may to the fifth Volume of the Society's Reports. We with pleasure reflect on our uninterrupted tho gradual progress, and on the effect of example, in promoting similar institutions, throughout Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of his Majesty's extended Dominions. We may at the same time direct INTRODUCTORY LETTER TO THE FIFTH VOLUME, ADDRESSED TO WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, Esq. M. P. &c. &c. &c. MY DEAR SIR, THE progress of enquiry has brought us to the fifth Volume of the Society's Reports. We may with pleasure reflect on our uninterrupted tho gradual progress, and on the effect of example, in promoting similar institutions, throughout Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of his Majesty's extended Dominions. We may at the same time direct B VOL. V. our view forward with still more pleasure; now, that we have the gratification of beholding the female poor, placed under the powerful and peculiar patronage of the most elevated and intelligent, of their own sex; and of knowing, that their temporal Instruction and their religious Discipline, their present welfare and future hope, are become the declared and distinguished objects of those, from whom may be derived the brightest and most unsullied examples of female purity, and female excellence. That we have at times proceeded overcautiously, has been the opinion of some of our friends. The current of success was gentle and gradual. But we were not disheartened. Disappointment had not been fostered by the too eager expectation of immediate effect from exertion. In the natural world, the seed must for a time be buried, in order to produce at length the abundant and acceptable harvest. So have we found it in the moral world. We have the same hope, confirmed by a succession of similar and analogous effects: and in some instances where we have failed of our expected and desired object, we have ultimately reaped other benefits, of perhaps even still greater and more intrinsic value to mankind. I can recall to your memory, that when I first proposed the subject to the consideration of THE BISHOP OF DURHAM, MR. ELIOT, and yourself, I deprecated every attempt at early, and rapid progress.-The collecting of practical information, the ascertaining of the unequivocal result of experience, and the patient, and persevering toil of repeatedly weighing effects and consequences,—these have been the duties, to which we have devoted ourselves during a period of eight years; and I have infinite satisfaction in now addressing you on the result of our enquiries. When the welfare of MILLIONS is concerned, any safe and innoxious advancement towards the object, is an important advantage. What, MY DEAR SIR, is the devotion of the whole life and labour of an |