10. S. James's School, comprising 450 children. Rev. Mr. Hollist, incumbent; Rev. W. B. Arthy, curate; Rev. George H. Preston, curate of S. Paul's, Stalybridge; and Rev. John Howard, curate of S. Simon and S. Jude's; along with Messrs. Bent and Harris, churchwardens; Mr. Jackson, conductor, and about fifty of the teachers.

11. S. Michael's. There were three schools in procession in connection with this church, preceded by the Rev. Wm. Bleasdell, the incumbent, the teachers, and conductors. The first was the S. Michael's School, which numbers about 600 scholars; next came the Juvenile School of Industry, recently established in Blackley Street. These interesting children, 88 in number, presented a very pleasing appearance, decently and even respectably clothed a very happy contrast to their once wretched and dirty condition, wandering the streets of this large city, and tutored only to crime and wickedness. They are scholars of S. Michael's Sunday school. The interesting little company were headed by their teacher, Mr. Bryan. The third was the Colyhurst School, numbering 240 scholars, headed by their teachers.

12 & 13. S. Stephen's (two schools), numbering altogether about 800 scholars, with from fifty to sixty teachers: they were headed by the Rev. Mr. Booth, incumbent; the Rev. Mr. Huntingdon, curate; and Mr. Blacklock and Mr. Williamson, conductors.

14. S. Peter's School, preceded by the Rev. Nicholas Germon, head master of the Manchester Grammar School, the incumbent ; and the Rev. Mr. Germon, jun., curate; the churchwardens, &c. The scholars (about 300 in all) were marshalled by Mr. Booth, the superintendent, and Mr. Daniels, the conductor.

15. S. George's, Oldham Road, numbering 550 scholars, headed by the Rev. T. S. Coles, M.A., incumbent; and the Rev. W. A. Cornwall, B.A. curate; the churchwardens, conductors, and teachers.

16. All Saints' School, Oxford Road, headed by the Rev. Dr. Burton, incumbent; Mr. Owen and Mr. Knowles, churchwardens, and Mr. Bucklow, sidesman. There were above 300 children in the procession.

17. S. Philip's, Salford; 250 scholars, preceded by the Rev. Isaac Robley, incumbent; Messrs. Crichlow and Pennington, churchwardens; Messrs. Slater and Ellis, sidesmen; and twentyfour teachers.

18. S. Matthew's School, with between 400 and 500 scholars, headed by the Rev. T. R. Bentley, incumbent; with Messrs. Smith, Speakman, Harrison, churchwardens and sidesmen; and Messrs. Heathcote, Deane, and T. Hughes, superintendents, and the teachers of the school.

19. S. George's School, Hulme, numbering about 600 scholars,

preceded by the Rev. W. Whitelegge, incumbent, and Rev. Davies, curate; Mr. Topham and Mr. Pooley, churchwarden and sidesman; Mr. Aspinal, superintendent, and about fifty visitors and teachers.

20. S. Andrew's School, Travis Street, numbering 300 scholars, and preceded by the Rev. Mr. Willock, incumbent; Mr. Turner, curate; Mr. Longden, churchwarden; and Messrs. Jones and Longden, superintendents.

21. S. Jude's School, Ancoats, numbering 600 scholars, preceded by the Rev. P. J. O'Leary, incumbent; the Rev. W. Doyle, curate; the churchwardens, conductors, Mr. Biggin, superintendent, &c.

22. S. Matthias' School. The scholars numbered above 400, and were preceded by the Rev. Mr. Frost, incumbent; Rev. Mr. Elliott, curate; Mr. Lee and Mr. Pearson, churchwardens; and Mr. Chesshyre, scripture reader.

23. S. Thomas, Red Bank: 350 scholars, preceded by the Rev. J. A. Boddy, M.A., incumbent; the Rev. J. Burrows, B.A., curate; Messrs. Dale and Webster, churchwardens; and Messrs. Smith, Barratt, Davis, &c., visitors of the school.

24. S. Barnabas (new parish): 200 scholars, preceded by the Rev. John Richardson, and the Rev. B. Twedale, clergymen ; Messrs. Race and Southam, churchwardens; and the superintendent.

25. S. Simon's, Salford, numbering 520 scholars, preceded by the Rev. Ephraim Harper, incumbent; and the Rev. Samuel Webb, with fifty teachers.

There were in all about 12,000 scholars present, which is about the same number as last year. In the above order, which is regulated by the date of the consecration of each church, the procession left the square, proceeding up King-street, York-street, Mosleystreet, and down Market-street and Victoria-street to the cathedral. The teachers and elder scholars, as far as the church would accommodate them, filed off from the procession at the new western gate of the church, while the remainder were marched round by the church gates up Fennel-street to their respective schools. Some idea of the length of the procession may be formed from the fact, that before the last school had left the square, the Cathedral Schools at the head of the procession were at the bottom of Victoria-street, and just about entering the church. The number of persons attending the service, independent of scholars and teachers, was somewhere about 1,800; every part of the spacious edifice was fully occupied. The Very Rev. the Dean, Canon Sergeant, Canon Parkinson; with the Revs. W. Wilson, Minor Canon, W. W. Johnson and Richson, and the preacher of the day, the Rev. C. J. Cummings, of Cheadle, entered the church about eleven o'clock. Prayers were read by the Dean, the lessons by Canon

Sergeant, and Mr. Cummings preached, taking his text from the third chapter of the General Epistle of John, part of the first verse. The children sang, as usual, several hymns and anthems during the course of the service. The collection amounted to £42, being nearly £5 more than last year. Mr. Harris presided at the organ.

THE MAY-POLE.

THERE are yet "May-poles" in England. In many a green and rustic nook we may find "merrie England" still; and it was in this "merry month of May," A.D. 1848, that being in Ardeley, a retired village of Hertfordshire, we heard many joyous voices; and, led by the sound, we soon came to a field near the Parish Church, where the May-pole was erected tall and gay. From the top floated streamers of red and blue. The pole was entwined by ivý, laurel, and flowers: four flowery bars stretched their arms across, and at each extremity were lovely circles, thus combining the emblems of our faith and of eternity. At that moment ninety merry children of the poor, all in their best attire, were approaching the May-pole in procession, two and two. In the midst was the Queen of May, a pretty and good girl of about fourteen. Over her, as she walked, two of the teachers bore an arch of flowers, and a crown also of flowers encircled her head. Two little boys, the sons of the Parish Priest, bore the miniature of the royal standard at the head of the column, which, when it came near to the May-pole, divided into single ranks, each of which met again on the opposite side, so that a cordon round the flowery tree was formed. Then they halted and sung their songs of May, with loud and frequent hurrahs, and then they danced around it right merrily.

After some time thus spent, they again formed in procession, and marched, through the village to the parsonage house, where, after singing the Hundredth Psalm, they sat down to plum cake and tea. After the repast being over, they sung "Praise GOD from Whom all blessings flow," led by their Priest. Their little voices then joined in singing "GoD save the Queen," in which they were accompanied by several ladies and gentlemen who came to witness the happy scene, and never was the "Hip, hip, hurrah," sent forth more heartily-never so pure from the wine-excited toast, as from this innocent troop of loyal though tiny subjects, elated from the China leaf and the Indian cane, and the home-made cake, but above all by the spirit of the "merry month of May," and the feeling of security in their rural home. But their own Queen 66 Sarah " of May-her majesty was not forgotten.

She sat en

throned under her triumphal arch, and waited on by her chosen "pages" and "ladies in waiting" and "God bless the Queen of

66

May," and "bless our school," and many a greeting smile showed that she was only second in their thoughts to the Queen of those lands on which the sun never sets.

After this the flags were again unfurled, and the joyous girls and boys marched back to the May-pole, beneath which was placed a table covered with prizes for the games. These were distributed to the best runners, jumpers, &c. After this was over, and the little army of ninety had dispersed to their welcome beds-many of them having to go two miles-the mistress and Sunday school teachers and their friends were regaled with tea and cake, &c., in the school-room, and the friends of the Vicar adjourned for their refreshment to the vicarage house.

We ought to mention that this "gala" took place on the 20th of May instead of the 1st, on account of the coldness of the weather then, and many of the children being ill. Any day of Maythe month dedicated to love and happiness, the month of fresh leaves and sweet flowers and singing birds-does for the "Maypole," though to have it on the 1st, "S. Philip and S. James' Day," is certainly more correct. Nor was all this day unsanctified, for the school children, &c., had joined in prayer and praise in the church at daily morning prayer at "the holy hour of nine. When the united and ancient chanting of the " Venite exultemus,” and the "Amens" to the prayers showed that these little ones knew that they had something more important to look to than earthly pleasures, and that though much as they might enter into them, they were taught by our "holy Catholic Church" to "set their affections on things above," where lasting joys await them, far more precious than the passing ones of this world; and S. George's flag, with its blood red cross, which waved from the Church tower, seemed to remind them that amid all they must only glory in the cross of their SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, and follow Him as the Great Captain of their salvation, to the heavenly Canaan.

FESTIVAL AT S. MICHAEL'S-ON-WYRE.

THE secluded village of S. Michael's, reposing on the banks of the river Wyre, has, within the last few days, been the scene of happy faces and rustic mirth. This locality derives its name from a venerable church, whose early history can be traced to the time when Christianity was introduced into the north of England. During the last ten years a very flourishing friendly society has taken root here, under the auspices and liberal support of the Vicar. From the constitution of the society, no proceedings connected therewith must be held in a public house, the Sunday

school room being lent for all the purposes of meeting. For this occasion, the room was, with artistic skill, decorated with evergreens, scripture prints, flags, and garlands. Various mottoes were interspersed, as "GoD is love," "Feed My lambs," "Church and Queen," "True friendship," &c. About twelve o'clock the members formed in procession, and having perambulated the village, returned to the school, where a plentiful repast was provided for them by the Vicar. The after-dinner proceedings consisted of addresses from the neighbouring Clergy, and glee-singing. From the annual report which was read at the meeting, it appeared that the Society possesses a capital of £518, being an increase of upwards of £100 during the year. The total number of members honorary and benefited is 222. Agreeably to the rules, the Society closed the day by attending Divine service in the Parish Church. The Canticles and Psalms for the day were chanted to the Gregorian tones. An appropriate anthem was sung in its proper place, the choir being led by the curate. The sermon was upon S. Matthew xxii. 39, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," and the reverend preacher eloquently enforced the duties contained therein.

The festivities of the following day, the festival of the young,were much enhanced by genial weather. Proceedings commenced with chanting the ninety-eighth Psalm. In a field adjoining the time-honoured Church, these lambs of CHRIST's fold poured forth their jubilant hymn. The spot was most judiciously selected within the shadow of the Church. Faint emblem this of her maternal solicitude to shield her offspring from the fiery darts of the great adversary, the heats and passions of worldly men, and the burning lusts of the flesh! May success crown all her endeavours. But to proceed. A procession was next formed, the appearance of which was highly picturesque, owing to a profuse display of small banners borne at the head of each class, and as it wound its long length through the village, headed by the band, the most lively emotions were awakened. Upwards of 220 partook of tea, coffee, and buns, the scholars singing "Grace" both before and after the repast. Gambolling in the fields was the next amusement. We were pleased to witness the right hearty spirit in which the vicar and curate conducted the pastimes. Scrambling and racing for nuts and oranges were no less diverting to the young urchins than to the spectators, and of these there must have been some hundreds. Another procession was afterwards formed, and a walk through the delightful grounds attached to the vicarage brought us to the lawn in front of the house. Here the band played several lively tunes. The national anthem was also sung, and the cheering which followed did not leave even the shadow of a doubt as to the loyalty of her Majesty's subjects at S. Michael's. Addresses to the scholars, teachers, and parents, were given in the school.