But if the term reputation be comparative, and if our pursuit of it be only an attempt to acquire the approbation of our companions, by such means as are pleasing to them, and, consequently, dependent upon whatever degree of intellectual or moral culture they may have attained; so also is the term conscience equally comparative, and our obedience to it means simply our desire to propitiate a Supreme Being, according as we know more or less of his character and his laws. The word conscience means knowledge: and when we say that our conscience reproaches or praises us, we mean that we have done something which we know to be criminal or praiseworthy; so that in all cases the operations of our conscience must depend upon the extent of our acquaintance with the nature of good and evil. Now this truth is one of the most simple, yet most important, fundamental principles of the Christian faith, and cannot be stated too cften, or preached with too great solemnity. If the operations of conscience were the same in all ages and in all countries; if there has always been within the man himself, an unerring and unvarying guide (as some would have us believe), pointing out to him perpetually the distinction between good and evil, and urging him to seek the one and fly the other; then there can never have been any necessity for the revelations by which God, from time to time, has been pleased to make known his desires and intentions. For in such a case, and by the aid of this unerring monitor, man could have gradually reasoned himself towards the knowledge of God-his power, his wrath, and his mercy. But so far from this having been the case, we find that the small particles of truth, to be distinguished in the several Pagan systems, are only remains of the primitive revelation; and that in proportion as heathens wandered from these relics, their consciences became weaker and more limited in their operations, to such a degree, indeed, as to lose all vestiges of conscience, as soon as they had forgotten entirely the truths of revelation. If that which has been termed natural religion, had ever existed; if man could ever have discovered God for himself; that religion would have been based upon, and that God would have been discovered by, the operations of conscience; and it may reasonably be supposed that murder would have been the first crime prohibited in the decrees of the one, or regarded as hostile to the wisdom and purity of the other. But instead of this aversion to murder, what do we find? Is it not notorious that the lex talionis was tolerated, nay enjoined, in all those countries where revelation was but partially understood, or nearly forgotten? whilst in some lands, where primitive truth has suffered a still further deterioration, it has been the custom to expose aged people and weak children to perish with cold and hunger, or from the violence of rapacious beasts. Indeed, so devoid is the Bechuana (a native of South Africa) of any compunctious feelings, that he commits these and other crimes without even knowing that he is guilty; so that, according to the proposition previously put forth, he can have no conscience whatever.

God's purpose in permitting the world to remain so long without that revelation which could alone lead them to the truth, is not the subject for our present consideration; nor, indeed, can it affect us in any way, though we may hope that He will take pity on those who

erred through the grossness of their ignorance. But having ascertained that the consciences of men act according to the knowledge of good and evil which men possess, and, indeed, have no power of knowing good from evil except as they are taught by God, we shall be at no loss to determine how our consciences should act, which have the fullest, clearest instruction given to them in the decrees of revealed religion.

After these remarks it must be clear to all that we cannot place implicit reliance upon the promptings of our conscience, unless those promptings be corroborated by the written decrees of God. As conscience only acquires its full power from those decrees, it is evident that, if the decrees be forgotten and neglected, the conscience will become dull and languid. Nevertheless, it may be fairly assumed that we are to blame whenever our conscience reproaches us, although the silence of that monitor cannot be with certainty adduced as a proof of our innocence. It need hardly be stated, that the love of reputation ought always to be controlled by that fear of conscience which guides those who do not forget the decrees of the Almighty. The man who is actuated only by a desire for fame will be honest, charitable, or continent, only so long as the exercise of those qualities will procure him the object of his desires. But if an opportunity should arise (and in the present complicated relations of society it is of daily occurrence) for him to be mean without incurring observation, avaricious without blame, and incontinent without scandal; nay, if it be possible for him, as it too often is, to bring even his vices to market, and receive, in return, the coin of public approbation, what security shall we then have against the subtlety of the knave, the rapacity of the miser, the profligacy of the libertine, or the tyranny of the despot? To keep such men within due bounds, the operations of conscience are indispensably necessary; but there cannot be a greater mistake than to suppose them virtuous, merely because they tell us that their consciences do not declare them guilty. Conscience is not itself the law, but it is merely a judge, ordained to expound the statutes of a higher and more extended wisdom. But if the judge shall have forgotten the statutes, or shall attempt to fabricate fresh laws, whenever such a proceeding shall suit his purpose, his tribunal will be useless, his decisions of no avail, and all his sophistry must be rejected as a perversion of the truth, and a cause of the most deadly and pernicious error.

Literary and Scientific Institutions.

THE SURREY ATHENÆUM.

A MEETING of the inhabitants of the Borough of Southwark, has been held at the building in Blackfriars-road lately known as " The Socialists' Hall of Science," for the purpose of considering the propriety of establishing in that locality a literary institution, to be denominated "The Surrey Athenæum." In the absence of Lord John Russell (who was expected

to have presided, but from whom an intimation was received of his regres at not being able to attend) the chair was taken by Benjamin Hawes Esq., M.P.

The CHAIRMAN observed, that the object which they were that evening assembled to promote was one which commanded his warmest sympathy and unqualified approval. He had for a great length of time lived o very far from that spot. He knew the neighbourhood well, and distinctly remembered that a literary institution of great value occupied the very building in which they were then seated many years ago. Within its walls were to be found, at that time, one of the best selected libraries in London, an excellent theatre for lectures, and an admirable collection of scientific apparatus. Owing to certain causes, which it was not necessary that he should further allude to, but which were very much to be deplored, the library was dispersed, and the institution itself closed. From that time to this the injury which was inflicted on the cause of literature and science, by permitting such an establishment to fall to the ground, had been visited, so to speak, on the very edifice itself in the shape of a judgment from heaven; for never had a building once dedicated to noble uses, been so completely desecrated and dishonoured as that had been. Everything that was frivolous, base, and bad, had, of late years, found its home within those walls, which, until very lately, had been occupied by men who set little value either on literature or science, and who had little indeed in common with the good and eminent men who were originally engaged in forming the Surrey Institution. But a healthier tone of feeling had sprung up. The value of literary institutions was now properly understood, the inappreciable worth of knowledge was now justly comprehended, and he was sure that the day was not distant when the inhabitants of Southwark would see the necessity of redeeming their character from the dishonour which had attached to it by allowing their literary institution to be closed. He hoped that the day was not far distant when there would be again formed, within the walls of that building, an institution calculated to administer to the educational requirements of the great mass of the population. There were three essentials for success in such an enterprise as the present. The first was a deep sense of the absolute necessity for such an institution as the Surrey Athenæum ; secondly, a disposition on the part of those who would be themselves most benefited by such an establishment to come forward and contribute their subscriptions; and thirdly, a spirit of resolute, indomitable perseverance on the part of those who were more immediately engaged in the formation of the institution. If these essentials were not wanting, and he was sure they would not be so, there could be no doubt but that the effort which was now being made would be crowned with the most signal success. One of the greatest recommendations in favour of popular institutions of this kind was, that they afforded to persons of humble means facilities of having access to books of a valuable description. He solicited his hearers most earnestly, therefore, to co-operate with the utmost possible energy in an effort to lay the foundation of an extensive library. It was with a view to place education within the reach of the many, that the combination of the many was called into action, and he trusted that there would be no lassitude or reluctance

in the good work. A good beginning has already been made, for no less than three hundred persons had come forward to signify their intention to aid in the project, and they had evinced their sincerity by volunteering, to pay their subscriptions in advance. The honourable gentleman, having observed that he attached great importance to the fact of the rate of subscription for the contemplated Athenæum being very low, as in the case of the Lambeth Institute, exhorted his hearers to unwearying perseverance in the honourable task they had undertaken, and concluded by reminding them that though knowledge was power, ignorance was an antagonistic element of power also, exceedingly dangerous in its character, and which it was essential to the cause of civilisation and enlightenment to combat and to stifle.

Mr. APSLEY PELLATT, in proposing the first resolution, observed that the contemplated institution would be modelled on the plan of Dr. Birkbeck's establishment in Chancery-lane, and that the rate of subscription would not exceed 6d. a week. Several eminent literary men had, with great generosity, volunteered to give lectures gratuitously for a period. He had much pleasure in proposing the following resolution :-"That this meeting, impressed with the importance of the diffusion of knowledge, as tending to the moral and social improvement of all classes, views with extreme pleasure the proposal to establish an institution to be called the Surrey Athenæum,' such institution to embrace readingroom and library, and to afford opportunities for literary and scientific instruction by lectures and classes, and being convinced of the necessity of the same in this populous district, pledges itself to use every exertion to effect its establishment."

Mr. J. S. BUCKINGHAM seconded the resolution, and dwelt in impressive terms on the necessity and importance of education.

The REV. J. W. WATKIN alluded to the prospective advantages likely to be realised from the establishment of mechanics' institutes throughout the country, and concluded by moving the next resolution, authorising the appointment of a committee for obtaining patrons, vicepresidents, and subscribers, for engaging suitable premises, and for making, with as little delay as possible, such other arrangements as might be deemed necessary for carrying out the contemplated under taking.

Mr. SIMMONDS Seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Mr. E. WILSON moved the third resolution-"That a subscription be now entered into for defraying the cost of the library, class-rooms, fittings, and other necessary expenses incidental at the commencement of such an institution." He feared it was but too probable that the reputation which the building in which they were now assembled had unfortunately gained would render it a task of some difficulty to induce persons to subscribe; but when they were informed through the press of the real object now in view, which was one for the social and moral amelioration of the people, he was sure that many well-disposed and liberal-minded persons would cheerfully come forward to aid in the good work.

Mr. A. W. HOGGINS seconded the resolution.

The SECRETARY having made an announcement to the effect that

the subscriptions received in the room amounted to £90, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN INSTITUTE.

Ar the Soirée held on the evening of July 2nd, a model of Mr. Brett's electric printing telegraph was also produced, and attracted considerable interest, as well by the marvellous mode of its working, as by the vast extent to which it is likely hereafter to be applied. This new and important application of electricity appears to be a considerable improvement on the system upon which the existing electric telegraphs are constructed, inasmuch as it requires but a single line of wire, and also prints the intelligence which it conveys, without rendering the presence of an attendant necessary to decipher the marks made by it. The manager sits at a board furnished with keys similar to those on a pianoforte, and marked with the letters of the alphabet. Each key, on being touched, suffers a certain number of sparks to pass through the wire, and these, acting on a simple but ingenious mechanical contrivance at the other extremity of the line, causes the printing wheel to stamp a similar letter on a card. The plan appears perfectly practicable, and from being peculiarly practicable for oceanic telegraphs, is likely to be soon tried on an extensive scale.

The proceedings were kept up with great spirit till past midnight, and terminated one of the most crowded and brilliant soirées of the season.

THE UXBRIDGE YOUNG MEN'S IMPROVEMENT
SOCIETY.

"In the first place, we have a committee of twelve persons, chosen every twelve weeks from the list of members, the duty of each being to act as chairman for one week. We find the benefit of this plan to be a greater amount of order and regularity than when there is no one to preside. Our room opens at half-past six, and closes at ten. The routine of spending the time is as follows:-Monday night is devoted to the practice of music, vocal and instrumental-the vocal music according to Hullah's system; Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, to reading; Tuesday and Thursday evenings, till nine o'clock, reading, after which, conversation on some given topic. We beg to say that we find the conversation nights to be the most attractive and instructive. The majority wishing to join in the conversation, and not liking to come unprepared, read, and get prepared, and thus a great amount of instruction is communicated; and it frequently happens that different opinions are entertained, thus causing a spirited, and, in our humble opinion, a good discussion. But we must here state, that we carefully exclude all religious controversy and party politics from our room, so that we have in our society persons of almost every persuasion, without any jarring