it was enlarged to its present size.  The average Sunday attendance is about 300.  In January, 1868 a day school for boys, girls, and infants was opened in the same building, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Greenhalgh.  So far it has been very successful.  Its average attendance is about 190.  Government reports speak very hopefully of the place; more prizes have been awarded to it by the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, than to any other school in the town; and its present status indicates a prosperous future.  An unsectarian night school is also held in the building, and its average attendance is about 120.  In addition there is a band of hope society at the place, and it is better attended than any other similar association in Preston.  All that Grimshaw-street Chapel wants is a fuller congregation.  That would develope every department of it; and energy, combined with continuity of service, would secure this.  Mr. Newman who understands French, must adopt as his motto, and have it embossed on the buttons of his own and his deacons’ coats, and on the backs of the seven chairs they use in the chapel, the words “Boutez en avant.”

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

There are nearly 13,000 people in the “district” of this church.  What a difference time makes!  At the beginning of the present century the greater portion of the district was made up of fields; whilst lanes, with hedges set each side, constituted what are now some of its busiest streets.  Volunteers and militiamen used to meet for drill on a large piece of land in the very heart of the locality; troops of charwomen formerly washed their clothes in water pits hard by, and dried them on the green-sward adjoining; and everything about wore a rural and primitive aspect.  St. Paul’s Church is situated on a portion of land which, 50 years ago, was fringed with trees and called “The Park;” and this accounts for the name still given by many to the sacred edifice—­namely “Park Church.”  The sisters of the late J. Bairstow, Esq., kept a school at one time on, or contiguous to, this park.  A road, starting opposite the Holy Lamb, in Church-street, and ending near the top of High-street, formerly passed through “The Park.”  Years ago a ducking or cucking stool was placed at the northern side of it, adjoining a pit, and at the edge of the thoroughfare known as Meadow street.  This ducking stool was intended for the special benefit of vixens and scolding wives.  It consisted of a strong plank, at the end of which was a chair, the centre working upon a pivot, and, after the person to be punished had been duly secured, she was ducked into the water.  If this system were now in force, it would often be patronised, for there are many lively termagants in the land, and lots in Preston.