[Courtauld funding of Mechanics' Institute]

Some interesting proceedings took place at Braintree, Essex, on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the inauguration of a new building for the Braintree and Bocking Mechanics' Institute, built at a cost of £2500, from a bequest made by the late Mr. G. Courtauld, who also caused some handsome schools to be erected in 1861 for the benefit of the poor. The building inaugurated on Tuesday is a spacious and elegant one, and in every way well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed. A soirée was held in the hall, at which the Rev. Sir J. P. Wood presided, supported by Mr. Du Cane, M.P., Mr. G. Courtauld, son of the lamented deceased gentleman; Mr. S. Courtauld, Mr. Saville Culey, &c. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, Mr. C. Du Cane, M.P., Mr. S. Courtauld, and other gentlemen; and the speeches were followed by a concert. The Courtauld family is known far and wide by the prominent part which it played in the great Braintree church-rate case.—On Wednesday evening Lord Chelmsford presided at a somewhat similar soirée at Chelmsford.