founded at Manchester, on the basis of the late
Lancashire Public School Association, held its annual meeting
on the 22nd; and Mr. Cobden and Mr. Milner Gibson,
having accepted invitations to be present, there was a
very large attendance of members and friends of both
sexes. Mr. Cobden, in moving the first resolution,—
"That the present aspect of the educational question
gives high testimony to the value of the efforts of this
association, and promises a complete and speedy
triumph," addressed the meeting at great length in
support of the principles of the association. He contended
for the necessity of separating religious education from
secular instruction, and that if there was a time when it
was especially desirable to try the experiment it was the
present. "We have arrived," he said, "at that period
when all the world is agreed that secular education is a
good thing for society. All agreed that it is a good
thing that English boys and girls should be taught to
read and write and spell, and as much grammar as they
can possibly imbibe. There is no difference of opinion
about putting the elements of knowledge into the minds
of every child in this land, if it can be done. But while
we are united on that point, can any one who moves in
society for a moment conceal from himself that we have
also arrived at a time when we have probably more
religious discord impending over us than at any other
period of our history? When I speak of religious
discord, I don't mean merely the dissensions between the
Roman Catholics and Protestants; I will not allude to
them except so far as they lead to schisms and
controversies in the internal state of other religious bodies.
But I think there is, no doubt, at this moment looming
in the distance, and not in the very remote distance
either, a schism in the Church of England itself.
You have two parties in that Church, the one perhaps
stronger than the other in numbers, but the other far
more strong in intellect and logic, which are going
to divide the church. Then I see the Wesleyan
body also torn asunder by a schism which the most
sanguine can hardly hope to see healed. I do not think
several other religious bodies are perfectly tranquil in
their internal organisation. Now, while we have the
prospect of these great internal dissensions in
religious bodies, and while we are all agreed that secular
education is a desirable thing, would it be desirable
if it could be effected, if it were practicable—which I
believe it is not—that our national system of education
should be one united and bound up with the religious
organisations, and by which the schisms which prevail
in the churches must necessarily be transferred with
increased virulence to the schools? For bear in mind,
that what you see now pervading the churches in
Scotland, where you have an irreconcilable dispute with
regard to the appointment of masters to the parochial
schools of Scotland—a dispute between the old kirk and
the free kirk—recollect, if what I say be correct, when
you have an impending schism in the Anglican church,
you will have precisely the same difficulty in the
appointment of masters. In one parish the high church
party will predominate, and will dwell upon the necessity
of the master observing all the old forms of our church,
and enforcing all the old ritual and observances
prescribed by the Liturgy and Canons; and, on the other
hand, you will have the low church party dwelling upon
the more vital essence of religion, and encouraging the
discontinuance of those forms which the other party
regard as of greater importance. And depend upon it,
that while these discords pervade the church, you will
have them in the schools also; you will have to fight
the battle again and again to reconcile the various
religious bodies, and in the end you will find yourselves
obliged to return to the secular system which has been
adopted in the United States and in Holland." Mr.
Cobden proceeded to show the increasing application of
these principles in the formation of schools throughout
the country, and concluded by advising the association
to pursue its own course steadily, showing no opposition
to anybody, but inviting the concurrence of every one.
—Mr. Milner Gibson afterwards addressed the meeting
in seconding the resolution, and it was carried
unanimously.

The executive committee, in anticipation of the
immense addition to the Population of London during
the Exhibition, and with a view to the necessary
precautions on that account, have been in communication
with the city police, to ascertain the exact traffic of
foot-passengers and vehicles under ordinary
circumstances. Their inquiries have given the following
remarkable results:—The number of vehicles which
pass daily Bow Church, Cheapside, is not less than
13,796, which contain not fewer than 52,092 persons;
and within the same period of time there are not fewer
than 67,510 foot passengers. Of this number of
carriages it may be considered that the greatest number in
one hour is about 1103, and of foot passengers in the
same space of time about 5750, giving a total number
of persons who pass Bow Church, Cheapside, in and
with vehicles and on foot about 119,602 persons per day.
The number of vehicles which pass daily to Aldgate by
the Minories is 9332, containing not fewer than 20,804
persons; and during the same period the number of
foot passengers is 58,430. Of the carriages the greatest
number in one hour may be computed at 795; of foot
passengers in the same period, 4600: the total number
of persons, therefore, who pass through Aldgate by the
Minories is 79,234 per day. During the month of May,
the number of persons who enter the city daily on foot
and in carriages is little short of 400,000.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

On New Year's Day, the Queen made a liberal
Distribution of gifts to the poor of Windsor, of food, clothing,
and coals, to the value of £250; gifts made the more
acceptable by her Majesty's kindly presence at their
distribution. The band of the Horse Guards performed a
serenade on the New Year's morning

The good effects of the Queen's beneficence to the Poor
in the neighbourhood of Balmoral are thus described
by a local newspaper—the Arbroath Guide:—"The
Queen, the Queen-mother, the Prince, and their
interesting family, have, like summer birds, taken wings
and fled to a more genial clime. Their residence
amongst us, however, has done much good. A school
has been founded and a school-house built at
Strathgirnoch, on the Abergeldie estate, and male and female
teachers are to be placed there and provided for. The
poorer description of children in the district, and those
at a distance from the parochial school, are to be the
pupils; and the whole at our gracious Queen's expense.
A number of neat cottages are also in course of erection
near Balmoral, and at Knocks, on the Birkhall estate.
The mansion of the last-mentioned property is to be
enlarged for Prince Albert."

The Queen has granted the dignity of a Baronet of
the United Kingdom to Major-General Walter Raleigh
Gilbert, G.C.B.; to Mr. James Matheson, of Lewis, in
the county of Ross, and of Alchany, in the county of
Sutherland; and to Mr. Richard Tufton, of Appleby
Castle, in the county of Westmoreland, Skipton Castle
in the county of York, and Hothfield Place, in the
county of Kent. General Gilbert served with distinction
in the war of the Punjaub; Mr. Matheson was
formerly head of the great firm of Eastern traders—
Matheson, Jardine, and Co.; Mr. Tufton is the inheritor
of the vast estates of the late Earl of Thanet.

Colonel Hugh Rose, Consul-General for Syria, has
been appointed Secretary of Embassy at Constantinople.

Cardinal Wiseman has received autograph letters of
congratulation from the Queens of Spain and Portugal;
completing the number of the Catholic Sovereigns of
Europe who have addressed his Eminence on occasion of
his appointment.

The Order of the Garter, has been conferred upon
the Marquis of Normanby, in consideration of his
important services as Ambassador in Paris, and in several
other high offices of State.

The Queen has granted Pensions on the Civil List
of £100 a-year each to Mrs. Belzoni, the aged widow of
the celebrated traveller; and to Mr. Poole, the author
of Paul Pry, and of several contributions to periodical
literature, who is a great sufferer from bodily infirmities.

The Queen has appointed Sir James Emerson Tennent,
Knt., to be Governor of St. Helena.