off the vessel which was aground; and to assure them, that, now fairly afloat again, no

effort should be wanting to keep it in good

trim.

But by far the most remarkable proof, of how much may be effected by the cooperation and zeal of Parents in the lower ranks of life, is presented in the history of the New Boys' and Girls' Schools at Devonport. There, the very Buildings have been paid for by a subscription of 17. per head, from about 400 of the Mechanics of His Majesty's Dock Yard, and others of the same rank in that town-the Schools have, from the first, been managed by Committees of the Fathers and Mothers respectively-and liberal salaries are given to two Masters and two Mistresses from the weekly payments alone, without the aid of a single subscription! Your Committee had the gratification of supplying three out of the four Teachers; but their travelling expenses from London to Devonport, and the whole of the school materials sent along with them, were promptly and fully paid for. Were such a spirit of combination as this to be propagated throughout the Country, what noble results might we not expect? Combination, not for the prosecution of political chimeras, or restrictions on the freedom of workmen when bargaining with their employers, but for the sacred object to all parents of securing to the children, whom God has given them, the advantages by which they may be prepared for the difficulties and dangers of this life, and for the enjoyments of a better in the world above.

New Schools.

A considerable increase has taken place in the number of British Schools during the past year. Your Committee have had the pleasure to see an additional one established in Spitalfields; and others rise up at the following places; viz. Beaconsfield, Wareham, Calne, Henlow, Tring, Baddow, Selby and Bradford in Yorkshire, Wigan, Chalvey near Windsor, Devonport, and, under the immediate patronage and at the sole expense of your munificent President, at Milton Abbot in Devonshire. The whole of these have been assisted in one form or other, according to the circumstances of each and your Committee's best ability. In addition to the Schools on the Industrial Plan at Lyndfield and Brighton, they have to record another experiment of the same kind about to be undertaken at Potton in Bedfordshire; and, though

they dare not as yet pronounce a positive

opinion on an alteration of so important a nature in the practice of the country, subject of repeated trials, and wish every they sincerely rejoice to see it made the success to the Benevolent Individuals who have so liberally patronized them.

Of New Female Schools the Ladies' Committee report:

Eight have been commenced in England, in the course of the last year, at the following places; viz. Beaconsfield, Cirencester, Devonport, Hackney, Hertford, Newport Pagnell, Wareham, and Woolbridge.

Instance of Extensive Good effected by an Individual.

The following account, transmitted from a distant country-town, proves how much substantial good may be effected by a single Individual, and at very little expense, in the instruction of the Poor.

Much advantage has been afforded in the supply of suitable work, through the labours making useful articles of clothing for sale. of one Lady, in managing a Work Fund for The sum originally suscribed in 1811, for the purchase of materials, was 41. 5s.: these were converted, by the labour of the children, into garments, which were sold at a small profit: the proceeds were again disposed of, from time have been, the full employment of the children to time, in a similar manner; and the effects in a kind of work most useful for them to be acquainted with, and a pecuniary advantage to the Institution to an extent scarcely to have been expected from so small a beginning. This Benevolent Female died about two months ago; and, since that time, an account of the fund has been taken, from which it appears that the total amount received, since the commencement, for garments sold, has been 4491. and that the value of the stock on hand is 334; from which deducting 3311. paid for materials, a net profit remains of 151., the shillings being omitted-a sum which has formed a how much may be effected by good managevaluable aid to the school, and has proved ment and perseverance.

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Beneficial Influence of the Schools,

From the Local Report, many interesting extracts might be gleaned, presenting unequivocal proofs of the excellent effects which have flowed from these schools, under the blessing of that God whose glory they are intended to promote. Of many of the scholars it is recorded, that they have been traced out after leaving school, and found honouring a Christian Profession by the piety and consistency of their conduct; and, of others, that, even in childhood, they have died in the peace and hope of the

Gospel, and acknowledging the benefits they had enjoyed from attending school.

RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY. Wretched State of many Parts of the

Metropolis.

WE extract, as in former years, from the Appendix to the Society's Report, the chief parts of the account which is given by its Agent of his visits to the most degraded parts of the Metropolis.

"

Saffron Hill, &c.-These parts are numerously inhabited, and many of the people are, apparently, in the last stage of depravity. There is a large banditti, known by the name of “The Field-Lane Gang: I was surrounded by many of them. There were two houses pointed out to me the housekeeper of one of them told me, that there were 40 single men in each house; and said that my books would be of use, for there was great depravity he would not keep such lodgers, but could not pay his rent without taking them in. In Blackboy Court I found many vile characters; some tipsey, others reviling one another. A man who was executed at the Old Bailey, on the 24th of March 1829, resided in this court: his corpse was carried to his mother's house in Turnmill Street: I visited his mother, and found the corpse there, and had some serious conversation with her: she has five other children: there were three neighbours with her: she was overwhelmed with grief. I spent a little time with her in prayer, and promised to carry her a Testament, as I found them destitute of the Scriptures and all other good books: she had subscribed seven-pence toward a Bible; but her husband being out of employ, she was not able to continue it. I left Tracts with them, to give the associates of this culprit, who might call upon her she was very grateful, and promised to give them.

Walworth-In a dark and ignorant neighbourbood, there is a banditti here known by the name of" Forty Thieves:" I met with some of them, and they were very rude. The Tracts were, in general, well received, and my friendly conversation attracted attention. I found several who had not a copy of either Bible or Testament: I stated to them the importance of possessing a copy of the Scriptures, and reading the Bible for themselves, that they might become wise unto salvation; and exhorted them to attend

some Place of Worship, where they might hear the Gospel preached: they attended to my conversation.

Bermondsey, &c. These places are very numerously inhabited by people of vile character. I had some conversation with them, and begged that they would

consider their ways, for they were evil :

I said, The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. I exhorted them to repent, and believe the Gospel; and to pray for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, to convince them of sin and its deformity, that they might be led to feel and know that the wages of sin is death, and that the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. It is highly important to sound an alarm in the strongholds of Satan, with a design to awaken those who are asleep, and at the same time to point out the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world; and leave the event with Him who worketh all things according to the counsel of His own will. I was much annoyed with some of the rude youths, who pressed much upon me: I had reason to believe they belonged to the nimble-fingered parties: I begged them to withdraw. I distributed Tracts and Handbills in the public-houses and skittle-grounds to those present, who were well-known bad characters.

Smithfield-I was much grieved with the corrupt and blasphemous conversation of the drovers. They received my Tracts readily. I had some conversation with them, as opportunity offered; and observed that their minds were much shrouded in ignorance and hardened in sin. I visited the various public-houses, where I found many of the drovers and others, to whom I gave Tracts; also to the publicans, at their bars. I met with a butcher whom I knew; who related to me that his mind had of late been impressed with the evil of opening his shop on Sabbath Days: he told his customers that he intended to shut up his shop on the Sabbath Day; and if they wished to have his meat, they must come on Saturdays, for he would not serve them on Sunday: his wife said that he would ruin himself, by losing his customers: he answered her, that the practice of selling his meat would ruin his soul; for what would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? He also said that he had had more business, since he came to that resolution, than he had before.

Southwark These parts are very numerously inhabited with most profane characters of both sexes. The houses are mostly let out in lodgings. The Tracts and Handbills were willingly received in general, and I observed many persons reading them in various parts. The youths were very impudent, and surrounded me a good deal: some I found had been discharged from Horsemongerlane; but these treated me with respect, from the knowledge which they had of me in my ordinary visits among them. Much distress and wretchedness are exhibited here. I distributed Tracts to those present in the public-houses, which were willingly received: they were very profane characters.

Shadwell-These parts are numerously inhabited. There are many lodginghouses here, principally occupied by seafaring men and watermen; and here are many of those people called crimps, also barge and lightermen, and numbers of chimney-sweepers and dustmen, and many miserable women: iniquity abounds. I also distributed Tracts to the watermen of the different stairs, and in various public-houses. I feel these visits painful: it is grievous to observe the examples set before the rising generation. There are great numbers of poor Irish, some of whom receive the Tracts willingly; and others refuse them, shewing their bigotry; but the Tracts were generally received willingly.

Continent.

EDUCATION SOCIETIES:

FROM the Twenty-fifth Report of the British and Foreign School Society we extract the following view of the

STATE AND PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

France-It was stated in your last Report, that the Paris Society had risen out of a state of deadness and inefficiency, to one of extraordinary animation and activity: recent accounts shew that this

zeal has not been allowed to flag; but continues to give birth to much active exertion in the cause of education-a cause which no where requires assistance more than in France. The year 1829 has also been distinguished in that Country by the formation of a New Educational Society, from which important results may be expected. The French Government recognises three different kinds of Primary Schools-those which embrace all the peculiarities of the Roman-Catholic Faith; those under purely Protestant Management; and those which, like your own, are intended for the Youth of different Denominations, and do not form a component part of the discipline of any particular Church. To the last, the Protestants had no objection; but the Roman Catholics dislike them, and, when they compose the majority, direct the application of the local-education funds according to their own views-leaving Protestant Families to the painful alternative, of either losing all the advantages of the public schools, or engaging their children in religious observances which they

selves would entertain an aversion from disliking the restraint of any moral tie. Some time ago, a Roman Gentleman, somewhat more patriotic than his neighbours, availing himself of the permission of the Government, founded a school upon a somewhat better plan than that generally adopted: a competent Master was procured; and forms, desks, books, and utensils were furnished: but what was the surprise of this well-intentioned philanthropist, when, on visiting the school a few days afterward, he found the forms and desks broken to pieces, and the children, from six to twelve years of age, hurling a pitiless shower of books and slates at the head of the unfortunate pedagogue! Recourse to Authority was useless; and the school was shut up. A Correspondent supplies the following particulars, among others :

Sicily-There are, at present, in this island, Twenty Lancastrian Schools, and about as many more on the point of being established for Boys. Others will shortly be formed for Girls in all the Colleges of St. Mary, with which almost every commune in Sicily is provided.

By these wise regulations of the Government, the illiterate, who on account of their poverty are deprived of the greatest advantages, are invited to improvement and better hopes. May the Most High bless the beneficent care of the Government, the wishes of the Citizens, and the labours of the Directors; who, with a noble emulation, have striven and strive to rival each other in the establishment and propagation of these schools!

BRITISH & FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

august Monarch encourages education: schools are becoming very general: adult peasants are instructing one another: parents are teaching their children; and children are reading what they learn to their aged relations.

The same Correspondent furnishes the following interesting facts, in illustration of this statement.

Zeal of a pious Russian Peasant in the Distribution of the Scriptures.

I was sitting a few evenings ago, reading to my Wife the 302d page of The Natural History of Enthusiasm" :

Now, if it may for a moment be assumed, that a general rectification of doctrine and practice, and a revival of Primitive Christianity, is actually about to take place, what is that preliminary measure which might be anticipated as the necessary means of giving irresistible force and universal spread to such a reformation?- what, but the placing of the Sacred Canon, the arbiter of all dispute and the fountain of all motive, previously in the hands of the people of every Country?

In viewing this passage in connection with our present engagements, we could not but be struck with its force and beauty but we had scarcely time to think of one or the other, before it was announced that a peasant wished to speak with us. I closed the book, and went to the stranger; who had come with money for 20 Russ Testaments some time since received, and to obtain a fresh supply of these precious volumes to circulate among the people who dwell in his neighbourhood. He is from a place near Peteroff, surrounded by numerous villages; some three versts, some ten, and others twenty versts distant. I cannot tell you the pleasing associations of ideas which

Increasing Desire for the Scriptures in Russia.

We have completed the distribution of Eleven Thousand Volumes, and are entered on the Twelfth Thousand; chiefly of Russ Testaments, but including various Bibles and Psalters, with Finnish, German, Polish, and Esthonian Testaments.

Among the Russians, in particular, the desire for the Scriptures increases on every side. The field is widening; and will continue to do so, as the work becomes known to the people. Some are only beginning to hear of it, and many more have not yet heard of it; but, everywhere, the people are learning to read, in a way unknown in past ages. The

with this simple-hearted and devout Christian: his coming to us just at that moment appeared like a striking illustration and confirmation of what we had been reading. We had never seen this man before; but he had long been known to us as the pious Joan Joanovitch, having previously received about 300 Testaments and Psalters. The conversation of this good man was very refreshing; and his animated description of the “hunger of the people for the word of God" would have made your heart leap for joy. I think I never saw a person who appeared more delighted at the thought of doing a little to advance the Redeemer's Kingdom. He was a poor man, and clothed in the very humblest costume of the country; but the Prophet would have