recently called upon the secretary, and had insisted upon
his accepting half a guinea as a mark of her gratitude.
As regarded the second objection, it was not at that
time, perhaps, known that a multitude of these cases
were hidden, from shame or sorrow, not only from the
eye of the world, but from the observation of social
intercourse; for it was now ascertained from correct
statistics that the number of idiots exceeded that of
lunatics. The report stated that the board had taken
two houses of great capacity—one at Highgate, and the
other at Colchester. Those establishments at present
contained 129 inmates, which, with the 15 elected on the
31st, made a total of 144. There was ample accommodation
for additional inmates, but though the receipts of
the past year had amounted to between £4000 and
£5000, additional support was necessary to enable the
board to extend to any sensible degree the benefits of the
institution.

The principle of Singing Classes is beginning to be
introduced into the army. The United Service Gazette
says—We observe that singing classes have been
introduced into the 76th Foot. We learn that the general
officer commanding the Portsmouth district intends
inviting Mr. Hullah to the garrison for the purpose of
inoculating the troops with his admirable system; and
we hear from a corps in Ireland that not only are the
men encouraged to glee and part singing, but are now in
the habit of chaunting the whole of the service in the
parish church of the town in which they are quartered.
We hope to hear of the extension of the rational and
harmonious pastime. Not only should singing classes
be instituted, but music might be taught and facilities
afforded for its cultivation at a very moderate expense.

The Common Law Commissioners are prosecuting
their labours with great diligence. It is believed that
their report will be ready before the meeting of Parliament,
and that it will contain some valuable
recommendations. The attention of the Commissioners has
been especially directed to the effects of the County
Courts Extension Act upon the business of the Courts
at Westminster Hall. It is apprehended, not without
great reason, that, in addition to the inducements of a
cheap tribunal and a speedy administration of justice in
the local courts, the existing costly and complex mode
of proceeding by action in all courts of common law will
continue still further to crowd and increase the
popularity of the inferior tribunals. To remedy this evil,
it is expected that the report will enforce the necessity
of the utmost simplification, economy, and despatch, in
all future proceedings in the common law courts, and
the abolition of all technicalities which impede a speedy
trial on the merits.

An association for Improving the Social and Moral
Condition of Labourers and others residing in the Parishes
of Windsor, Eton, and the neighbouring districts, has
just been formed at Windsor, under the immediate
auspices and patronage of the Queen and the Prince
Consort. The Duchess of Kent has consented to
become the lady patroness, and Prince Albert to be
president of the society. The vice-presidents include
Major-General Wemyss, Sir George Couper, the Dean
and Canons of Windsor, the Mayor of Windsor, and
many of the most influential residents of the vicinity.
The Hon. Colonel Phipps, the Hon. Colonel Grey, the
Hon. and Rev. Gerard Wellesley, and the neighbouring
clergy, are members of the provisional committee. The
design of the association is to encourage among labourers
and their families, and domestic and other servants,
habits of morality, good order, providence, and industry,
by the annual distribution of rewards in money and
appropriate medals. Medals will also be presented
by the royal president in special cases to the most
deserving.

The Manchester Chamber of Commerce has resolved
to send a commissioner to India, at its own cost, to
inquire into the obstacles which prevent an increased
Growth of Cotton in that Country. Mr. Alexander
Mackay, author of "The Western World," is the gentleman
selected for the duty.

The Commissioners of Woods and Forests have
completed the arrangements for carrying into effect the
projected Park in Battersea Fields. They have
purchased, for the sum of £11,000, the shooting-grounds and
pleasure-gardens of the famed Red House, on the riverbank;
and will commence without delay the erection of
the iron suspension-bridge which is to cross the Thames
immediately below Chelsea Hospital.

At a court held on the 12th, the Goldsmiths' Company
unanimously decided to award One Thousand Pounds
for Prizes to be given to those artists of the craft, of the
United Kingdom, who can produce works of the highest
design and merit in gold and sliver plate, for the
Exhibition of 1851. The sum of £1000 is to be divided into
prizes varying in amount from £300 to £20 and £10 for
works of the most costly description, which it is more
than probable will be eventually purchased by the
Company. There will be services, candelabra, church
plate, and smaller objects, even to a salt-cellar; so that
the most humble artisan in the craft shall receive his
impulse, to encourage him in honourable exertion, as
much in proportion as the first goldsmith in the land.
The various works for competition are to be forwarded
to the Goldsmiths' Hall without the name of the owner;
when each piece will be rigidly scrutinised, and those
possessing the highest standard of merit in both design
and Workmanship will be accepted and forwarded to the
Exhibition of 1851, and take their stand in competition
against the whole world.

A meeting of the Peace Society was held at Wrexham,
on the 12th. An announcement that Mr. Cobden
was to be present had doubtless the effect of increasing
the attendance. About 2000 persons were present,
though the admission was by ticket at one shilling and
sixpence each. Townsend Mainwaring, Esq., formerly
member for Denbigh, was in the chair. Mr. Sturge
gave a detail of the recent endeavours of Messrs. Burrett,
Wheeler, and himself, to put a stop to the war between
Denmark and Schleswig- Holstein. Mr. Cobden entered
fully into the objects and history of the Peace Society;
and, in the course of his speech, adverted to the fact
that in 1841 Sir R. Peel was the very first to recommend
that agitation in which the peace party and
himself were engaged. That statesman spoke of the
enormous standing armaments, and of the dangers of the
governments of Europe, and he showed that the English
government ought to endeavour to come to some terms
by which they might effect a mutual reduction of
armaments. They could therefore claim for their movement
the sanction and approbation of the most practical
statesman that had lived in our age. Mr. Cobden then
briefly adverted to the Peace Congress doctrine; and
said that the society wished, if possible, to prevent the
people from lending their money to bankrupt governments,
and those governments keeping up great military
establishments. With reference to the scorn cast upon
them that they were enthusiasts or Utopians, let people
not think that he was dreaming of the Millennium, but
let them think that he entered upon this work with the
impression that he would never see the Millennium, but
that the sword would continue to be drawn and war
waged long after his time. He did not believe that they
were going to bring about any sudden and instantaneous
change in the policy of states, but he firmly believed
that they were engaged in a work in which conscience
and holy Heaven would find cause of approbation.
Mr. Williams, M.P. for Macclesfield, moved a resolution
to the effect that this meeting, having heard the
explanations of the objects of the Peace Congress, was of
opinion that every effort should be made to induce the
government to substitute reason for physical force in
deciding international disputes, and that it is the duty of
Great Britain to set an example to the civilised world by
greatly reducing its present extensive armament. Mr.
T. Edgeworth, of Wrexham, seconded the resolution,
which was carried.

The imperfect protection afforded by the existing law
of patents, and the injurious costliness of obtaining that
protection, have lately led to the formation of a Patent-
law Reform League. On the 13th, a deputation from
this body had an interview, by appointment, with Sir
George Grey and Mr. Labouchere, at the Home Office.
The deputation having reporters with it. Sir George Grey
guarded himself, and also warned Mr. Labouchere,
when he entered the room, against expressing any
opinion. He remarked that the society had presented a
memorial to the Queen, and asked had they any statements