speakers, whose names have been and amuse you :repeatedly mentioned, distinguished themselves on this occasion, and many interesting facts were stated, proving, beyond dispute, the utility of the institution. We regret that our want of room prevents us from giving some of these in detail.

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Several other benevolent institutions celebrated their respective anniversaries, among which were The Irish Evangelical Society," for spreading among the unenlightened natives of Ireland the principles of evangelical truth;--"The Society for promoting the enlargement and building of Churches and Chapels ;"-That for the "Translation of the Scriptures into Foreign Languages;"-"St. Patrick's Charity," for the clothing and educating of poor Catholic children;-"The Continental Society," for circulating the Scriptures on the Continent;- "The Merchant Seamen's Society," for supplying merchant ships with Bibles and Testaments;- "The Scottish Hospital;" and "The Philanthropic Society," established to provide for the children of convicts and other criminals. For this vast mass of benevolence, diffused throughout an extensive population, we are indebted to the benign principles of revelation.

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"The head is almost the size of that of a baboon. It is thinly covered with black hair, hanging down, and not inclined to frizzle. On the upper lip and on the chin there are a few hairs, resembling those upon the head. The ossa malarum, or cheek-bones, are prominent. The forehead is low, but, except in this particular, the features are much better proportioned, and bear a more decided resemblance to the human countenance than those of any of the baboon tribes. The head is turned back, and the countenance has an expression of terror, which gives it an appearance of a caricature of the human face; but I am disposed to think that both these circumstances are accidental, and have arisen from the manner in which the creature met its death. It bears the appearance of having died in great agony.

"The ears, nose, lips, chin, breasts, and nipples, fingers and nails, resemble those of a human figure.

"The spinous processes of the vertebræ are very prominent, and apparently arranged as in the human body.

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From the position of the arms, and the manner in which they are placed, and from such an examination as could be made in the circumstances in which I was placed at the time I saw it, I can have no doubt that it has clavicles; an appendage belonging to the human subject, which baboons are without.

fords sufficient evidence that it is full "The appearance of the teeth afgrown; the incisores being worn on the upper surface. There are eight incisores, four canine, and eight molares. The canine teeth resemble those of a full-grown dog; all the others resemble those of a human subject.

“The length of the animal is three feet; but not having been well preserved, it has shrunk considerably, and must have been both longer and thicker when alive than it is now. Its resemblance to the human species ceases immediately under the mamma. On the line of separation, and directly under the breast, are two fins. From

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the point where the human figure | which are produced by lightning in that city, ceases, which is about twelve inches may be specially attributed. below the vertex of the head, it resem- Ipswich, has recently added another invention Architectural Improvement.-Mr. Whiting, of bles a large fish of the salmon species. to those which have distinguished him for It is covered with scales all over. On fessional ingenuity. It is a Lintel for the openthe lower part of the animal the scalesings in brick-fronted houses, instead of the resemble those of a fish; but on that arch, either straight or curved. Simple in its part of the animal which resembles construction, and neat in its appearance; the human form, they are much less, its material is cast-iron; it promises to supercheap, for it spares labour; and durable, for and scarcely perceptible, except on a sede, in most cases, the method that has near inspection. On the lower part hitherto been pursued. of the body it has six fins, one dorsal, two ventral, two pectoral, and the

tail.

"The pectoral fins are very remarkable; they are horizontal, and evidently formed as an apparatus to support the creature when in an erect posture, like that in which it has been sometimes represented combing its hair.

"The figure of the tail is exactly that which is given in the usual representations of the Mermaid.

Improved Mode of soldering Cast-Steel Artisolder, or brass, for uniting the highly-concles. Instead of employing the usual speltarverted cast-steel, and which, on account of the great heat requisite to fuse it, is very likely to injure the quality of the steel, silver solder has been substituted with the most complete success; it being not only fused with a less degree of heat, but it was also attended with this advantage, that the white colour of the solder was much less distinguishable upon the joints, than when the yellow speltar solder was used.

Chemistry and Natural History, has substi Natural History.-M. Drapier, Professor of tuted, with success, in lieu of the poisonous matters employed in preserving objects of "The proprietor of this extraordi- natural history, a soap composed of potash nary animal is Captain Eades, of and fish oil. He dissolves one part of caustic Boston, in the United States of Ame-potash in water, and adds to the solution one rica. Since writing the above description, he has called upon me, and I have learned from him the following particulars:

part of fish oil: he rubs the mixture till it accompletely dry, he reduces it to powder with quires a pretty firm consistence. When it is a rasp. One part of this powder is employed in forming a soft paste, or liquid soap, by "It was caught somewhere on the means of an equal quantity of a solution of North of China by a fisherman, who camphor in masked alcohol. This liquid soap is well rubbed upon the skin of the bird, previsold it for a trifle; after which it was ously cleared of its fat, and the other part of brought to Batavia. Here it was pur- the soap and powder is plentifully scattered chased by Captain Eades for 5000 between the feathers. Thus prepared, the Spanish dollars, and he has since bird is placed in a moist situation, in order been offered 10,000 Spanish dollars that the particles of soap may soften and for it, but refuses to part with it for down, and the skin. It afterwards is put in a attach themselves perfectly to the feathers, the that sum. Captain Eades is a pas-dry place. By this means it completely resenger on board the American ship, Lion, now in Table Bay; he leaves this port in about a fortnight, and the Lion visits the Thames on her passage to America, so that it will probably be soon exhibited in London."

GLEANINGS FROM LITERATURE,
SCIENCE, &c.

Conducting Power of Tin Plate.-At a meeting of the Helvetic Society of Natural Sciences, at Bâle, M. Pictet gave a detailed report of a remarkable descent of lightning upon à house at Geneva, which had no conducting apparatus; but the roof of which was covered with tin plates, and provided with gutters and pipes of the same metal, in communication with the earth. The event proved the great importance and preservative property of the metallic covering used in the construction of the houses at Geneva. It is, without doubt, to this circumstance that the rarity of accidents

sists the attacks of larvæ, and has neither the
danger nor the inconvenience of arsenical pre-
parations, which, as is well known, stain and
down.
spoil the extremities of the feathers and

New Compass.-Mr. W. Clark, of Chatham Dock, has invented a mariner's compass on an entirely new principle. The needle consists of four arms or poles, placed at right angles, and uniting in one common centre. The two northern poles are secured to the N. W. and N. E. and the two southern poles to the S. E. and S. W. points of the card, which places the four cardinal points right between the angles of the needle, and allows the card to point north and south as heretofore, the cards now in use answering the purpose. This compass has been tried under different circumstances, and, as far as can be ascertained by the experiments already made, is allowed to possess the principles of polarity and stability beyond that of any compass now in use.

Canal Steam Navigation.-With a view to the introduction of steam vessels on canals, a very interesting experiment was lately made in the Union Canal, at Edinburgh, with

a large boat, 28 feet long, constructed with an internal movement, upon the principle of a model invented by a Mr. Wright. The boat had twenty-six persons on board; and although drawing fifteen inches of water, she was propelled by only four men at the rate of between four and five miles an hour; while the agitation of the water being confined entirely to the centre of the canal, was observed to subside long before it reached the banks, and consequently obviating its hitherto destructive tendency in washing them into the canal.

Preservation from Lightning.-Sir H. Davy, in his fourth lecture at the Royal Institution, recommends the following means of escaping the electric fluid during a thunder-storm. He observed that in countries where thunderstorms are frequent and violent, a walkingcane might be fitted with a steel or iron rod to draw out at each end, one of which might be stuck into the ground, and the other end elevated eight or nine feet above the surface. The person who apprehends danger should fix the cane, and lie down a few yards from it. By this simple apparatus the lightning descends down the wire into the earth, and secures him from injury.

Candles. An invention has just been brought to perfection, for the cutting, spreading, and twisting, of the wicks of candles; by which piece of machinery a single person can cut, spread, and twist, five rods in one minute, by which more than one half of the manual labour in the making of candles will be saved.

Literary Notices.

This day is published, New Correct Tables, upon a plan never before attempted, for finding at one view, the Amount of any Quantity of Goods, bought or sold by the Hundred Weight or Ton, to a single Farthing, and from One Farthing to Ten Pounds per Cwt. To which are added, Tables of English Weights and Measures, and the New List of Commercial Stamps. By William Wright. Baptism Discussed; containing Scripture Principles, Precepts, and Precedents, in favour of the Baptism of Infants and little Children. By Daniel Isaac. 12mo.

Queries addressed to those who deny the Doctrines of the Trinity, and the Atonement of Christ. 18mo. By W. Carpenter.

The Christian Youth's Instructor, or Bible Class Book; being a Selection of the most im. portant parts of the sacred Scriptures, in the words of the authorized text. Designed for the use of Schools (particularly Sunday Schools) and Families. By the Rev. A. E. Farrar. 12mo.

In 1 vol. 8vo. Poetical Essays, by A. J. Mason, embellished with engravings.

The Letters of Julius, vol. II. 12mo. The Sunday School, a poem, in six books, by Abraham Watmough, 1 vol. 12mo.

The History and Conversion of a Jewish Boy, 1 vol. 12mo.

No. IV. of Zoological Researches in the Island of Java, &c. &c. with Figures of Native Quadrupeds and Birds. By Thomas Horsfield, M.D. F.L.S. Royal 4to. 21s.

'Lately published: Sermons by the late Rev.

John Deere Thomas, D.D. Rector of Kirby, Misperton, 2 vols. 8vo.

Angelica, or the Rape of Proteus, a Poem, by Lord Thurlow.

Poems on several occasions, by Lord Thurlow, second edition.

To be published by subscription. Dissertations, introductory to the Study and Right Understanding of the Language, Structure, and Contents, of the Apocalypse. By Alexander Tilloch, LL.D.

Ireland. The distresses of the inhabitants in this afflicted country still continue to excite the sympathy of the English nation, and to call forth its benevolence. In almost every part, liberal contributions have been made. In the metropolis alone, the subscriptions have amounted to £220,000.

Average Price of Grain per Quarter, for the 12 Districts, from the Gazette.

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Rye. Beans. Peas. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. June22.42 5 17 0 18 618 5 24 3 24 3

29.42 6 18 4 18 10 15 6 25 11 26 10

July 6.42 6 19 4 19 018

2 27 0 26 11

13.43 1 20 2 19 318 3 27 10 28 8

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Price of Stocks, Bank Stock, 248 3 per Ct. Rd. 803 3 per Ct. Cons. 793 80 3 per Cent. 914 7 4 per Cent. 98 New 4 per Cent. 98 Long An. 20

Impl. 3 per Ct. 793 80

July

14 2, 6, 17

9, 13,

24

16, 20,

14

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London, July 26.
India Bonds 63 64 pm.
Ex. Bills, 2d. £1000,
56 pm.
Do. £500, 56 pm.
Do. small, 5 7 pm.
Lottery Tick. £24 18
Cons. for Acc. 80 79%
801

Price of Irish Stocks, July 20.

Bank Stock, 2501

Gov. Stock, 34 per Cent. 917
Do. Stock, 5 per Cent. 4
Do. Deb. 3 per Cent. 907
Do. Deb. 5 per Cent. 43
Royal Canal Stock, 214

Prices of Foreign Stock in London, June 26. French 5 per Cent. 91 75 92

Prussian 5 per Cent. Bonds 88 89
New Ditto 86

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