25 FEBRUARY 1865, Page 3

Clergy orphans, especially orphan girls, are, we suppose, de- signed

by nature to be "improved," and if they are to be improved at all it must be a pleasure to be improved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose noble presence and kindly face must soften the raelancholy of that otherwise dreary process. Still we think the Archbishop might riot a little less in that luxury on a pleasant occasion like that of presenting a good and clever girl with 500/., provided by a fund the proceeds of which are only distributed once in 21 years. This day week the anniversary came round, and the 500/. was awarded to a Miss Fanny Jane Fayrer, whose " conduct and attainments had seemed most worthy" of the rare prize. Accordingly the Archbishop presented it to her in his own kindly way, but could not refrain from hoping "that it would not produce in her feelings of pride or vanity," but rather "feelings \ of thankfulness to God, who had endowed her with such talents \ that she stood at the head of the sohool.. She must remember that it was the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which was of great price in His sight." Clergymen are sadly too much inclined to think that Providence expects them to snub the happiness He gives by saying precisely the thing which is least adapted to the spirit of the occasion. If they "understood their epoch" they would find it answer—even to their moral influence—to be cheerful and avoid moralizing on cheerful occasions. No girl was ever better yet for being told to have a meek and quiet spirit when she felt in high spirits at a great success.