Sir F. ABEL, the organising Secretary of the Imperial Institute, recently issued a very agreeable and pleasing memorandum to the Chairmen of Provincial Committees and others who have assumed an active part in support of the undertaking. After describing the "large measure of success" that has attended the efforts of the local Committees throughout the country, Sir FREDERICK goes on to say that a "considerable number" of them have "signified their willingness to prolong their operations with the especial object of obtaining additions to the 'Endowment Fund' of the Institute which is about to be created." This is but natural. Taking into consideration the fact that in many quarters a handsome subscription to the funds of the Institute has been regarded as a sure passport to honour, and that the non-distribution of titles right and left among a lot of small provincial celebrities has already occasioned a good deal of heartburning and disappointment, this new lease of life, affording them, as it does, a fresh opportunity of struggling for their much-coveted prize, cannot but be hailed by the yet unsatisfied "Chairmen of Provincial Committees and others" with genuine joy and thankfulness. That plain Mr. JOHN BOPKINS, or Mr. PETER PICKLETUB, Mayor, should suddenly blossom out into Sir JOHN BOPKINS, and, possibly, Sir PETER PICKLETUB, Bart., would only seem to those indefatigable gentlemen an appropriate finish to their labours in furtherance of the interests of the Institute. Their readiness, therefore, to prolong their operations, as it may be measured by the fact that it will have the special object not only of "procuring additions" to the Endowment Fund, but also of tacking them on to their own names, is likely to be both hearty and enthusiastic. Whether anything will come of their hopeful perseverance, remains to be seen; but it is tolerably certain that if some sort of bureau for the sale of decorations, after the latest French model, could be instituted on this side of the Channel, there would be no lack of clients ready to besiege it. But----we manage these things much better in England. * * * * * When the Deputation waited on him, Mr. MATTHEWS was the "Not-at-Home Secretary." Quite right too. * * * * * NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception. * * * * * Transcriber's Notes A small number of minor typographical errors have been corrected.