But, whilst the Committee thus fulfil their welcome office in recording the successful issue of their labours during the last year, they have at the same time a very painful duty to discharge, in directing your attention to two events, of the highest importance to the Society, and of a very afflictive nature, which have unhappily taken place within the same short period of time-the lamented deaths of the Earls of Bridgewater and Clarendon-it is well known, that to the suggestion of the former of these distinguished individuals, the Earl of Bridgewater, this Society owes its original foundation and establishment, and it is no less felt, that to the zealous and unremitting assiduity of the Earl of Clarendon, it is mainly indebted for its continued success and increasing prosperity. Upon referring to the Minutes of the proceedings of the Select Committee, it appears that, at the Quarterly Meeting in the month of October last, the following Memorial upon the heavy loss which the Society had then recently sustained, by the death of the Earl of Bridgewater, was presented by the Secretary, and read from the Chair.

"The Select Committee cannot conclude the business of this Meeting without alluding to an event, which has recently taken place; and which in common with the whole neighbourhood they deeply deplore the lamented death of the Earl of Bridgewater. To his suggestion, dictated by an exemplary zeal in the service of our holy religion, and a most devoted attachment to the welfare of the Established Church, this important branch of our venerable Parent Society owes its original institution: and, although his constant and unwearied attention to other works of general utility and the most extensive beneficence, prevented his frequent presence at these Meetings, this Committee entertain the highest sense of the valuable support he continued to afford them; and are earnestly desirous to record upon

their minutes a lasting testimony of their profound veneration for the virtues of his character, and their unfeigned regret for the loss of such a benefactor and friend."

It will awaken the most sincere regret in the Members of this Society, to be informed, that the perusal of this Memorial, and the proposing a resolution that it should be inserted in the Annual Report, were the very last acts which the declining health of the Earl of Clarendon enabled him to perform in the chair of this Committee. At the ensuing meeting in January last, the following note, addressed to the Secretary, was received from his Lordship, which so fully testified his own feelings and wishes in relation to this Society, that it was directed to be entered upon the Minutes; accompanied after the fatal termination of his illness, by the subsequent Memorial.

"The Grove near Watford, Herts,
"Jan. 27, 1824.
"Tuesday.

"Many thanks to you, my dear Sir, for wishes and endeavours to be of any use in a very friendly and obliging note. My any business, which I undertake, cannot easily be over-rated; my services, I fear, can only rise in importance from the view which the kind partiality of friends may take of them. If I had been sooner aware of our Meeting, perhaps I might have taken the liberty of asking to have it held at the Grove.

"I am, dear Sir, with much regard,
"Your's sincerely,

"CLARENDON."

"To the Rev. John Crofts, &c. &c. &c.”

"The Select Committee have now to fulfil the painful duty of recording upon their Minutes the very severe and afflicting deprivation they have sustained, since their last Quarterly Meeting, of that most firm friend and zealous supporter of this Institution, who, from the period of its first establishment, so ably and assiduously filled the Chair at their Meetings :-to those, who have so often observed the zeal and earnestness, the judgment and discretion-who have experienced the kindness and candour, the uniform and condescending urbanity, with which the Earl of Clarendon presided over and conducted the business of this Committee, it may appear unnecessary to dwell upon those estimable qualities, which were so deeply felt, so universally acknowledged; and which must endear his memory to their respect. ful veneration and affectionate regard:

Committee. Disclaiming, as the members of this Committee unfeignedly do, all idea of dictating to the friends of the Society the mode of that connexion; and disavowing all pretension to interfere with the pri vate regulations of local establishments, they cannot but feel convinced that if, as originally recommended, all the District Committees throughout the Diocese were formed into one Diocesan Association, and their several Reports annually addressed to the Central Committee at Exeter-if, in a word, the Diocesan Committee were really what its name imports, a larger and more valuable body of information would, from year to year, be collected, and brought to a point-more accurate and detailed returns would be obtained-the wants of particular districts would be better understood and supplied-greater energy would be infused into the general system—and at the same time that Local Institutions expanded and multiplied, the unity of purpose and plan, which are equally the safeguards of all the branches of this great society, would be more easily and more effectually maintained. In the mean time, it cannot fail to prove highly gratifying to the present Meeting to learn, that the concerns of our own district are progress ively improving.

"If we may fairly measure the pros perity of our establishment by the receipts and disbursements of the year, by the quantity of books issued from our depository, and the number of children educated at schools supplied by us, it will be found to be in all respects on the advance. The names of new subscribers to the local fund, and of new members recommended to the Parent Society, will be seen in our lists. Our debt has been extinguished; our stock in hand is greatly increased; and the number of books and tracts issued during the last year exceeds the number of the preceding year by 2037. At the Annual Meeting of 1823, the numbers reported

An amount, we are proud to say, far exceeding the issue of any other single district in the kingdom.

"There is one point, however, to which the Committee are obliged to advert with regret they confess their disappointment when they state that one parish only, that of St. Edmund's, in Exeter, has hitherto applied for aid in the formation of a Parochial Lending Library. Recommended as these institutions were, in the strongest terms, last year, and singularly adapted, as they are, to the present times, not only as a check to existing evil, but as a prevention of future mischief, the Committee cannot help lamenting the little encou ragement they have received. But notwithstanding this deduction from their entire satisfaction, they are confident that the statement of the year will be allowed to contain abundant matter for gratitude and joy-they are confident that it will supply the friends of the Society with the most ample reasons, not merely for continuing their own efforts in its cause, but also for stimulating those of others; and, while they venture thus to urge those friends to increased exertion, they pledge themselves, individually and collectively, to continue, with unabated zeal, to'plant' and to water,' in the firm but humble hope that, in His own good time, the 'Lord of the Harvest' will Himself vouchsafe the increase."

The Lord Bishop congratulated the Meeting on the cheering nature of the report he had just read. But (his Lordship observed), they would accomplish only half their work without the aid of other Societies; it would be of very little advantage to give Bibles and Testaments to the poor, unless the poor were taught to read them; and hence arose the value of the National Schools. There was another Society, less known, indeed, and therefore less supported than it ought to be-whose object had a pre-eminent tendency to promote morality and religion; for, after teaching the poor to read, and supplying them with Bibles and Prayer Books, it was highly important that they should use them in the public worship of God. He referred to the Society for the enlargement of Churches and Chapels, which, though it had been established but six years, had provided accommodation for 92,000 per sons, including 69,000 free sittings for the poor, an an expense of 64,000l. The Society had exhausted its funds, and now sppealed to public benevolence for means of further usefulness. His Lordship begged pardon for introducing a subject not immediately connected with the business be

fore them; but, as it was so closely allied to it, he trusted it would not be deemed irrelevant.

Sir Thomas Dyke Acland briefly addressed the Meeting, and moved the printing of the Report.

B. B. Dickenson, Esq. moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Archdeacon Moore, for his excellent sermon delivered that morning; which was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. Archdeacon Moore said he could not but feel honoured by the notice of the Meeting; and, though he preferred the sphere of a country Clergyman, he should be happy to lend his aid to this Society in any way in which he might be thought useful. He trusted that, in common with his clerical brethren, he should always have nearest his heart the present and eternal welfare of mankind, and neglect no opportunity of advancing it. The Bishop here stated that, liberal as was the sum collected at the last anniversary (about 971.) the amount this day surpassed it, being 105/. and benefactions of 167. 68. received since, making together 121l. 16s. It was gratifying to find, his Lordship said, that no small part of this sum was contributed in pence, half-pence, and even farthings-thus proving that the poor are not indifferent to the great object of the Society's endeavours.

Mr. Courtenay said, he rose with peculiar pleasure to move thanks to the Mayor, Chamber, and Incorporated Trades for the countenance they had given the Society by their presence this day, and for the use of the Guildball. Nothing could have a better effect on the minds of the lower orders than to see those in authority uniting to promote their welfare, and proclaiming by their sanction their respect for the Christian religion.

The motion was seconded by the Rev. W. Ellicombe, sen, and unanimously carried. The Mayor returned thanks for himself and the municipal body, who, he said, entertained an unfeigned regard for the welfare of the Society.

The Lord Bishop of Barbados moved a vote of thanks to the Select Committee. Connected as he had officially been with the Parent Society, he was acquainted with their zealous, judicious, and unwearied exertions, and was glad of this opportunity of expressing his high sense of their value. He also felt considerable pleasure in recommending the establishment of parochial libraries in this his native county, from a conviction of their utility.

Votes of thanks to the Treasurer and Secretaries were then moved, and seconded by Col. Coleridge, Rev. Chancellor Martin, Rev. Archdeacon Moore, Rev. Cannon Bull, Rev. Dr. Collyns, H. Blackall, Esq. and others. Sir Stafford Northcote, James Buller, Esq. Mr. Creckett, (Treasurer), Rev. Prebendary Oxnam, and the Rev. J. M. Collyns, returned thanks.

Lord Gifford moved a vote of thanks to the Bishop, for his conduct in the Chair, and for his constant exertions in behalf of the Society.

The Bishop having returned thanks, the Meeting separated.

The above Meeting was more than usually numerous, and highly respectable, affording a pleasing hope that, by the liberal circulation of the Holy Scriptures and religious tracts, the increasing morals of our country will form one of its most agreeable features.