between forty-five and twelve per cent, with an average of twentyfive per cent. In no case, however, has it been used exclusively, or in such a way as to afford a thoroughly trustworthy basis to test its nutritive value, taking fresh English meat as a standarda point of great importance to determine. The prejudice entertained by servants and inmates of institutions is said to be happily disappearing. As to the great importance of this source of supply, it may be sufficient to note that, while in 1866 the total quantity imported into the country amounted only to 16,050 lbs., valued at 3217., in 1871 this had so enormously increased as to amount to 22,000,000 lbs., at a value of 550,000%.

* THE CHURCH INDEX.*

This important work is intended to contain complete, original, and impartial information, ecclesiastical, historical, architectural, clerical, religious, and social of the different metropolitan churches. The first part, all that is at present issued, is devoted to the fifty churches established and non-conforming in the populous parish of Kensington, and as a fair and impartial view of church operations in a given locality, its value cannot be over-estimated. It appears from it, that there are twenty-five established churches in Kensington, and as many non-conforming chapels, including rooms or halls, the chapels furnishing accommodation to only about half the number of people as the churches do. In each about one-third are free seats. The Roman Catholics have four churches, which are among the foremost of that persuasion in London. These are the Pro-cathedral, the Oratory, the church of the Carmelite Friars, and that of St. Francis. The followers of Swedenborg have one chapel with accommodation for 1000.

All the denominations together supply 49,070 seats, more than three-fifths of which are found by the Church of England; 15,550 by Protestant nonconformists; and the remainder 3500 by Roman Catholics. The numbers allotted to English nonconformity stand as follows:-Baptists, 7450; Congregational, 2600; Wesleyan Methodists, 2250; Primitive Methodists, 300; Scotch Presbyterian, 600; Plymouth Brethren, 150; NonSectarian, 1200; Swedenborgians, 1000-15,550.

The Established Church is, therefore, relatively strong in Kensington, and when we consider that the whole of this church accommodation, with an exception or two, has been provided by

*The Church Index: a Book of Metropolitan Churches and Church Enterprise. By the Rev. William Pepperell. W. Wells Gardner, 2, Paternoster Buildings.

voluntary effort, and without the slightest pecuniary aid or benefit from the State, it must be accepted as a striking evidence of the 'popularity of that Church. Indeed, with the exception of a helping hand extended in one or two cases by the Bishop of London's fund, West London churchmen have been deemed capable of doing their own work and have been left to do it, and certainly they have done and are doing it.

It is also to be observed that the different ecclesiastical schools in the Church have, by mere dint of rivalry, done little in this great work. There are three or four decidedly Ritualistic churches; two or three High Church, two Broad Church, which affects doctrine chiefly; and all the others are really and truly Evangelical churches, varying but very slightly, if any thing, in form and ceremony. Church extension may, therefore, be regarded as a genuine and earnest outcome of English Protestant churchmanship, prompted by higher motives than those connected with ecclesiastical disputes.

We wish we had space to summarise what the Rev. Mr. Pepperell tells us concerning the progress of non-conforming bodies, as also of Romanism, which exists here in all its strength and fascination, and where the wealth of its richest English adherents and foreign residents combine with the talent of its foremost men to give it popular effect-the result at present being, however, we are told, by no means commensurate with the efforts put forth. All we can say is, that Mr. Pepperell has done his work carefully, well, and we believe impartially. It is difficult to please all parties, when sketching the interior economy of a given church, without constant attendance, and any attempt to do so, however single-minded the observer may be, must be open to some cavil; but the author has done his work as well as it could be done under the circumstances, and there can be no doubt that his book will be adopted as a safe and reliable guide. He has been ably assisted in the architectural department, and the illustrations are always truthful, and in some cases simply admirable.

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

BOSCO BEL.

A TALE OF THE YEAR 1651.*

BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH.

Book the Sixth.

ABBOTS LEIGH.

I.

HOW THE TWO GROOMS CHANGED HORSES AT STOKE-ON-THE-WOLD.

A FINE, fresh, autumnal morning gladdened Charles and his fair companion as they set out from Long Marston. The king was in excellent spirits, and laughed at his adventures on the previous night. After passing Church Honeybourne and Weston Subedge, they ascended Dover's Hill, on which the renowned Cotswold Games, sung by Ben Jonson and Drayton, were celebrated in the time of the king's grandsire, but were discontinued on the outbreak of the Civil Wars. While crossing this hill, which had been the scene of so many pleasant gatherings in former days, Charles promised himself that if he ever ruled the realm those manly sports should be revived. From this eminence they looked down upon the fair and fertile valley in which Chipping-Campden is situated, and after enjoying the delightful prospect for a short time, they descended from the uplands and rode towards the pleasant old town.

Chipping-Campden, at the period of our story, was a great *All rights reserved by the Author.

Sept.-VOL. II. NO. IX.

M