FREE SCHOOL EXAMINATION. 
tilt whole passage verbatim ; its inaccuracy 
•of style cannot impeach the truth of the 
doctrine it advocates. “The opprobrium 
and ridicule, those who relapse and recede 
from the Society are exposed to ; the pro- 
bation they have to serve before they can be 
re-elected, and above all the noble example 
the late march afforded, of a body of 44 
individuals (many of them reclaimed from 
excessive intemperance) completing a nearly 
two months’ journey, exposed to the 
extremes of cold and heat, sometimes accom- 
panied by rain, without having recourse to 
spirits, has made the Society better under- 
stood, and in the opinion of the Committee, 
placed it on a sure basis, inasmuch as it has 
led those who now join, it is believed, to 
weigh well what they undertake before doing 
so, and confirmed those members in their 
temperate habits ; and afforded so striking a 
proof, that ardent spirits are neither neces- 
sary for increased exertion, arduous duty, 
nor fatigue ; that since the arrival of the 
regiment at its destination, there has been 
an accession of 22 members to the Society, 
besides 110 individuals undergoing proba- 
tion, giving a grand total of 4 officers, 2 
medical warrant officers, 3 apprentices, 38 
non-commissioned officers, 129 drummers 
and privates, and 13 women.” The Com- 
mittee desire to impress the result of this 
experiment on the minds of all those who, 
standing on neutral ground, still continue 
from afar to survey the operations and 
regard the objects of Temperance Societies 
with the eye of doubt or distrust. Facts 
are stubborn things. The advocates of 
Temperance ask but a fair trial for the prin- 
ciple of abstinence ; let this be bona fide con- 
ceded, and they will entertain no fear for 
the result.” 
The cause of temperance we learn is gain- 
ing ground in other directions during the 
last year several societies were established 
in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies, 
oneatTrichinopoly was organazedin Febru- 
ary and has 249 members, besides some 
Ladies and 22 Gentlemen, who have come 
forward in aid of the society with liberal 
subscriptions. In conclusion, we beg to quote 
a passage from a letter from the Secretary 
British and For. Tern. Society, London, to 
the address of the Secretary at Chunar, which 
gives an unequivocal proof that the hydra- 
intemperance is about to receive a shock 
from which we sincerely hope it will never 
recover. 
“ Many persons have attached themselves 
to these Societies in America, and many 
more, though not members, are acting upon 
the principle of abstinence from distilled spi- 
rits; — 10,000 Drunkards have been re- 
claimed ; 3000 Distilleries have been stop- 
ped; 7000 Dealers have relinquished the 
traffic; and 1000 Vessels sail without spirits 
on board. A Congressional Temperance 
Society has been formed of which members 
of Congress only are members. Temperance 
Societies were not introduced into this coun- 
try till some time after their existence in 
America. The facilities of diffusing informa- 
tion in this country are not so great as in 
America, and spirit drinking is more bound 
up with the social customs of society in Bri- 
tain than in America ; which may, in some 
measure, account for the less rapid progress 
of these institutions with us. Still the 
friends and promoters of the cause have 
reason to be satisfied with its advancement 
and are encouraged in the attempt. One 
step of obvious importance has been gained — 
the bringing the subject under the attention 
of the British Parliament, and the appoint- 
ment of a Committee of Inquiry, and the pub- 
lication of the evidence. An effort will be 
made in the present session of Parliament to 
place the trade under some restrictions. The 
Committee rejoice in these movements in the 
national councils ; while they confine them- 
selves more particularly to the main object 
of the Society- — to publish information by 
means of public meetings and lectures, and 
the distribution of Tracts ; so as to comdnce 
the community to abandon the use of spirits 
as unfit to be used with safety as a common 
beverage, in any country, and thus to elevate 
the tone of moral sentiment on this subject.” 
FREE SCHOOL EXAMINATION. 
Although we had made arrangements to be 
present during the whole of the examination 
of the children of the Free School, the na- 
ture of our professional duties was such as 
to prevent our attending until the examina- 
tion of the first class was about to commence. 
This afforded us an opportunity of forming 
an opinion of the acquirements of the Senior 
Division of the children. We deeply lament 
to say they were such as to produce disap- 
pointment, and we may add, surprise, that 
after the expense in masters, &c. there 
should be such a great falling off. It 
was with satisfaction, however, we observed 
the children more healthy in appearance 
cleanly and better clothed, for which are we 
to thank the press? which receives much 
reproach, because it unmasks abuse, and 
demands on the part of the public efficient 
