"£1,420., part of the receipts of the year, were invested in the purchase of £113. 7s. Id. Long Annuities, which made the total amount of Long Annuities, £ 344. ls. This sum of £344. 1s. Long Annuities was sold on the 5th day of November, 1844, and the produce thereof, £4,127. 10s. 6d., was invested in the purchase of £4,132. 138. 10d., 3 per cent. Consolidated Annuities. The sum of £830., other part of the receipts of the year, has been invested in the purchase of £830. 19s. 5d., 3 per cent. Consolidated Annuities.

"The Capital Stock therefore of the Institution now consists of £14,963. 13s. 3d., 3 per cent. Consolidated Annuities, and £10,000., 34 per cent. Annuites.

"In the hands of the Treasurers there is a sum of £212. 4s. 7d., and with the Secretary, £12. 188. 7d.

*Exclusive of the two Widows who, in 1843, were placed permanently on the funds, fifteen applicants have received pecuniary relief.

"Pursuant to an order of an Extraordinary General Court, held 15th March, 1844, the Directors placed the sum of 150 guineas in the hands of Dr. Marshall Hall, for distribution amongst the Medical Officers, as a slight expression of the high estimation in which their valuable and disinterested services, since the formation of the Institution, have been uniformly held. The compliment was acknowledged in terms extremely gratifying to the Directors, who have caused the letter they received to be inserted on their minutes.

"In taking a review of the transactions of the Institution, and its progress during a period of thirteen years, the Directors are strongly impressed with a conviction that the success which has continuously attended the exertions of the original promoters is in a great degree attributable to the earnestness and liberality with which the principals of the most influential houses in the trades advocated the objects of the Institution. Munificent contributions were received from most of the large houses; and it has occurred to the Directors, that as there are, at the present time, many establishments which have attained opulence and celebrity since the year 1832, but have not subscribed to the funds, the well-directed exertions of members may secure a very extensive co-operation of the trades, and lead to an immediate and considerable augmentation of the funds. With this view the Directors suggest that a wellorganized plan should be acted on by the members at large for personally canvassing the various houses in London which have not, by their names and subscriptions, borne testimony to the expediency of encouraging an Institution for mitigating the calamities

to which persons engaged in the various trades embraced by the Institution are peculiarly liable.

"THOS. WINKWORTH,

"Chairman.

"Dated this 5th day of February, 1845."

We earnestly recommend assistants, as well as employers, to become connected with this valuable institution.

PROVINCIAL.

ASHFORD.-A correspondent states, that "although no Association has been formed, the Drapers' Establishments close at 7 in the winter, and at 8 in the summer, and that it is done without the slightest inconvenience."

BIRMINGHAM. Our friends here are stirring, and are making arrangements for holding a public meeting. We trust that it will be the means of making the earlyclosing movement still more generally adopted.

BRIGHTON.We trust that the assistants and young men of Brighton, released from late-hours of business, will use their utmost endeavours in the formation of the Institution contemplated, for the promotion of intellectual improvement, that by a good use of the short time already obtained, the employers may be induced to grant a still longer respite.

CHATHAM.-We are glad to hear of the good progress of the cause in this town, but we trust that the assistants will be more alive to their own interests, by rousing themselves from their "indifference and lukewarmness."

CHELTENHAM.-The first general meeting of the Cheltenham Institute was held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 21st. It owes its origin to the movement which commenced a few months since, for the earlier closing of shops. The attendance was numerous and respectable. The chairman, D. L. Thorp, Esq., M.D., President of the Cheltenham Literary and Philosophical Institution, opened the proceedings by an able address, followed by the Rev. F. D. Gilby, W. H. Gomonde, Esq., the Rev. A. M. Brown, Thos. Wright, T. D. Clarke, and G. Stokes, Esqrs. From the speech of the Rev. A. M. Brown, we extract the following passage :

"I feel constrained to view the present meeting as a meeting of congratulation among ourselves, on the result of the never-to-be-forgotten assembly, to relieve the sufferings of a class in our town. But while some triumphant results are before us, do not let us imagine that the struggle is over. It is a struggle we must attempt annually. It is a strug

gle which cannot be completed until all the young people-men and women, are enjoying similar privileges. But, Sir, we are met to do more than congratulate each other. We are met to say that we have erected a monument, and to open the doors of it to the public-a monument which combines the utile et dulce-a monument where science sits in its most inviting form -science for the young and the old-science for the rich and the poor-science for the churchmen and the dissenter, without the slightest shade of distinction being recognised between the young and old, the rich and poor, the churchman and the dissenter." -Cheltenham Free Press.

Two Lectures have been delivered in this town, in support of the movement.

We sincerely hope that the public and the employers of Cheltenham will lend their

aid and concurrence to the assistants in curtailing the hours of business.

HIGH WYCOMBE. An Association of Assistants was formed during last summer for obtaining an abridgement of the hours of toil. The result of their labours has been that, during the winter, the business hours terminate at 7, during the spring and autumn at 8, and during the summer at 9. Thus released, they have formed an Institute, and lectures have been and are being delivered on interesting and important subjects.

HULL.-Lectures and sermons, in support of the movement against the late-hoursystem of business, have been delivered by the Revs. J. H. Bromley, N. B. Hall, J. Pulsford, and R. Thompson. A favorable impression has been produced, and all the Drapers' establishments, with the exception of four, have consented to close at past 7, 8, and 9, P. M. according to the season of the year. The Grocers and Ironmongers at 8, and the Chemists at 8 and 9.

LEICESTER.-A movement, partially successful, has been proceeding here; it is our earnest desire to see it become more general.

PENZANCE. Here, in consequence of the earlier closing of shops, one of the most appropriate rooms in the town has been engaged, in which lectures have been delivered during the winter. "But," remarks our correspondent, "the spring and the summer months are coming on, when nature puts on her gay and inviting dress, and with them returns the old practice of late shutting. I would ask why may not the shops be closed early through the summer months too?"

PORTSMOUTH. Here, many of our readers are aware, the question of short hours was first agitated in the autumn of 1843, when a public meeting was held, presided over by the Mayor, and the impor tance of doing something to shorten the hours usually devoted to business, was very ably set forth by several ministers and gentlemen. An association for effecting the above object was subsequently formed, which determined on recommending to the inhabitants that the shops be closed at 8 o'clock in winter, and 9 o'clock in summer. We regret to learn that this recommendation has not been

rigorously observed, and that with the exception of the Drapers, there has been no uniformity in the hours of closing business; in the immediate vicinity, but without the and even some of the latter trade residing walls of the town, keep open, to the injury going regulation. of their neighbours, who observe the foreWe learn, too, that a dein reference to this subject, which is much gree of apathy exists among the employed, to be deplored. Surely it is a matter that deeply concerns their immediate interests, and they, of all others, should seek, by every legitimate means, to rivet public attention to the important fact that they are sufferers from late hours of business.

REDDITCH.-The Drapers, and other houses of business generally, have agreed to close their shops at 8 o'clock all the year round, excepting on Saturdays.

gle which cannot be completed until all the young people-men and women, are enjoy ing similar privileges. But, Sir, we are met to do more than congratulate each other. We are met to say that we have erected a monument, and to open the doors of it to the public-a monument which combines the utile et dulce-a monument where science sits in its most inviting form -science for the young and the old-science for the rich and the poor-science for the churchmen and the dissenter, without the slightest shade of distinction being recognised between the young and old, the rich and poor, the churchman and the dissenter." -Cheltenham Free Press.

Two Lectures have been delivered in this town, in support of the movement.

We sincerely hope that the public and the employers of Cheltenham will lend their

aid and concurrence to the assistants in curtailing the hours of business.

HIGH WYCOMBE.- An Association of Assistants was formed during last summer for obtaining an abridgement of the hours of toil. The result of their labours has been that, during the winter, the business hours terminate at 7, during the spring and autumn at 8, and during the summer at 9. Thus released, they have formed an Institute, and lectures have been and are being delivered on interesting and important subjects.

HULL.-Lectures and sermons, in support of the movement against the late-hoursystem of business, have been delivered by the Revs. J. H. Bromley, N. B. Hall, J. Pulsford, and R. Thompson. A favorable impression has been produced, and all the Drapers' establishments, with the exception of four, have consented to close at past 7, 8, and 9, P. M. according to the season of the year. The Grocers and Ironmongers at 8, and the Chemists at 8 and 9.

LEICESTER.-A movement, partially successful, has been proceeding here; it is our earnest desire to see it become more general.

PENZANCE. Here, in consequence of the earlier closing of shops, one of the most appropriate rooms in the town has been engaged, in which lectures have been delivered during the winter. "But," remarks our correspondent, "the spring and the summer months are coming on, when nature puts on her gay and inviting dress, and with them returns the old practice of late shutting. I would ask why may not the shops be closed early through the summer months too?"

PORTSMOUTH. Here, many of our readers are aware, the question of short hours was first agitated in the autumn of 1843, when a public meeting was held, presided over by the Mayor, and the importance of doing something to shorten the hours usually devoted to business, was very ably set forth by several ministers and gentlemen. An association for effecting the above object was subsequently formed, which determined on recommending to the inhabitants that the shops be closed at 8 o'clock in winter, and 9 o'clock in summer. We regret to learn that this recommendation has not been rigorously observed, and that with the exuniformity in the hours of closing business; ception of the Drapers, there has been no in the immediate vicinity, but without the and even some of the latter trade residing walls of the town, keep open, to the injury going regulation. of their neighbours, who observe the foreWe learn, too, that a de

gree of apathy exists among the employed, in reference to this subject, which is much to be deplored. Surely it is a matter that deeply concerns their immediate interests, and they, of all others, should seek, by every legitimate means, to rivet public attention to the important fact that they are sufferers from late hours of business.

REDDITCH.-The Drapers, and other houses of business generally, have agreed to close their shops at 8 o'clock all the year round, excepting on Saturdays.