following recommendations to the Secretaries and Conductors of all National Schools. They trust, that, by proper attention paid to these, the desirable object may be attained of improving the general discipline and conduct of the schools, and of preserving them in the more exact and regular practice of the system.

1. They desire to record it as their decided opinion, that great advantages would be derived from making the duty and interest of the Masters and Mistresses of schools, in all cases, to be inseparably connected; by rendering their emoluments, in some way or other, dependent on the general improvement, good conduct, and number of the scholars.

2. They consider it essential for the wellconducting of the schools to have only one Official Visitor; who would, very frequently, and at uncertain hours, inspect the school and examine into the improvement of the children. This duty can never be so well performed as by the Resident Minister of the Parish; but, in the absence of a Resident Minister, it would be desirable that this duty should be undertaken by the Treasurer, the Secretary, or some one of the subscribers well acquainted with the system. It seems desirable that only one person should take upon himself this interesting task, with a view to secure uniformity in the instruction and discipline of the school; although the assistance of weekly or monthly visitors, especially if they would direct their attention only to the general state and discipline of the school, would be highly advantageous,

8. Other points of equal importance with the preceding are, that the Official Visitor should especially direct the Master's attention to the necessity of taking care that there should be a constant supply of teachers; that particular attention should be paid to the detailed instructions recommended by Dr. Bell on this matter, as well as to all the other leading principles laid down in his Manual; and that, for this purpose, his Manual should be invariably placed in the Hands of every Master and Mistress.

Queries relative to Sunday Schools. In the course of this year, the attention of the Committee has been directed to the subject of Sunday Schools. They strongly feel the necessity and im. portance of such schools, with a view to the great purpose of extending, on the widest scale, a Church-of-England Education; and they are well aware, that, in many manufacturing districts where the children of the poor have the opportu nity of working at a profitable employ. ment from a very early age, it is only or principally at the Sunday School that they can imbibe any lessons of religious and moral duty. The Committee having never been in possession of any

accurate account of the number of the Sunday Schools existing throughout the country, they considered that general inquiries, sent to the Parochial Clergy on this subject, would not only obtain matter of useful and satisfactory information to be laid before the public, but also might, in many instances, induce the formation of a Sunday School, where none had been before established. Under these considerations, they have requested the sanction of the Archbishops and Bishops to the measure of sending Queries, relative to this subject, to all the Parochial Clergy. This sanction having been readily accorded, the Queries are now in a course of circulation, and the Committee indulge the hope, that, from the Answers to these Queries, they will obtain much important information, to be communicated to the Society in their next Annual Report. Pecuniary Grants.

Grants were made, in the year, to 63 places, for the erection, extension, or fitting-up of School Rooms: these Grants varied from 51. to 2501.; and amounted, in the whole, to 43307. The largest were as follows: to Chetwynd, Churchill, Debenham, Langport, Llandrinio, Llanfihangel, Tormoham, and Totness, 100%. each-to Eyam, Fazeley, and Southport, 1207. each-to Faringdon, 1251.—to Dartford, North Meols, and Sheffield, 150l. eachto

Wokingham,180.-to Falmouth, 2007.-and to Romney, 2501.

rious instances and with success, to obtain the payment of a small weekly sum from the parents of the children: the sum usually required with each child is 2d. weekly; which is reduced, in cases where there are three scholars belonging to one family, to 4d. for the three. The plan has been lately adopted in the Central Schools of the Society, as will appear from the following extract of a Circular issued by the Committee:

On Tuesday Evening, Dec. 12, 1826, the Children belonging to these Schools were assembled, with as many of their Parents as could make it convenient to attend. It is estimated that upward of 400 of the parents or friends of the children were present.

Charles Holehouse, Esq., in the Chair. The object of this Meeting was, to interest the parents of the children in the importance of giving them a good education; and to inform them of the Resolutions which the Committee had come to, of making these Schools PAY

SCHOOLS.

The children were examined. First, a number of the Girls exhibited specimens of needlework and writing; after which they read some passages of Scripture and were examined thereon. The boys were then examined in writing and arithmetic, in which they shewed considerable proficiency: after reading some Scripture Lessons, they were questioned, not only on the parts which they read, but generally on various parts both of the Old and New Testaments, on which they gave such satisfactory answers as proved that they possessed a general knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and the leading principles of Religion.

It was highly gratifying to observe the deep interest which the parents evinced on this occasion; and they appeared very much pleased with the im provement made by their children.

The friends of the children appeared satisfied with the proposal, which was acted upon when the Schools opened in January and it will be gratifying to the Subscribers and Friends of the Society to be informed, that, by the adoption of this measure, nearly 50%. have already been added to the Funds of the Establishment, and that the regular at tendance of the children has considerably

That the HOLY SCRIPTURES of the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT be recognised as the sole rule and guide of all our purposes and proceedings.

That our proceedings have an ESPECIAL reference to the well-being of the HEBREW PEOPLE: seeing they are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, who is over all, GOD blessed for ever. Amen.

That our designation be the ABRAHAMIC ASSOCIATION, or some other sIMILAR designation.

That persons desirous of becoming Members of the Society be admitted upon the recommendation of any individual already a Member.

That ALL Meetings of the Members be Open Meetings, at which any Member be at liberty to attend.

That contributions to the Society be made for such particular purpose, and at such times, and of such an amount as the respective contributors may approve; but that all contributions in aid of the general objects of the Society be appropriated as the majority of the Members may approve.

That the Society appoint such Of. ficers, and meet at such times and places, and make from time to time such regulations for conducting their proceedings, as may be necessary.

The Committee have stated the following as

Some of the Purposes of the Association in respect of the Hebrew Nation. To circulate the Holy Scriptures and Tracts among the Hebrews-to promote religious information by Lectures and other suitable means-and to employ Readers to the adults of that Nation.

To establish Day and Sabbath Schools for Hebrew Children.

To visit and relieve sick and aged Hebrews at their own habitations, and afford relief to distressed married Hebrew Women during the period of their confinement.

To procure the removal of Civil Disabilities from the Hebrew People, and promote their NATIONAL welfare.

To forward the objects of the Society in other countries as opportunities may arise.

The Members meet at No. 8, Salvador House, White Hart Court, Bishopsgate Street, on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at seven o'clock in the evening. The Secretary is Mr. William Brooks.

USEFUL-KNowledge SOCIETY.

THE Design and Plan of this Society were stated, at pp. 303-305 of our Volume for 1825, under the head of "General-Knowledge Society": its present appellation has been adopted as more expressive of its object, of which and of its plan it is said, in a Circular lately issued

The Object of the Society is strictly limited to what its title imports, namely, the imparting of useful information to all classes of the community; particularly to such as are unable to avail themselves of experienced teachers, or may prefer learning by themselves.

The Plan proposed for the attainment of this object, is the periodical publication of Treatises, under the direction and with the sanction of a superintending Committee.

From the Circular just mentioned we extract the following particulars. Series of Treatises to be issued by the Society.

As numerous Societies already exist for the dissemination of Religious Instruction, and as it is the object of this Society to aid the progress of those branches of General Knowledge which can be diffused among all classes of the community, no Treatise published with the sanction of the Committee shall contain any matter of Controversial Divinity, or interfere with the principles of Revealed Religion.

-Each Scientific Treatise will contain an Exposition of the Fundamental Principles of some Branch of Science

their proofs and illustrations—their application to practical uses, and to the explanation of facts or appearances.

-For this purpose, the greater Divisions of Knowledge will be subdivided into Branches; and if one of these Subdivisions or Branches cannot be sufficiently taught in a single Treatise, it will be continued in a second.

-When any part of a Subdivision is of sufficient practical importance to require being minutely pursued in its details, an extra or separate Treatise upon this part will be given, without interrupting the Series; and care will be taken, as far as possible, to publish those Treatises first that relate to subjects the knowledge of which is necessary for understanding those which follow — the object being to furnish the means of acquiring, step by step, the whole of any department of Science, to the study of which interest or inclination may lead.

-To each Treatise will be subjoined a reference to the works or parts of works in which the same subject is disfor enabling the student, who may feel cussed more at large; with suggestions so disposed, to prosecute his studies further.

-Each Treatise will consist of about 32 pages Octavo, printed so as to contain the quantity of above one hundred ordinary octavo pages, with neat Engravings on Wood, and Tables: it will be sold for Sixpence; and one will appear on the 1st and 15th of each Month. Reading Societies, Mechanics' Institutions, and Education Committees, in the country, will be furnished with supplies at a liberal abatement in price.

These Treatises will embrace all the useful branches of Science and of Art-Intellectual, Ethical, and Political Philosophy-and the History of Nations and Individuals.

duction from the publication price, for gratuitous distribution.

-That the Committee shall promote the establishment of Local and Provincial Committees throughout the United Kingdom, for extending the object of the Society, and facilitating the attainment of it by every means of co-operation which may be suggested for that purpose.

-That every person who shall have gratuitously contributed a Tract, which shall have been published under the sanction of the Committee, shall immediately be considered an Honorary Member of the Society, and eligible on the Committee.

There are many other Rules, and all are formed with the view of providing, under the conduct of an efficient Committee,

-the practical means for ensuring steady adherence to the object of the Society, and for most efficaciously securing a due execution of the plan proposed, with all such improvements of detail as experience may from time to

time dictate.

Hatchard and Son, entitled, “The Colony of Sierra Leone vindicated from the Misrepresentations of Mr. Macqueen of Glasgow."

this work is thus stated in the The more immediate occasion of Preface

The following sheets contain the substance of a Letter, addressed to a Member of Parliament, who expressed a desire to know my opinion respecting the charges which had been preferred against the Colony of Sierra Leone, by Mr. Macqueen of Glasgow, in Blackwood's Edin-. burgh Magazine for December last. Since this communication was made, Mr. Macqueen has put forth, in Blackwood's Magazine for this month (March, 1827), another long tirade against Sierra Leone and those connected with it; containing little more than a reiteration of the accusations brought forward in his former article. To answer these in detail, would be merely to go over again my former ground; and this is the less necessary, as His Majesty's Commissioners of Inquiry have returned from the Colony, and their Report will, probably, be soon laid before Parliament.

Mr. Macaulay's Vindication takes a wide range; and conveys very valuable information relative to the Expense of the Colony to this country-its progress in Civilization, Education, and Religion-its Industry, Trade, and Agriculture-its Climate-its Influence on the neighbouring Tribes-and the condition and prospects of the Liberated Africans. He notices a few particulars in which, as he conceives, the past mode of management has proved injurious to the Colony, and produces many testimonies to its state of improvement and the prospects opening before it.

As opportunities may serve we shall avail ourselves of the facts and reasonings of this work at present we shall limit ourselves to a few

points of chief importance.

Statement of the Case between the Colony and its Opponents.

In reference to the unwearied attacks made on Sierra Leone, Mr. Macaulay thus enters on his state

ment of the case between the Colony and its Opponents

The friends of Sierra Leone have for some years ceased to notice, with any degree of seriousness, these often refuted calumnies; but the unwearied hostility ofits enemies has not, on that account, abated: their unfounded and disproved charges have been repeated again and again: thay have been transferred from Newspaper to Magazine, and from Magazine to Newspaper, until the country has been made to resound with tales of Sierra-Leone Enormities, and SierraLeone Calamities; and a very general, but I trust to shew a very unjust, idea has prevailed, that, for every purpose of civilization and improvement, this Colony has entirely failed-that the experiment there made has not only been enormously expensive, but that it has been grossly mismanaged, and has proved abortive. It is confidently affirmed, that Great Britain has obtained nothing but disappointment by all her exertions and all her expenditure; and that a consideration of the nature of the place concurs with the experience of the past, in proving, that there can be no hope of any better results for the time to come.

At length, Mr. Macqueen, one of the oldest and bitterest enemies of Sierra Leone, comes forward with a long-matured and elaborate article, intended to concentrate, in one view, all the charges against this ill-fated Settlement; and which has for its direct object to convince the public, that, after all that has been done there, after the heavy expenditure of life and money which has been incurred in establishing it, it ought, even now, to be abandoned; and instead of vainly continuing to waste any farther exertions or expense upon so hopeless a Colony, that a new experiment should be commenced in the unknown forests and unexplored mountains of Fernando Po. Mr. Macqueen is well known to be an able and acute controversialist: and it is not unfair to suppose, that, in a laboured work, brought out at the opening of Parliament, for the evident purpose of influencing the minds of the Government and Legislature on this favourite question, he would put forth all his strength, and would condense in it all the fruits of his unwearied investigations, of his reading, and of his correspondence that every possible accusation would be preferred, and every particle of attainable proof exhibited, in order to

To establish these charges, he puts forward hardy assertions, often without an attempt at proof-quotes pretended extracts from public documents-and, in a few instances, refers to the statements of individuals. Being well aware, however, that contrary assertions, proofs, and statements had been adduced, and would again be adduced, he makes a bold attempt to get rid of them all by the following sweeping chargeand delusion has been practised upon this

A studied system of deception, imposition,

country by those connected with Sierra Leone, and who also assumed to themselves the whole direction and controul of African Affairs during the last thirty years. The length to which this system has been carried almost stantiated by undeniable facts. It is time exceeds credibility, and yet it can be subthe veil was torne asunder.

It would be an unnecessary, as well as an unproductive task, to wade through all the publications which Sierra-Leone Sophists have sent forth since the year 1791, to adduce their flattering and pompous statements, place and its concerns, in proof of their conregarding the flourishing condition of the cealment of the truth. In every one of them, and in every page of them, these deceptions abound and are to be found.

The only proofs which Mr. Macqueen adduces, in support of this charge, are extracts from the Reports of the African Institition, resting on the Authority of Sir Charles Mac Carthy or of the Church Missionary Society, witnesses at least as much to be relied upon as Mr. Macqueen, who himself has never been at Sierra Leone. His assertions, indeed, however bold, are, and may be shewn to be, either the fabrication of his own brain, or the unsupported and often anonymous accusations of others. As for the proofs which he pretends to give from various publications, I shall hereafter examine their weight.