need the story of unversity booours, more particularly when the extreme imalness of the soCELT S Les act pent At this time there are but four odergraduates there who could have trd for the university scholarship. Al of these were candidates; one gained the prize; and the other three, Taring. Yooge, and James, The

fact is remarkable, and must have some other cause than chance. Several years ar, not caly Kingsmen but Etenians octained less than the proportion of classica. prizes. A considerable reform has of late taken place in the mode of electing scholars to King's, and more recently in the mode of instruction at Exca.

Ireload Church Elvation Society.At the annual meeting of the above society, the Lord Bishop of Kildare in the chair, the following letter from the Lord Primate was read:

Armagh, April 9. “Sir.—As I feel the most lively interest in the prosperity of the Church Education Society, it is with much regret that I announce to you that I am prevented, by unavoidable circumstances, from presiding at the meeting of that society on Thursday next.

"My opinion remains unchanged with regard to the necessity of founding education on the basis of religion, and, in my view, the absence of religious instruction in schools is an evil for which no secular acquirements can compensate. It gives me sincere pleasure to learn that the number of schools in connection with the Church Education Society has increased during the past year so as to amount now to upwards of 1,600, affording instruction to nearly 100,000 children.

I cannot but lament that these excellent and successful schools should be denied a share in the funds granted by parliament for the education of the poor in Ireland. I would hope, however, that this circumstance will stimulate the friends of scriptural instruction to make the greater exertions to provide the means of supporting them. It is my earnest prayer that the divine blessing may rest on the society, and that the children who have the privilege of being educated in its schools may manifest in after life the practical efficacy of that religious teaching which it is the aim of the society to impart to them.—I remain, your faithful servant, JOHN G. ARMAGH."

National Society.-A meeting of the masters and mistresses at present under training in the National Society's estabishment, Westminster, was lately held in the central school sanctuary, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial of their respect, accompanied with a suitabie address, to the Rev. James Hill, M.A., their late clerical superintendent, on his promotion to the head-mastership of the Royal Naval School, Greenwich. The venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, who was present, with the Rev. Mr. Kennedy, the secretary, and Mr. Wilson, the headmaster of the central school, expressed himself, at the conclusion, much gratified with the proceedings, observing that the expression of gratitude and respect on the part of the masters was as highly creditable to themselves as to Mr. Hill, and would give the secretary and himself increased confidence in recommending them for appointment to the clergy.

Lichfield Diocesan Board.-The fifth anniversary of this institution was held at Lichfield, on the 11th instant. Divine service at the cathedral was attended by the bishop of the diocese, the then archdeacon, and many of the neighbouring clergy, together with about a thousand children from the schools in the vicinity, which are in union with the board. It was a pleasing sight to see the children assembling, troop after troop, and taking their places in the sacred edifice. The weather was delightful, and the scene enlivening. The sermon preached on the occasion by the Rev. W. Gresley, secretary to the institution. After divine ser vice the members of the board assembled at the new diocesan training schools, to receive the annual report of the committee. It appeared that during the foregoing year seven pupils had been sent out as masters into different parts of the diocese, and the most satisfactory testimonials had been received of their conduct and efficiency, from the clergy of the parishes in which they were placed. The number still remaining under training was stated to be sixteen. The committee regretted that, owing to the smallness of their funds, no general system of inspection had been set on foot for schools in union, amounting to 380. Plans of improvement were discussed, and a very general concurrence of opinion expressed, that with continued perseverance the institution might be rendered a perma nent and valuable instrument in the important object of education.

Bath and Wells Diocesan Societies.Quarterly meetings of these valuable societies have been recently held at Wells. The training school committee reported to the board of education that the number of pupils and the character of the institution had increased during the last year and a half, but that the expenses were larger than, with a view to other objects, the present funds of the board would adequately supply. It was, therefore, agreed to discontinue the institution at Midsummer next; and instead thereof that the sum of £300 annually should be placed at the disposal of a committee, nominated by the board, to assist in the immediate qualification of adults already educated for teachers, or in preparing young persons and instructing them in the art of teaching in some school of the National Society, or in connection with it, and in the introduction of such improvements in the system of education as shall, from time to time be sanctioned by the National Society. There are now twenty pupils in the training school at Wells, fourteen being intended for future masters, and it is proposed, with the consent of their parents, to send those who are in training for masters to an establishment of the national society, or of some diocesan board, to complete their course of preparation. Exhibitions will be granted to an amount which will save the parents of these, and probably of future, scholars from a greater expense than would have been incurred by them had the training school at Wells been continued. We understand that some young men have, by the instruction they have received at the training school, qualified themselves to become masters, and are now engaged in that responsible character; that others are nearly ready; and that there are several young women, who have been instructed at other institutions by the assistance of the board, who either now are, or very soon will be, competent to undertake the duties of teaching, and that the Committee will be glad to receive applications for their services. Subscribers to the board have the first claim to be supplied.

New Government Inspectors.-Her Majesty in Council has been pleased, upon the representation of the Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education, to appoint the Rev. H.

Walford Bellairs, the Rev. Frederick Watkins, and Joseph Fletcher, Esq., to be the three of her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.

Education and Religion in the United States. In the New York Herald we find a report of a remarkable will case, which was being tried before the United States Supreme Court at Washington, and in the issue of which the American mind seems to be intensely interested, owing to the important principle involved in it. The facts of the case are the following:One Stephen Girard left by will, among other bequests, property to the amount two millions of dollars to the city of Philadelphia, to be laid out in the erection of a college for the education of male orphans. The action now pending in the supreme judicial tribunal of America is brought by the heirs-at-law of Mr. Girard, for the purpose of getting the will of their deceased relative set aside, so far as this devise is concerned. The ground on which this bequest is sought to be invalidated, and that which so deeply interests the public mind in the case, is, that one of the conditions attached to the erection of this orphan college renders it impossible that any of the children to be educated therein should receive any kind of religious instruction whatever, so long as they continue within its walls. Whether the testator was an avowed infidel, or only an irreligious professor of christianity, carried away by the plausibilities of a hollow liberalism, we have no means of knowing; but the principles on which he requires his institution to be conducted, are such as must inevitably bring up the helpless children in complete atheism.

The will expressly provides that "no ecclesiastic, missionary, or minister of of any sect whatsoever, shall ever hold or exercise any station or duty whatever in the said college; nor shall any such person ever be admitted, for any purpose, or as a visitor, within the premises appropriated to the purposes of the said college." The children are thus, in the first instance, cut off from all ministerial superintendence, from all religious care on the part of those whose duty it is especially to look after the lambs of the flock. But if they were to be put under the charge of christian laymen, as their teachers, who should diligently instil into their opening minds the principles of the gospel, the case would not be so bad. But the lay teachers of the proposed col

lege are as strictly prohibited from instructing them in religion as the clergy of all denominations are; for it is added, in explanation of the reason why the ministers of religion are excluded-" In making this restriction, I do not mean to cast any reflection upon any sect or person whatsoever; but as there is such a multitude of sects, and such a diversity of opinion amongst them, I desire to keep the tender minds of the orphans who are to derive advantage from this bequest, free from the excitement which clashing doctrines and sectarian controversy are so apt to produce; my desire is, that all the instructors and teachers in the college shall take pains to instil into the minds of the scholars the purest principles of morality, so that, on their entrance into active life, they may, from inclination and habit, evince benevolence towards their fellow creatures, and a love of truth, sobriety, and industry, adopting at the same time, such religious tenets as their matured reason may enable them to make."

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Thus the poor orphans, for whose benefit this institution is professedly intended, and who may be admitted at the age of 6, and remain till that of 18, are, during all that time, to be absolutely cut off from all scriptural instruction, and by consequence to be compelled to grow up estranged from all sabbath observance, and all religious worship whatever. The question, then, which agitates the minds of American christians is Can a bequest of this nature be legal?" "Will the law of the United States give its positive sanction to an atheistic institution-an institution which not merely makes no provision for the religious tuition of its young and helpless inmates, but which positively makes their religious instruction impossible?" This is a brave question. A decision on a similar case had already been given in the circuit court of Pennsylvania; and worthily enough the judicial authorities of that state, which has avowed the laxest morality in the union, have given judgment in favour of infidelity. The present case is tried before the supreme court, and the decision, if hostile to the cause of religion, will fix the law for all the other tribunals of the country.

By the last arrival from America, we notice that the judges of the supreme court of the United States, have decided unanimously in favour of the validity of the will and the correct action of the executors. Scottish Guardian.

Marine Society.-The annual festival of the friends of this society was celebrated on the 17th of April, at the London Tavern: Lord Marsham presided. About eighty gentlemen sat down to dinner. After the removal of the cloth, "Benedictus" was sung in a very efficient style. The customary loyal toasts were given, and enthusiastically responded to. The "Army and Navy" followed, and was acknowledged by Colonel Astell for the army, and Admiral Lord Radstock for the navy. The boys of the establishment were then introduced, and walked round the room. They were fine healthy lads, and their cheerful looks and cleanly appearance elicited the general admiration of the company. A letter was read from the Earl of Romney, president, regretting his inability to attend, in consequence of severe indisposition, and enclosing donations from himself and Lady Romney. Among the toasts proposed during the evening were those of "The East India Company," and "The Elder Brethren of the Trinity House;" both of which bodies contributed each 100 guineas to the funds of the society. Her Majesty was also graciously pleased to give a donation of 100 guineas, and the Queen Dowager of 10 guineas to the society. Among the subscriptions, which in the total amounted to nearly £1,000, were several of £50.

Governesses' Benevolent Institution.· The first anniversary festival held for the purpose of giving publicity to this recently created institution, and for increasing the funds from which hereafter benefits are expected to result to a very useful, and hitherto somewhat neglected, class of persons, took place on the 20th April, at the London Tavern, Bishopgate-street. The chair was taken by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, supported by a very strong staff of stewards, amongst whom were the following noblemen and gentlemen:-Lord Dartmouth, Lord Jermyn, Lord Ashley, Lord Sandon, Lord H. Cholmondely, Lord Calthorpe, Lord Teignmouth, Mr. B. B. Cabbell, &c. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cam bridge addressed the company on the importance of the institution they were met to support. Several of the company, and amongst them Lord Sandon, Mr. C. Dickens, and Mr. B. B. Cabbel, advocated the claims of the governesses, more particularly upon those the heads of families. The honorary secretary, announced the lists of subscriptions amounting in the whole to upwards of £1,000.