is hardly conceivable by man, with all the elaborate
contrivances which we find in the larger objects of
creation. The mechanic, by means of institutions like
the present, is enabled to carry his mind into the most
distant regions of the universe. He is enabled not
merely to understand the wonderful machinery of that
system of which this world forms a part, but he is
enabled to carry his views farther, and to know that
there are visible to those who have the command of the
wonderful telescopes and improved optical instruments
of the day 80,000,000 suns, each of them as large, and
some of them, in all probability, larger than ours, all of
them surrounded by planets, and containing probably
an indefinite number of beings, all the creation of the
same great and inscrutable Power which made this
earth. The contemplation of these things must, I
think, raise the mind of the mechanic from worldly,
low, and vulgar considerations, and tend to direct
his mind with fervent devotion towards that great
Being from whom he derives his present existence."
Then came some valuable advice respecting savings-
banks—the provision for declining age. "There is no
maxim of life (said his lordship) more valuable than
this, that man should make to-day conducive to
tomorrow; that he should be willing to forego the
enjoyment, the temptations, the allurements of time
present, for the purpose of laying up a store which will
insure his comfort in time to come. That is a maxim
no less conducive to his comfort and happiness in this
world than essential to his well-being hereafter. Those
who act on this maxim will find themselves comfortable,
wealthy, and respected; while those who, on the other
hand, are careless of tomorrow and think only of
today, who waste in riotous extravagance or needless
pleasure those means which ought to be laid up in store
for their future comfort and support, will be sure to lose
the respect of their neighbours, and what is a much
greater loss, their own respect for themselves. Well,
ladies and gentlemen, there is nothing more calculated
to encourage these habits of foresight and providence
than savings-banks; and I trust that the effects of
establishing one in this town will be as beneficial as
they have been proved to be in other places where
similar institutions have been established. I trust that
the working man, who by his skill and industry is
now in receipt of ample wages, instead of squandering
them, as many may now be tempted to do, by the want
of any proper means of accumulating them,—instead, I
say, of squandering in dissipation, or, what is worse, in
drink or momentary indulgence, a large portion of his
earnings, will be induced to lay up a portion of them
for the future support of himself and family; and
depend upon it, that when once the habit is acquired—
when once a man begins to feel, that by providence and
foresight, by laying up day by day, and week by week,
he is accumulating a store which will stand him in stead
when the rainy day comes—when age and infirmity
prevent him from working with the same activity as
heretofore,—when once that habit is gained, he will find
it a source of pleasure as well as of advantage; he will
find it a source of pride to himself to know that he has
been accumulating a little store for himself; and he will
be a far happier as well as a far more respected member
of society, than he would have been had he squandered
daily and weekly in riotous extravagance those means
which ought to have been more advantageously laid by."
Having exhausted the three topics furnished by the
building, the orator started a new one. "There is one
wanting to complete the institutions of your town—
I mean a school for the education of girls. There is an
excellent boys' school, but there is not yet an establishment
of the same nature for girls. Now, gentlemen, it
is well known that the education of women is of the
greatest importance to society. Men may be indeed
the rough stones of which the fabric of society is built;
they may form the strength and resisting portion of the
fabric; but women are the finer cement without which
those rougher ingredients will not find order or
consistency, and without which there can be no beauty, no
form, no lasting and useful enjoyment. But, gentlemen,
we all know the important influence which is exerted
by women upon the welfare of mankind, whether it be
in the capacity of daughters, sisters, wives, or mothers;
and, therefore, independently of any regard for the fair
sex—a regard, however, which I am persuaded all
whom I am addressing feel in the strongest degree—
the most selfish considerations, a single regard for
ourselves, a regard for man abstractedly and independently
of woman, ought to lead us to endeavour to mould and
educate the rising portion of the female community,
that they may be as well-adapted as possible, by good
training and instruction, to perform the various duties
of life, in the capacities of daughters, sisters, wives, and
mothers; and, therefore, although it forms no part of
the institution which is now about to be established, I
commend to your anxious and earnest consideration the
establishment likewise of a girls' school at Melbourne."

A Subterranean Metropolitan Railway is about to be
constructed. The Company formed for that purpose
under an Act obtained last session, held their first
meeting on the 31st ult. The Report stated that the
railway is to run under the New Road from the Edgeware
Road to King's Cross—a distance of two miles
and a quarter. It is intended to lay down two lines
of railway in a continuous archway under the road, of
ample dimensions; to be constructed by excavating the
road from the surface at convenient intervals, and
relaying it as the work progresses: proper provisions
will at the same time be made for the sewage and gas
and water services. There will be stations every half-
mile; the trains will proceed at the rate of twenty miles
an hour including stoppages, and start every three
minutes. It is proposed to connect the line with the
Great Western and the West India Dock Junction; and
the directors contemplate an extension of under-ground
railways to the Post-office. The subterranean way
should not be called a tunnel, but an "arcade"; and as
locomotives will not be used, the nuisance of steam and
smoke, which cause damp and foul air, will be avoided.
The report reckons on 8 per cent, profit. This railway
is regarded as the commencement of an extensive system
of communication throughout the Metropolis.

The Annual Banquet of the Cutlers' Company of
Sheffield on the inauguration of the Master Cutler, took
place on the 1st inst. The dinner-party mustered about
three hundred strong. The toasts and speeches were
very numerous; the principal orators being Lord
Edward Howard, Lord Wharncliffe, the Reverend T.
Sale, Vicar of Sheffield, Mr. Beckett Denison, Mr. Peto,
and Mr. Roebuck. The speeches mainly turned on
the great prosperity of the country. Mr. Denison
observed that the West Riding is getting rich faster
than at any former period; it is one of the happiest
families in the United Kingdom; and while manufacturers'
are so prosperous their agricultural friends are
throwing up their caps for joy. Other permanent topics
were—the improved relations between masters and men
in the matter of strikes; the French alliance; the
necessity of maintaining a defensive attitude towards
foreign powers. A letter was read from Earl Fitzwilliam,
in which the conduct of Russia in the late transactions
was severely handled. Lord Fitzwilliam stated that
he could not concur in Lord Palmerston's opinion that
the Russians would evacuate the Principalities without
a positive stipulation. A phrase in the letter, "The
statue of Peace can only be worshipped in the temple of
Honour." was loudly cheered. Mr. Roebuck's speech
was characterised by conciseness and vigour. He was
suffering from the effects of his long illness, and also
of the railway accident at Hornsey, by which he had
been a sufferer. He began by a reference to his late
illness; and asked his hearers to be silent, as he was
weak. He joined in the general congratulations on
prosperity. "But I beg you not to consider me like
a Death's-head at a feast, if I warn you, though my
friends have said that there is every prospect that this
state of prosperity will continue, that still it may cease.
It may cease from two causes,—from your own conduct,
or from the conduct of parties abroad. In a time of
prosperity capital increases fast, and with its increase
there is felt the difficulty of employing it. Thereupon
ensues an increased degree of hardihood and recklessness
on the part of those who possess it. We have always
seen a time of great prosperity followed by adversity,
because the recklessness I have spoken of has led to
unfounded speculation, and that to ruin. These are