25 FEBRUARY 1888, Page 25

Progress of the Church in Lou ?on during the last

Fifty Years. By the Rev. W. Walsh. (Rivingtons.)-1 book of this kind is the best contribution possible to the cause of Church Defence. Figures do not adequately represent the case which it makes out, but still they give some idea of it. The Deanery of Fulham has increased in population from 17,539 to 106,425. (These figures represent the Census returns of 1831 and 1881, and are subject, therefore, to con- siderable increase.) In 1837, there were five churches. There are now eighteen, besides six temporary and mission churches. Two of the original five have been rebuilt. In Kensington (population, 20,902 and 172585), there were five, and there are now twenty- six, and twelve mission churches. In Paddington, the increase is from two to twenty- four; in Islington, from six to forty-one. These are some of the most striking figures. But the totals are noteworthy. Two hundred and thirty-six churches and chapels have now increased to eight hundred and seventy. It is true that the population has grown from about 1,300,000 to 4,000,000. Still, if much remains, much has been done.