We extract from his work on Vital Dynamics, and regret that our limited space will compel us to defer a portion of his remarks till July.

"What is Instinct? As I am not quite of Bonnet's opinion that philosophers will in vain torment themselves to define instinct, until they have spent some time in the head of the animal without actually being that animal, I shall endeavour to explain the use of the term. I shall not think it necessary to controvert the opinions which have been offered on this subject, whether the ancient doctrine of Descartes, who supposed that animals were mere machines, or the modern one of Lamarck, who attributes instincts to habits impressed upon the organs of animals by the constant efflux of the nervous fluid to these organs, to which it has been determined in their efforts to perform certain actions to which their necessities have given birth. And it will be here premature to offer any refutation of the opinions of the identity of this faculty with reason, and maintain that all actions of animals are the result of invention and experience, an opinion maintained with considerable plausibility by Dr. Darwin.

"Perhaps the most ready and certain mode of coming to a conclusion in this intricate inquiry will be by the apparently circuitous route of determining, first, what we do not mean by the word. Now, we certainly do not mean, in the use of the term, any act of the vital power in the production or the maintenance of an organ; nobody thinks of saying that the teeth grow by instinct, or that when the muscles are increased in vigour and size, in consequence of exercise, it is from such a cause or principle. Neither do we attribute instinct to the direct functions of the organs in providing for the continuance and sustentation of the whole co-organized body. No one talks of the liver secreting bile, or of the heart acting for the propulsion of the blood by instinct. Some, indeed, have maintained that breathing, even voiding the excrement and urine, are instinctive operations; but, surely these, as well as the former, are automatic, or, at least, are the necessary result of the organization of the part in and by which the actions are produced. These instances seem to be, if I may so say, below instinct.

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'But, again, we do not attribute instinct to any actions preceded by a will, conscious of its whole purpose, calculating its effects, and predetermining its consequences; nor to any exercise of the intellectual powers, of which the whole scope, end, and aim, are intellectual. In other terms, no man who values his words will talk of the instinct of a Howard, or of the instinctive operations of a Newton, or a Leibnitz, in those sublime efforts which cast a lustre not less on the individuals than on the whole human race.

"To what kind or mode of action shall we, then, look for the legitimate application of the term? In answer to this query, we may, I think, without fear of the consequences, put the following cases, as exemplifying and justifying the use of the term, instinct, in an appropriate sense:-First, When there appears an action not included either in the mere functions of life, acting within the sphere of its own organismus, nor yet an action attributable to the intelligent will or reason; yet, at the same time, not referable to any particular organ; we then declare the presence of an instinct. We might illustrate this in the instance of a bull-calf butting before it has horns, in which the action can have no reference to its internal economy, to the presence of a particular organ, or to an intelligent will. Secondly, likewise (if it be not, indeed, included in the first) we attribute instinct where the organ is present, if only the act is equally anterior to all possible experience on the part of the individual agent; as, for instance, when the beaver employs his tail for the construction of its dwelling; the tailor-bird its bill for the formation of its pensile habitation; the spider its spinning organ for fabricating its artfully-woven nets; or the viper its poison-fang for its defence. "And, lastly, generally where there is an act of the whole body as one

animal, not referable to a will conscious of its purpose, nor to its mechanism, nor to a habit derived from experience, nor previous frequent use. Here, with most satisfaction, and without doubt of the propriety of the word, we declare an instinct. As examples of which we may adduce the migratory habits of birds; the social instincts of the bees, the construction of their habitations, composed of cells formed with geometrical precision, adapted in capacity to different orders of the society, and forming store-houses for containing a supply of provisions; not to mention similar instances of wasps, ants, termites, and the endless contrivances for protecting their future progeny."

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE AID AND BENEFIT OF DRESSMAKERS AND MILLINERS. Ir is a very striking, but, at the same time, a very pleasing thought, that whilst sin is assuming every shape, and appealing to our passions in the most persuasive way, the spirit of Christianity, keeping a constant and an active look-out, opposes to every fresh attempt on the part of the enemy a new system of defence, thus protecting the whole frame of society against the inroads of infidelity and of mammon. Amongst the most successful and the most praiseworthy attempts towards efforts of this nature, we would rank the Association for the Aid and Benefit of Dressmakers and Milliners. Closely connected with the" Early-closing Movement," and grounded on the same principles, this new society enters its protest against the shameful way in which the health, the physical and moral energies, of a large class of the inhabitants of this great metropolis are sacrificed to the pleasures, the vanity, the selfishness, of those to whom birth or fortune has given a higher station in society.

One of our monthly contemporaries very justly says, " A stranger, unacquainted with our social system, knowing only that we call ourselves a Christian people, and that we boast that Christianity places woman in a peculiarly favoured position, might dwell among us for awhile, and, seeing how woman is flattered and followed, might imagine that our condition was perfect, and that here, at least, woman, the weak, was sheltered by man, the strong. In the dazzling ballroom-on the glittering promenade, he might meet the lovely and the fair, and deem that they were no brilliant exception, but as they were sheltered and loved, so were sheltered and loved all of their common

sex.

Grieved would he be to find out his mistake; yet more grieved were he to know that the graceful drapery that added to the beauty that everywhere flashed upon his eye, was wrought by tender and delicate women, who, pale and wan, slave at the needle from morn till eve, and from eve till again the dim grey of morn gleamed in the east-by women withered before their prime-by women who, for no crime, but from their simple desire to live by the honest and honourable labour of their hands, are shut up in heated and unhealthy rooms, debarred from social duties and joys, and who know nothing of life but its wants and woes-by women who can find in slavery itself nothing

more forlorn than their melancholy fate-by women to whom there is no way of escape from the lingering death that besets them, but the grave.

Well, it is in order to counteract such a heinous system of barbarity that the Association we now allude to has been formed; and it is for the purpose of giving an account of their first endeavours, that they met on Thursday, April 30th, at the rooms of the Statistical Society, 12, St. James's-square. The chair was taken at two o'clock, by Lord Ashley, that distinguished nobleman, whose name will ever be dear to the friends of Christian philanthropy. Among the persons present were the Right Hon. the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, the Hon. Capt. Knox, Rear-Admiral Sir. Charles Malcolm, Capt. Kelly, the Hon. Capt. Hatton, R.N., M.S., the Rev. Thomas Boodle, the Countess De Grey, the Hon. Miss Waldegrave, Mrs. James Taylor, Miss Knox, &c., &c.

R. D. Grainger, Esq., F.R.S. and Honorary Secretary to the Association, being called upon to read the Report, gave an interesting account of the results which have hitherto been derived from the endeavours of the committee. He directed the public attention especially to the register kept at the office, where the names and addresses of young persons of good character and capacity are entered, free of expense, to meet the inquiries of employers seeking additional assistance, especially in the busy season. Principals, it is hoped, will be induced to exhort such of their assistants as leave their situations to put down their names and address at the office of the Association.

But" the essential object sought to be obtained by the Association is the reduction of the prevailing immoderate hours of work. In thus essaying to introduce an important alteration in an extensive business, the originators of the society were neither unmindful of the difficulties of the undertaking, nor careless of the interests involved; scrupulously avoiding all harsh and hasty proceedings, they entertained the hope that the ameliorations so urgently demanded, might be effected rather by the spontaneous efforts of the employers themselves, than by the direct interposition of the Association.' We are happy to state, on Mr. Grainger's authority, that a general reduction has taken place in the hours of work, and that the principle of the "earlyclosing" system will, in all probability, ultimately be extended to the London Milliners and Dressmakers.

In too many instances sufficient time is not allowed for meals and exercise; then the food is generally very defective. "Untimely, irregular, ill-prepared, and often, scanty meals, are not those whereon a young and delicate stomach can subsist and perform its necessary functions." Diseases follow, of course; and here, too, the Association most efficiently comes to the relief of the needy and the suffering.* A subscription of five shillings secures to the individual medical assistance for one year. "A considerable number of young persons have received advice and medicine during sickness; to many pecuniary aid has been granted, including some cases of painful and long-continued

From June 24, 1844, to the present time, 234 medical tickets have been issued.

affliction; in several instances country air and repose have been provided; and lastly, it is gratifying to add, that relief has not been withheld from a single individual deemed worthy of receiving it.”

It is much to be regretted, with respect to the Provident-fund established by the Association, that the great majority of Dressmakers and Milliners do not seem anxious to avail themselves of the secure and advantageous mode of investing their savings. Acting under the deep conviction of the utility of such an institution, the committee has granted a proportionate bonus to depositors, and endeavoured to convince the heads of establishments that it is their duty to encourage in the persons they employ habits of economy and care.

After having described the system of ventilating recommended by the association, and alluded to in the Rev. W. M'Ilwaine's Prize Essay, both topics for which we refer the reader to the last number of the "Student," Mr. Grainger concluded with a few remarks on the duties of Christian ladies towards their suffering sisters. Let not a dress, or a number of dresses, be ever ordered without a sufficient amount of time being allowed for their execution. A small degree of forethought and precaution, on the part of the employer, will easily accomplish this. Concerning the opposite, often unreasonable and thoughtless line of conduct pursued, we fear, in too many cases, we shall only say, that it is the very reverse of “ doing as we would be done by."

The first resolution, "that the report be received," was then moved by Lord Dudley Stuart. This nobleman expressed his wish to see it printed for extensive circulation. The very interesting statements which it brings before the public, are so many direct appeals to every individual's feelings as a Christian and as a man. In fact, we all acknowledge the truth of the old maxim, "honesty is the best policy;" but, for persons engaged in business, to constrain milliners to keep late hours is dishonest, immoral, and culpable. The system which allows no time for intellectual and religious improvement ought to be done away with. It is hoped, therefore, that the necessity will be readily felt of seconding the views of the society by pecuniary assistance, and especially by the influence of example. "A becoming assertion of principle, and exhibition of feeling would, no doubt, not sooner, perhaps, than any means within our reach, tend to check an evil so deeply rooted and destructive in its effects, as that before us."

Joseph Toynbee, Esq., F.R.S., in seconding the above resolution, fully exposed the diseases produced by late hours and excess of work. He pointed out the benefits which the association had conferred upon milliners, by bringing down medical assistance within their reach. The learned gentleman described, moreover, the system of ventilating already alluded to, and adverting to the injurious effects of the bad food given to dressmakers by their employers, he clearly showed the duty devolving upon government of checking the practice of selling adulterated food,a practice so unblushingly carried on in this metropolis.

The Earl of Arundel and Surrey moved, and C. Solley, Esq., F.R.S., seconded the next resolution, "that the Right Honourable Lord Ashley be re-elected president of the Association." It were useless to expatiate now upon the eminent qualities which entitle the noble chairman to the gratitude of his fellow-creatures; we shall, therefore, just

add that Lord Ashley, after having returned thanks for his continuance in the responsible position which he occupies, pleaded the cause of the association in a short but able speech. He showed that we ought not to remain idle, whilst a moral sore, a festering plague-spot is preying upon the vitals of society itself. Occupying, as it does, the foremost station in the political world, England exercises a great power both for good and for evil, and the example which it sets is speedily followed abroad. Let us, then, in a case so deeply connected as the present one is with the highest principles of humanity, come forward, and unite heart and hand; let us take the lead, and feel that it is our duty to hold the light to the rest of the world. Lord Ashley then apologised for being obliged to leave before the conclusion of the meeting; and, after having proposed the election of the several persons who are to compose the committee, he called Lord Dudley Stuart to the chair.

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The fourth resolution, that the thanks of the association be given to the medical officers for their very effective services during the year," was moved by G. Redmayne, Esq., and seconded by the Rev. Charles Boodle. Taking the religious side of the question, the reverend gentleman inquired how we could entertain a rational hope that the great concerns of the soul and of eternity shall be cared for, when a milliner, under the existing state of things, is scarcely allowed the enjoyment of a Sunday afternoon. The Sabbath, with its rest and its ordinances, are to her, instead of a blessing, a sore temptation to eke out her livelihood along with her allotted toil; or else to seek a momentary pause in her career of task-work, at the expense of a breach of God's most binding law. In a word, if the physical evils attendant on this state of bondage be aggravated, so are its moral and spiritual ones." Mr. Boodle then showed the milliner, when her cup of bitterness is overflowing, rushing to utter destruction, and swelling "the ranks of that fearful occupation which forms, as it were, the border-line between earth and hell." Now, although Mr. Toynbee rose to correct the reverend gentleman's assertion, we believe that it holds good; and Mr. Nash, secretary of the Metropolitan Drapers' Association, clearly substantiated it in a few impressive words, expressing, at the same time, the sympathy with which he witnessed the efforts made by the society.

We ought not to pass unnoticed the judicious observations presented by the honorary secretary, Mr. Grainger, when he rose after the fifth resolution had been moved and seconded.* He said that the constant endeavours of the association were directed towards conciliating the interests of the employers with the rights of the employed, so as to obtain the desired result without injuring the feelings of any party. It is now proved that a reduction in the hours of labour produces an increase, far from lessening the profits of an establishment; and, thus, avarice itself cannot give the shadow of an excuse for driving want to a premature death-bed.

We need not add, in concluding this hasty sketch, that all the resolutions were unanimously carried, but we would, once more, heartily

"Thanks to the honorary secretary," moved by the Honourable Captain Knox, R.N., and seconded by W. Smith, Esq.