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The committee have now the pleasure to report, that this measure has already been attended with very happy effects, and promises to become a permanent benefit to the institution. The continual recurrence of application for admission into the penitentiary-the delicacy to be observed in examining the cases of the applicants-the various circumstances which affect them after admission, and the economy of the house-are objects particularly suited to the feelings, and the leisure of the ladies committee. Regular minutes of their proceedings are kept, and reports of their transactions from time to time, have been presented to the committee, through the medium of Mrs. Noah Hill, who has oblig. ingly acted as their secretary, and has ably executed the duties of this office. It is indeed but justice to observe that their continued superintendance and co-operation, have been of essential utility in the establishment and regulation of the Penitentiary.

The committee has purchased the lease of Cumming House, at Pentonville. These premises are large enough to accommodate about 35 females; and though they were in good condition, the alterations which it has been absolutely necessary to make, in order to fit them for the peculiar purposes of this institution, have been considerable and extensive. So that the expences of purchasing the lease, improving and furnishing the premises, will, when paid, exhaust the whole of its present funds.

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It has been found expedient also to chase the lease of a small contiguous house, for a temporary infirmary.

The committee had scarcely commenced their operations, before they were informed of several unhappy females, who expressed a strong desire to leave the paths of profligacy and vice, and to take refuge in the Penitentiary Asylum, which was about to be provided and there are now 37 on the Penitentiary. establishment. A prompt reception of the objects who have applied for relief has been. mast punctually observed.

Two gentlemen of the committee visited the Magdalen, a charity of the same nature, were permitted to view the house, and were also furnished with all desirable information.

The committee therefore feel it their duty to report these instances of liberal attention; and also particularly to acknowledge their obligations to Alexander Bennett, Esq. the treasurer, who favoured the two members of the committee with an order of introduction, and to Frederick Mathew, Esq. for the polite re-, ception which they received on their visit to that institution.

Morning and evening worship is punctually performed daily, when the holy scriptures are read; catcenetical exercises have been established; singing the praises of God, has been encouraged; and on the Lord's day, religious worship has been conducted, morning and evening in a private manner, since January 1, 1808. The committee feel a pleasure in stating, from the report of the matron, that the females have shewn no reluctance to any of these services; that their behaviour during them, is orderly and reverent; and that they have manifested great readiness to receive religious instruction, and an aptitude to profit thereby.

SOCIETY'S FUND, June 10th, 1808.

Receipts. Subscriptions and donations. By Richard Down, Enoch Hodgkinson, and Thomas Platt, Esqrs. executors of James Pell, Esq. for part of a distribution of property left under his will at their disposal.. Legacy of William Cole, Esq. £100 deducting duty.. Interest on Exchequer Bills. Exchequer bills sold.. Balance to treasurer..

Payments.

L.

4807

200

s. d. 18 6

00

90 164 ..1008

0 0

1 5

12 11

289

19 0

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Exchequer bills
Lease and fixtures of house N 6,
John-Street, for infirmary
Repairs and fixtures of Cum-
ming-House
Furniture, &c.....
Maintenance and clothing of pe
nitents prior to opening of
Cumming-house
Household expenses to May 31, +68
Printing, stationary, &c... 140
Collector, insurance, incidents. 113

403

6560

7 0 11 11 4 3 211

11 10

George Pinckard, M. D. Physician,W. Blair, Surgeon,S. Griffith, Apothecary.

Mrs. Ann Stibbs, has undertaken all the duties of the important office of matron, for one year at least, without salary or emolument. Mr. Stibbs acts as master.

EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST.

On Whit Tuesday, June 7th, the annual sermon was preached, at Blackfriars church, before the society for missions to Africa and the East, by the Rev. Thomas Robinson, M. A. vicar of St. Mary's, Leicester, and late fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge. After an animated discourse, on the duty and means of promoting Christian missions, from Rom. x. 13, 14, 15, in which the preacher ably vindicated them from some late attacks, and strongly enforced on his hearers the duty of supporting them, a noble collection was made at the doors, which amounted, with donations and subscriptions in the vestry, to upwards of £375. A bank note of fifty pounds was put into the plate by an unknown friend. The general meeting of the society was after wards held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside: when a report of the proceedings during the last year was read by the secretary. From this report it appears that the society has sent four Lutheran ministers to Sierra Leone, as missionaries to the natives on the Westeru coast of Africa; and that four other Lutheran ministers have been accepted as missionaries, and are preparing for Africa under the Rev. Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston-Sandford. The society promises itself much from the abolition of the slave-trade, and the operations of the African institution, in civilizing the natives of the Western coast; and it proposes to instruct its missionaries in the Arabic and Susoo languages, and in the art of printing; and, by the establishment of a printing press at Freetown, Sierra Leone, both to aid the African institution in its endeavours to civilize Africa, and to circulate portions of the scripture and religious tracts very extensively along the coast and in the interior. The society's missionaries continue in charge of the spiritual concerns of the colony of Sierra Leone, no chaplain having been yet appointed; and they have also undertaken the care of the Maroon children. A proposal has been made to the committee for forming a settlement on one of the New Zealand Islands, which will probably be carried into effect, and may ultimately lead to important consequences. Se veral gentlemen delivered their sentiments at some length to the meeting; animating the society to perseverance and exertion, by the divine promises, and by its opening prospects

of success.

Subscriptions and donations are received by Mr. Smith, No. 19, Little Moorfields; and H. Thornton, Esq. M. P. Treasurer, No. 1, Bartholomew Lane.

SCARCITY IN THE HIGHLANDS.

In pursuance of public advertisement, a general meeting was held, of noblemen and gentlemen connected with the Northern Highlands, and we have received a copy of the resolutions then entered into, after examining the documents on which the alarm was principally founded, and considering all the information to which immediate access could be obtained. These resolutions were

the terms following:-1st, that, in the bulk of the districts with reference to which the alarm had existed, it appears that the proper measures have already been taken by the proprietors for the relief of the inhabitants, whereby the risk of want is wholly averted.— 2d, that, though in some parts of the Highlands there seemed to be room for apprehension that the scarcity is extreme, yet it does not appear necessary immediately to resort to the public benevolence for relief; because it is. believed that, in consequence of a direct application to the principal proprietors in those parishes, as to which there is at present a defect of satisfactory information, it will be discovered, that in all quarters the same spirit exists; and that, for the preservation of the Highland people from want, no efforts will be required in aid of those of the Highland nobility and gentry.

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The anniversary meeting of all the charity children of this great city, was held Thursday, June 16, at St. Paul's Cathedral. A most excellent charity sermon was preached by the Dean of Litchfield. Several excellent and appropriate hymns and psalms were sung behold such a number (about 5,000) of young by the children. It was a heavenly sight to persons raising their voices in gratitude to their Creator, and to their kind benefactors. The impressive effect of this interesting spectacle, was not a little heightened by our reflexions ou the melancholy situation of some of the countries on the continent, whose means of contributing to such good offices, as the training up of the rising generation in the way they should go" have been taken from them; and applied solely to reward the sanguinary supports of a daring and successful usurper. Whilst here when the children had finished their hyms to the Divinity that protects us from the horrors of Gallic threats; their benefactors met in their respective parishes, and after partaking of refreshments, spent the hours of conviviality in forwarding subscriptions for their future protection. The church was crowded to excess, and several persons were carried out, who had sunk under the heat.

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to afford relief of some magnitude at a very

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN little expense, by administring through its

DISTRESS.

From Report, presented April 7th, 1808. The object of this society, is to grant relief to indigent foreigners here, without distinction of country or religion; especially to those who are not entitled to parochial aid and to provide the means to such as are desirous of it, to return to their own country. Compare Panorama, Vol. I. p. 117.

:

One of the first measures of the board was to appoint a committee for visiting and relieving foreigners confined in the principal prisons in the metropolis, and in this they co-operated with the Sheriffs of London in their late benevolent establishment of a fund for liberating persons confined for sinall sums. In effecting this purpose many objects in deep distress were found, not only enduring the common hardships of a gaol, however alleviated by the humane attention of the Sheriffs and the Governor of the prison, but suffering from injustice, oppression and fraud;-inany of them confined at the suit of crimps for claims, which, when they came to be examined, had no foundation. To these the Society afforded such temporary relief as the state of their funds allowed; and for some they have provided means of enlargement. Among this class of objects, a striking instance of the utility of the Society's interference has recently occurred in the case of a foreigner, who, with the ability to carn a sufficient maintenance, and an established claim of more than £700 allowed by the Court of Chancery, and likely to be received in a few months, had nevertheless been detained nearly a year in prison for £36, the amount of costs of an action on an engagement for another person; leaving a wife and four children entirely destitute of support. After giving temporary relief to the latter, the Society caused the necessary enquiries to be made, and finally compounded with the attorney who was his creditor, for 11 guineas, which they advanced on the security of his expectan cies, and restored his person to his family.

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In several other cases the Society has granted pecniary relief to persons blind froin age or disease, and diseased and disabled by accidents: soine infirm, others destitute of employ, and some with the means of occupation, but unable to work for want of chirurgical assistance. Besides numerous instances of casual relief, the Society has conferred peculiar advantages in bestowing small weekly pensions on persons for advanced in life, one of whom is 87, and another 83, and blind. Some have also been provided with the means of returning to their own country; and some recommended to employment for their future support.

In other cases, the Society has been able

members, legal, medical and even religious assistance and advice.

There is yet a mode of relief, which the board has considered preferable to most others, that of granting a small sum so as to enable the petitioner to fix in some respectable line. of business; but they have done this only, where the applicant was so recommended, and appeared after the strictest scrutiny, so disposed, as to warrant a belief, that his being thus distinguished from the ordinary class of objects, would stimulate his industry and ensure his gratitude; and short as the experience of the board has been, instances of this kind have occurred, in which their feelings have been strongly interested, and in thus affording a relief on which the future prosperity of the petitioner might be founded, they have retired from their duties with gras tifications which they would probably otherwise have never experienced.

Number relieved since November 1807. Natives of Germany 18; Holland 7; Sweden 7;` Italy 2; Switzerland 2; Spain 1; Rus、 sia 1; Poland 1; Norway 1; Naples 1; Denmark 1; Relieved before 2; Total 44. £

Accounts of Receipts. S. d. Benefactions above £10.............614 10 0 Ditto of £10 and under... 95 17 0 Ditto for preseul purposes.... Annual subscriptions......

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Remains for donations....

10 10 181 7 0

£902 4 0

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902 4 0

£ 40 10 11

Patron, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. Vice Presidents, Count G. W. F. Bentinck, Sir Charles Price, Bart. M. P. Alderman, His Excellency the Chevalier Alderberg, Sir William Paxton, The Chevalier Rehausen, J. J. Angerstein, Esq. Treasurer, William Vaughan, Esq. Trus tees, Sir William Paxton, Willian May, Esq. Secretary, Mr. Charles Murray, Su. licitor, 21, Bachin Lane, Cornbill.

One guinea, annually constitutes a Governor; and ten guineas paid at once, or within the year, a Governor for life.

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DIDASCALIA.

| under-plot!" and then pell-mell he fell to it, abusing the Army and Volunteers; although he has made a motion since, in the Senate, to return thanks to the latter before they fired a gun!

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Theatrical Patriotism. Want of room in our last prevented us from answering our correspondent ANGLICUS (Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 713). We should certainly have noticed the frequent representations of the Mayor of Garrat, at Dury-Lane Theatre, had we not perceived that the manager had announced the Critic as being in rellear al We therefore reserved our observations till the appearance of the latter; for though the former ridiculed the militia, yet | the latter (the chef d'œuvre of Mr. Sheridan, a proprietor of the theatre) is known to cast, as much obloquy and contempt upon the vo lunteers and regular soldiers as the abilities of its author could devise, However, though frequently advertised, it was not brought forward, at least at Drury-Lane; and as the season is now over, we hope the managers will abandon this project; if they do not, we advise then, at least, to have the modesty to rescind the following passages: for as we are now at issue with the deadliest enemy this country ever had, it does not become us to stig- 1 matize with such baseness our gallant protectors. Justice.

Are all the VOLUNTEERS without?

Constable.

They are.

Some ten in fetters, and some twenty drunk.
Justice.
Attends the Youth, whose MOST OPPROBRIOUS

FAME,

And CLEAR CONVICTED CRIMES have stampt hm SOLDIER?

Constable.

He waits your pleasure; cager to repay
The blest reprieve that sends him to the fields
Of Glory, there to raise his BRANDED hand
In Honor's cause.

Justice.

"Tis well- -'tis Justice arms him! O may he now defend his Country's Laws WITH HALF THE SPIRIT HE HAS BROKE THEM

ALL

Although we seriously believe the above was written originally to bring the volunteers and the army into contempt, yet we would ask its patriotic author, if he thinks any good purpose could be answered by bringing such passages now before the public? It is true that at the time of the Critic's being in vogne other play-makers exerted their abilities for the same purpose; witness General Burgoyne's Lord of the Manor, and Andrews's Di sipation; the former of whom made a lame defence in extenuation. Nor did Mr. Sheridan boldly make the attack on the first night, hereserved it till the piece had succeeded, and, about the twenty-first night, he foisted in his malevolence under the title of an under-piot. Ever while you live," said he, have an

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It is not our intention to notice all the trash that is brought forward at the Summer Theatre, lest it might be expected we should also entertain our readers with the wonderful works of genius that are to be found at Mister Astley's, &c. &c.; for since the disgusting exhibition introduced at this theatre some years ago, of representing the female characters of The Beggar's Opera by men, and the male by women, we ceased regarding it as by any nieans entitled to the epithet National, and therefore have not hitherto noticed its performances; but we cannot refrain from remarking the folly that has induced its manager to play THE CRITIC there; it is doubly ridiculous to represent that piece now; for, independent of the atrocities noticed above, every one knows it is not in favour of Spain, and to bring it forward while the Spanish Deputies are here seeking our protection, is not only insulting them, but the whole

Iberian" nation; seeing too that England is unanimously in favour of the nobleminded Spanish Patriots; who, while the gentlemen players of the little theatre are the only persons ridiculing that nation, and contemptuously trampling upon the rights of hospitality, the brave fellows are calling up their noble spirit, rousing all the generous energy of virtue, and, with the strength of Heaven-endued man, are repelling the hideous foe of the civilized world."

"

Our correspondent may rely on our unalterable attachment to our native morals and manners; we have long been aware of the evil he alludes to ; it was this that prompted us to propose the utter banishment of the Italian opera from our manly shores [the Spaniards have no Italian opera,thank Heaven!] and the erecting of one supported by English heart of oak. The noblemen who would undertake such an establishment on the ruins of French intrigue and Italian craft, would deserve well of their country; for we have no hesitation in affirming, that if Bonaparte did not find it to suit his purpose, he would not permit us to have his Italian Singers or his French Dancers. Therefore, the sooner his subjects, or his instruments, call them what we please, are out of our country the better; for we know that when they have "feathered their nests" they will leave us, and laugh at us will sit themselves down in some joli château, (bought, at the twentieth part of its value, from the plunder of some noble emigrant, starving for his loyalty,) and recount with mickle glee the glaring imbecillitics of.... and... . . and ... and.... and ... &c.

BRITISH MUSEUM.

Selections from Additional Statutes, and Rules for the British Museum; 1808. On a former occasion [Compare Panoráma, Vol. II. p. 979] we inserted particulars of the establishment of that truly honour able institution the British Museum: since that time several, augmentations have taken place; the Gallery of Antiques has been opened, (Vide Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 709) and various facilities have been afforded to the public, we therefore, chearfully allot a portion of our pages to the communication of intelligence on this national subject.

The establishment of the Museum consists at present of the following officers and attendants, besides the subordinate servants:

A Principal Librarian, who is likewise expenditor.

Four Under Librarians, having severally the custody and arrangement of their respect ive departments; viz. printed books; manuscrips; natural history; antiquities, coins and medals, drawings and engravings.

Four Assistant Librarians, namely one to each of these departments, with the like duties as the under librarians, but subject to their direction respectively.

Four attendants, employed to exhibit the collections in each of these departments to strangers one other attendant, employed in the library of printed books, to answer all demands for books wanted in the Reading Room, and to keep the books in due order and condition; and three warders to attend in the apartment of antiquities, &c.

A Secretary and accountant; who, in the first of these capacities, attends all meetings of the trustees, makes all the minutes of their proceedings, and issues all summonses; and, in the latter capacity, keeps the accounts of the trust, and prepares all such as are required to be laid before parliament.

The principal librarian and the under and assistant librarians are strictly enjoined to reside in the apartments alloited to them.

That the Museum be kept open for public inspection, every Monday, Tuesday, Wed nesday, and Thursday; — except in the Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun weeks, on thanksgiving and fast days, and during the months of August and September.

That persons who wish to see the Museum, do apply in the anti-room of the house, on any of the above-mentioned open days, between the hours of eleven and two, where each individual will be required to inscribe his or her name, and place of abode, in a book to be kept for that purpose.

That eight companies, of not more than
fifteen persons, each, be admitted in the
eleven, and the others in succession.
course of the day; the first at the hour of

That all strangers be required to leave their canes and umbrellas, on their first entrance into the Museum.

for the admission of select companies, either That Friday in each week shall be reserved brought by a trustee, or admitted by an order of the principal librarian.

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That after the companies have passed through the apartments in the old building, they be conducted to the gallery of antiquities, where, on ringing a bell, they will be ad mitted by the attendants of that department.

That the students of the Royal Academy be admitted into, the gallery of antiquities on every Friday in the months of April, May, June, and July, and every day in the months of August and September, from the hours of twelve to four, except on Wednes days and Saturdays. The students, not exceeding twenty at a time, to be admitted by a ticket from the president and council of the Royal Academy, signed by their secretary.

The better to maintain decorum among the students, a person properly qualified shall be nominated by the Royal Academy from their own body, who shall attend during the hours of study; the name of such person to be signified in writing, from time to time, by the secretary of the Royal Academy to the principal librarian of the British Museum.

That the members of the Royal Academy, have access to the gallery of antiquities at all admissible times, upon application to the principal librarian, or the senior under libra rian in residence.

That the attendants in the department of antiquities, be always present in the gallery during the times when the students are ad mitted.

The number of persons admitted in 1807, was 12,271; from January 1, to May 31, 1808, the number was 5,809. The number admitted to the use of the Reading Room was, in 1805, 158; in 1806, 159; in 1807, 140. For particulars of Her Majesty's Visit to this National Repository, Vide Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 709.

The preceding rules, &c. have been made in consequence of an order of the House of Commons of the 9th of June, 1808, specifying "that there laid before this house, a copy of all regulations made for the better arrangement and preservation of the several collections in the British Museum, for the better execution of the duties of the several officers and other persons interested in the custody thereof, and for giving more ready and perfect access thereto for strangers, learned persons, and artists, since June 29th 1807, being the date of the last return, &c. &c."

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