with small comforts which at present he can only sigh for. I thank God that some of us who sit round those tables, far from becoming callous and indifferent as our experience grows older, have had both our hearts and pockets opened, by the process of listening to the woes of our suffering fellow creatures; and have realised with pain the disproportion of our means to the magnitude of our opportunities. Money is often wasted in unwise and indiscriminate almsgiving; still more often in expensive charitable organisation. Both would be avoided, if the simple and effective machinery of the Relief Committees of Guardians were made use of, by charitable people, to distribute their offerings amongst the deserving poor. I would humbly commend this suggestion to the consideration of my thoughtful readers, and if any of them feel disposed to select us as the medium of their alms-doing, their money will be wisely and carefully used. The finances of the Parish are managed by a "Finance Committee,” which meets once a fortnight and examines the accounts sent up from the various departments for payment. These are called over and initialled by the Chairman, and passed on the following day by the Board,-five Guardians being required to sign all cheques on the Bank. The two half-yearly rates produce nearly a hundred and twenty thousand pounds, out of which some forty thousand is paid over to the Corporation in the shape of Borough Rate. This latter deals with the maintenance of the Police Force, Borough Gaol, Lunatic Asylum, Baths and Wash-houses, Public Libraries and Parks, School Board expenses, and General Charges. A further ten thousand goes to the maintenance of Pauper Lunatics in our Asylum; and the remainder, (with sundry small exceptions), is devoted to the Relief of the Poor and the administrative expenses connected therewith. In concluding my sketch, just one word to the members of the Central Literary Asociation. It has been urged over and over again that this Society has a work to do beyond cultivating the mere gift of speech, and providing a pleasant reunion for men of literary tastes. These are both excellent objects, and have so far succeeded as to make us numerically very strong; but we ought not to be satisfied with mere criticism and debate. We have amongst us those who, by natural and acquired gifts, as well as from the circumstances of their position, are competent to take a part in the public work of the town, and so far as their opportunities will allow, they are bound as good citizens to do so. To some, politics will present the most attractive sphere; to others, the Town Council, or the management of our Hospitals and other philanthropic institutions. There is scope enough for all. I was exceedingly pleased to find among my associates in the work of relieving the poor some dozen members of our C. L. A., and those by no means the least active and useful. Should others, bye and bye, see it to be their duty to join us, we shall be glad to welcome them, and I can promise them that they will find the work as interesting and attractive as I have done myself. ZETA. A FEW WORDS ABOUT BONNETS. Since first this busy world began, Hath woman's beauty prompted man, To sigh in ode and sonnet ; Then let me humbly claim a space For that which adds such charm and grace In short for woman's bonnet. I have a whim, it may be wrong. But still conviction is so strong, I'd lay my life upon it; That if you're thoughtful you may find, In every woman's bonnet. O hateful bob-and braid-and plait, I'd rather lead a hermits life Than be condemned to call her wife If it be Polly's pride to say, If Lucy thinks 'tis well to place, A little garden o'er her face, To draw all eyes upon it; Her failing you will quickly find, Though fair her form-alas! her mind Is vulgar as her bonnet. Young men, with yet a choice to make, Pause-e're the final step you take And ponder well upon it, Your weal or woe in wedded life, Depends on her you take for wife, A. CYNIC. REVIEW. "WEDGWOOD AND HIS WORKS. "A selection of his Plaques, Cameos, Medallions, Vases, etc. :-From the designs of Flaxman and others, reproduced in permanent Photography by the Autotype process, with a sketch of his life and the progress of his Fine Art manufactures.-By ELIZA METEYARD." So many illustrated books of a high class are now offered for our instruction and amusement, or as literary and artistic furniture to grace the drawing room table, that it is difficult, and may seem invidious, to select one volume for review. But the work before us has its own special claims. It is a beautiful example of a new artistic process, employed in representing the Fine Art productions of the great master of English pottery. Moreover the specimens in many instances, copies of works which "lie hidden from public gaze and understanding in private collections" have been so judiciously chosen that the book is a perfect lesson on taste. It is probable that most of the general public who read Mr. Gladstone's speech at the opening of the Wedgwood Institute, in 1863, would consider that he had rated the great potter too highly. One sentence ran : "If the day shall ever come when England shall be as eminent in true taste as she now is in economy of production, my belief is that this result will probably be due to no other single man in so great a degree as to Wedgwood." The claim does seem startling. We have so long enjoyed the fruits of this man's labours, the luxuries of his day are now so common, that we are much disposed to regard the assertion with a natural and easy incredulity. But in turning over, even cursorily, the numerous plates with which this exquisite folio is enriched, the pure form and perfect ornament we continually meet in it, prove to us that Wedgwood is still a teacher and still a master. Here the native dignity and classic grace of Flaxman's designs are exemplified; there a true outline is given and perfect ornament added to some simple article for common use; and Miss Meteyard, in her charming narrative, carries us back some hundred and thirty years, to the time when Wedgwood was young, and a relative "built the few sheds and ovens necessary to his trade, opposite the parish church at Burslem, where he made black and mottled ware, and employing six men and four boys derived a profit of about sixteen shillings a week from his business.” * We may judge further of the condition of English Pottery at that date, from the fact that all higher class tables depended upon importations from India and France. But this lame boy grows up to manhood; he revolutionises his trade, making it an art,-laying the foundation of an immense industry and gaining a * Page 9. |