science, literature, and the fine arts. In 1814 the committee published a statement, in which the say, that "in order to induce men of learning and science to fix their residence and become teachers in Liverpool, it is proposed to establish a fund, from which such remuneration as may be necessary might be afforded to them, for delivering lectures and instruction in different branches of literature and science. These lectures are intended not only for the instruction of youth, but also as a rational source of information and recreation for persons further advanced in life, who may be thus made acquainted, in the most satisfactory and interesting manner, with the rapid progress of literature and science which characterizes the present age.

"The systematic courses of lectures which it is intended to encourage as far as may be practicable from the funds of the institution, are, 1. Philology, or the structure of ancient and modern languages, chiefly with a view to the attainment of accuracy and elegance in our own. 2. History, ancient and modern. 3. Moral philosophy and political economy, the latter including commerce. 4. Chemistry, showing its application to the arts. 5. Natural History, including geology and mineralogy. 6. Natural Philosophy; the astronomical part to be explained with an orrery; the mechanical branches to be illustrated by models of the most approved

machinery. 7. Botany, gardening, and agriculture. 8. Anatomy, surgery, and medicine.”

The late Henry Blundell, Esq. of Ince, who was always an ardent admirer and munificent patron of the fine arts, bequeathed the sum of £1600, which was vested in the hands of trustees for the purpose of erecting a suitable building, to be appropriated to the use of the artists of this town. In consideration of an Exhibition-room and other apartments being assigned to the academicians, the trustees agreed to apply this sum, with the interest (£200) that had accrued from it to the funds of the institution.

A piece of ground was liberally proffered by the corporation, but as this was rendered unnecessary by the purchase of the present premises, they gave £1000 in lieu of it; and in order to promote the arts of painting and sculpture, as well as for the encouragement of genius, the same public spirited body annually propose the following prizes :

To Academicians.

No. 1. For the the best historical picture, in oil colours, being an original composition, consisting of not fewer than three figures, the principal figure not to be less than 18 inches, £20.

No. 2. For the best landscape picture, in oil colours, being an original composition, or study

from nature, the size of the picture to be not less than 36 inches, £20.

No. 3. For the best water colour drawing, being an original composition, or drawn from nature, the picture to be not less than 18 inches by 14 inches, £12.

No. 4. For the best specimen of sculpture, consisting of either an historical, alto-relief, or bas-relief, of not fewer than three figures,the alto-relief not to exceed 5 inches, and the bas-relief 2 inches in projection; or for a group of two or more figures, and in all cases the height of the principal figure not to be less than 2 feet, £12.

To students or artists residing in Liverpool, or the immediate neighbourhood, for the same subjects as above:

No. 1. £9.-No. 2, £9.—No. 3, £6.—No. 4, £6.— The picture not to be less than 30 inches by 20 inches.

No. 5. For the best design in architecture, consisting of one or more plans, an elevation, and section, £9.

In the early period of the institution, the schools for the instruction of youth in the languages and mathematics was numerously attended, but during the last few years the number of pupils has been much diminished. Hitherto

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the platform, which was raised on the roof of this edifice for the purpose of making astronomical observations, has not been used. The Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool have a large apartment on the first floor of this building, in which they hold their meetings once a fortnight.

THE SCHOOL OF ARTS.

The present far exceeds all preceding ages in that ardent pursuit of knowledge, which is so characteristic of the improved condition of mankind. The institution we have just described was formed chiefly for the higher classes of our townsmen, but the School of Arts was commenced solely for the instruction of the labouring artizan. This society was established pursuant to the resolutions of a public meeting, convened in the Music Hall in June, 1825, when it was agreed to form an institution that might afford the artizans of this town an opportunity of acquiring a competent acquaintance with the principles of mechanics, mathematics, and chymistry, by which means it was supposed they would become more valuable members of the community, and more skilful practitioners in their several

arts. Since that period their meetings have been regularly held in Slater-street, where lectures are frequently delivered.

LIBRARIES AND NEWS-ROOMS.

The utility and importance of libraries have been admitted from the remotest times; but news-rooms are the peculiar offspring of modern days, and owe their origin to the facility of communicating ideas afforded by the printing-press, joined to that love of acquiring information, and of joining in conversation, so agreeable to our nature. These institutions show that an attention to commercial avocations may be united to a refined taste, and a love of letters. No engine is more powerfully calculated to give an efficient and extensive circulation to enlarged and practical views of liberty and good government than the daily press of this country; and perhaps to this may be mainly attributed the great change that within a few years has been effected in the public opinion, and the adoption of those improved and liberal views concerning foreign and domestic policy, so prevalent in the present day. Our attention is no longer confined to the very contracted space occupied by our own immediate neighbourhood; on the contrary, the transactions. and opinions of our fellow-men, in almost every portion of the civilized globe, are made known to us in a period so short as would in former times have appeared perfectly incredible.