The other courses are also going on for those who are able to pay high fees, and attend during the day.  The titles of a few of the lectures will give you an idea of the nature of the instruction offered; namely—­The Relations of Natural History to Geology and the Arts; On the Value of an Extended Knowledge of Mineralogy and the Processes of Mining; On the Science of Geology and its Applications; On the Importance of Special Scientific Knowledge to the Practical Metallurgist; and On the Importance of Cultivating Habits of Observation.  You must remember, that the institution is a government school of mines as well as a museum of geology.

In connection with this, it may be mentioned that the Society of Arts are discussing a project for the ‘affiliation’ of all the literary, philosophical, scientific, and mechanics’ institutions throughout the kingdom, with a view to render them less languid and more beneficial than too many of them now are.  Unity of purpose effected wonders with the Great Exhibition; and it is thought that the same cause should produce a similar result in the educational and recreative establishments alluded to.  There is a talk, also, of an assembling of most of the learned societies of our great city under one roof—­a sort of Palace of Science, which has long been wanting in London, but which has long existed in Paris.  Should this scheme be carried out, the philosophers might then adopt Brother Jonathan’s motto—­E pluribus unum.  And, next, the Suburban Artisan School of Drawing and Modelling, established last year at Camden-Town, has succeeded so well that the committee, with Prince Albert as patron, have determined to establish four additional schools in our other suburban districts.  These schools are to be open every evening for instruction, at a charge per month of 2s.  No working-man in the metropolis after this need be ignorant of drawing.  Then, again, a ’Department of Practical Art’ is organised in connection with the Board of Trade, which, by means of travelling and stationary superintendents, and other officers, is to assist in the development of artistic talent, and its application to useful purposes, wherever it may be found.

Co-operation of some sort or other is the order of the day; and now a good deal of attention is excited by the announcement of an ’Athenaeum Institute for Authors and Artists,’ something different from the Guild of Literature and Art set afoot last winter, the object being to endeavour to form an incorporated association of the two classes mentioned—­of course for their common benefit.  The aid of the possessors of rank and wealth is to be asked at starting, because, as the promoters say, ’we think literature has a right to ask the assistance of these other two great powers of society, because it so materially assists them; and because, in many of its branches, it has no other mode of being paid by society.  The severely scientific, the highly imaginative, the profoundly legislative authors, do not produce promptly