great applause, to dance alone; and Bertha plays her liveliest tune. Well! if you 'll believe me, they have not been dancing five minutes, when suddenly the carrier flings his pipe away, takes Dot round the waist, dashes out into the room, and starts off with her, toe and heel, quite wonderfully. Tackleton no sooner sees this, than he skips across the room to Mrs. Fielding, takes her round the waist, and follows suit. Old Dot no sooner sees this, then up he is, all alive, whisks off Mrs. Dot into the middle of the dance, and is foremost there. Caleb no sooner sees this, than he clutches Tilly Slowboy by both hands, and goes off at score; Miss Slowboy, firm in the belief that diving hotly in among the other couples, and effecting any number of concussions with them, is your only principle of footing it."

"Hark! how the cricket joins the music with its chirp, chirp, chirp, and how the kettle hums!"

"But what is this! Even as I listen to them blithely, and turn towards Dot, for one last glimpse of a little figure very pleasant to me, she and the rest vanish into air, and I am left alone. A cricket sings on the hearth; a broken child's toy lies upon the ground; and nothing else remains."

TO THE RAILWAY TRAIN.

ON with thee, on! thou fiery Train!
Skim, like a swallow, the level plain;
Fling the graceful smoke on the eddying air,
Like clustering curls on the neck of the fair.
On with thee, on, in thy rapid march
Thro' murky Tunnel and echoing Arch;
With Whistle, as shrill as the Curlew's cry,
And startling Gong, which proclaims thee nigh.
Fling from thee far the sparks of light,
That startle and gem the brow of night;
Call from each side the traveller forth,
From East and West, from South and North;
Quicken the old man's faultering pace,
Hurry the young in their headlong race;
Bid the young beauty seem unkind,
As her lover's vows she leaves behind;
Bid the miser hide his uncounted ore,

And haste with thee to increase his store;
Bid the scholar fling down his studious pen,
And rush with thee to the haunts of men.-

Ah, fiery Train! with thee I'd go,

Could'st thou bear me far from scenes of woe;
Could'st thou take me where there is always peace,
And hallowed pleasures, which never cease;
Where there is neither war nor guilt,

Where no tears are shed, and no blood is spilt;
Where childhood, and age, and ardent youth,
"Worship" their God "in spirit and truth;'
Where goodness and love for ever abound,
And Christian graces are always found;-
If thou canst not do this, 'tis vain to roam,
And peace and content I will seek at home.

D

Literary and Scientific Institutions.

In a former number we stated that it was our intention to give a series of articles on Young Men's societies and Mutual Improvement classes, interspersed with hints calculated to promote their efficient working, and notices of books adapted for their circulation. At the same time we attempted to demonstrate some of their advantages, in an intellectual point of view; and in our following number, their moral bearings and interests were more fully exhibited. Owing, however, to circumstances over which we had no control, the articles in this course were omitted during the succeeding months; and in resuming them, it seemed necessary to say a word by way of explanation. We beg to assure our readers that this omission will not occur again, and that it is the intention of the conductors of the "Student" to render this journal more than ever efficient as the organ of the young men's societies and literary and scientific institutions of the United Kingdom. In following out this general design, it will be one part of our plan to give, monthly, as full an account as our space and materials will allow, of the several metropolitan and provincial institutions; another, to examine and point out the distinctive features and peculiar advantages of each; another, to publish such of their laws and regulations as may appear suitable to guide others in forming similar associations, or to require animadversion from their improper tendency; and lastly, to notice the current proceedings of each institution as it comes under review. In addition to this, our "Review" department will be conducted with especial reference to the requirements of the library of the Institute or mutual improvement class, not less than of the private bookshelf; and in this, as in all other matters, it will be our constant endeavour to deserve our title of THE YOUNG MEN'S MAGAZINE. The subject we have selected for the present notice is

THE LONDON INSTITUTION.

Like many others of the most successful and excellent establishments of the Metropolis, that of the London Institution, originated in the meritorious and energetic efforts of several leading merchants and bankers of the city. Their first public meeting was held May 23rd, 1805, at the London Tavern, Sir Francis Baring, Bart. and M.P., in the chair. It was then resolved to establish, on a liberal and extensive scale, in some central situation in the city, an Institution, to comprise,

I. A LIBRARY, to contain works of intrinsic value.

II. LECTURES, for the diffusion of useful knowledge.

III. READING ROOMS, for the daily papers, periodical publications, interesting pamphlets, and foreign journals."

The proposed Institution was to consist of a limited number of proprietors, and life and annual subscribers; the interest of the proprietors being" equal, permanent, transferable, and hereditary, and extending to the absolute property of the whole establishment." The proprietors were also to be entitled to such extraordinary privileges as might be consistent with general convenience, and to have the exclusive right of management. The qualification of a proprietor was fixed at 75 guineas, and that of a life subscriber at 20 guineas. The subscription being opened, it was with the greatest difficulty that many

In less than

of those present could approach the table to enter their names. four days the subscription had reached £50,000; and the number of proprietors was 650. A second meeting was then held; and at the close of the fifth day the subscription amounted to £60,000. It was then agreed to petition the King for a charter of incorporation; and twenty-one managers were appointed to prepare the outlines of a plan for the establishment. Spacious premises in the Old Jewry were now engaged for the temporary use of the members, and opened in January 1806, with a library of 10,000 volumes, and a commodious suite of reading rooms well supplied with the English and foreign journals, newspapers, maps, &c. By the Spring, the number of proprietors had increased to 950, and the value of property to nearly £80,000. The charter was granted at the commencement of the following year, allowing the Institution £2000 per annum to be held in mortmain.

At Christmas, 1811, other premises were engaged in King's Arms Yard, Coleman Street, and the large library of 12,000 volumes removed in less than four days. This building being found inconvenient, the present site in Moorfields was shortly after obtained; the Corporation granting the freehold for £1500, and a wider frontage being desired, afterwards presenting the Institution with land equivalent to one-half the original purchase. The managers, having issued proposals for a plan, found themselves perplexed with fifteen paper schemes, not one of which was available for their purpose. They therefore wisely resolved to turn architects themselves, and having remodelled the least faulty of the mass, the first stone of the present splendid edifice was laid Nov. 4th, 1815, by Samuel Birch, Esq., the Lord Mayor. On April 21st, 1819, the Institution was re-opened by an inaugural oration "On the Advantages which Science and Commerce derive from each other," by Charles Butler, Esq., the Counsel of the Institution.

THE MANSION,

which now forms a very ornamental feature in that part of the Metropolis, is situated in the north side of Finsbury Circus, and is built of brick, faced with Portland stone. Its total cost exceeded £31,000. The frontage is 102 feet 6 inches, exclusive of the side doors, which are 15 feet each. The height is nearly 60 feet to the apex of the pediment. The house comprises a basement story within a sunken area, a ground floor, and two stories above, consisting of a library and gallery, each lighted by nine windows. The principal feature of the edifice, in the exterior, is an elegant portico in the centre, about 35 feet broad; the wings being finished with an attic ballustrade. The order is Corinthian, being a modification of the celebrated example taken from the temple of Vesta at Tivoli. On the ground-floor, the portico is supported by two solid pillars, and as many Doric columns. The hall is supported by 8 Ionic columns of Bath stone, and separated by glazed doors from a very handsome and spacious staircase, with branching flights of stone steps, and lighted from a painted window in the back walls. The principal apartment occupies the whole of the first floor, and may be considered one of the finest rooms in England, being 97 feet in length, by 42 in width, and 28 in height. Its interior shape is an octagonal parallelogram, with four small apartments at the angles. A light, but substantial, gallery extends completely round the room; and the walls are richly papered with a massive assemblage of 30,000 volumes.

THE LIBRARY.

In forming an English Metropolitan library, the first object was a proper supply of British history, literature, and biography, with English antiquities and topography. These were from the first carefully selected, and copiously supplied. The collection in the latter class is considered to be the best in England. Next is the department of general history, antiquities, and to

pography. Next, voyages and travels, in which are contained nearly all the best and most interesting narratives, illustrated by large and numerous atlases, maps, and charts. Next is a costly collection of works on the fine arts, with a good supply of the larger scientific works, particularly those relating to mathematics. And the history of science and literature is copiously illustrated by a large body of memoirs and transactions of nearly all the academies and learned societies, both British and foreign. For the student of continental literature, there are the principal authors of France, Italy, and Spain. For the politician and general reader, a long catalogue of periodicals, parliamentary documents, pamphlets, and records. In philosophy, criticism, and the classics, a rich assortment, both originals and translations, in the principal languages of Europe. In bibliography, most of the best writers, with a very useful collection of catalogues, and rare and valuable editions from the early printers of Germany, Italy, and France. Theology, medicine, and law, are, comparatively, unrepresented. Students of these subjects are referred to the libraries of Sion college, the Royal colleges of physicians and surgeons, and the Inns of court. A doubtful resource for the non-professional, or inexperienced inquirer! We question whether one in a thousand of the subscribers to this Institution would think of having recourse to these sources for information; or if he did, would be able to gain admittance. And while cherishing a becoming admiration for the liberality bestowed on other departments, we cannot but express our conviction, that by the framers of a popular collection, theology especially ought to be regarded as something more than a subject for professional study, and should be at least as fully represented as the dilettanti sciences of antiquities and bibliography.

THE LECTURES

have always formed a very attractive feature of the London Institution, and at the time of their introduction excited general attention. The cost of the theatre and the various apartments attached to it was £5,100; the fittings of the laboratory £500. The LECTURE-HALL is entered from the central flight of stairs, through a handsome octangular vestibule with double doors. In shape it is nearly semicircular, the inner curve measuring 117 feet 4 inches, and the chord 62 feet 9 inches, the area being sufficient to contain nearly seven hundred auditors. The hall is well adapted for hearing, and is lighted and ventilated by a large circular lantern in the roof, which can be darkened in the day time for the exhibition of any illustrations requiring the exclusion of light, by letting down a false ceiling below the window.

On the right of the lecture table is the LABORATORY, a large quadrangular apartment, completely fitted with chemical furnaces and apparatus of the most approved construction. On the left is the APPARATUS ROOM, which is fitted up with glass-cases containing the instruments used in illustrating the sciences of mechanics, electricity, galvanism, hydrostatics, hydraulics, heat and light, pneumatics, optics, and astronomy, ranged in systematic order. Behind are a fireplace and portable furnace: and above is an opening between the columns to receive transparencies, or a screen for the exhibition of phantasmagoria.

The number of lectures delivered amounted, at the close of 1835, to one hundred courses, comprising upwards of eight hundred and thirty separate lectures, being an average of more than fifty each season. These had cost the institution £7400. Taking the same average for the last ten years, we shall have a total of nearly 1400 lectures, at an expense of £12,500. The subjects of lectures for the ensuing month will be found, with other notices, on the next page.

In concluding this sketch, we beg to express a hope that the details into which we have entered will not prove uninteresting to the general reader, and that the rise and progress of the London Institution will be taken as the ground for encouragement, and pleasing matter for contemplation, by the members and managers of similar, though it may be less extensive, establishments.

CITY OF LONDON INSTITUTION.

THIS Institution, situated in Aldersgate-street, was formed by some gentlemen connected with various commercial and banking houses of the metropolis, in the spring of the year 1825. It has met with considerable success, and now numbers, we believe, about a thousand members. The terms of subscription are:

A life member

Yearly member
Half-yearly member

Twenty guineas.
Two guineas
One guinea.

It possesses a library, a reading-room, classes for instruction in languages, and classes for mutual improvement.

During the months of November and December, lectures have been delivered on the music of various nations, by Mr. C. E. Horn, and on some of the subordinate characters in the plays of Shakespeare, by Mr. C. Cowden Clarke.

LECTURES FOR JANUARY.

It is our intention to present our readers with monthly lists of LECTURES to be delivered in the various literary and scientific institutions, or before the members of young men's societies, in the metropolis and its suburbs. Our lists will at first be necessarily imperfect. But we hope, with the kindly aid of members and secretaries, to render them every succeeding month more complete, and in time extremely valuable as a general medium for publishing the transactions of such institutions, and thus bringing them in their most attractive form, before the public eye. Communications on the subject are respectfully invited. We shall also feel extremely obliged to secretaries and others for prospectuses, and any information regarding the institutions with which they are connected.

Lectures will be delivered during the present month at the LONDON INSTITUTION," On the Physiology of the External Senses," by R. D. Grainger, Esq., on Monday evenings at seven o'clock. January 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th. And "On the Microscope and its Revelations," by Dr. W. B. Carpenter, F.R.S., on Thursday evenings.-January 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th.

AT CROSBY HALL, Bishopsgate-street Within, "On the Drama," by B. H. Smart, Esq.-January 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd.

AT THE CITY OF LONDON INSTITUTION, Aldersgate-street, Play of Henry VIII., Measure for Measure," by C. Cowden Clark, Esq.-January 7th.

The Early Closing Movement.

WE especially invite our readers to aid us in the preparation of this most important department of our journal. We would wish to organise a body of contributors, so that every month we may have authentic information from every provincial town in the kingdom. We shall be happy to receive communications from gentlemen who would perhaps be disposed to become regular correspondents.

Ryde, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1845. GENTLEMEN-AS good example is at all times worthy of being followed, and, moreover, good example often stimulates others, I am happy in being able to show that Ryde is not backward in the "Early Closing System." We