A meeting, in support of the Lincoln's Inn District Catholic Schools, was held in the Mechanics' Institute, Southampton-buildings, Holborn, on 11th January, the Rev. Dr. Baldacconi in the chair.

His Holiness has been pleased to confer on the venerable and reverend John Kirk, of Lichfield, the degree of doctor of divinity. Dr. Kirk, we believe, is the father of the English mission.

On the 27th January, a solemn dirge and requiem were performed in the church of our Blessed Lady, St. John's Wood, for the repose of the soul of one of its foundressess, Miss Louisa Gallini.

The annual assembly, in behalf of the Associated Catholic Charities and the Spitalfields Catholic Free Schools, took place on Monday, the 24th of January, in the Hanover-square Rooms.

A meeting of the Virginia-street Catholic Institute was lately held at the Catholic school-rooms, Red Lion-street, Wapping, the Rev. Mr. Moore, of Virginia-street chapel, in the chair.

The anniversary dinner in behalf of the Aged Poor Society, took place on Tuesday, 1st of February, at the Freemasons' Tavern. The Hon. Edward Petre, who is always ready to come forward on all occasions of charity, was in the chair. The sum of £155 was collected for the society, and £12 for the alms-house fund.

The Very Rev. Dr. Kirwan commenced a Lenten course of lectures on Ash Wednesday, which has been continued every Friday, Sunday, and Wednesday. The reverend doctor's reputation as a preacher and lecturer, is too well established to render remark from us necessary.

The fifth anniversary of the opening of the Whitechapel Catholic Sunday Schools was celebrated on Sunday, the 6th ult. About forty out of upwards of one hundred and seventy children, received rewards for good behaviour, &c. The King of Prussia, during his late visit, presented a donation of 100l. to the German Catholic chapel, 50l. to each of the Lutheran churches in London, and 50l. to the "reformed" German church.

The marriage of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, the only son of Prince Paul Esterhazy, the Austrian Ambassador to the British Court, with Lady Sarah, daughter of the Earl of Jersey, was celebrated at Chandos House, on Tuesday, February 8th, in presence of a select party of friends, by the Right Rev. Dr. Griffiths, Vicar Apostolic of the London District. The forms of the Anglican establishment were afterwards gone through in St. George church, Hanoversquare. The young prince had prepared himself the previous evening by the reception of the sacrament of penance under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Jauch, of the German Catholic chapel, Great St. Thomas the Apostle, and received the holy communion under very edifying circumstances, the following morning, in the said chapel, from the hands of the reverend gentleman.

A copy of the "Resolutions and Rules of the City of London Catholic Literary Society, established in 1841," has been sent to us by Mr. John William Costello, the honorary secretary. We were glad to think that an addition had thus been made to our metropolitan institutions; but on perusing the resolutions, we found that this "Literary Society" is neither more nor less than the excellent "City Catholic Library," under a new name. For what reason its members resolved to change such an appropriate designation we cannot tell, nor can we discover, from the rules, anything which the body has to do as a literary society." It is because we deprecate all changes without a good and tangible reason that we have made these observations. The rules seem to be pretty well drawn up. We hope that the library under its new name, or by whatever other name it may hereafter be known, will meet with encouragement, and that Catholics who have books to spare, or duplicates, will send

them to the establishment, at 14, New-street, Bishopsgate-street. Of its evident utility there can be but one opinion.

The Catholic congregation of Southampton have presented to their late pastor the Rev. William Hunt, now of the Spanish chapel, Spanish-place, a pix and oil-stocks, and a purse containing 30l., as a small token of their

esteem."

The Somerstown Auxiliary Catholic Institute had its monthly meeting in Lawson's Rooms, Gower-street, on the 7th ult., the Rev. James Holdstock in the chair. Several excellent speeches were delivered on the occasion.

In a letter in the Tablet of the 12th ult. Messrs. A. Hensler and Sons, of Bristol allude to the difficulties against which the bishop and clergy of our holy faith have to contend in the Vicariate of Wales, and feelingly suggest the propriety of raising subscriptions for the purchasing of land for a permanent support of the vicar apostolic and his successors, whereon a seminary may be erected, with an annual income of at least 300l. As a commencement and example for all good Catholics, these excellent gentlemen have tendered a subscription of 201. F. C. Husenbeth, Esq. of Bristol, has followed up the suggestion by subscribing 107.; and we hope that the example thus set will become contagious.

The committee of the Catholic Institute have lately issued the following circular:

"1. Shortly after the last circular was issued, there was published: Tract 40, being a short account of the Life and Labours of St. Vincent of Paul,' and the Welsh translation of the Declaration of the Catholic Bishops.'

"2. And there have been also lately published two new Tracts, viz. Tract 41 (No. IX. of Mumford's Scripturist), and Tract 42, entitled,' Protestantism and Churches in the East, a Tract for the Times,' with a Postscript, occasioned by the recent creation of a Protestant bishopric in Jerusalem. The Publications' Committee, in a report made to the General Committee as to this matter, state that 'considering the importance that seems to be attached to the appointment of a Bishop of the Protestant Church of England and Ireland in Jerusalem' by a party in the Established Church, and the expectations entertained by them of an union between the Established Churches and the Churches in the East; your Committee, upon the suggestion of a reverend and learned member, resolved to publish A Tract for the Times,' on the consecration and appointment of Dr. Alexander, in which some of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, those of the Thirty-nine Articles, and the Greek Church, are placed in juxta-position, in order to show the utter impossibility of any union between the Anglican Establishment and the Greek Church.' The Postscript has reference to a Statement of Proceedings' lately published by authority.

"In order to convey a knowledge of the real doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church within the reach of the humbler classes of our separated brethren, and to neutralize the pernicious influence of the numerous misleading anti-Catholic publications which are circulated so freely among them; the Committee intend printing small tracts written in the plainest possible manner for general circulation, and three of them, titled "A sure Way to find out the true Religion, being Conversations between a Protestant and a Catholic," are now at press and will be speedily ready.

"The Committee have had under their consideration, the necessity of providing works of religious instruction for the Catholic poor, and intend to avail themselves of some useful suggestions they have received upon the subject, as soon as the state of the funds of the Institute will permit. In the meantime, they have resolved to print large editions of the Abridgment of Christian Doctrine and the Douay Catechism, both of which excellent works are now at press.

5. The Secretary has given notice, that at next Monthly Meeting, he intends to move for the appointment of a Sub-Committee to prepare petitions to both Houses of Parliament, to be signed by the members of the Catholic congregations in Great Britain, praying that an Act may be passed

1. To dispense with the funeral service of the Established Church of England in the interment of Catholics.

2. To permit Catholic priests to perform in public the funeral service of the Catholic Church over the remains of deceased Catholics.

The next Meeting of the General Committee will take place at 14, Soho Square, on Wednesday, the 2nd of March next, at Two o'Clock P. M.

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'By order of the committee,

"JAMES SMITH, Secretary." WAKEFIELD. The members of the Wakefield congregation have presented to the Rev. J. G. Morris, their esteemed pastor, a beautiful suit of robes, consisting of a cassock and gown, velvet cap and slippers, as a mark of their

esteem.

ULVERSTON.-A branch of the Catholic Institute was formed for this place on 26 Dec.

WALSALL.-A public dinner was given on the 15 Dec. to John Whitgreave, Esq. the late Catholic Mayor, at which Robert Scott, Esq. the member for the borough, presided.

MORPETH.-Midnight mass was celebrated by the Rev. Mr. Lowe, on last Christmas-eve, according to his usual practice.

A branch of the Catholic Institute was formed for this town on 1st January last, of which the Rev. G. A. Lowe is president.

LIVERPOOL.-Lord Clifford has given an additional donation of five pounds in aid of the Catholic Benevolent Society.

On Saturday, 23rd January upwards of a hundred of the boys attending St. Patrick's schools, which are under the care of the brothers of the Christian schools, received the holy communion. Between sixty and seventy wore the attire of the holy guild.

The monthly meeting of the Liverpool branch of the Catholic Institute was held on Thursday, 20th January, at St. Peter's school-room, Seel-street, the Rev. Dr. Appleton in the chair.

A society named St. Mary's was sometime established here for collecting funds for the purpose of building a church and school in the densely populated district of St. Mary's. The first annual dinner of the society took place on Tuesday, 21st January, at the Grecian Hotel, John Rosson, Esq. in the chair.

WESTBROMWICH.-A Catholic tea party, at which about one hundred Protestants attended, took place here on the 28th December, on occasion of the re-opening of the Catholic school-room, at which the Hon. and Rev. George Spencer presided.

ALNWICK.-On Christmas-day, the Catholics of this town presented to Mr. Robertson, the organist of St. Mary's church, a gold watch, chain, and a cross with a breast pin, as a testimony of their regard and approbation.

SHREWSBURY.-On Sunday, Dec. 19th, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Walsh administered the sacrament of confirmation to forty-seven members of the Catholic congregation, of whom twenty-seven were converts.

BIRMINGHAM.-The Birmingham Catholic Club had its annual dinner on 3rd January, Mr. Hunt, the Venerable president, in the chair.

DEAL.-On Sunday, 2nd of January, the new Catholic chapel was publicly opened for divine service.

TAMWORTH.-A tea-meeting, in support of the Catholic charity-schools, was held on the 21st December, the Rev. James Kelly in the chair.

HULL.-The Catholics of Hull presented to their excellent pastor, the Rev. Mr. Render, on the 6th January, a handsome inkstand, as a testimonial of their high esteem and gratitude. Mr. Woodvine read an appropriate address, to which the reverend gentleman made a suitable reply.

LEEDS.-On Tuesday, the 11th of January, the Catholics of Leeds presented to the Rev. J. Walsh, late pastor of St. Anue's church, a gold watch and chain, as a testimonial of their regard. The ladies of the congregation also presented the reverend gentleman with a cap, cassock, alb, cope, and two sets of vestments. The vestments were of rich scarlet and purple silk damask, and were the gift of James Holdforth, Esq. late Lord Mayor of Leeds.

MIDDLESBOROUGH.-On the 18th of January, upwards of three hundred ladies and gentlemen, including many Protestants, partook of tea in the large room of the Exchange, the Rev. Mr. Walsh, the newly appointed pastor of this new mission, in the chair. The Rev. Mr. Dugdale of Stockton-on-Tees, acted as vice-chairman.

DERBY. A tea-festival and concert was lately held here towards the support of the Derby Catholic Book Society. The result was such as to induce a resolution to hold another meeting after Easter.

CLIFFORD - On the 18th January, the new chapel of this place was opened for divine service.

MANCHESTER.-On Thursday, the 20th of January, the congregation of St. Chad's church presented the Rev. Wm. Turner, their late esteemed pastor, now removed to St. Augustine's, with a handsome gold watch and guard," as a testimonial of the high esteem which they entertain for his character; of their admiration of his eminent pastoral virtues; and of the affectionate gratitude with which they shall ever remember his valuable services."

BRISTOL.-The anniversary meeting of the Bristol Catholic Library and Reading Room, was held on Monday, 31st January, at the "Black Horse," West-street.

FELLING, NEAR NEWCASTLE.-The opening of St. Patrick's church took place on the 25th January. A school-room is attached to the chapel.

PORTICO, NEAR PRESCOT.-The Rev. John Holden, the Catholic pastor of Portico, has lately made a moving appeal to the benevolence and charity of the faithful, as well as Protestants of all denominations, in behalf of schools for the poor children of his mission. In Prescot, there are many hundreds of poor children, chiefly of Irish parents, growing up in the most lamentable ignorance and depravity of manners, for want of the blessings of education; and to enable the pastor to build schools and apply a remedy to this evil, he humbly solicits contributions, which will be received by the Very Rev. Richard Thompson, Weld Bank, Chorley; Rev. Dr. Appleton, Seel-street, Liverpool; Revs. R. Lythgoe and J. Brownbill, 14, York-place, Baker-street, London; or by the Rev. J. Holden, Portico, near Prescot, Lancashire. We beg strongly to recommend Mr. Holden's claims upon Catholic sympathy.

ORMSKIRK. On the 3rd of January the annual ball in aid of the funds of the Catholic school was held in the town-hall. Upwards of 300 persons were present.

OXFORD.-A respectable Protestant tradesman of this city, and his family, were received into the Catholic Church, on last Christmas-day, by the Rev. R. Newshaw of St. Clement's.

PRESTON.-A ball lately took place in support of the new schools connected with St. Augustine's church. The receipts amounted to 50l.

EXETER. The children of the Catholic school were regaled with roast beef and plum-pudding, in honour of the birth of the Prince of Wales, at the expense of Miss Benson, a benevolent lady of the Catholic congregation.

BRINDLE. On the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, the members of the holy guild celebrated the festival in the true Catholic spirit. After being joined by the members of the guild of St. Wilfred, the whole, to the number of about one hundred and seventy, went in procession round the chapel bearing lighted tapers, and afterwards ranged themselves on their knees round the altar during a solemn benediction.

UGBROOK.-On Saturday, the 15th January, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Baines, V. A. of the Western District, administered the sacrament of confirmation in the chapel of St. Cyprian. His lordship delivered a most eloquent and impressive address on the occasion, which has been very fully reported in the Western Times. It is also to be found in the Tablet, of 22nd of January.

NORTH SHIELDS.-A Catholic tea-party took place in one of the Catholie school-rooms, on the evening of Monday, 10th of January, at which the Rev. Mr. Gillow presided, supported on the right by Mr. Temple, bookseller, and on the left by Mr. George Tyzack, merchant: Mr. R. Turnbull acted as vicechairman.

NOTTINGHAM. On the Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, about thirty persons habited in guild cloaks, and preceded by the cross, walked in procession from the boys' school-room to the chapel, where they were invested with the collar and shield by the Rev. Mr. Willson. About one hundred Catholic gentlemen dined together in the evening; the Rev. Mr. Willson in the chair.

Newport, Isle OF WIGHT. On Sunday, the 16th of January, the Rev. Mr. Sibthorp addressed a mixed congregation in the Catholic chapel, explaining his reasons for becoming a Catholic. A correspondent of the Tablet says, that his discourse was "most able and eloquent."

WARRINGTON.-On the 10th of January the annual ball in aid of the funds of the Warrington Catholic Sunday-school Society, took place in the Music-hall.

BRINDLE.-On Monday, 10th of January, the annual ball, in aid of the Catholic-school, took place in the Catholic school.

FRIAR'S GOOSE.-The foundation stone of a new chapel at Friar's Goose, on the north bank of the river Tyne, was lately laid.

NEWARK. A branch of the Catholic Institute was formed here on the 3rd of January last. The Rev. James Waterworth, President; Mr. George Harrison, Jun. Secretary; and Mr. William Winter, Treasurer.

OSCOTT COLLEGE.—On the 8th ult. the philosophers and rhetoricians of this excellent establishment, gave a musical concert.

HULL.-The christening of the Prince of Wales was celebrated_by_the Catholics of this town on the 2nd ult. in the Wilberforce Rooms in St. John Street, on which occasion a handsome silver snuff box was presented to the Rev. Henry Newsham of Hedon, for the services rendered by him to the Hull congregation during the Rev. Mr. Render's absence.

LIVERPOOL.-The annual Catholic charity ball took place in the Town Hall on the 7th ult. It was well attended, there being about seven hundred persons present.

CAMBRIDGE.-A new Catholic church, under the invocation of St. Andrew, is to be erected in this ancient seat of Catholicism, and an eligible situation has been already purchased by the Right Rev. Dr. Wareing, for its erection. Money, however, is wanted for the structure; and the bishop has therefore authorised the Rev. Mr. Shanley, who since Feb. 1841, has officiated at Cambridge, administering the consolations of religion to hundreds of poor Catholics in that city and the neighbourhood, to collect subscriptions. We cannot too strongly recommend this case to the charity of the faithful.