issuing posting-bills, descriptive of the advantages of the Society, and have drawn up bills more in detail, and containing a scale of the Society's prices for some of their principal books, which they have caused to be framed and hung up in the porches or on the doors of all the churches and chapels in the town and neighbourhood, together with printed catalogues of their parochial and domestic libraries.

The sister Society-that for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,-is still pursuing, not the even, but rugged tenour of her ways, with even more than her accustomed zeal and intrepidity. This populous town and neighbourhood have certainly not yet paid sufficient attention to the very strong claims which this Society has upon their most zealous support; but the Committe have pleasure in announcing that a King's Letter has been addressed to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, requiring them to take the necessary steps for obtaining contributions throughout the country for the renovation of its funds and the encouragement of its vast and splendid undertaking.

Norwich Diocesan Committee of the Societies for Promoting Christian Knowledge and for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Norfolk and Norwich National School Society.

THE annual meeting of the members of the above Societies was held, on the 27th of July, in the Central School-room, Norwich. The Hon, and very Rev. the Dean took the chair, and commenced the proceedings with the usual prayers.

The Rev. G. Titlow then read several interesting extracts from the last Report of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, which were ordered to be printed. The Rev. James Brown, who acted as secretary to the Diocesan Committee at the time when the last Royal Letter in aid of the Society was circulated, strongly recommended that, on a future similar

occasion, the amounts of the parochial collections should be inserted in the public journals. This suggestion was adopted by the meeting.

It appeared from the Report of the Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which was read by the Rev. J. Brown, that the friends of the Society have recently come forward liberally to relieve the Local Fund from its embarrassments, which at one time appeared formidable, there being a balance of 1307. due to the Treasurer; and a hope was expressed that it would for the future fully meet the demands upon it. During the year 1830, 593 Bibles, 873 Testaments, 2,083 Prayer-books and Psalters, and 18,386 books and tracts, were sold at the depôt in Norwich. The sum of 50l. was ordered to be transmitted to the Parent Society.

The Rev. Edward Cole next read the Report of the National School Society, which gave sufficient proof of its progressive usefulness. During the past twelve months, two daily and ten Sunday schools had been established in the county and admitted into union, affording religious instruction to an additional number of 730 children. The total number of schools in union with this Society is now 207, containing 11,317 children. Four masters and seven mistresses had been trained in the Central School, and a reward of one sovereign had been presented to five masters and mistresses recommended by the visitors in the respective deaneries. The amount of books gratuitously_supplied was 115 Testaments, 256 Prayer-books and Psalters, and 2,808 Elementary books; 50%. had been paid to the treasurer of the Norwich Charity Schools, in aid of the erection of two school-rooms in that city. The Report concluded with a well-merited expression of gratitude to the late Secretary, the Rev. J. Neville White.

On the following day the Anniversary of the three Societies was held in the Cathedral: 2,150 children (1,323 boys and 837 girls*) were

assembled in the nave, which was fitted up for service, and a very able and appropriate discourse was delivered to a numerous congregation, on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, by the Rev. Temple Frere, Rector of Roydon, Norfolk, from 1 Cor. iii. 9, "We are labourers together with God."

London Auxiliary Committee of the Gaelic Episcopal Society. Instituted July, 1831.

SINCE Our last notice of this Society, we have much pleasure in being able to announce the following names of the highly respectable individuals who have become its patrons; and to add that many donations and subscriptions have been received.

His Grace the Duke of Gordon,
The Lord Bishop of London,
The Lord Bishop of Durham,
The Lord Bishop of Winchester,
The Lord Bishop of Ely,

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield and
Coventry,

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln,
The Lord Bishop of Chester,
The Lord Bishop of Oxford,
Right Hon. Lord Kenyon,
Right Hon. Lord Bexley,
Right Hon. Charles Grant, M.P.
Right Hon. Robert Grant, M.P.
Hon. Mr. Justice Park,

Sir John Richardson.

Note. Our readers should be aware that this Society is not the same as the Gaelic Society recommended in a late number of the Evangelical Magazine.

The Antigua Branch Association of the Incorporated Society for the Conversion, Religious Instruction and Education of the Negro Slaves in the West-India Islands.

THE fourth Annual Report announces the gradual advancement in morals and religion of that class of the inhabitants of the island to whom their care and attention is mainly directed.

At St. John's there will be observed, indeed, in the Boys' School, a trifling decrease, owing to the revival of those private schools which before were abandoned, but are now remodelled from the Society's School on the National system.

Free. Slaves, Total.

BOYS' SCHOOL. At the close of 1829. 148 40 188 At the close of 1830. 118 46 164

GIRLS' SCHOOL.

Free. Slaves. Total. At the close of 1829. 70 28 98 At the close of 1830. 59 41 100 Total in both Schools, 1830. 264.

At the Midsummer and Christmas examination, both boys and girls acquitted themselves to the increasing

satisfaction of all present. On the latter occasion, the approbation expressed by the Bishop, who was then on his visit to the Island, was gladly acknowledged as a valuable testimony in confirmation of the favourable reports which have been successively given of these Schools. Straw hats, made by the boys, were produced as works of industry; and it is hoped that to the like industry, of which this was so gratifying a proof, the children may be gradually trained in various other

ways.

The appearance of the children in their new clothes reflected great credit on the exertions of the " Society for Aiding the Education of Poor Children." The girls, in their purple dresses, white caps, aprons, and mittens, failed not to attract particular notice. The experiment tried with the best boys and girls not clothed by the above-named Society, of allowing their small savings of two dogs, or three-halfpence sterling per week, (on the plan of the penny clubs in England,) to accumulate until the end of the year, was found to answer the expectations of those who kindly aided them by contributing sums to the

amount of such savings; and thus the boys were enabled to appear at the Christmas examination, in neat jean trousers of a grey colour, and the girls in plain white frocks and shoes, as also at the Christmas dinner provided for the children by subscriptions for the purpose.

The boys' school-room has been considerably enlarged, a comfortable set of rooms provided for the master, and the whole building, to which convenient offices have been added, has been put into as good repair as its decayed state will admit of. The whole expense of these improvements, to the amount of 450l. sterling, has been borne by the Parent Society in England.

Of the other institutions in the town, the Daily Meal Society, established in June, 1828, for the relief of destitute free persons of colour, now gives a daily meal to 100 persons, besides supporting entirely in its alms-houses about sixteen sick or aged individuals.

The Friendly Society has added to its numbers; and the sum of 2001. currency has been placed out on good security; the interest of which, 6 per cent., together with the monthly payments, keeps in hand a fund sometimes more than sufficient for the relief of the sick and the interment of the dead; and it is contemplated shortly to reduce the amount of subscriptions to those older members whose punctuality and attention have mainly contributed to raise the Society to its present independent and steady position. During the last quarter of the past year, when there was much sickness, the help promptly and adequately administered by the Society to its sick members, tended to shew the signal use of this Institution, and has led many more to apply for admission.

With respect to the plans pursued for the moral and religious benefit of the negroes belonging to the estates of St. John's parish, instruction through the medium of catechists having been abandoned, it is now imparted through subordinate teachers, being generally slaves belonging to the estates, who are to teach the children in the week on the properties to which they belong, and at such hours as

are most convenient, being subject to the superintendence of the Minister himself, and being required also to conduct the children under their care to the Sunday-school. This plan has been followed with much success during the past year, and there being now a Sunday-school at each of the two newly-built Chapels-of-Ease, besides the one in the town, not only are the numbers attending much larger, but the labour being divided, a better superintendence can be exercised than when they were congregated in one

School.

On the Monday after Christmasday, the negroes on the Sunday-school list, to the number of 655, were examined throughout the Broken Catechism, and reading out of the Testament. Christmas cake and beverage were then distributed among them, whilst the most deserving received Bibles, Testaments, and Prayerbooks, and other religious books from the hands of the Bishop.

The erection of two Chapels of Ease, each of the dimensions of 60 feet by 30, in the north and south extremities of the parish, chiefly for the negroes, was effected last year; His Majesty's government having contributed 250l. sterling to each, the rest being made up in manual labour, materials from the adjoining estates, pecuniary contributions from the planters and others interested in the welfare of the negroes.

The foundation-stone of St. James's Chapel was laid on September the 11th, 1829, and that of St. Luke's, on the 26th of the same month.

The ceremony of consecration was performed by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, at St. James's, on the 28th, and St. Luke's, on the 30th of December last. Decent burial-grounds were also consecrated.

The Sacrament is administered once in every month in each Chapel; and it is most gratifying to notice that mar

riages among the slaves have been more frequent during the last year than for any preceding period.

In all the other parishes, with allowance for contingencies, such as the protracted illness of the Rector of St. George, the progress of moral and religious improvement is equally visible; and in the National Schools at English-harbour, under the conduct of Mr. and Mrs. Ronan, it is gratifying to observe a farther increase in the number of children attending beyond what was stated in the last Report.

Of the aggregate number (123) 53 can read the Scriptures, and are proportionably forward in writing and ciphering, as well as in an acquaintance with the Church Catechism, and the other books of Catechetical instruction generally used in the National Schools. The other children are gradually advancing in a similar course of instruction, according to their age or time of having been at School. The girls are instructed in needlework, and some of the more destitute children are clothed.

It is with the greatest satisfaction that the Society look forward to the speedy abolition throughout the island, of that great hindrance to religious im

provement, the Sunday-market; a bill to that effect having already passed the legislature; and the quiet and orderly demeanour of the slaves during the Christmas holidays, (formerly a season of much riot,), and their anxiety to spend that time in attending at their respective places of public worship, is another very gratifying circumstance which your Committee cannot but notice as a presumptive proof of the benefits resulting from the propagation of religious knowledge among the slave population.

With regard to subscriptions, the income of the Association has been by no means adequate to the demands made upon it, the subscriptions in the island not having exceeded 431. 5s., so that the process of instruction already detailed, has depended mainly for its support upon aid received, through the Bishop, from the Parent Society, His Majesty's government, and from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

On the whole, however, the present Report will not fail to give satisfaction to all those who recognise the duty of inculcating, in a Christian country, the knowledge of the Christian faith, and the practice of Christian duty.

DOMESTIC. In the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, the rust or mildew has shewn itself upon the wheat; but we cannot learn that it is found in any other parts. In some places there is a failure among the beans; yet, taken as a whole, the crop must be considered as a full average one. In no season within our recollection have both turnips and potatoes presented a more luxuriant appearance.

REFORM.-The bill for this measure has been under discussion during the whole of this month; and upon the different clauses of it the House has usually divided, the ministry generally maintaining a majority of one hundred and upwards. The counties of Chester, Cornwall, Cumberland, Derby, Devon, Durham, Essex, Gloucester, Kent, Hants, Lancaster, Leicester,

Lincoln, Norfolk, Northumberland, Northampton, Nottingham, Salop, Somerset, Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Warwick, Wilts, and Worcester, are respectively to be divided into two parts, each division to return two members to Parliament, as if separate counties. The counties of Berks, Bucks, Cambridge, Dorset, Hereford, Herts and Oxon, are to return three members each undivided, and Glamorgan two members.

CHOLERA MORBUS.-The infection has not been communicated to this country, and the cases in quarantine have been very few. In St. Petersburgh, and the other ports in the Baltic, it no longer presents the same destructive ravages with which it first appeared. Its progress towards Germany seems to be staid.

FRANCE-On the 23d of July, the

King of the French opened the Sessions of the Chambers by a Speech from the Throne, in which he states that the finances are in a prosperous state, and the resources of France abundant; that treaties have been concluded with the United States of North America, Mexico, and Hayti; that he has increased the number of vessels employed to effect the suppression of the negro slave trade; that he has, by negotiation, obtained the evacuation of the Roman States by the Austrian troops, and for the former a real amnesty, the abolition of confiscation, and important changes in the administrative and judicial system; that in acceding to the independence of Belgium he has secured for France the demolition of the fortresses which threatened her northern frontier; that he had compelled the Portuguese, by his arms, to grant him that satisfaction which they had previously refused; and, finally, he notices the struggle of the Poles for independence, the long friendship of France for that country, and his desire to secure her liberties, and concludes by professing his wishes to preserve the peace and promote the welfare of southern Europe.

The celebration of the anniversaries passed over without any serious disorder.

BELGIUM.-On the 21st of July, Leopold entered his capital, amidst the wildest expressions of jcy; swore to maintain the rights and privileges of his subjects, and signed the constitution. He then commenced a tour of survey through his dominions. He had proceeded on this tour as far as Liege, where, on the 2d of August, he received official notice of the intention of the King of Holland to recommence hostilities on the evening of the 4th, at half-past nine in the evening. As both parties had employed the armistice in military preparation, both may be fairly presumed to have been ready for action.

Accordingly, in the night of the 4th, or early in the morning of the 5th, the Dutch army, under the command of the Duke of Saxe Weimar, crossed the frontier and established itself at Ghent, whence it advanced the following day to Dienst. During the same

time the other division, under the Prince of Orange, advanced towards Gheel, whence he afterwards directed his march upon Brussels, supported by the other divisions of the army. In these operations they had some slight skirmishes with the enemy, who uniformly fled with precipitation.

On the 12th, the Belgian forces at Louvain, commanded by Leopold in person, offered the Prince of Orange battle. It was accepted; but at the first onset the Belgians fled, throwing away their arms and accoutrements to expedite their flight. Every thing that could be done by a brave and heroic leader to animate a force of the most dastardly description was done by Leopold and a very few officers who did not partake of the general panic, but with no success. The Dutch forces immediately seized the gates and occupied the town; Leopold with a few lancers passing out at the Brussels gate only five minutes before the Dutch troops took possession of it; with this small escort his Majesty reached Malines in safety.

Here the advance of the army terminated (eight miles from Brussels), the French army, fifty thousand strong, commanded by General Gerard, and accompanied by two princes of the blood, having entered Belgium, and taken possession of Brussels. A treaty for an armistice was commenced and concluded, by which it was agreed that the forces on each side should be withdrawn, and the claims on each side settled by negotiation.

POLAND. Since our last, no action has been fought; but on each side, the dreadful note of preparation has continued to sound without intermission; the Russian forces, eighty thousand strong, with a large park of artillery, passed the Vistula before the close of July their advance towards Warsaw has been singularly slow and cautious. The Polish government appointed a commission of war, sworn to secrecy, to examine the conduct of the generalissimo and his future plans. Their report is most honourable to the Marshal, Scryznecki; they approve to the fullest extent all that he has done, and express their entire confidence in all that he proposes for the conduct of