The Societies' Section. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. which has a tendency not only to enlighten the mind, but to improve the heart, are generally selected, while controversial points in religion and politics are avoided. Although connected with a Presbyterian church, the association is not confined exclusively to that section of the Christian church, but is open to the members of any evangelical denomination. The meetings of the association (to which young men are respectfully invited) are held in Ranelagh schoolroom on Monday evenings, at eight o'clock. Ranelagh Presbyterian Church Young Men's Association.-The first annual social meeting of this association was held in the schoolroom of the church on Thursday evening, when about 150 ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea. The Rev. Thos. Alexander, M.A., president of the society, took the chair. The schoolroom was very tastefully ornamented with evergreens and artificial flowers, and the walls were neatly covered with pictures. After tea, the secretary read the report for the preceding year. Speeches were delivered by the chairman, who gave some reminiscences of Cambridge Philo-Union.-The dethe society; by Dr. A. P. Stewart, on bating season came to an end last "Mental Labour;" by the Rev. J.month (May). The chief debates Bigwood, on the "Importance of a have been on the following questions: Good Character;" by the Rev. W. M. -The "Ticket-of-Leave System," inStatham, on the "Influence of Young troduced by Mr. Green. "Ought Men's Societies on Social Life;" and the Britain to aid the Italians in their Rev. J. Pearsall, on the "Claims of the Struggles for Independence? chief Church upon Young Men." Delegates speakers, Messrs. Rowe, Cockerell, from Regent-square and London-wall Adams, and Threlkeld Edwards. associations gave appropriate addresses. "Would the Return of Lord John Mr. George Shield, formerly secretary Russell to power benefit this Counof the society, gave a very lucid and try?" introduced by Mr. Cockerell; facetious description of the ordinary chief speakers, Messrs. Garret, Jackson, meetings of the society, and how they Martin, Adams, Swearse, Woodly, and were conducted. Between the speeches Threlkeld Edwards. 'Ought Governvarious pieces of music were very ment to Provide the Means of Educaefficiently sung by a choir, which tion for the People?" introduced by added much to the pleasure of the Mr. Threlkeld Edwards in the affirevening. This association was estab- mative, supported by Messrs. Cocklished in June, 1852, on the principle erell, Marony, Martin, Woodly, and of mutual instruction, and has for its Jackson; opposed by Messrs. Garret, object the mental, moral, and religious Green, and Cass (the motion was carimprovement of its members. A ried in the affirmative by six to one). library has been formed, and essays on various topics are statedly produced and commented on by the members. Subjects, the treatment of 66 Has the Stage a Moral Tendency?" introduced by Mr. Garret in the negative, supported by Mr. Adams; and opposed by Messrs. Cockerell, Marony, Glasgow Association of Natural Science. The winter session of this association commenced on Thursday, November 5th. It has continued to meet once a fortnight since. During the winter, several excellent papers have been read by the members; e. g., Mr. William Little, M.A., on Marine Botany;" Mr. John Galletly on "The Chemistry of Respiration," and on Some Original Investigations on the Sugar Compounds;" and Mr. Thomas Fulton, on "The Circulation of the Blood." Two meetings will be held in March, viz.-1st, Monday, the 9th, 2nd, Monday, the 23rd, at eight o'clock p.m. All are respectfully invited to attend. Place of meeting, Religious Institution Rooms, 75, St. George's Place, Glasgow.-HUNTER FINLAY. Jun., Secretary. The resolution was se Swease, Martin, and Threlkeld Ed- using those means so as to attain the wards.-E. W. T. desired end, and concluded by going into particulars as to the number, attendance, and general improvement of the members during the past year, exhibiting a decided improvement in all these points, and expressing confidence as to the future success of the association. Mr. Robert Deaker moved the adoption of the report, and briefly addressed the meeting, congratulating the officers and members on the suc cess which had attended their operations, and urging the necessity of mental and spiritual improvement on young men. conded by Mr. R. Dowling, and passed unanimously. The chairman then introduced Mr. Millington as a deputation from a kindred association, who gave some interesting particulars relative to the establishment of young men's associations in Dublin. Mr. Samuel McComas moved a vote of thanks to the officers of the society for their services during the year; seconded by Mr. N. Seabrook, and passed. The rev. president, in an eloquent speech, treated of the present condition and future prospects of such associations; showed the necessity for them at the present day; dwelt on the improvement effected by the one over which he presided; and concluded, amidst general applause, by assuring the members of his aid and continued co-operation. Mr. S. W. Maquay moved a vote of thanks to the ladies who had kindly presided at the tea tables that evening. Mr. William R. Doyle "had great pleasure in seconding the resolution," which was carried by acclamation. The meeting separated, much delighted with their entertainment. The room was tastefully hung with garlands of evergreens, interspersed with appropriate mottoes. W. R. D., Secretary. Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, Wesleyan Chapel, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. The second annual meeting of this association was held on February 13th, in the rooms of the society. A select company of ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea. The Rev. Thomas Guard, president, was called to the chair, and, after a few remarks, called on the secretary, Mr. W. R. Doyle, to read the report. The report stated, in a concise manner, the different means of improvement adopted by the association, embracing the composition and delivery of original essays on theological, literary, and scientific subjects, followed by extempore remarks and criticism from the hearers; the use of a wellselected library; the perusal of various magazines and reviews; and the recitation of original or selected pieces, for improvement in oratory. It remarked on the best method of 282 LITERARY NOTICES. MR. MATTHEW ARNOLD, M.A., | son of the late Dr. Arnold, and prizepoet of 1843, subject," Cromwell," has been elected Professor of Poetry in the University of Oxford, and Mr. Charles Neate, M.A., the new Oxford M.P., was chosen Professor of Political Economy in the same University. Both offices are tenable for five years. ALFRED DE MUSSET, a celebrated modern French poet, died in Paris, May 1st, aged 46. ARMAND shortly to be published. CARREL'S works are We have been told that the Rev. W. WHEWELL, D.D., intends to found a new college in Cambridge. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN, whose new work," To Be or Not to Be," is just published, is in England, the guest of CHARLES DICKENS. SIR JOHN HERSCHEL has been nominated a Foreign Associate of the Academy of Sciences, Paris; and the Rev. FATHER SECCHI, of Rome, has been chosen as a correspondent in his stead. Mr. ADAMS, of Cambridge, has also been made a correspondent. be edited by HERR DUESBERG. DAVID T. COULTON, Esq., Editor of the Press, died at Brighton, 8th May, aged 46. He was highly and deservedly esteemed by all who knew him; even by his political opponents. A work, entitled, the "Threshold of | Life," which, among other MSS., he has left, will be published by Mr. Murray. The Royal Literary Fund dinner was held on 19th ult., in Freemason's Hall. The subscriptions amounted to upwards of £1,200. MISS MULLOCK, the authoress of "John Halifax, Gentleman," has a novel entitled "Nothing New" in the press. ROBERT BURNS, eldest son of Scotland's poet, died at Dumfries, 14th May, aged 70. In his youth he flirted with the Muses. On the 15th May, MAJOR CALDER CAMPBELL, a minor poet, died of heart disease, aged 59. The "GOBERT" prize of £400, so long bestowed annually on the late Augustine Thierry, which was last year given to M. H. MARTIN, author of a 66 History of France," has this HEINRICH HEINE'S works are to year been granted to M. POIRSON, author of a "History of Henry IV. of France." M. GUIZOT has just issued a ninth edition of "Essais sur l'Histoire de France," and has arranged for their translation into English. W. RUSSELL, Esq., LL.D., War Correspondent of the Times, delivered his lectures on the "Crimean War" to a crowded, fashionable, literary, and appreciative audience, on the 11th, 14th, and 16th ult. They were highly successful. ALFRED TENNYSON has another instalment of his unfinished epic, "Morte d'Arthur," in the press. G. GROSSMITH, Esq., a member of the Times' staff, has been lecturing in Swansea with much acceptance. Mr. MONTGOMERY MARTIN is arranging and selecting the papers of the late Duke of Wellington for publication. |