from Mechanics' Institutions, could they be rendered national, so as to make them a part of the popular instruction, and drew a bright and hopeful picture of the position such institutions would occupy under a national system. He concluded by maintaining that a liberal and judicial system of national education would secure for these institutions an amount of success commensurate with their design and universal importance. A musical party was in attendance, and contributed much to enliven the proceedings, by giving in good style several select glees, duets, and solos. Refreshments in pastry and fruit were served to the company during the evening, and the meeting passed off with the greatest eclat; forming a most appropriate finale to the present session, which has been one of the most successful in the annals of the institution; thirteen public lectures having been delivered upon highly useful and interesting subjects, many of them by gentlemen of firstrate talent and ability. Several liberal donations have been received from the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, thereby enabling the directors to develop more fully the advantages of the institution, by adding a fresh supply of those solid fruits of mental toil which go to make up onr national literature; and placing them within the reach of those to whom, but for such institutions, they would have remained inaccessible.

H. C., Sec.

Shirley, near Southampton. The second anniversary of the Shirley Mutual Improvement Society was celebrated March 24th, 1852, on which occasion about eighty friends sat down to tea. A meeting was afterwards held for the purpose of furthering the objects of the society, when the Mayor of Southampton, R. Andrews, Esq., presided. After an opening address by the chairman, the secretary read a paper illustrating the objects and principles of the society, and reporting the operations of the institution for the past year; from which it appeared that 29 lectures had been delivered, and 13 discussions held, and 33 members received into the society. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. Messrs. Hugh, Hutton, Alexander, M'Laren, and T. Falvey, Esq. The enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by the performances of a glee party, and by several recitations from members and others. At the close the whole company joined in singing the national anthem, and separated highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.

South Wales-Merthyr Tydvil Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society. This society was established in April, 1851, in the following man. ner: Some praiseworthy young men, anxious for the welfare of others, caused printed bills to be placarded over the town, inviting the public, especially young men of all grades, to a public preliminary meeting for the purpose of forming a society for mutual improvement. There was a very good attendance at the meeting, and several gentlemen delivered able addresses, showing the benefits that would be derived from such a society. At the close of the meeting a committee of twenty was chosen, for the purpose of drawing up rules and regulations for the society, and the names and subscriptions of parties wishing to become members were received. The principal rules and regulations drawn up by the committee and adopted by the members were

as follow: That the society should be called, The Merthyr Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society;" that each member should subscribe one shilling per quarter, to be paid in advance; that none but members should be allowed to attend the meetings; that the affairs of the society should be managed by a president, vicepresident, secretary, and committee of twelve; that the said officers should be elected on the last evening in every quarter by a majority of the members-the mode of election being by ballot; that meetings should be held twice in every week, viz., on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of debating, or of hearing an essay on some interesting subject by one of the members; and on Thursday evening, for the purpose of holding classes for instruction in grammar, arithmetic, geography, &c.

The only alterations that have been made in these rules are, that each member is now allowed to introduce one friend or acquaintance into the society's room once during each quarter; and that parties wishing to join must request members to propose them, and then be admitted by a general ballot.

On the first evening of every quarter we request some gentleman of known abilities to deliver a public lecture, which is duly announced by printed bills. We have also printed cards, for the pocket, containing the list of subjects for each quarter. We now number about thirty members. President, Rev. J. C. Campbell, M.A.; vice-president, Mr. William M William; secretary, Mr. William M. Fuller.

Some of the members, including myself, take in the British Controversialist, and regard it as a publication of inestimable value, that cannot be too widely circulated or highly prized.

I have been thus explicit, thinking that what is here stated may be of service to similar_societies. D. J.

Greenwich Literary Institution.-The second quarterly meeting of the members of the Elocu tion Class was held in the great hall of this institution, on Wednesday the 24th of March, 1852. Newton Crossland, Esq., of Hyde Vale, Blackheath, presided on the occasion.

The chairman commenced the business of the evening with a short but appropriate address. The first part of the entertainment opened with Scene 3, Act I., of Shakspeare's Henry IV. The King was personated by Mr. James; Hotspur, by Mr. D. P. Waters, who gave the part with much effect, and succeeded in calling forth a general expression of applause from the audience. Northumberland and Worcester were represented by Messrs. Jackson and B. W. Smith.

A scene from Charles XII. next followed, in which Mr. Talbot elicited repeated expressions of applause by the irresistibly comic manner in which he gave Peter. Then the petite farce of Pillicoddy succeeded, which afforded much merriment. A portion of Bourcicault's farce, Used Up, and Tyrrell's comic dialogue, In Want of a Situation, were given, in which Messrs. Waters, Jackson, and B. W. Smith, afforded much amusement. In addition to the above, there were some good pieces of prose and verse, from our popular authors, recited with various degrees of skill by other members of the class in the course of the evening.

The audience, consisting of letween 700 and

500 persons, seemed much pleased with the evening's entertainment.

It is hoped that these quarterly elocutionary entertainments will be carried on with as much

spirit and energy as hitherto, and thus afford a treat to the friends of mental progress and improvement in Greenwich and its neighbourhood. J. W. T.

QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS.

101. I have got an idea lately that I can pursue two studies at the same time; my plan-upon which I desire the opinion of some one more experienced than myself-may be gathered from the following:- I am sufficiently acquainted with French to be able, with little difficulty, to read an anther in that language, but have by no means the familiarity with it which I am anxious to attain; I am also at present about to turn my attention to comparative physiology and history, and have thought if I could get French works on these subjects, by their perusal I might increase my knowledge of the language, while I was also gaining useful knowledge of another kind; should this plan be thought capable of being advantageously carried out, I should esteem it a great favour if some one would inform me of good French publications under those heads, with respective prices, and name of London bookseller from whom they may be obtained.

AVARUS.

102. The effects of the east wind are felt and seen by every one, and there are few who cannot testify to their prejudicial influence. And yet what is the cause? Their coming from across the continent of Europe cannot be a reason, as travellers in other lands speak of the discomfort arising from easterly winds. The locusts covered the and of Egypt, drawn thither by this wind, and indeed all its effects are rather of a disastrous character. Can it be, as some have attested, that in the earth's revolution upon its axis it rushes nto this wind? I shall look anxiously for a -grounded opinion.-CONSTANTIA.

13. As I am very desirous of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the Greek and Latin lanruages, but have no friend near to direct me, I would feel thankful to any of your learned correspondents for a few directions as to the best raude for pursuing my studies, together with a brief notice of the best works in connexion with the above languages. Hoping that you will deem my thirst for knowledge a sufficient apology for thus troubling you, I remain, &c.-L. G.

104. I shall feel obliged if any of the studious and intelligent readers of the British Controterialist will furnish me with their opinions as to the utility of Common-place Books. Are they really of service to the student, and why? Do they At the subject more firmly in the memory? Are the subjects entered in a common-place readier for reference than to a work itself? Is the System in general a sufficient compensation for the time and paper used in making such entries? And if this plan should be recommended by any, they will oblige by stating the system adopted by themselves in taking notes; whether it is best to form a sort of abstract or analysis of the work read, or to take a sentence here and there, as you may think such sentence would be of use? For the better illustration of this subject, I should

feel obliged if they would show me how, in reading the article on Rhetoric, in the last number, they would take full and copious notes of it; and also give me their general plans in reading any work on literature or science. I should like to have the opinions of those who are great readers and diligent students, and to have full directions and advice on the above points, as I think that the manner of reading is not of secondary importance to the matter. Indeed we may get more information by reading one book well, than twenty badly. I should also like to know the sort of books generally used, and whether one does for several subjects, or whether it is the best to have separate ones for each separate subject. I feel confident that the Editors, with their wonted kindness, will not begrudge the space necessary for such answers, as I think it is a subject which will be of importance to all who feel interested in the arduous task of self-cultivation, and particularly as no remarks on this head have as yet appeared in this excellent periodical. Answers to this will be thankfully read by-A STUDENT.

105. Would you or any of your correspondents be kind enough to inform me what might be the probable outlay for matriculation at the London University? also, what is the course of study? Any other information respecting it would oblige. W. G. C.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

70. Carthaginian Names.-According to Sallust, Adherbal and Mastanabal were Numidians. But it appears that Numidia (as well as Carthage) was colonized by the Phonicians. It is therefore highly probable that the same language was spoken in Numidia as at Carthage-i e., the Punic. Bochart and many others prove that the Punic was a language of the same origin as the Hebrew. (See Bochart de Coloniis et Sermone Phonicum, lib. ii. cap. 1.) The etymology of the two names may consequently be sought from the Hebrew.

Adherbal appears to be formed of the two words adhder, i.e., great, magnificent, or mighty; and Baal, the name of an idol. Now, Baal, Bal, Bel, or Belus was the great God of the Carthaginians; the name, therefore, signifies the "great Bual."

Mastanabal. This word seems to be compounded of Mathtana, i.e., gift; and Baal; and therefore probably signifies, "the gift of Baal."

77. Mind in its relation to Matter.-We know of no single work which supplies the desired information. Indeed, a complete and comprehensive treatise on this subject is a desideratum in our literature. Man-science is yet in its infancy: so far, however, as we are acquainted with the writings most nearly allied in their topics with the wants of P. S., we think that the following works, read in the order given, would go pretty far towards settling the views of your correspondent, viz., Chambers's "Information for the People"-papers,

"Phrenology," and "The Human Mind"; Caldwell's "Thoughts on Physical Education"; Combe's "Constitution of Man," Combe's" System of Phrenology"; the three works by A. Combe, E. Johnson, and S. Smith, mentioned in the query of P. S.; Dr. John Gregory's “ Comparative View of the State and Faculties of Man, with those of the Animal World"; Sweetser's" Mental Hygiene"; Rapport's" Du Physique et du Moral de l'Homme" (On the Relations of the Physical Organization of Man to his Moral Faculties), par Pierre Jean George Cabanis; Comte Destutt de Trucy's "Elemens d'Ideologie"; the works of Gall, Spurzheim, Bronsais, and Azais (of their chief works we believe there are translations); Lawrence's "Comparative Anatomy," and "Lectures on Man"; J. Mill's "Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind"; Locke's" Essays," book i.; Mill's" Logic," book vi.; Dr. G. Moore's "Use of the Body in Relation to the Mind," and "Power of the Soul over the Body"; Dr. Wigan's "Duality of the Mind"; Hartley's "Observations on Man"; Dr. A. Smee's" Process of Thought, adapted to Words;" and, amidst much absurdity, egotism, and equivoque, several items of information may be picked up from "Nuces Philosophica" (Philosophic Nuts), by the author of " Life, Health, and Disease." The two works by Upham and Sampson would decidedly be useful; and several other articles of interest connected with this subject may be found in the "Phrenological Journal," the "Zoist," the "Journal of Health," &c. We may be allowed to say, however, that so far as these works attempt to abnegate the existence of a mind differentiated from brutish (apparent) intelligence, we do not sympathize with them. That "the earthly house of our tabernacle" may be dissolved without necessarily implying our total dissolution, we most firmly believe, and though we must acknowledge that the unition-bonds of soul and body are intimately interwoven, we are irresistibly compelled to believe in their complete, perfect, and entire differentiation. We are convinced, however, that an accurate knowledge of the structure, healthy action, diseased action, and the organic functions of the mere animal machine, would materially tend to the clearing away of the mists which overshadow metaphysical inquiries. Some of the arguments for the existence of mind may be thus briefly enumerated-1st. Essentially distinct qualities presuppose essentially distinct entities. 2nd. Were mind and matter the same, mind must necessarily be latent in matter until educed to manifest itself by being put in certain relations; all matter must therefore be permeated with mind,

"And the dull clod on which we tread

Be instinct with such soul as human kind." 3rd. The evidence of consciousness. 4th. Dreams and other sleep-facts, e. g., the common occurrence

of one engaged in excogitation, in the evening retiring to rest unsuccessful, and waking with a full mental view of the topic, making it probable that the mind acts continually, although we only become conscious of the motion of thought in waking hours or in diseased states of the bodily organs occasioning dreams. 5th. Absence of mind. 6th. The alternations of healthy and unhealthy action of brain in the insane, producing the idea of the derangement of mind, while it is really no more an argument to that effect than difference of media is evidence of variation in the real and actual qualities of light. 7th. The mind remaining clear, calm, and self-possessed up to the very moment of death, &c. We hope these observations may not be considered out of place, as corrective of the generat influence of some of the works above mentioned.-THE AUTHOR OF "THE ART OF REASONING."

90. Chivalry, the Crusades, and our Colonies. -We are unable to refer J. C. H. to any History specially devoted either to Chivalry or the Cru sades. The best cyclopædias furnish a good deal of information on both these subjects. In Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of Rome" there will be found many allusions to Chivalry; and in Guizot's "History of Civilization in Europe' will be found a vast amount of valuable informa tion on the Crusades, and the benefits resulting therefrom. A work entitled, "Chronicles of the Crusades," published by Bohn, London, gives a great deal of interesting information as to the Crusaders. Undoubtedly the best "History of the British Colonies," is that now publishing by Montgomery Martin; it is sold in eight divisions, at 7s. 6d. each, is got up in elegant style, and brings all its information down to the present time. In Porter's "Progress of the Nation will be found much interesting and useful information regarding our colonies.-C. W., Jun.

98. The Italian Language.-Veneroni's " Italian Master" and "Exercises are excellent works, and such as we can confidently recommend. But if our correspondent be well acquainted with grammar, and have the advantage of knowing French, we think he will find Ollerdorff's "New Method" better adapted to give a thorough practical knowledge of the language without the aid of a teacher. If the latter work should be the one of his choice, we would recommend him to limit himself to one or two lessons a week, as the case may be, always taking care that the last be thoroughly appreciated and remembered before commencing the next. Soave s "Novelle Morale" is a suitable reading-book for the student, and will agreeably relieve the mo notony of Ollendorff. As to the pronunciation, in default of viva voce instruction, he may refer to a cheap work, called "Italian Without à Master," on the Robertsonian method.-S. M. F.

LOGIC CLASS.

Exercise on the Art of Reasoning.-No. XVI. 1. Define a Hypothetical Syllogism, and point out the difference between a categorical and a hypothetical one, with examples.

2. Define and exemplify Direct and Indirect Hypotheticals.

3. What are Disjunctive Syllogisms? Give examples.

4. Define a Dilemraa. Give examples, and tell

the difference between a Direct and an Indirect Dilemma.

5. What is an Enthymeme? What are the rules regarding Enthymemes? Give examples.

6. What is meant by the terms, Epichirema, Sorites, and Prosyllogism?-and give examples. 7. Define "Analogy." What are the laws and precautions necessary to be observed in reasoning by it?

8. Define Induction, and show the connexion between Inductive and Syllogistic reasoning. 9. To which of the classes of Informal Syllogisms do the following examples of Reasoning belong, viz.:

"Government ought to educate the people, because by so doing she would increase knowledge, refine imagination, improve taste, culture the moral faculty, elevate the mind, and enable men to act their part in life in such a manner as to be at once respectable and useful to themselves and advantageous to the public."-Newspaper paragraph.

"The country of Greece presents a large, irregular peninsula, intersected by many chains of mountains, separating its different districts, and opposing natural impediments to general intercourse, and therefore to rapid civilization."Tyler's Elements of General History, cap. vi. paragraph 1st.

"The solemn conflicts of reason with passion; the victories of moral and religious principle over argent and almost irresistible solicitations to self-indulgence; the hardest sacrifices of dutythose of deep-seated affection and of the heart's fondest hopes; the consolations, hopes, joys, and pence of disappointed, persecuted, scorned, deserted virtue, these are of course unseen; so that the true greatness of human life is almost wholly cut of sight."-Channing on Self-Culture. "Men might be better if we better deemed

Of them. The worst way to improve the world
Is to condemn it. Men may overget
Delusion; not despair."-Festus.

By different terminations.

"If a state has fallen into the unfortunate system of paper money, and this sinks in com. parison with silver; then should a juncture of favourable circumstances furnish the means of re-establishing a metallic currency, it is altogether absurd, nay, purely disastrous, to make the metal resume its place with its standard unchanged, and the sums in all contracts abide by their nominal amount, while it is impossible to keep up prices at the height where they stood at the time of the paper circulation."-Niebuhr's Roman History, vol. i. p. 455, edition 1831, quoted in "Letters on Monetary Science," by ALADDIN.

"In general, fertile and luxuriant countries seem peculiarly fitted to be the nursery of refinement: because leisure awakens curiosity, and curiosity leads to pursuits that fill up the vacancies in human life. Every new situation presents to man new objects of solicitude and care. The demands of animal nature no longer bounds his desires. The scene now opens to the intellectual eye. He marks the relations and dependencies of things, and learns to contemplate the world and himself."-Dunbar's Essays on the History of Mankind, vi.

"If generals are not disrespected although they are frequently vanquished, neither should sophists be so."-Aristotle's Rhetoric, book is. cap. 23.

GRAMMAR CLASS.

Exercises in Grammar.-No. V.

1. Write out the following nouns, with their feminines, in a form like the one given, placing each class of words in its proper column. Deacon, nephew, hero, host, lad, heir, king, conductor, dog, earl, duke, hart, adulterer, monk, horse, lord, colt, peacock, beau, stag, wizard, bull, seamster, marquis, protector, emperor, man-servant, votary, tutor, actor, executor, caterer, administrator, arbiter, governor, director, patron, chanter, margrave, ram, ambassador, mayor.