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attendance, that the Church would derive no inconsiderable accession of strength, both present and future, from the educational arrangements which so unusual a collection of worth and talent was capable of devising.

The town from an early hour in the morning presented a gay and animated scene, the arrival of equipages containing gentlemen from all parts of the county, anxious to be present at the meeting, being incessant. The doors of the Town-hall were thrown open at twelve o'clock, and, as it had been anticipated, from the great interest which the subject of National Education and the proposition of her Majesty's ministers excites in this extensive locality and the parts adjacent, this capacious building, shortly after that time, was densely crowded.. Among the assemblage were noticed persons of distinction, of all religious sects and denominations, among whom the proceedings of the meeting appeared to excite the most intense interest. The gallery and the enclosure round the platform were also crowded with ladies of the county and town elegantly and fashionably attired.

Mr. Michael Gibbs, of Caius College, officiated as honorary secretary pro tem.

The Lord Bishop of Ely was unanimously called on to preside, and, on taking the chair, his lordship briefly opened the business of the day by making a few preliminary remarks explanatory of the nature of the meeting.

Mr. Gibbs then read the notice convening the meeting, which was as follows:

66 NATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ESTABLISHED

66

CHURCH.

A meeting of the county, town, and University of Cambridge, for the purpose of extending and improving the education of the people in the principles of the Established Church, will be held in the Town Hall, Cambridge, on Friday, the 6th day of December next. The Lord Bishop of Ely will take the chair.

"Caius College, Nov. 26, 1839."

"MICHAEL GIBBS, Sec. pro. tem.

The Right Reverend Chairman then rose, amidst great applause, and said, that he would not detain the meeting by a lengthened address. It was evident that a systematic education was much required, not only in this diocess, but in every part of the kingdom. By a sytematic, he meant a religious education according to the principles of the Church of England. In this, perhaps, if they were to attempt to build any other foundation, the very stones of the ancient colleges of the town would cry out against them for endeavouring to raise a system on such a sandy foundation. (Hear, hear). He had no doubt, from the numerous and respectable meeting now assembled, that the plan to remedy the crying evil which they would hear proposed would meet with very great support. The secretary then read a statistical account of the schools in Cambridge and the Isle of Ely, and the number of scholars educated at these establishments. This statement exhibited a lamentable want of the means for diffusing scriptural education among the children of the lower orders. The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor then proposed the following resolution:-"That it is of great and pressing importance to extend the means of education throughout the country, on the principles of the

Established Church." The reverend gentleman then said, that the people of England had almost declared, with one universal voice, that no system of national education was satisfactory to them, in which the religion of the Bible did not constitute an essential part. And they demanded that such instruction should be conducted after the principles of the Established Church, which is to be effected by the combined exertions of the clergy and laity of this kingdom.

The Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, M.P., said, he rose with much pleasure to second the resolution. He perfectly concurred in the sentiments expressed by the Vice-Chancellor, that the present system of education, not only in the diocess of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely, but throughout the country, required it to be increased and improved. That in order to render it of farther utility, it ought to be placed on the firmest of all bases, the principle of the Established Church of England.— The Very Reverend the Dean of Ely, in a very able and argumentative speech, then moved the following resolution :-" That it is expedient to form a Board of Education for the county and town of Cambridge and Isle of Ely, for the purpose of bringing into connexion all the Church of England schools now existing, and of establishing new ones wherever they are required." The Hon. Algernon Herbert seconded the resolution, and it was adopted.

The Reverend Professor Scholefield submitted that the following resolutions be adopted for the formation and proceedings of the Board :— 1. That the Board shall be in connexion with the Incorporated National Society for the education of the poor in the principles of the Established Church, and shall consist of a president, vice-president, treasurer, two secretaries, and a committee of twelve laymen and twelve clergymen, to be elected annually. 2. That all subscribers of one guinea and upwards, and donors of ten guineas and upwards, be entitled to vote at such elections, and to take part in the general business of the Board. 3. That a public meeting be held annually for the purpose of receiving the report of the Board, and for the transaction of general business."

The Hon. C. E. Law seconded the proposition, and it was adopted.

KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.

PROPOSAL FOR ENLARGING THE ACCOMMODATION

MEDICAL STUDENTS.

FOR RESIDENT

As that alone can be called Education which combines with instruction in useful knowledge the formation of religious and moral habits by both precept and example, so any system for the education of professional men must be considered incomplete which does not, in addition to the best opportunities for acquiring professional information, likewise provide the means of inculcating and encouraging the knowledge and practice of Christian duty.

The great defect in the system of medical education in London consists in the absence of any machinery for the religious and moral guidance

of the students. Every year affords too many instances of young men, whose prospects in life have been blasted, and their health undermined, by evil courses, into which they have been led by the baneful influence of bad company, unopposed by either advice or warning. Nor is it too much to say, that neglect of religious duties, contempt for all that is sacred, an habitual desecration of the Sabbath, accompanied by many of the vices which follow in the train of dissipation, prevail to a fearful extent ainong the medical students of the metropolis.

The merit of having first attempted to provide a remedy for this evil belongs to the founders of King's College; but hitherto their efforts have been greatly impeded, in consequence of the want of an hospital in connexion with the College. This want rendered it impossible for the education of the medical students to be completed at King's College. But as the impediment has been now removed by the establishment of the King's College Hospital, it becomes an important matter for the consideration of those interested in the success of the College, to devise some means by which its system can be most effectively brought to bear upon the medical students.

Nothing would seem more likely to benefit medical students than to afford them the opportunity of living together in a society, of which, the regular attendance upon religious ordinances, the observance of correct and gentleman-like habits, and the exercise of a wholesome restraint, would form prominent features. Under present circumstances, this is done at King's College to a limited extent. A considerable proportion of the medical students attend the daily service in the chapel, dine in the hall, and attend the theological lectures, and a few have rooms in the College, and conform to the rules prescribed for resident students. But it is obvious that the full benefits of a collegiate life cannot be obtained without residence within the College walls; the accommodation for resident students is limited to fourteen, and several of these must belong to the non-medical departments.

The object of the writer of this paper is to propose a plan, by which a more extended accommodation can be provided for resident medical students. One or more houses in Surrey Street might be taken for the purpose of converting them into Chambers. By throwing a small bridge from the houses over Strand Lane, a communication may be established with the College; it would be necessary also to close up completely the entrance to these houses from Surrey Street.

The funds necessary for carrying this project into effect might be raised in shares, not exceeding 251. each, nor is it likely that a very large sum would be required. From the present improved condition, and favourable prospects of the medical department of King's College, there can be little doubt that all the rooms thus provided would be immediately occupied. There are at present seventy-three regular or matriculated students attending medical lectures at the College, and twenty-four occasional students.

It would be necessary that the rent of these rooms should be fixed as low as possible, but even at a low rent, the writer has no doubt that a profit would be yielded sufficient to repay handsomely those who may advance their money. All the arrangements of the rooms would be under the control of the Principal, but the writer would suggest that much convenience and advantage might arise from restricting the occu

pancy of these rooms to medical students, and appointing a resident officer (tutor or dean) who, if a medical man, might not only exercise a general superintendence over the resident students, but also might assist and direct them in their studies.

T.

Reviews.

The Gospel preached to Babes, principally in words of two syllables, Square 16mo. Darton and Clark. 1839.

THE object of this neat little book is to teach a very young child some of the leading truths of Christianity in conversations with its mother. The sickness of one child leads the younger one to put some questions to the mother which produces a series of conversations, in which the mother explains to the child's comprehension the fall of our first, parents and some of its consequences, with some moral reflections. This gradually leads to the birth, life, and crucifixion of our Lord, comprehending some of the principal miracles and events of his life. The whole is embellished with very neat wood cuts: as a specimen we select the restoration of the Widow's Son at Nain.

[graphic]

The little volume is very neatly got up, and will be an appropriate

present, as the language is adapted to the understanding of a child, and the larger words are divided into syllables.

Both one in Christ; by ALFRED MORITY MYERS. Second Edition.

It is a source of much pleasure to see that, " Both one in Christ," has gone to a second edition. The simplicity of the author's style, the affection of his language, and the earnestness of his appeals, only require reading, for admiration and commendation. The reader invariably lays down this little work with the apostle's words, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved," or the glowing feeling which made the Psalmist say, "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion." By a singular versatility of genius, the author manages to adapt his book to all. The divine is pleased with the theology; the historian with the research; the antiquarian with the allusion to the ancient customs of God's ancient people. There is a word of caution for the Gentile, touching the stumbling-block so often cast in their elder brother's path for the Jew, in addressing his beloved brethren, every energy is roused within, while he holds up to them the torch of divine truth, proclaiming this is the way, even Christ, "Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye crucified;" he rivets their attention, he overpowers their minds with the strength of his demonstrations; (oh that they would read,) and in love would he win them, that they may be all "one in Christ." The controversialist will find this volume useful as an antidote to the poison of socinianism, and the abominations of Rome. We were surprised by the analogy it shows between rabbinism and popery; exemplifying that the latter is the religion of the natural heart, exactly suited for its several corruptions. The author's testimony against Rome is strong; he feels for his brethren who have perished in her shallows, he knows how great a stumbling-block her idolatries are to the inquiring Jews embracing Christianity; he himself has been disgusted with the hollow mummery of her pageantry, therefore would he too say, "Come out, come out of her, my people, and be ye not partaker with her in her sins." We need not enlarge upon the merits of the work; it commends itself. The author is an Israelite. His brethren were chosen of God to hold the pen of inspiration, to minister on Jesus, "who took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham." We see his family standing like a mighty arch entire in the city of the universe, while on every other the ravages of time's unsparing hand is visible.

D.

Vegetable Organography, or an Analytical Description of the Organs of Plants; by A. P. De Candolle; translated by Boughton Kingdon, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. London: Houlston and Stoneman, Paternosterrow; Houlston and Hughes, Strand.

Ar a time when the study of Botany is so much in vogue, and the press of this country is teeming with works upon this science; a few of which are good, but the majority useless, or worse than useless; we hail, with delight, the appearance of one, the reputation of which cannot be doubtful. De Candolle's fame throughout the scientific world has long established him as the first botanist of the age, and his works have been,

VOL. II.

H

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