5. Making fair copies from rough notes; 6. Calculation of per-centages. II. Final. 1. English composition; 2. Geography; 3. History; 4. Mathematics; 5. Natural science; and six out of the twenty-one candidates were excluded as having failed in the first of the two, which comprised only subjects regarded as indispensably necessary.

The candidate who obtained the second place also passed a creditable examination in translation from French and German, and one of the unsuccessful competitors showed a creditable power of Latin translation and composition, and a fair facility in Greek translation and composition.

The report is dated 16th February, 1857, and signed by
JOHN GEORGE SHAW LEFEVRE.
EDWARD RYAN.

(L.S.) (L.S.)

No. LI.-ROYAL SOCIETY.

Copy of the Letter from the President of the Royal Society to Viscount Palmerston, with Resolutions of the Council of the Royal Society enclosed. [Pursuant to an Order of the House of Lords, dated 18th June, 1857.] LORD WROTTESLEY, F.R.S., transmitted to Viscount Palmerston the following resolutions of the Council of the Royal Society on the measures which should be adopted in order to improve the relations between the Government and science.

Resolutions adopted by the president and council on the question, "whether any measures could be adopted by the Government or Parliament that would improve the position of science or its cultivators in this country." 1. The president and council regard with much satisfaction the steps already taken in the universities for advancing the study of physical science, by including several branches of it in the public examinations, and express their hope that the improvement thus introduced may receive the extension which the interests of science require, and that the public schools may be thereby induced to make physical science an integral part of their course of education.

2. The president and council recommend that the establishment of classes in metropolitan and provincial schools, where those who have not the means or opportunity of studying at the universities may be taught the elements of physical science on a systematic plan, be promoted by grants from Government in aid of such funds as may be locally contributed for that purpose.

3. That the formation of provincial museums and libraries be encouraged in like manner, and that provincial lectures, accompanied by examinations, be established in Great Britain, in towns which request this assistance and engage to provide a part of the expense, such lectures to be in aid of the schools above mentioned, so that by means of the two combined a sound knowledge of the principles and applications of science may be systematically taught.

4. That duplicate specimens from the British Museum, and other institutions supported at the public expense, be distributed to provincial museums. 5. That national publications bearing on science be more extensively circulated than they are at present, by additional donations to societies and individuals engaged in the cultivation of science.

6. That the sum placed annually by Parliament at the disposal of Government for the reward of civil services, "useful discoveries in science, and attainments in literature aud the arts," be augmented; that the portion to be appropriated to science be defined; and that it be sufficiently large to admit of the grant of annuities of the nature of good-service pensions, as rewards of eminent scientific merit.

7. That the sum placed at the disposal of the Royal Society for the advancement of science be not necessarily limited to the annual grant of 1,000l., when on any occasion special reasons may be assigned for an additional sum.

8. That scientific offices shall be placed more nearly on a level, in respect of salary, with such other civil appointments as are objects of ambition to educated men.

9. The president and council regard with much satisfaction the steps already taken for the concentration of the principal scientific societies in Burlington House, and trust that the period is not far distant in which permanent accommodation will be afforded to the principal scientific societies in buildings to be erected near the same site, and in pursuance of the same general plan.

10. While it may not be expedient to interfere in any way with the functions confided to the president and council of the Royal Society, in reference to the distribution of the Parliamentary Grant, or with the ancient and recognised relations between the Royal Society and the Government, at the same time it appears to the president and council that much benefit would arise from the formal recognition of some board which might advise the Government on all matters connected with science, and especially on the prosecution, reduction, and publication of scientific researches, and the amount of parliamentary or other grants in aid thereof; also on the general principles to be adopted in reference to public scientific appointments; and on the measures necessary for the more general diffusion of a knowledge of physical science among the nation at large; and which might be consulted by the Government on the grants of pensions to the cultivators of science.

11. Assuming that the above proposal should meet with the approval of Her Majesty's Government, it will be desirable to ascertain what mode of constituting such a board would inspire them with most confidence in its recommendations. Two modes may be suggested in which such a board might be organised: -First, the Government might formally recognise the president and council of the Royal Society as its official adviser, imposing the whole responsibility on that body, and leaving it to them to seek advice,

when necessary, in such quarters as it in such quarters as it may best be found, according to the method now pursued in the disposal of the parliamentary grant of 1,000l. The second method would be to create an entirely new board, somewhat after the model of the old Board of Longitude, but with improvements. The question as to which alternative shall be adopted is properly a subject for the consideration of the Government.

12. Such of the above recommendations as involve the expenditure of money might be eventually carried out by appropriating to this purpose a certain proportion of the fees received from the grantees of patents, after providing for all expenses which ought to be defrayed from that source. The president and council are satisfied that no application of these fees could be devised more appropriate than the devotion of a portion of them to the encouragement of abstract science, to which practical art is under so many and such important obligations.

No. LII.-CHURCH RATES.

Return to an Address of the House of Commons, dated 28th May, 1857, for Return compiled from Returns before the House, of the amount of Church Rates and other Moneys received and expended by Churchwardens in the years ending Easter, 1832, Easter, 1839, and Easter, 1854, respectively; also an Account of any Sum or Sums of Money borrowed under the provision of any Act of Parliament, on the security of Church Rates, and remaining due on such security, in the years 1830 and 1854 respectively. (Sir George Grey). (88.-Sess. 2.)

THE total amount received from Church Rates and other sources in England and Wales, was, in 1832, 663,795.; in 1839, 506,8121.; and in 1854, 484,8541. From Church Rates, in 1832, 446,495l.; in 1839, 363,103, and in 1854, 314,6591. The total expenditure was, in 1832, 645,819%.; in 1839, 480,6627,; and in 1854, 464,550l. The debts secured on Church Rates were, in 1830, 535,236l., and in 1854, 318,200l.

No. LIII.-SUSPENDED CANONRIES.

Return to an Address of the House of Commons, dated 10th March, 1857, for A Return from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England of the respective total amounts of the Grants or Reductions allowed by them since the 1st day of January, 1840, to each of the several Chapters of England and Wales, to pay Substitutes for performing duties cast upon them by the Suspension of Canonries. (Mr. William Ewart.) (16.-Sess. 2.)

THE total amount of the grants or reductions to the Chapter of Canterbury was 1,134. 16s. 7d. Exeter, 1,930l. 4s. 2d. Gloucester, 1,162l. 1s. 8d. Norwich, 1,2947. 58. Peterborough, 850l. 18s. 9d. Rochester, 1,599l. 3s. 4d. Winchester, 1,124l. 98. 7d. Worcester, 3,6381. 13s. Total, 12,734 12s. 1d.

No. LIV.-MINISTERS' MONEY (IRELAND).

Return to an Order of the House of Commons, dated 28th May, 1857, for Return of the Number of Houses liable to the Payment of Ministers' Money, in each of the Cities or Boroughs of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Clonmel, and Kinsale, under the provisions of the Act 17 & 18 Vict. c. 11, distinguishing the number of Houses, &c. (Mr. George Alexander Hamilton.) (113.—Sess. 2).

THE number of houses rated at more than 10%. each, liable to the payment of Ministers' Money, was 14,998 in Dublin, 2,139 in Cork, 186 in Limerick, 707 in Waterford, 316 in Drogheda, 318 in Kilkenny, 426 in Clonmel, and 107 in Kinsale. Total, 19,197. The amount of Ministers' Money payable in each city or borough was, 8,436l. 5s. 6d. in Dublin, 2,271. 78. 4d. in Cork, 1287. 78. 6d. in Limerick, 572l. 48. in Waterford, 208l. 28. d. in Drogheda, 2287. 16s. 3d. in Kilkenny, 251. 148. 74d. in Clonmel, and 36 13s. 2 d. in Kinsale. Total, 12,133l. 10s. 6d.

No. LV.-NATIONAL COLLECTIONS.

Return to an Order of the House of Commons, dated 9th March, 1857, for Return of Sums expended on account of the British Museum, National Gallery, Scientific Works and Experiments, Geographical Society, Science and Art Departments, &c., &c., in the last ten years, and of Sums expended on the Kensington Gore Estate, since 1851. (Mr. Spooner.) (58.-Sess. 2.) THE total sum expended on National Collections in 1847-48 was 134,866. 9s. 8d.: in 1848-9, 122,742l. 38. 10d.; in 1849-50, 96,713l. 28. 6d.; in 1850-51, 103,841l. Os. 4d.; in 1851-52, 122,991l. 2s. 8d.; in 1852-53, 111,1147. 188s. 5d.; in 1853-54, 114,6271. 15s. 5d.; in 1854-55, 163,5881. 48. 7d.; in 1855-56, 228,866. 148. 3d.; and in 1856-57, 202,4671. 78. 7d. In the latter year the sum was expended as follows:British Museum establishment, 46,490. British Museum buildings, 49,7681. 128. 9d. British Museum purchases, 20,454. National Gallery, 12,077 68. 11d. Scientific works and experiments, 5,815. 18s. 1d. Royal Geographical Society, 500l. British Historical Portrait Gallery, 824. 10s. Science and Art Department, 58,9661 18s. 9d. Museum of Practical Geology establishment, 7312. 18. 1d. Royal Society, 1,000% Total, 202,467. 78. 7d. The sum expended in the purchase and laying out of the grounds and buildings on the Kensington Gore Estate, in 1851, was nil; in 1852, 75,357l. 1s. 9d.; in 1853, 150,778l. 15s. 7d.; in 1854, 9,9027. 19s. 7d.; in 1855, 11,556l. 118. Od.; in 1856, 29,714. 10s. 4d. Total, 277,3097. 188. 11d.

No. LVI-SCHOOLS IN RURAL DISTRICTS.

Return to an Address of the House of Commons, dated 12th May, 1857, for Return of the Numbers of Schools which have been erected under the Minute of Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council of Education of the 2nd of April, 1853, for Promoting Voluntary Assessments towards the expense of Building Schools in Rural Districts, &c. (Mr. Miles.) (107.-Sess. 2.) THE amount of local rates collected by inhabitants was 116,1917. 2s. 6d.; the amount of non-local subscriptions, 17,1427. 9s. 5d; the sum contributed from parliamentary grant, 78,1697. Total cost, 211,5027. 188. 8d. The number of grants in rural districts was, in 1854, 47; in 1855, 93, and in 1856, 123. Total, 263. The number of grants in non-rural districts in 1854, 14; in 1855, 33, and in 1856, 41. Total 88. Total in rural and non-rural districts in 1854, 61; in 1855, 126, and in 1856, 164. Total 351.

BILLS.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

To provide for the Instruction of Young Work people and Children of the Poor. Young persons employed for hire, and unable to read, to be sent to school. School expenses to be paid by the person agreeing to pay wages (The Lord Rossie.) 14th May, 1857 (6. L).

For confirming a scheme of the Charity Commissioners for the College of God's Gift in Dulwich in the county of Surrey, with certain alterations (The Lord Chancellor.) 18th May, 1857. (13. L.)

To facilitate the extension of Reformatory Institutions in England. (The Earl of Carnarvon.) 22nd May, 1857. (16. L.)

To continue the power of the Commissioners under an Act of the seventeenth and eighteenth year of Her Majesty concerning the University of Oxford and the College of St. Mary, Winchester, and further to amend the said Act. (The Lord Privy Seal.) 25th May, 1857. (21. L.)

To amend the law respecting Roman Catholic Charities. Act 2 & 3 Will. IV., c. 115, to apply as if in force at the time of founding the charities Conveyances in favour of charities before this Act not to be void for nonenrolment if enrolled within one year. Trusts for lawful charities not to be void by reason of undefined parts of the trust funds being applicable to superstitious uses. Usage of twenty-five years evidence of charitable purposes. (The Lord Chancellor.) 5th June, 1857. (29. L.)