uary and 50 more will
be admitted in June. The cost of this will, undoubtedly, be very
great, the ultimate amount being between L18,000 and L20,000. I
am here, therefore, as your chairman, to ask you to contribute
as liberally as you can for the maintenance of this ancient and
most creditable institution. I am well aware that now and for
some years past there has been both agricultural and commercial
depression, but I feel convinced that in the cause of
charity--and what greater charity can there be than providing
for orphan children?--I shall not appeal in vain to my
countrymen to do all in their power as philanthropists to
support an institution which has been carried out on the best
and most economical principles."

The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm, and acknowledged by Mr. Capell
(the treasurer). The total amount of the subscriptions announced during
the evening was L5000, including an annual subscription of 20 guineas
from the Queen and 100 guineas from the Prince of Wales.

When the foundation-stone was laid by the Prince and Princess of Wales,
in 1869, 250 purses were laid on it, containing in all about L8000. For
the chapel L5000 was given by one whose early days were spent in the
Asylum. The Grocers' Company contributed L3000 to build one house; the
Countess of Verulam and the Countess of Essex raised another sum of
L3000, as a kind of welcome to the county. The income in 1887 was
L15,000, but the invested funds give little more than L1000, so that
there is constant need of new "voluntary contributions," to maintain the
550 orphans now in the houses.

THE COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS.

_March 30th, 1887._

The associated teachers who, under the name of the College of
Preceptors, have for above forty years laboured to raise the standard of
middle-class education, deserve praise and honour for what they have
accomplished. Without Government aid or grant, and unpatronized by
dignitaries of Church or State, these learned and patriotic men have
succeeded, by training teachers, establishing examinations, and granting
certificates, in acquiring a reputation and influence now very generally
recognized. Their work is truly of national importance, and this His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales declared when he readily assented to
formally open the new building of the College, in Bloomsbury Square, on
the 30th of March, 1887. This College is self-supporting, a