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able force and perspicuity. His Lordship mentioned the extension of the Society by the recent formation of a District Committee at Cambridge; and adverted to the great field now opened for its exertions. He concluded by stating his conviction, that the public were always ready to give its support, and that for that end it was only necessary that its designs and its wants should be laid before them. He proved, by a reference to the sums collected this year and last, the great and rapid increase which the operations of the Society had evinced.

The Resolution was seconded by William Cotton, Esq., who, with much warmth, gloried in his connexion with the Church of England and this Society. The Right Hon. the Earl of Claren

don then rose to propose the thanks of the meeting to the Fresident of the Society, the Archbishop of Canterbury. His Lordship said, he would ask any one present to describe the character best qualified to fill the chair of such a Society: and what would be the qualifications they would particularly name? These would surely be, zeal in the cause, tempered with moderation; firmness, united with mildness; strength of judgment, with urbanity of manner. In describing such qualities, observed his Lordship, it is needless to ask whose portrait am I drawing?

The motion was seconded by Mr. Gipps, M. P.

The Archbishop returned thanks, and moved that the meeting do adjourn, which immediately took place.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY AND ELY DIOCESAN COMMITTEE.

On Friday, the 5th of May, a meeting was held in the Town-Hall, for the purpose of forming "A Society in the diocese of Ely and University of Cambridge, in aid of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The meeting was attended by most of the principal resident members of the university, and by several gentlemen of the county and town.

The Lord Bishop of Bristol having taken the chair, said, he would briefly state the reason and origin of the present meeting. At the last diocesan committee meeting of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, it was suggested that means should be taken for making better known the objects of the Incorporated Society; and a committee being appointed, letters were addressed to the principal individuals in the diocese, to which answers were received by the committee, which they considered fully authorised them in calling the present meeting. His lordship then gave a brief view of the operations of the Society, by which much good has already been accomplished, and enforced its strong claims to the extended liberality of the public. One of the principal objects of the Society is to

send missionaries of the Established Church into our colonies abroad, in which so many of our countrymen reside, for the purpose of renewing in them those tenets of religion which they received in their youth, and extending its blessings to those inhabitants who are strangers to it. And, said his Lordship, if we regard the name of Christians, and rightly esteem the blessings we have enjoyed from our earliest years, it is our bounden duty to extend those blessings to others. In our colonies we have thousands of heathens under our power, who are as so many calls upon us, and the means by which we may exert our zeal; let us not, therefore, be wanting in fulfilling our destinies. It had been contended by many able writers well acquainted with the localities of India, that the attempt to interfere in its religion would lead to the subversion of our dominion over that empire. But the experiment had been tried, and the result anticipated had not followed. The exertions of the Society were conducted with much discretion, the missionaries not being left to their own judgment, but subject to the control of episcopal authority. His Lordship then read several extracts from the Report, by which it appeared

that the funds of the Society were inadequate to its increasing demands, and concluded by observing, that he trusted the meeting would consider the Committee authorised in calling upon the liberality of the public.

The Vice-Chancellor, in moving the first resolution, said, that after the able manner in which the subject had been introduced by the learned prelate, it was unnecessary for him to detain the meeting. But he begged to state, that he considered the Society deserving of general support, for it not only promoted the interests of men, but gave light and life to all around us. It was worthy of particular regard in this place, for several distinguished individuals who were educated in this university were now employed in giving their praise-worthy exertions in the extension of the objects of the Society.

The Rev. Algernon Peyton seconded the motion.

The Master of Sidney College moved the next resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. T. W. Hornbuckle, Fellow of St. John's College.

F. Pym, jun. Esq. in proposing the third resolution, congratulated the meeting upon the plan now adopted by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. It was by a public meeting that the hearts of the people were brought to co-operate with the exertions of committees, &c. and the means by which the public were made acquainted with the wants and general proceedings of a society. In the present instance, we find the funds of this Society very insufficient to carry on its extended operations. The Society has peculiar claims upon this country; and when we consider the rapidly increasing population of our colonies, too much labour cannot be bestowed in furtherance of its desirable ends. The sums collected annually by all the societies for the diffusion of the Gospel, amounted, he believed, to nearly half a million; but India alone afforded a field in which the whole of those sums might be employed. He trusted, from the statements that had been made, the meeting would render all its assistance in the promotion of the objects of the Society,

and thereby tend to fulfil the prophecy, that "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

The Rev. G. Pearson seconded the resolution.

The Rev. Professor Musgrave moved the fourth resolution, which he considered of great utility to the interests of the Society.

The Master of Jesus College seconded this resolution, he said, with much satisfaction, and considered that the accounts which were received of the beneficial effects which had hitherto resulted from the exertions of the Society called for increasing assistance.

The Master of Downing College, on moving the fifth resolution, read a letter from the Chancellor, in which his Royal Highness stated his willingness to become the patron of this Society, and his entire acquiescence in the principles and objects it has in view.

The Master of Clare Hall said, from the great anxiety always evinced by his Royal Highness, for the interests of the university, he had much satisfaction in seconding the resolution.

The President of Queen's College moved the sixth resolution, and then read the answers received from the High Steward and the Duke of Rutland, in which they expressed great pleasure in accepting the office of Vice-Patrons. The Rev. gentleman said, the Society had his most cordial wishes for its success, and he considered it deserving the support of every Christian, for it was the means whereby we are enabled to fulfil the injunctions received from the highest source, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.'

The Rev. Professor Sedgwick seconded this resolution, and observed, that the Society had his most hearty wishes. He took that opportunity of observing, that the College of Calcutta was a point from which he augured the most happy results: being intimately acquainted with the Principal of that establishment, he could speak with unqualified praise of the unbounded zeal and gigantic mind of this eminent individual; and from the

lively interest exhibited by several other distinguished persons of that establishment, he thought we might anticipate much good from their unceasing exertions.

The seventh resolution was moved by the Rev. Algernon Peyton, and seconded by the Rev. Professor Farish.

The Rev. Dr. Geldart, in moving the eighth resolution, expressed his satisfaction in being an instrument for the furtherance of the objects of the Society, and stated that he should at all times be most happy to render all his assistance.

Dr. Frederick Thackeray seconded the resolution.

The Master of Jesus College, in moving the appointment of the Secretary and Treasurer, passed a high encomium on the abilities of the two gentlemen called upon to fill those situations, and said, he thought the interests of the Society could not be entrusted to better hands.

The Rev. R. Duffield, Fellow of St. John's College, seconded the resolution.

The Rev. T. Shelford, Fellow of Corpus Christi College, took occasion, on moving the tenth resolution, to return thanks for the honour conferred upon him, and assured the meeting it might at all times command his willing services.

The Rev. T. S. Hughes seconded the resolution.

The Rev. J. Griffith, Fellow of Emmanuel College, in proposing the last resolution, likewise returned thanks, and said, he should be most happy in rendering every assistance in his power to promote the interests of the Society.

The Rev. T. Chevallier seconded the resolution.

Thanks were then voted to the Lord Bishop of Bristol for his conduct in the chair, and to the Mayor and Corporation for the use of the Hall.

NOVA SCOTIA.

We regret it was not in our power to notice at a much earlier period the numerous testimonies of esteem and regard the Bishop of Nova Scotia reIceived on his arrival in his diocese last autumn, from all ranks of its inhabitants. But though late, we do not hesitate to supply the omission now; for it is a fact alike honourable to the excellent Bishop, and the people over whom he has been chosen to preside.

The following address was presented by the ministers of the Established Church who were then in Halifax.

"MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP—

"We, the undersigned, Clergymen of the Established Church now in Halifax, for ourselves, and in behalf of our absent brethren, beg leave most respectfully to approach your Lordship, to offer on congratulations upon your advancement to the episcopal chair of Nova Scotia, and upon your safe arrival in your diocese.

"Though the rising church of this province has for several years past unavoidably sustained some disadvan

tages, from the want of the due exercise of those functions, which belong exclusively to the highest order of the ministry; yet we have had the satisfaction to see, during this period, its general concerns regulated with prudence, and its interests cherished and promoted, as far as the limits of your subordinate authority extended.

"We know that the experience which you have derived from the performance of the arduous duties devolved upon you through a series of years, by the declining health of your late lamented father, the first bishop of this diocese, and the absence of your immediate predecessor, has made you intimately acquainted with the state of the church; and we, therefore, look forward with pleasure to the benefits which may result from that superintendence and control, which you will be called upon to exercise in the high station to which you have been raised.

"And we moreover entertain a confident hope, that the labours of the clergy, aided by the sound judgment, and guided by the salutary advice of your Lordship, may be instrumental in

making this Church, under the protection of Divine Providence, a blessing to this community.

"We implore the Divine mercy, for every temporal good, and every spiritual grace, upon your Lordship."

To which his Lordship was pleased to make the following reply:

"REVEREND BRETHREN,-I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations upon my appointment to this diocese, and my safe arrival within it.

"That my humble endeavours to promote the interests of the Church, under the disadvantages in which it has been placed for some years past, have received your approbation, is particularly gratifying.

"That I may be enabled rightly to improve such acquaintance with the state of the Church, and its concerns in this diocese, as a long connexion with them has given me, is my earnest wish and prayer.

"An intimate and affectionate inter

course with the Clergy of the diocese, among whom I have lived for many years, has enabled me to appreciate their merits, and their important labours; and encourages the fullest confidence in their zealous and successful co-operation, in every endeavour to promote the glory of God and the prosperity of his Church.

"That a blessing may continually rest upon yourselves and your families, upon the congregations committed to your care, and upon all your spiritual labours among them, shall be my earnest and my constant prayer.

"Halifax, Nov. 12, 1825."

Addresses equally flattering to Bishop Inglis were presented by the Officers and Graduates of King's College, at Windsor; the Magistrates and Inhabitants of Halifax; the Ministers, Churchwardens, and Vestry of St. George's Church, Halifax; and the Minister, Churchwardens, and Congregation of St. George's, Cape Bre

ton.

POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

THE political events of the last month have been neither few nor uninteresting. Of these we select the following as most important: Distress in the Manufacturing Districts.--The unbounded spirit of speculation which had prevailed during the two preceding years, had excited a degree of activity and exertion among the master manufacturers, which, perhaps, never had a parallel. The improvements made in the construction of machinery had contributed so much to the support of these endeavours, that not only the cost of the article was considerably diminished, but the quantity of goods which could be provided in a given time was very greatly increased.

The mode by which these were disposed of, as it was frequently founded on a spirit of speculation,

VOL. VIII. NO. VI.

so it contributed to maintain it. The manufacturer consigned his goods to a warehouseman in London or elsewhere; often to a house abroad, whose agent resided in some British port; the latter made advances of money to a certain amount upon the manufactures thus placed under their control, or more frequently allowed the makers of them to draw bills, which were accepted by these agents, and then became convertible into money for the immediate accommodation of the drawers. It rarely, if ever, occurred, that the goods could be sold, and the amount remitted to meet the payment of such bills by the time they became due to accomplish this, the drawer drew new bills a few days before the former became payable, and procuring these to be discounted, the

3 c

money thus raised, was forwarded to the agent, on whom the former had been drawn, to pay them when presented; this operation was repeated until funds were received from the sale of the goods to render a farther repetition of the same course unnecessary.

The agent, besides his commission on the sale of these consignments, received a farther commission on every renewal of these drafts; the operation was therefore beneficial or profitable to him, whatever loss might be sustained by the manufacturers.

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The failure during the last autumn of some large commercial establishments, which had been deeply engaged in speculations of this kind, created an alarm, which made those possessed of money unwilling to advance it upon these securities. Many houses, whose credit had stood very high, thus became unable to pay their acceptances, which of course returned to those who had drawn them these being equally incompetent "to take them up," as it is technically called, discovered their insolvency. The alarm became general; several long-established banking-houses, which had suffered themselves, directly or indirectly, to be involved in these transactions, shared in the calamities of the period, and caused an alarm, and consequent degree of distress, greater than had ever been experienced since the time of the South Sea Bubble.

The immediate consequence of these events, particularly in the northern districts, where the system of accommodation had been carried to the greatest extent, was that of throwing many thousands of industrious poor completely out of employment. The manufacturers who traded with a real

capital, and therefore upon a firmer foundation, were now compelled to place their workmen upon what is called half-work, and at the lowest rate of remuneration; for not only did the general distrust take away the usual confidence and credit connected with transactions of business, but the quantity of goods forced upon the market by needy holders of them, or by bankrupt sales, whilst the very same causes which urged these sales operated to diminish consumption, was so great, that every expectation of being soon able to dispose of their goods at a remunerating price, entirely vanished. In few cases did the master manufacturers continue to employ their hands from any other motive than compassion; and it is only doing justice to their work people to say, that they were so sensible of the distress generally felt, and that they not only bore their portion of it, but that they yielded to very severe privations, and sustained most painful sufferings, with a patience and submission perhaps never before shown, and certainly never exceeded.

But there is a point in human affliction beyond which it requires great energy of mind, or a strong religious feeling to prevent a violent expression of it: the operatives of some parts of Lancashire seem to have felt this; and during the last month, they have broken out in various acts of outrage perfectly unjustifiable. The employment of machinery enabling one man to do the work of two or more, has always been an object of jealousy and aversion with those who only see and consider the fact, without being able to connect with it those other circumstances which require close consideration and rational examination, before

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