year, and he trusted that it would long continue to prove useful to the youth of this town. With a few more remarks to the same effect, Mr. Waldock called upon the secretary to read the report.

"Mr. F. C. Solomons then read an encouraging report of the society's proceedings during the last year, from which it appeared that the numerical strength of the association was 48. Receipts since May, 1862, amounted to £28. Very important questions had been discussed by the members at the general meetings, and among them were the following:- Is eloquence a gift of nature, or may it be acquired?'

'Is

Is the annexation of Ceylon to the Indian Government desirable?' European intervention in the American struggle desirable ?' Is the present administration of government in Ceylon satisfactory ?' Should the colony pay all its military expenses?'

'Is

co-operation or competition more adapted to promote the virtue and happiness of mankind ?' 'Ought the English Government to recognize the Southern Confederacy of America ?'

Essays

have been read on the following subjects: The causes which tend to the decline and downfall of public institutions in Ceylon,' by Mr. F. C. Solomons; 'Politics in the pulpit,' by Mr. R. Ambrose; Female influence,' by Mr. A. F. Bartholomensz; 'The Rebellion of 1848,' by Mr. A. C. Ambrose; 'An epitome of the principal events during the last quarter of 1861,' by Mr. J. H. Sproule. The committee greatly regretted the loss of Mr. W. E. Sharpe, B.A., T.C.D., who was one of their earliest members, and latterly president of the institution. During the time that he was the assistant government agent of the central province he was of great service to the association, but his promotion to the police magistracy of Kaigalle had deprived the society of his services. The committee also regretted the loss of several much estee ned members, especially Messrs. J. H. Sproule and

L. C. Wijesinha, the former of whom had been admitted proctor of the district court of Badulla, and the latter appointed Cutcherry Modliar of Ratnapoora. During the past year a good number of English periodicals have been circulated amongst the members. The Edinburgh Review, British Controversialist, North British Quarterly Review, Dublin University Magazine, Saturday Review, Cornhill Magazine, and Temple Bar, are received into the rooms, and are very generally read by the subscribers. The London agents of the association are Messrs. Saunders, Otley, and Co. Before closing the report, the committee referred to a certain periodical, published in Kandy, and known as the Literary Association Magazine. This publication was started in January, 1863, and, being the only one of the kind in Ceylon, had secured a large number of subscribers. The articles are of an exceedingly interesting nature. The Colombo Observer, which is the leading paper of the colony, had repeatedly spoken of it as the best of the kind ever attempted in the island, and this opinion had been supported by the correspondents of several other journals. The committee in this report disclaimed all connection with the magazine. They stated very distinctly that they did not hold themselves responsible for any of the statements expressed by the writers to that periodical. The concluding portion of the report called upon the members for renewed exertion.

"On the motion of Mr. T. De Waas, who delivered an eloquent speech, seconded by Mr. Dullewe, the report was adopted. Thanks were then proposed in fitting terms to the gentlemen who had occupied official positions during 1862-1863 for their valuable services, and new ones elected in their place. The following are the office bearers for the ensuing year:-President, W. E. Sharpe, Esq.; Vice-presidents, J. A. Durnville, Esq. (Advocate), F. Blacklaw, Esq., Rev. F. D. Waldock, and Mr. S. L. Marikar,

(Proctor); Secretary and Librarian, Mr. F. C. Solomons; Treasurer, Mr. A. C. Ambrose; Under-Librarian, Mr. A. F. Bartholomensz."

The chairman, "before closing the meeting, again rose to speak on a few points which had been suggested by the reading of the report. He now knew far more of the society than he did at the commencement, and he thought the institution in every way worthy of encouragement.

He had learnt that there were some difficulties in the management of these societies in Ceylon, as there were in England. But he trusted that they would not discourage the gentlemen who are connected with it. The learned speaker referred once more to the good effects which this society was calculated to produce. He had himself been a member of an institution when he was at college in England, and was often called upon to occupy the chair; and the discipline which he had learnt there had proved serviceable to him through life. He well remembered how he trembled when he found himself in the chair on one occasion, but he felt that if he had not trembled then, he would not now be able to address this society. The speech was listened to with much attention, and at its close the applause continued unchecked for some time."

Mr. F. C. Solomons said that "before he moved the last resolution of the evening, he should beg leave of the meeting to return thanks to the gentlemen present for having selected him to the office of secretary. He felt it to be a flattering mark of distinction, that whilst so many abler gentlemen were connected with the society, he should at three consecutive annual meetings be considered fit to discharge the onerous duties of secretary. endeavoured always to give satisfaction to the members, and if he succeeded in his object, it was to him a source of much gratification. The speaker then moved the last resolution."

He had

Proposed by Mr. F. C. Solomons, seconded by Mr. G. Anwardt, and

supported by Mr. P. G. Muthikisna,That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev. F. D. Waldock, for his kindness in presiding. The meeting then adjourned.-Ceylon Patriot.

Royal Institution of Great Britain, -Mr. J. A. Froude, the author of the 'History of England," gave the Friday evening discourse at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Albemarle Street, London ("On the Science of History"), on 5th Feb. He began with a warm eulogy on the genius and talents of the late Mr. Buckle, author of the "History of Civilization," and expressed great regret at his early death, but also expressed his dissent from Mr. Buckle's various historical theories, that the progress of men in civilization mainly depends on their intellectual progress; that their moral and religious characters are formed by external influences, such as the physical conditions of their country and climate; and that the motives which govern their conduct are as capable of being investigated as the laws which regulate the solar system. A science (such as astronomy) is very gradually built up on generalizations derived from a multitude of facts. This, Mr. Froude contended, never could be the case with history. No science could have foretold the rise of Buddhism, or Mohammedanism, or, in our own day, the delusions of table-turning or spirit-rapping, or the sanguinary wars which followed the Exhibition of 1851, which it was fondly hoped would be the inauguration of a long period of peace. Even Tacitus, the most philosophic of historians, from his experience never could have imagined the great change that has taken place in Rome itself through the universal propagation of the tenets of the Christians, so despicable a sect in his days. Mr. Froude also deprecated the principle of the philosophy of Comte, that the ultimate motive of man is self-interest, that he is ruled slely by his own desires; on the contrary, referred to the very numerous instances

of men who, actuated by the highest motives, overcoming the instinct of self-preservation, have died courageously as martyrs and patriots; and he expressed his own conviction that selfdenial is an essential element in human happiness. The great value of history, he said, consists in its setting forth the momentous consequences which follow right and wrong (e. g., in the case of the French and other revolutions), in its exhibiting the true character of man as an essentially inconsistent being, as showing also that progress in material prosperity is not the highest object for man's attainment. The history of the past, Mr. Froude said, was necessarily uncertain as to the truth of many of its facts, and afforded no solid basis for conjecture as to the events of the future. History, therefore, is not an inductive science. The value of history should consist in its depicting the actions of men and the circumstances which surround them; the deductions therefrom being left to the reflecting mind of the intelligent reader. The plays of Shakspere and the poems of Homer, if the events had been true, were therefore models of historyMacbeth, Hamlet, and Lear; Agamemnon, Achilles, and Patroclus, being representations of real men-greatly differing from the unreal characters frequently depicted in modern novels and histories. Mr. Froude concluded with again expressing his own conviction of our utter inability of predicting the future from the knowledge of the past. Sir R. I. Murchison was in the chair. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and many other distinguished persons were present.

The Wick and Pulteneytown Young Men's Improvement Society. This society was formed in the year 1847, and has been in existence ever since, with the exception of the years 1860-61. Some of its earlier members are scattered over the four quarters of the globe, in India, Australia, New Zealand, and America, occupying highly respectable and responsible situations in life, and others of them belong to the learned professions. At present the society is in a very flourishing condition, each member contributing with all his power to its prosperity. Ordinary meetings are held weekly, and debates and essays are alternately given every week. The society has got up a course of lectures, as such means of improvement were greatly needed in the place. These lectures have had a stimulating effect on the literary taste and character of the town. The first of the course was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Lillie, in the Temperance Hall of Wick, on the 13th of January; the subject was, "How to get through the world." The lecture was attended by most of our leading citizens, and a very respectable audience of all classes was present; the proceeds of the lecture amounted to about £9, and are to be applied to educational purposes. present officials of the society are-Provost Lauttit, Rev. Dr. Lillie, and Dr. Sinclair, honorary presidents; George Sutherland, president; George S. Sutherland and George Calder, vice-presidents; George Miller Sutherland, secretary; John Mc Rae, treasurer; along with a committee to manage the affairs of the society.

The

COMPOSITION.-Exercise. - Define the several parts of speech. Quote any twenty lines of poetry, and mark the different parts of speech as in Neil's "Rhetoric," p. 38. Write six sentences of no fewer than six words each, exemplifying the use of-1st, noun; 2nd, pronoun; 3rd, verb; 4th, adjective, respectively. Quote any six complete sentences, from any work, containing adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions respectively. In each case the example of the part of speech exemplified is to be underlined. Write one sentence, containing in itself all the parts of speech.

GEOGRAPHY.-Junior Exercise.Mention the chief component parts of the empire of Great Britain. Note the quarter of the globe in which each is situated. Construct a table of them thus:

Geographical Components of Great Britain.

And fill in with twenty words in each column. Write a sentence exemplifying the use of each part of speech. Quote six different lines of poetry in which the several parts of speech respectively

occur.

HISTORY.-Junior.-Describe the early races of Britain. Its conquest by Cæsar, and its condition under the Romans. Construct a chronological table of the battles which took place under the Roman dominion.

Senior.-Describe Britain under the Romans-the Saxons -the Danesthe Normans. Illustrate the passage, "In Asia British adventurers founded an empire not less splendid, and more durable than that of Alexander." [See British Controversialist, October to December, 1859.]

LITERATURE (English). Spalding's "History of English Literature," or Professor Craik's "Manual of English Literature." S. Neil's "Shakespere: a Biography."

Exercise.-Study the period between the battle of Hastings and the death of Chaucer, 1066-1400 A.D. Write a notice of Roger Bacon [see British Controversialist, June and July, 1858], William of Malmesbury, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Matthew Paris. Give a synopsis of the life of John Wycliffe, John Gower, Mandeville, and Chaucer [see British Controversialist for January and March, 1860]. Cri ticize any of the works of the lastmentioned authors. Quote from any works of these writers five sentences containing words now obsolete, giving the modern equivalents for these words. LOGIC.-Junior. "The Art of Reasoning," by Samuel Neil.

Exercise.Write out a synopsis of the three earliest chapters. Note any three difficulties met in the perusal of each chapter. Construct a table of

sensation.

Dugald

MORAL PHILOSOPHY. Stewart's "Outlines of Moral Philosophy," edited by Dr. M'Cosh, of Belfast; or Wayland's "Elements of Moral Science."

Exercise.-What is the province of Moral Science? Define virtue, duty, right, and show their relations. Distinguish between intellectual and moral truth.

POLITICAL ECONOMY. Senior's "Political Economy" (Griffin), and J. H. Burton's "Political and Social Economy" (Chambers).

Exercise.-Define Wealth, Labour, Capital, and exchange. What is meant by supply and demand? On what does Value depend? What is implied in Price?

RHETORIC. Neil's "Elements of Rhetoric."

Exercise. Read the first four chapters attentively. Write an abstract of their contents. Define Science-Art -Rhetoric-Speech. Give an analysis of language. Give a synopsis of the arguments regarding the Origin of Language. What are the uses of speech?

Miss Adelaide Procter, author of Lays and Legends," 1858, daughter of Barry Cornwall, died 1st February, aged 29.

Miss Lucy Aiken, daughter and sister of the authors of "Evenings at Home," author of a 'Life of Addison," &c., died 29th Jan., aged 81.

H. A. Taine (b. 1828), author of "French Philosophy in the XIXth Century," has just issued " English Positivism: a Study upon J. S. Mill." "The Intermediary," a French Notes and Queries," has been started.

Ventura de la Vega, of Madrid, dramatist and lyrist, author of "The Man of the World," &c., is dead.

A Dante journal has been begun in Florence.

The Rev. W. A. Newman, D.D., formerly Dean of Cape Town, author of "The Martyr's Dreams," &c., editor of the South African Magazine, 1850-2, died at Hastings, aged 52.

Volumes of poems by both Tennyson and Browning are spoken of as in the printer's hands.

The five-yearly prize of 1,000 thalers (£150), instituted in Germany in 1844, has been awarded to M. Louis Haeusser (b. 1818), author of the "History of the Rhenish Palatinate," &c., for his History of Germany from the Death of Frederick the Great."

Heinrich Rose (b. 1795), Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Berlin, and author of a "Manual" of that science, which has been translated into almost every European language, died 29th January.

Stephen C. Foster, the "negro song " writer, is dead. He was buried at Pittsburgh, Jan. 21st.