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Ar length we have reason to hope that Fortune will once again smile upon the days of the Drama. With one of our patent theatres under the management of Mr. MACREADY, and the other under the sway of Mr. KEMBLE, can we do less than expect success? The already great achievements of both these gentlemen in times that are past, are sure warrants of their exertions for the future, and we have confidence enough in the discernment and true taste of that great critic-the British public, to believe that it will readily and zealously patrouize the efforts that will be made on its behalf.

Covent Garden has commenced its career and is experiencing success. Miss ADELAIDE KEMBLE, Mr. and Miss VANDENHOFF, and Mr. C. PITT are drawing-not crowded-(that word is not half expressive enough)-but absolutely overflowing audiences. Two new plays have been produced, both of them full of high genius,—and there are ample and excellent promises of novelty and attraction for the future.

Drury Lane is to open on the 1st of October. There we are to have SHAKSPERE in all his glory, with MACREADY to represent him; a most varied and talented company, and plenty of other attractions into the bargain. Success is certain.

We repeat, therefore, that we look with confidence as to the result. We repose implicitly on the taste and talents of the managers; we know they will foster the true interests, and promote, as far as in them lies, the great ends of the Drama; we have every hope that the public will look with favour upon the exertions made for their sake, and we believe, therefore, that the Drama will now be rescued from the false position it has held so long, and be restored to that high place as a civilizer and a teacher of morals to which it is entitled.

It is of course unnecessary for us to criticise Miss KEMBLE's perform. ance of NORMA. It is too well known to require even a remark. Miss Kemble appeared; that is enough. She came; she sang; she conquered. As to the new plays, we intend to review them shortly more fully than we can do just now, and so all that we need say of them is, that they were eminently successful.

Enstitutional Entelligence.

In commencing this part of our labours we cannot but feel that we have undertaken a somewhat difficult task. To collect and prepare for publication the large amount of interesting intelligence which the Literary Institutions of the land have to communicate; to give a place to all who seek to make our work their medium of introduction to the public; to select what is important, reject what is uninteresting, and to please all the parties with whose communications we make so free; this is no very easy matter to do. As far as we, personally, are concerned, it is a labour of love; our heart and soul are in it, and we shall perform our duty not only with cheerfulness, but with pleasure; but we cannot help having a modest fear or two that our correspondents' good humour will hardly keep pace with our own. We sometimes fancy we see the contributor of an article as long as Mr. Pope's "wounded snake," excited because we have curtailed his communication of its "fair proportions." Anon we have a vision of a writer whose performance does not appear at all; and the shape darts fiery eyes and shakes clenched fists at us till we feel as uncomfortable as a rabbit in the same cage with a boa-constrictor who is waiting for his half-yearly dinner. Then we see an unfortunate whose

production we have taken the liberty to polish, and we hear him say-"What assurance! what impudence!" Then we see-but no! "we'll see no more." Fancy! we disbelieve thee. There's no such thing! It is the horrid business that informs thus to our eyes. We turn to thee, O Hope! we hear thee say-Your contributors will be more considerate, dear Editor; they will repose confidence in thee; they will feel that what thou doest, thou doest for the best; they will honour thy intentions, forgive thy trespasses, and help thee on the way. Beautiful Goddess! we hail thy cheering words-we believe them-we adopt them; they must-they shall—be true.

THE LIVERPOOL MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.-This Institution, which is undoubtedly the most extensive of the kind in the country, was established on the 8th June, 1825, having for its object the promotion of useful science and learning among the inhabitants of Liverpool, especially the Mechanics and working classes. At first, rooms were rented in a suitable part of the town for the accommodation of the Lectures, Library, and Evening Classes, but the demand for instruction became so great that it was found necessary to provide more extensive accommodation for the purposes of the Institution. Subscriptions for the erection of a new building were accordingly commenced in October, 1832. The subscriptions soon increased, a piece of ground was kindly granted by the Corporation, and the foundation stone of the present building was laid in July, 1835, by the Right Honourable Lord Brougham. The building was completed and ready for the reception of the classes, when unfortunately a fire broke out, by which the interior of the Lecture-room was entirely destroyed. In September, 1837, the building was again ready, and on the 15th of that month it was opened by Thomas Wyse, Esq., M. P. Some idea may be formed of the accommodation which it then afforded, when it is stated that, during the meeting of the British Association in Liverpool, all the sections with the exception of two assembled within its walls. Since that time two new wings have been added, one of which was fitted up as a Sculpture Gallery, under the immediate superintendence of B. R. Haydon, Esq., and the other contains three rooms, each 90 feet long. The whole building as it now stands has cost in the erection about 15,000l., and in point of extent and accommodation, it certainly is not surpassed by any other Institution of the same nature in the kingdom.

Day Schools were soon added to the Evening Classes, one under the name of the Lower School, designed for the sons of Mechanics and poorer tradesmen, at a very cheap rate of payment; the other under the name of the High School for the sons of Merchants, and generally of the more opulent classes of society, at a higher rate of payment. To each school is attached a Preparatory Department, where the younger boys receive the first rudiments of education, and are thus prepared for entering on a higher and wider course of instruction in the other departments. Most of the branches of knowledge that constitute what is commonly called a liberal education are taught in both these schools, with this exception, that Classics and French are not taught in the Lower School, except in the derivation of words. The pupils of both schools have free access to the Museum of the Institution, for assistance in their studies. Chemistry and Natural Philosophy are taught on alternate weeks in both schools. The Drawing-Class of the High School is taught in the Sculpture Gallery, which now contains a very great number of casts, both ancient and modern. By means of separate play-grounds and separate hours, the schools are kept distinct from each other. Reports of the conduct and progress of the pupils are sent regularly to their parents or guardians. Corporeal punishment is wholly forbidden, the only punishment inflicted being detention after school hours. There is a public examination of these two schools at Midsummer, after which the pupils are allowed a vacation of six weeks. There are at present nearly nine hundred pupils in both the schools, taught by thirty two masters. For some months back Vocal Music, on the Wilhem system, has been introduced into both the schools.

The subjects taught in the Evening Classes must obviously be more various than those of the day, in order to embrace the different pursuits of those who attend, and accordingly a greater number of masters are employed, and a greater number of subjects taught, than in either the higher or lower school. The Evening Classes meet four nights a week, viz. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; the remaining two nights of the week being devoted to the public Lectures. They have all been formed to meet the particular and pressing wants of those whose education has been neglected in early life, and of such as wish to extend their acquirements.

The course of study is thus, as it were, unlimited, for any new class is opened whenever a sufficient number of members express their willingness to join it. In this way have been formed Classes, with a small extra Charge, for French, German, Spanish, the Classics, Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, and Botany; Dancing, Gymnastics, Rhetorical Delivery, and Vocal Music. All the advantages that the day pupils possess are enjoyed by those who attend in the evening, the Sculpture Gallery being used by the Drawing Class, and all having full access to the Museum. It is thought advantageous to employ, as far as it can possibly be done, the same teachers in the evening as in the day, and thus not only are the services cf able and efficient teachers secured, but these services may be expected to be performed with more zeal by those who attend the Institution the whole of their time. Besides the Classes for English, Arithmetic, Mathematics, Writing, Geography, History, &c., there are others for Mechanical, Landscape, Figure, and Architectural Drawing, Naval Architecture, Painting, Modelling, &c. &c. The number of teachers employed is 30, and the average attendance is about 400 each evening.

The public Lectures are delivered on the evenings of Wednesday and Saturday each week, in the Lecture-room of the Institution, which is fitted up with a platform and a gallery, and is capable of containing about 1,500 persons. The Lectures in each season are so arranged as to refer to all the departments taught in the Evening Classes. Among those recently delivered may be mentioned a course of ten on the Chemistry of the Atmosphere, by Mr. W. H. Balmain; eight on the Philosophy of Education by Mr. W. B. Hodgson; eight on the Institutions and Literature of Germany, by Dr. Gustaf Kombst; four on the Principles of Elocution, by Professor Barber; four on Combustion, by Dr. Kane; and two on the Foundations of Physical Science, by Professor Lang. Concerts are also occasionally given, both of vocal and instrumental music. The attendance at the Lectures varies from 600 to 1,300, and at the Concerts it is seldom below 1,200 or 1,300.

The Library consists of about 10,000 volumes, and is open from morning till night. According to the last Report the average daily circulation of books throughout the year ending March, 1842, was 274 volumes, and in the winter season it rose as high as 370 volumes per day.

Besides the Sculpture Gallery, there is a Museum 'in connection with the Institution, which contains a number of Specimens of Natural History, and a select though small collection of Antiquities, Curiosities, &c.

The yearly payment of one guinea constitutes membership, and a donation of ten guineas to the building fund constitutes the donor a member for life. The sons or apprentices of members can become members by paying five shillings; the apprentices of non-members by paying half a guinea, and ladies by paying half a guinea. The members are entitled to attend, without any charge, the Lectures and the ordinary Evening Classes; also to borrow books out of the Library, while a reduction is made to their children in the fees of the lower school. An annual meeting of the members is held, when a Report is read, and Directors for the ensuing year elected. The Directors are chosen in such a manner that a certain number of each class of the community are elected. To this Board, which consists of forty members, the management of the Institution is confided, and at the expiry of their term of office, they are required to furnish a Report (which is afterwards published), showing how the Institution has been conducted, and the funds expended, under their management. Normal teachers are admitted, who are instructed and trained by the masters, and receive small salaries whenever they are able to afford material assistance. There are at present seven of such teachers employed.

As the whole receipts form one fund, out of which the expenses of each department are paid, each department receives the benefit of the rest, and the Institution is enabled to provide more efficient teachers for those departments which bring little revenue than could be done if the teachers had to be paid out of the funds of their respective classes.

CITY OF LONDON LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION, ALDERSGATE STREET. This Institution still continues its prosperous career. The number of members is steadily increasing, the income exceeds the outlay; the Lectures are of the first order, and the Classes proceed with great zeal and spirit.

In the Discussion Class the question-" Is the present war in Affghanistan a just one?" was opened on the 1st September, by Mr. Joseph Snelgar, and after three evenings' debate, was decided in the negative. The subject now under consideration is Phrenology, introduced by Mr. A. W. Porter.

In the Elocution Class, on the 27th August, Mr. LAURIE delivered a Lecture on the Poetry of Burns, being one of a course now in progress by members of the Class, on the Lives and Writings of the British Poets. The audience assembled on the occasion was exceedingly numerous and attentive. Mr. LAURIE treated his subject with much force and eloquence. He spoke in glowing terms of the Poet's intense love of the Beautiful in nature and in soul, and warmly defended him as a writer and as a man. Mr. LAURIE recited several passages from the works of his anthor in a happy and effective style, and was long and loudly cheered at the conclusion of his task.

On Saturday evening, September 17th, Mr. UMPELBY gave an excellent Lecture on "Shakspere's Plays, illustrated by some of his principal characters." After a happy and well-conceived introduction, the Lecturer proceeded to analyze, with considerable taste and judgment, the several characters of Miranda, Shylock, Portia, and Desdemona. It is a difficult thing at the present time to say anything concerning Shakspere that has not been said before, and we will not pretend to affirm that Mr. Umpelby's Lecture was remarkable for much novelty or originality of idea. We feel called upon, however, to say that the Lecturer's remarks were characterized by sound and judicious criticism, and that the audience received them with that attention and applause to which they were unquestionably entitled.

We feel that we cannot too highly commend the course pursued with such success by this class. The delivery of Lectures on such subjects as those alluded to cannot but have a most beneficial effect in forming the taste and moulding the judgment, both of those who are the actors and those who are the audiences on such occasions; and we trust that the spirit now manifested by this interesting class will long continue to animate and illuminate its history.

The Music Class gave its first Concert for the season on Friday, September the 16th, under the direction of Mr. JOHN BROUGH. This gentleman's good taste is too well known to the frequenters of these assemblies to require encomium from us; suffice it to say, that the entertainment provided by him for the occasion gave the greatest satisfaction to the audience. The principal performers were Miss CUBITT, Miss THORNTON, SIGNOR and SIGNORA PICCALUGA, and Mr. GOODWIN. The Band was as usual, remarkably complete and effective. We are glad, though by no means surprised, to find that this class is so generally and warmly supported.

SOUTHWARK LITERARY INSTITUTION, BOROUGH ROAD.-The flourishing Elocution Class connected with this Institution held at its second Public Quarterly Meeting, for the delivery of Recitations on Thursday, August 25. The Theatre was exceedingly well filled, and a large number of ladies honoured the occasion with their animating presence. The chair was taken by J. MITCHELL IZARD, Esq., who commenced the business of the evening with some appropriate introductory remarks, in which he bespoke the indulgence of the audience on behalf of the reciters, concluding with Lord Byron's words

"Yet should our feeble efforts nought avail,
Should, after all, our best endeavours fail;
Still, let some mercy in your bosoms live,
And if you can't applaud, at least forgive."

The following Recitations were then delivered :—

The whole of the Recitations were exceedingly well delivered, but we feel bound

to notice two or three as exhibiting considerable superiority. Those spoken by Mr. Rowton deserve particular mention. Monk Lewis's poem, entitled "The Captive," whatever we may think of the literary merits or the taste of the production, was recited with very great power and pathos, and drew forth the long-continued plaudits of the meeting. This gentleman's scene from the Pickwick Papers,-Mr. Tupman making love to the spinster aunt-was also very well delivered; the tender old boy and the willing spinster being excellently delineated. The "Ode to the Passions," pronounced by Mr. Algar, also merits honourable notice. Its delivery was marked by sensible declamation and warm feeling. Messrs. Pointing and Fellows, too, acquitted themselves very creditably in Thomas Ingoldsby's right comic stories of "The Tragedy," and "Netley Abbey." But it is invidious thus to single out names when all deserve praise, and therefore we will only say that the reciters, one and all, deserved the large amount of approbation they received.

On the conclusion of the Recitations, Mr. Woodman moved and Mr. Grose seconded the proposition, "that the best thanks of the meeting be given to J. M. Izard, Esq., for his kindness in taking the chair, and for the able manner in which he had presided on the occasion."

In reply Mr. Izard gratefully acknowledged the compliment that had been so unanimously paid him, and after expressing the high gratification he had experienced in witnessing the taste and talent displayed by the reciters, urged at some length, and with much force, the importance and value of the art of Elocution. After enforcing this, he proceeded to comment upon the neglect of this study in our public and private schools, where the plan for the most part is, to give to each boy

"A little Latin, and a snatch of Greek,
Teach him to fence and figure twice a week,
And having done, we think, the best we can,
Praise his proficiency and dub him man."

Mr. Izard than spoke with much humour of

"the awkward gait

Stretch'd neck and silly stare."

which characterize these un-elocutionized individuals, and showed that Elocution would have done much to improve them. After warmly complimenting the ladies who had honoured the meeting with their presence, Mr. Izard again expressed his grateful sense of the honour conferred upon him, and retired amidst warm cheering. The meeting then separated.

BEVERLEY, YORKSHIRE.-An Institution was established at this beautiful town in 1832, and denominated the "Beverley and East Riding Mechanics' Institute," and has continued its beneficial operations through good and evil report up to this period. At its commencement there were about 60 members, the number on the books at present is 210. The circulating Library consists of upwards of 700 volumes on the Arts and Sciences, History, Poetry, and general Literature. But in compliance with one of the rules, no works on Divinity or Politics, Plays, Novels or Romances are admitted. The number of weekly readers has averaged from fifty to sixty. A season for the delivery of weekly Lectures, extending over a period of six months, was established the second year after the formation of the society. The Lectures for the most part have been given gratuitously, by members and friends of the Institute. Paid Lecturers have also been occasionally engaged. In making the necessary selection for the Lectures, the object has been so to arrange the succession, that whilst the great purposes of a Mechanics' Institute are steadily kept in view, namely, the imparting to its members practical knowledge in the useful Arts and Sciences, as great a variety as possible has been secured of general literary and useful information. Several classes for the instruction of the younger members were formed, but for want of proper accommodation, all of them, except one for ornamental and landscape Drawing, were last winter discontinued. The operations of the society have been greatly circumscribed for want of a suitable building. This desideratum is now likely to be supplied. A large hall 40 feet square, intended for the delivery of the weekly and other Lectures, has been recently erected, and will be opened on the 21st instant, but the completion of the internal works is at present suspended from deficient funds. On the whole, the Institution is in a prosperous condition, and with proper exertions may soon realize all the benefits which its principles are so well calculated to confer.