arbiters in such cases), between the impersonal
munificence of an ancient foundation and the
direct gift of living people, who are known to
suffer in pocket for what they do, and who
necessarily acquire a certain right of control in
virtue of what they have bestowed. We are
most sensible of the large amount of good
effected by the Duck-lane Club among a class
that is generally too poor and too unaccustomed
to such work to help itself; but we should prefer
to see the working orders, as a rule, in a position
of entire independence in this as in other
respects. Five hundred members at twopence a
week, with a few quarterly and yearly payments,
will set one of these clubs on its own legs.
Surely this is not too much to expect of artisans
and labourers, more especially as the expenditure
is certain to be accompanied by a saving in many
unlooked-for ways.

Unless these clubs are made self-supporting,
they can never be in a position of independence
from external influences—from the caprices of
well-intentioned tyranny, or the blight of patronage.
Institutions for the benefit of working men
should originate among, and be managed by,
themselves. None but working men know
thoroughly what working men want; besides, the
habit of self-government is in itself no mean
help towards a higher personal life and a
greater fitness for the duties of citizenship.
With regard to the sale of beer and the chances
of drunkenness, we would refer to an account,
published in the first number of this journal, of
a rural club where beer is vended without any
restriction, and with no ill results whatever, It
should also be borne in mind that social rest and
social recreation for the artisan and his family
are the great objects to be attained in these
institutions. Too much ambition in the matter of
education is very likely to do them an injury
rather than a good. Why is the working man,
of all men in the world, to be perpetually ashamed
of wishing to be amused and pleased?

SCHOOLMISTRESS AND ORGANIST.

WANTED, at Christmas, a TRAINED AND
CERTIFIED SCHOOLMISTRESS, for a mixed
Rural School, to teach Singing and play the Organ.
Salary £45, with residence. Apply to the Vicar of
Grumbleton.

Such was the announcement in the National
Society's paper, which, for all I know to the
contrary, may be found there, with a changed date
in it, to this day. Miss Sniggles, one of the
pets of her Majesty's inspectors, had thrown
Grumbleton into a fit of excitement by entering
into an engagement for another situation
without taking advice of anybody, and without
letting her lords, the school committee, or what
was worse, her lady visitors, know a word about
it. It was of no use to remonstrate with the
young woman, Drowse said, for she was
determined, and that too, with his help, to give up at
Christmas the name of Sniggles. Hence
hub-bub, and advertisement aforesaid.

Drowse looks harassed and fidgety. He has
had twenty letters this morning, he says, all
dubbing him Vicar of Grumbleton, all applying for
the situation, and most of them requesting
particulars, which, he says, he has not time to give.
But if the first post brings such a packet, what
will not the subsequent posts bring, as the
advertisement gets through the pickets of
readers into the thick of the great scholastic
host? "Look here," says Drowse, spreading
the heap of letters before me. "Three damsels
from Scotland, all for coming south. Welsh
girl, can sing and play the harp. A harp isn't
an organ. Can't make out the address. Nine
consonants and two vowels in it. Look at this one:

"' Rev. Sir,—Being an unprotected female,
twenty-six years of age, shall feel obliged by
your informing me whether the school-house is
in a lonely situation, or near the churchyard;
whether you provide fuel, and what number of
children in average attendance? If suitable, I
would apply for the cituation, and would give
you every satisfaction if elected.

"' Yours most humbly,

"'MARTHA DUNK.

"' P.S. I can play the barrel-organ, but not
the other kind.'

"What must I tell," says Drowse, "that
young woman, or this?

"' Rev. Sir,—I beg to offer myself as a
candidate for your school. I am trained and
certified. Can sing, play the organ, teach knitting
and sewing (double and single hemstitch).
Arithmetic by a new and improved process. Am
married, husband will make himself generally
useful: could be overseer, or if a vacancy should
happen, parish clerk, if you, reverend sir, fully
approved of him.

"' Yours obediently,

"' EMILY WHALEBONE.

"' P.S. Am a strict disciplinarian.'

"Bless us," said the vicar, " here are six
references offered by the strict disciplinarian,
with a husband who can be made generally
useful. Shan't write to any of them. Thirty
or forty letters a day before dinner, indeed! Is
that the postman? Ah, to be sure. Fifteen
more. What's this?

"'Canon Boniface presents his compliments
to the Vicar of Grumbleton, and begs to inform
him that he has a trained pupil teacher just
completing her education at Fishponds, who
will, he thinks, suit him exactly. She has a very
affectionate manner—(Halloa!)—with children
—(Oh, well)—is nineteen years of age, and a
good Christian young person. Canon Boniface
does not know if she can play the organ, but
these things (what things?) are generally taught
in training institutions.' He doesn't tell me
her name either."

My poor old friend Drowse looked round in
great perplexity, and fairly groaned over the
produce of the afternoon delivery. I sought to
soothe him by placing in his hands a letter that