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In the report of the proceedings of this meeting which was inserted in the Suffolk Chronicle, certain offensive expressions were attributed to Mr. Owen, of which the enemies of the institution gladly availed themselves; and a publication has appeared, the sole object of which is, to convert those expressions into a means of injuring the society. We are happy, however, to be able to state, that the whole originated in a misconception of the reporter, and that Mr. Owen did not use the words ascribed to him, nor any words to the same effect. This we state, not only on the authority of Mr. Owen himself, who has publicly disavowed them, but on the authority of several most respectable persons who were present at the time.

Books were opened to receive names for subscriptions, and sums nearly amounting to 1200, were put down.

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In our number for March last, we gave a full account of the institution of this excellent society; and to that account we beg to direct the attention of our readers. Its first annual meeting was held at Edinburgh on the 29th of November, when a report of its proceedings for the few months during which it had existed was read. Of this report we shall give as full an abstract as our limits will admit".

The Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland comprehend not less than one hundred and sixty-two parishes. The islands form thirty-one of these, and there are about one hundred and thirty-one on the main land,

The president of this society is the Earl of Moray; the vice-presidents, Sir James Miles Riddell, Baronet; Rev. David Johnston, D. D.; Charles Stuart, M. D.; Robert Scott Moncrieff, Esq. The treasurer, John Campbell, Esq. Tertius, W. S. The Secretaries, Mr. Christopher Anderson; Mr. Robert Paul. Mr. John Campbell, Gaelic Secretary.

Each subscriber of Half-a-Guinea annually, shall be a member of the society. A subscriber of Ten Guineas at one time, shall be a member for life. An annual subscriber of Three Guineas, or a benefactor of Twenty Guineas, shall be a governor.

We are persuaded that all Highlanders, in every part of the world, who read our work, will be forward to testify that attachment which glows in them with such peculiar warmth to their native country, by aiding this institution

where the Gaelic language is either preached or generally spoken. The total population of these is at present estimated at neatly four hundred thousand, of which between ninety and one hundred thousand inhabit the islands alone. Notwithstanding the various sources of depopulation, it now appears, that the in habitants of these parts are, in fact, annually on the increase; nay, in the course of the last sixty years, (that is, since 1750,) the popula tion of almost every Highland parish, and every island, has been doubled.

It is well known, that the least cultivated parts of a country are always most thinly peopled; but the disproportion between the extent of country and the number of inhabitants, is, in this instance, so great that the generality of persons will be able to form but a very faint conception of it. The Hebrides alone, for example, contain above two millions of square acres; and over this surface the population before mentioned is dispersed. Some favoured islands, such as Isla, Tyrie, &c. contain about ten acres to an individual; but the proportion in others is from fifty to one hundred and fifty, and some extensive tracts on the main land contain at the rate of above two hundred acres to each individual inhabitant (being between three and four to a square, mile!) Several of the parishes are more extensive than some counties in the Lowlands. Some of them resemble rather a province, requiring the labours of a body of men, than a district for the inspection of a single person. Thus the parishes of Lesmore and Appin, of Kilmanivaig, of Kilmalie, and of Kilmorac, are, each of them, about sixty miles long, by from sixteen to forty miles broad! The island of Mull, which is the third of the Hebrides in point of size, was divided, in the sixteenth century, into seven parishes; but since that period great alterations have taken place, and there are at the present day only three parishes in it, containing about nine thousand souls, scattered over a tract of at least four hundred and twenty square miles. The parish of Lochbroom, in which one of the society's circulating schools has commenced, comprehends a district of country, of the roughest and most difficult in Scotland, as extensive as the whole synod of Ross, which employs the labours of twenty-three ministers, besides schoolmasters and catechists!

Another peculiar feature of this country is its uncommonly numerous divisions, by salt and fresh water. Rapid rivers, extensive arms of the sea, and high mountains, intersect the main land, while the seas which surround the islands are unusually stormy, if not dangerous. The Western Isles belonging to Scotland, from the Mull of Cantyre to Cape

Wrath, amount to nearly two hundred. Of these not less than seventy-eight are regularly inhabited all the year round. During the summer months, the population is dispersed over a larger number. And here islands to the number of six, eight, and ten, are found clustered into one parish. Islands, too, of even considerable dimensions, are attached to a populous parish on the main land, or in a large island. Thus, Collonsay and Oronsay are annexed to the island of Jura; the island of Lesmore, to the parish of Appin; and the isles of Raasay and Ronay, containing more than one thousand inhabitants, are united to the vast parish of Portrie in Skye. At the same time, intercourse among the islanders is not only retarded by the intervention of seas, and frequent storms, but by another remarkable cause, the numerous fresh-water lakes with which the islands themselves abound. In the island of Coll, for instance, containing a population of only one thousand one hundred, there are about forty lakes of one description or another. In Isla, there are between eighty and ninety; and in North Uist alone, a late intelligent surveyor of the Hebrides counted one hundred and seventy, and then gave up the enumeration. In short, the lakes of the Western Isles have been moderately estimated at not less than fifteen hundred, while the arms of the sea, stretching in every direction, leave no place farther than seven miles from salt

water.

These preliminary observations were necessary to prepare the mind for duly esti mating the difficulties of conveying instruction in the present case. They almost de monstrate the propriety of teaching to read by means of circulating schools, and they will help us to pity the needy and deplorable situation of these our countrymen. Were they provided with the means of education, in any tolerable degree adequate to their necessities, and suited to their peculiar residence, their country would form no ground for commiseration, Taking the whole of Scotland upon an average, the Western Isles in particular, with respect to real vaJue, will not suffer much by comparison with almost any equal proportion of it. The suit is productive when properly cultivated, and they are favoured with a climate which, though damp, is salubrious in no ordinary degree.

The returns which have been made by the clergymen of different parishes, fully confirm all that had been feared, by the society. This will appear, by the mention of A few parishes, their population, and the sumber incapable of reading in each.

Fearn, Gairloch, Lochbroom,

On the Main Land.

out of 1500, 1300 cannot read.

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2945, 2549

4000, 3300

In the Islands.

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Kilmuir, Skye,
Stornoway, Lewes,
Nay in Harris, 3000, 2900
North Uist.... 4000, 3800

..

Thus out of 22,501, 19,367 are incapable of reading either English or Gaelic, and many other parishes might be mentioned in a state equally destitute. Connected with this melancholy fact, it must be observed, that the proportion who are able to read, reside in or near the district where a school is taught; but in the remote glens, or subor diate islands of almost every parish, few or none can be found who know even the letters!

The district of the isles Uist and Barry, contains a population of above 6500 Protestants, and 4500 Catholics, or 11,000 persons, scattered over a country above eighty miles long, by from two to eighteen broad. In former times, this district was divided into six parishes; but now, in the whole of it where there are but three parishes, there is only one parochial church! and this one church is situated in a corner of North Uist, at a distance of twelve miles from Saund, the most populous quarter of the parish! In North Uist, also, there is but one parochial school; and though a school, belonging to the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge, is taught in Benbecula (an island to the southward), yet here is a district of two hundred square miles, containing at least seven thousand inhabitants, intersected by a boisterous sea, and numerous fresh-water lakes, where no proper means of education are to be found, where no parochial school is taught! To conclude this part of our report; of the seventy-eight inhabited islands above stated, a number are at this day still totally unprovided with the means of instruction. They have no resident clergyman—no missionary on the royal bountyno catechist-nor a school of any description whatever! The only advantage which many of them enjoy, is a sermon four times in the course of a year, and others are visited only once in six months!

From all these melancholy circumstances, the committee are confirmed in their opinion, as to the necessity and propriety of teaching the Gaelic language, by means of circulating schools; a mode of procedure which, eventually, may issue in the inhabitants teaching each other, or induce them to provide for thei own necessities.

Some time ago, the committee resolved, that the society's funds were competent to maintain five circulating schools, and three of these have been fully appointed, in very necessitous parts. One in the district of Uii, parish of Stornoway, isle of Lewes, where there is no means whatever of instruction in reading, though this and the adjoining district contain a population of 1500 souls, among whom only 34 persons are able to read English or Gaelic! Another Gaelic school has commenced at Badan tarbet, in Lochbroom, the most necessitous of seven districts, into which that parish is divided; and a third has been fixed at Melivaig, in the parish of Gairloch. A fourth circulating school it is proposed to begin in the isle of Skye; and the fifth, it is desira ble, should commence in Harris, Uist, or Mull®.

For an account of the nature of these eirculating schools, see our number for March. We add the following extract, from the present Report, on the subject.

Before the circulating Welsh schools commenced, English charity schools had been tried in Wales'; but all that the children could do in three, four, or five years (though few could stay so long), amounted, in general, to no more than their being able to read, very imperfectly, some easy parts of the Bible, without knowing the Welsh of it.Welsh Bibles had also been circulated among them. Upon one occasion, in North Wales, when the circulating school began, the teacher was surprised when the children brought excellent new Bibles with them. These had been received from some charitable persons by their grandfathers! They were, however, unable to use them; nor did the Bibles see the light, till these, their grandchildren, were happily taught to read them. At these circulating schools, so anxious were the people to learn their own ancient language, that persons of all ages attended, from six years of age to above seventy. In several places, indeed, the older people formed about two-thirds of the number in attendance. Persons above sixty attended every day, and often lamented, nay, even wept, that they had not learnt forty or fifty years sooner. Not unfrequently, the hildren actually taught their parents; and sometimes the parents and children of one family resorted to the same circulating school, during its short continuance in a district; while various individuals, who, from great age, were obliged to wear spectacles, seized the opportunity, and learnt to read the Scriptures in Welsh at that advanced

In addition to the appointment of circalating schools, to be supported wholly by the society, the committee are anxious to attempt some other methods of promoting the great object in view; and they propose various expedients for that purpose, which

we cannot now notice.

The committee have not been unmindful of the Gaelic population resident in Edinburgh; and in a few days, it is expected that a Gaelic school will commence in this city; and the committee entertain a hope, that it will be followed by similar schools in the other large towns, where many of the Gaelic inhabitants stand in equal need of attention.

The Appendix to the Report contains much highly interesting information. Our limits, however, oblige us to be very sparing of extracts. The following is taken from the letter of the Rev. A. Downie, minister of Lochalsh, Rosshire.

"It appears to me, from a general and local acquaintance with almost every parish within the bounds of this extensive synod, that the proportion of inhabitants in each, capable of reading the English language, is very small indeed: and even of the small proportion who do read that language in elementary books, few understand it suffi ciently well to receive religious instruction in it with much benefit. That knowledge of English which can enable people to profit from any religious instruction communicated in it, is in this district almost exclusively confined to the families of the smaller resi

dent proprietors of land, and of the principal tacksmen, who have generally been educated at better seminaries than our country schools, but who are thinly planted in this extensive

period of life! The number of persons taught by this cheap and expeditious method was also very remarkable. It appears, that in the course of twenty-four years only, viz. from 1737 to 1760 inclusive, there were instructed in reading the Welsh Bible, no less than one hundred and fifty thousand two hundred and twelve persons!

Since the annual meeting, this school has been opened; and, in consequence of a single intimation, a very considerable number of persons appeared, who were desirous of being taught to read their native language. Above thirty adult persons have already entered as scholars, who were totally ignorant, of the letters; and some individuals have appeared, who, though they can read English, have no understanding of it in conversation, and are, at the same tine, quite unable to read their vernacular tongue.

range of country. While the Gaelic continues to be generally spoken in the Highlands, it must always be the language best adapted for conveying religious instruction to the people. In Lowland parishes, where Eng lish alone is spoken and preached, it may be fairly presumed, that some of the auditors, though they speak no other tongue, do not understand the whole of the language they hear delivered from the pulpit; but it is one of the peculiarities of the Gaelic, that the illiterate speak it with as much propriety as those who have received the advantage of education; and that, as far as regards language merely, the most common herdsman will understand the best orator.

"In this district of Highlands, with the exception of the resident gentlemen, we find very few indeed of the old inhabitants, who can read either English or Gaelic."

Extract of a letter from the Rer. James Mac

queen, Island of North Uist.

"The population of this parish is about four thousand souls, of whom scarce two hundred can read the Scriptures in the Eng lish language. The most of these two hundred are able to read them in the Gaelic "

Extract of a letter from the Rev. Hugh Ross,

Fearn, Rosshire.

"The gross population of this parish is about fifteen hundred persons; and in general I have reason to think that about an eighth part of the inhabitants can read the English language, and are capable of receiving religious instruction in it, if conveyed in plain expressions. There are but very few, perhaps not above twenty heads of families, who can read the Gaelic Bible. The method most commonly followed in family worship, is for the person who presides to translate the English Scriptures into the Gaelic of the country, as he may be able. About seven parts out of eight of the population of this parish are unable to read either English or Gaelic!"

Extract of a letter from the Rev. James Rus

sel, Gairloch, Rosshire.

"The number of persons capable of reading English, in the parish of Gairloch, is three hundred and twenty-four. The number of persons capable of reading Gaelic alone, is seventy-two. The number of persons unable to read either English or Gaelic, is 2549. Although there are three hundred and twenty-four persons capable of reading English in this parish, yet as many of them never bear a word of English but at school, or in

the church, and do not fully understand what they do read, perhaps not above one half of the above number are capable of receiving religious instruction, in any tolerable degree, in the English language. Such is the deplo rahle state of the great body of the people of this parish. The parish of Gairloch is about thirty-six miles long, and about twenty-six broad, and is divided, by natural boundaries, into ten districts, each of which is so extensive, that the scholars of any two of them cannot attend the same schoolmaster! Hence it unavoidably follows, that the bulk of the children of this parish cannot enjoy the benefit of school, as their parents are too poor either to send them from home to school, or to keep a schoolmaster among themaselves."

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Ale.M'Leod, Harris, next to Lewes.

"Of all the parishes that I know on the islands or west coast of Scotland, not one in thirty can read or understand the English language, and consequently are not capable of receiving religious instruction in it. Ia the parish of Harris, there is a population of three thousand souls, and among them there are not two hundred persons that can read English! Upon hearing this, it will be a natural query, What are your parochial and society schools doing, when those that can read are so few? To this I reply, that the population is so detached by islands, and sa scattered over the face of an extensive psrish, that very few can send their children to the school."

Extract of a letter from the Rev. Rod. Merison, Kintail, Rosshire.

"In 1803, the population of the parish was one thousand souls, including elidøren. At present, I find one hundred and ninetytwo capable to peruse and read the Holy Scriptures. Of these one hundred and ninetytwo persons, one hundred and thirty-three read English and Gaelic, and fifty-nine English alone, with only two men who read the Gaelic Psalm-book, not by the power of let ters, but by observation of them, and dint of memory! Small, however, as this number appears, yet we are not rashly to conclude, that they are totally destitute of useful and saving knowledge: on the contrary, the greatest part of them are taught the shorter catechism in Gaelic, and, by the strength of memory, and other. endowments, retain the most remarkable passages in sacred writ; and it is but justice to remark, that a great many of this inferior class manifest a zeal and af

fection to the ordinances of religion, more than those who have arrived at superior advantages. It is this particular tribe who will be found inspired with the love of reading Gaelic."

The amount of donations for 1811, is only 412l. 1s. 6d. of annual subscriptions, 100l.

16s. 6d.of the congregational collections, 42l. 10s.

Subscriptious and donations to any amount are received, in London, by the Rev. Alex. Waugh; Joseph Reyner, Esq. No 50, Mark Lane; Robert Steven, Esq. Thames Street; or Mr. Joseph Taru, Spa Fields.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS.

Rev. Wm. Wilson, M. A. of Queen's college, Oxford, Master of the Grammar School at St. Bees, Cumberland, vice Rev. John Barnes, deceased.

Rev. John Brereton, LL. B. Head Master of Bedford School.

Rev. Moore, M. A. Baxley and Framingham-Earl consolidated RR. Norfolk.

Rev. E. Frank, Shelton with Hardwick R. Norfolk.

Rev. Wm. Manning, M. A. Diss R. Norfolk.

Rev. Philip Smith, LL.B. Worthing R. Salop.

Rev. Charles Reynell, LL.B. Steeple Morden V. Cambridgeshire.

Rev. Edward Wilson, M. A. Dulham R. Suffolk.

Rev. Francis Howes, M. A. Buckenham with Hassingham R. Norfolk, vice Wilson, resigned.

Rev. Elias Webb, St. Nicholas V. Warwick, vice Miller, deceased.

Rev. E. Marsham, M. A. Sculthorpe R. and Wramplingham R. both co. Norfolk. Rev. Henry North, B. A. Ringstead St. Peter R. with St. Andrew annexed.

Rev. J. Clare, M. A. Wednesfield V. Staffordshire.

Rev. Thomas Coney, B. C. L. rector of Batcombe, Somerset, Chedzey R. in the same county.

Rev. James Scott, Weston super Mare R. Somerset, vice Beadon, resigned.

Rev. James Brown, B. D. Minting V. Lincolnshire.

Rev. Horace Parker, Chaplain to the Forces in Spain and Portugal.

Rev. Gilbert Heathcote, M. A. Andover V. Hants, and Rev. William Evans, B. D. Bishop Sutton cum Ropley R. Hants, both vice Howley, resigned.

Rev. T. L. Strong, Titsey R. Surrey, vice Moreton, resigned.

Rev. R. Pickering, B. D. Winterbourne Abbas with Steepleton R. Dorset, rice Bown

Rev. Benjamin George Heath, M. A. deceased. Chattisham V. vice Palton, deceased.

Rev. John Richards, M. A. Wedmore V. Somerset.

Rev. Samuel Downes, B. A. late second master of the King's School, Durham, Chaplain to the Forces in Portugal.

Rev. John Stewart, M. A. second master of the Charter-house School, Little Wigborough R. Essex.

Rev. W. C. Cruttenden, M. A. Christ Church perpetual Curacy, Macclesfield. Rev. John Talbot, Church-Eaton R. Staffordshire.

Rev. Mr. Denys, Chaplain to St. George's Hospital, Southwark.

Rev. James Webber, Chaplain to the Archbishop of York, Sutton V. near Bishopsthorpe, Yorkshire.

Rev. John Vander-Meulen, LL.B. to a Minor Canon's stall in St. Paul's Cathedral, vice Champneys, deceased.

Rev. J. Stockdale, M. A. Kingerby V. Lincolnshire.

Rev. James Currey, Thurning R. Norfolk, vice Rev. P. Sandiford, resigned.

Rev. S. Hudson, Hutton R. Cumberland, vice Lewthwaite, deceased.

Rev. Marwood Tucker, Harpford with Fen Ottery V. Devon, vice Luce, deceased.

Rev. Joseph Cotterill, Ampton R. Suffolk,

Rev. W. Ward, B. D. to the prebendal stal! of Wilsford and Woodford, in the cathedral church of Sarum, vice Brereton, deceased.

Rev. H. C.Orde, Wheathamstead R. Herts, vice his brother, deceased.

Rev. John Ahier, curate of St. Helier's, Trinity R. Isle of Jersey, vice La Cloche, dec.

Rev. Arthur Onslow, D. D. dean of Worcester, Lindridge R. vice Evans, archdeacon of that diocese, resigned.

Rev. James Meakin, prebendary of Worcester, Wolverley V. mice Onslow, resigned. Rev. Algernon Peyton, B. A. Duddington R. Isle of Ely.

Rev. J. T. A. Reed, Walford with Ruardean V. near Ross, Herefordshire.

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Rev. Brian Broughton, M. A. Long Ditton R. Surrey.

Rev. William Page Richards, LL.B. Ab botstoke R. Dorset.

Rev. T. Barnaby, B. D. Edwin Loach R. Worcestershire, with Tedstone Wafre Chap. Herefordshire.

Rev. C. A. Wheelwright, Little Bytham R. with Castle Bytham annexed, Lincolnshire,

Rev. J. Carter, librarian of the Bristol Library, a Minor Canon of Bristol cathedral.

Rev. George-John Davies, of Bletchley Academy, Bucks, Master of the Grammar school in Hull, vice Scott, resigned.

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