when "The Literary and Scientific Cabinet," conducted by Mr. C. F. Pearson, was declared victor on the first point, and the "Debater," conducted by Mr. T. D. Kendall, on the second.

An annual competition of essays takes place, and three certificates of merit are awarded; and when the funds of the society permit, a suitable present accompanies each. A registry of magazines, with their subjects, is kept by the secretary, so as to afford information to parties desirous of joining them; and other facilities given for extending their operations, and increasing their usefulness.

EDWIN GARDNER, Sec., Sunderland.

Brechin Literary Society -The ancient city of Brechin now reckons among its many institutions a literary society, which in spite of previous failures, and not a few peculiar difficulties, seems to have taken firm foundation, and promises a useful course of working existence. The society was formed a year ago; and, in honour of its first anniversary, held a meeting on Friday evening, 13th May last, in its usual meeting place-the vestry of the East Free Church. Most of the members were present, along with a select company of friends, male and female. Mr. John S. Gibb occupied the chair, who, after an introductory speech, called upon Mr. Cameron, the secretary, to read his report. The society, we believe, in its constitution and modus operandi, differs considerably from most others of similar aims and intentions; and as the secretary's report contained a full and able statement of the whole, a correct idea of its working principles may be formed from the following condensed outline:-The society meets on Friday evenings, between the hours of 8 and 10, p.m., for the consideration and discussion of literary, political, and religious subjects. Its members, who are elected by ballot, consist of teachers, University students, clerks, and those of other callings (almost all young men), and, from their various vocations, a subject brought

sidered from many points of view. The rules are few in number, and have beer added to the fundamental ones, as ex perience dictated. It is managed by chairman, secretary, and treasurer, the former being elected monthly, and the two latter quarterly. Essays are th principal features of the society, and are always preferred; but should cir cumstances prevent a member preparing one, he is at liberty to make an oral discourse; but open debates with divisions of the members, are entirely discountenanced. The writer of the essay is not allowed more than 30 minutes for delivery, the remainder of the time being occupied by the other members in criticising its style, treatment, and general character, which is always done in a most friendly and pleasant manner. During the last year 21 members have been on the roll. I commenced with 7, and has now double that number, though some have lef the district. There have been 45 nights occupied during the year, and as many essays read and discussed upon a mos varied list of subjects. Among the subjects brought forward, we may men tion the following:-" Intellectual de velopment;""The origin of language; "Would education eradicate crime?' "The organ question;" "Should taxa tion be direct or indirect?" "Robert Burns, the poet" (read at the centenary 25th January last); "The works o Paine, the infidel;" "Greek and Roman classics a means of culture;" Home and his writings;" "The reign of George II.;" 'Frinting;" Was the deluge universal or partial?" ghost seeing;" The peasantry of Angus and Mearns;" Entomology, (three papers); "Dignity of labour; Beauty;" "Are oaths expedient;] "The relation of mind to matter; "War, its miseries and benefits;' 'Shakespeare, with a critique on The Tempest;" ""Man and the lower animals physically viewed; ""Abstract study its advantages and Life assurance;""

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"Ghosts and

disadvantages; ' Novels and nove

of slavery in the colonies;" "The tropics;""Physical education;" "Banks and banking;"" Botany," and the "Ballot." Thus mental and physical philosophy, politics, and literature, have all come under consideration.

After the presentation of the secretary's report, several of the members read short but interesting papers of a social character,which were highly appreciated. Mr. J. D. Don, divinity student, in an able speech upon the benefits of such

mutual improvement societies, and what he thought they should be, moved a vote of thanks to the society on the part of the visitors, and the same compliment being accorded to the chairman, the meeting broke up, highly delighted with the evening's proceedings. The prospects of the society for the future are highly gratifying to all concerned, several important subjects being expected to come on soon.

OBITUARY.-Mors janua vitæ.- It is our sad duty to record the sudden death of a valuable contributor to these pages, William Threlkeld Edwards, Esq., late of Pembroke College, Cambridge. This melancholy event has cast a gloom over a wide circle of mourning friends, who cherished the fond hope of a long life of fame for their loved and loving friend. He was accidentally drowned in the river Cam, while bathing with one of the fellows of his college, on the 18th of June last. The subject of this obituary was the eldest son of William Edwards, Esq., of the Terrace, Camberwell. He was born in March of the year 1838, and received his early education at a private establishment at Christ Church, Hants: having decided to enter the ministry of the Church of England, he became a student of Pembroke College, Cambridge, in the year 1857. His studious habits and painstaking industry soon earned for him the character of a most promising student, and his earnestness of purpose, his quiet, unostentatious kindness and amiability of manners procured for him many friends in his college and the university, and the esteem and affection of all who knew him. His literary abilities were above the ordinary capacity. As our readers will remember, he was the author of many articles in the British Controversialists for 1855, 1856, and 1857, under the nom du plume, Threl

keld in all he has ovhibited

and kindness towards his opponents, while maintaining his own views of truth with manly independence; his language, ever graceful and elegant, frequently rises to poetic beauty; to an imagination fertile of resource he added the dignity of christian moderation. His poetical faculty was very remarkable, his poetry being no less distinguished for the beauty of its language and imagery, than for the lofty tone of its thought, both intellectually and morally, while its smoothly flowing melody charms the ear, and leads the thoughts spell-bound to revel in the scenes he created at his will. By the kindness of his friends several of his most recent pieces have been confided to our care, and we purpose to seek the insertion of some choice extracts in the October Controversialist.-Reader,

Now, upon his bier,

Drop the silent tear, As you pass by in grief and sorrow; But look up on high, With heart full of joy,

In heaven he'll meet you to morrow.

His life of faith, his serious recognition of the great truths of the gospel, and his consistent "walk and conversation," are gratifying evidences of his having realised a home in the bright realms of the blest.-L'OUVRIER.

A work by C. Mansfield Ingleby,

LL D of Birmingham hae inet hoan

published, entitled, "The Shakspeare Fabrications:" with an appendix on the authorship of The Ireland Forgeries.

One of the most noteworthy literary occurrences of the past month has been the sale of a choice portion of the magnificent library of M. Libri, consisting of 2,824 lots. The sale realised £8,822 7s. Many of the books had belonged to the most celebrated amateurs of the day of their publication, and were adorned in the most gorgeous and antique bindings. A notion of the interest excited may be gathered from the following figures: Heliodorus, Latinè, 1552, in the superb binding of Grolier, £110, although copies of the book in the usual condition have never sold higher than 5s. Machiavelli, Arte della Guerra, printed in 1540, by Aldo, sold for £150, the highest price, perhaps, ever given for a small volume which, in common condition, would be dear at 10s.

The first complete translation of Dr. Livingtone's travels has just appeared in Paris.

A Literary and Antiquarian Society has lately been established in the Isle of Man, entitled, "The Manx Society for Publication of National Documents of the Isle of Man." The Society intends to make every possible search after the most ancient records of the island, and to publish a standard edition of all its statute laws, under a responsible editor.

Mr. Herbert Fisher, eldest son of the Rev. Canon Fisher, the Rector of the parish of Poulshot, Wilts, has been appointed private tutor to his H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, during his sojourn at Oxford.

Between 300 and 400 silver coins of Philip and Mary, Elizabeth, James I. and II., and Charles I. and II., have been dug up at Danse, N. B. There are also some foreign coins of the same remote period.

A reproduction of the "Biblia Pauperum," from the copy in the British Museum Library, is announced by Mr.

The British Archæological Associa tion will hold its annual meeting th year at Newbury, from the 12th of Sep tember to the 17th inclusive. T Earl of Carnarvon is expected preside.

A proposal made by the Town Cour cil of Southampton to expend £10,00 of the Hartly bequest, in erecting public reading-room and museum, ha met the approval of the Vice-Char cellor.

Arrangements for the meeting of th British Association for the Advance ment of Science at Aberdeen are pr ceeding. The Prince Consort has fixe Wednesday, the 14th of September, f the delivery of his Inaugural Address

The great Adam Bede secret is length thought to be discovered, an the Author is not William and Mar Howitt, nor yet Mr Joseph Liggins, b simply Miss Mary Ann Evans, alread known in this strong minded generatio as the translator of Strauss' Jesus."

Life

The eminent geologist, Sir Roderic Murchison, has recently been examinin the succession of the rocks in the hig lands of Sutherland. He has mad two or three ascents up the mountai in and around Inchnadamph, and ha been accompanied by Professor Ramse

The Exhibition of the Royal Academ has produced this year £8,400.

The literary world sustains a loss the unexpected death of Mr Bayle S John, who was well known as th Author of "Two Year's residence in Levantine Family," and within a rece period, "Purple Tints of Paris," "Li of Montaigne," and several other worl of high pretension and acknowledg literary merit.

DR. CUMMING has now in Mr. Ben ley's press a volume bearing the sign ficant title of "The Great Tribulati coming upon Earth." Surely by th time, the Doctor ought to be convinc

The American papers state that Mr. T. C. Evans, of New York, has sailed for this country with the view of engaging Mr. Dickens to give "readings" in the United States.

9000 copies of the Laureate's "Idylls of the King" have been already sold.

MR. TENNYSON received £100 for his poem in the third number of Once a Week.

We learn from Aris's Birmingham Gazette that the Midland Counties Archæological Society lately made an excursion from Birmingham to the site of the old Roman city, Uriconium. After inspecting the place, and the progress of the excavations, the excursionists assembled beneath the old wall, to hear an account of the progress made, by Thos. Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A.

Miss Florence Nightingale, who read a paper on the "Management of Hospitals at the last meeting of the Social Science Association, in Liverpool, has presented the MSS. of the paper to the corporation of that town.

Messrs. J. W. Parker and Son have

in the press a "History of the Hungarian War," by Otto Weakstera, who has had many opportunities of forming a just estimate of that war, and of the actors in it.

MR. THACKERAY's new monthly is now spoken of as a certainty, to commence with the new year. We believe the engagement provides for a new tale from the editor, and that a very attractive list of contents may be expected.

MR. HUGHES, the author of that pleasant book, "Tom Brown's School Days," is quoted as the editor of a new monthly, to be published by Messrs. MacMillan and Co.

DANIEL OWEN MADYN, a conservative writer, Author of "Chiefs of Parties," expired at Dublin, 6th ult.

MR. HOLLINGSHED is to publish some of his "Household Words " about City life, this month, with the title, "Under Bow Bells."

Hotten's "Dictionary of Slang" has been extensively patronized!

Dr. Southwood Smith, and Dr. Farr have consented to become the editors of the publications of the Ladies' Sanitary Association.

The DUKE of DEVONSHIRE has issued a fac simile of the 1604 "Hamlet," edited by J. Payne Collier.

The prizes for the best essays "On the causes of the decline in the Society of Friends," have been awarded to Mr. J. S. Rowntree, York: and Mr. Thos. Hancock, Nottingham.

The copyright of "The Empire," a Sydney daily paper, was sold last monthi for £6,500.

The editor of "The West of Scotland Magazine," MR. MACPHERSON, author of several plays, Edward I., Rob Roy &c., &c., was assaulted with intent to rob, and died from the effect of injuries received, on 31st July.

"Economist " James Wilson has become Chancellor of the Indian Exchequer.

C. D. INGLEDEW, of Northallerton, is about to issue "The Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire."

Mr. H. Chalmers, sub-librarian of the Advocates' library, Edinburgh, and a young literary gentleman of great promise, died in July.

Prince Lucien Buonaparte is, we hear, living in the North of England for the purpose of translating the Song of Solomon into the dialect of Durham, and intends, when he has accomplished that feat, to move into the North Riding, and translate the same composition into the dialect of Yorkshire.

The dramatic ovation to Charles Kean has passed off successfully, and "the Princess'" is masterless.