The Press. — London, England, 1858-10-09 00:00:00

T H Sir J. PAKINOTON, who took the opportunity of expressing his concurrence in the objects of these unions, by which, he said, they arrived at uniformity of action, and they also afforded a stimulus i to emu lation. Seventeen mec hanics ' and literary institutes around Worcester bad joined the Worcestershire Union —the objects of which, as expressed by the rules, were as follow t—l. Mutual intercourse and improvement; 2. Concentrated information on the progress and requirements of each institute ; 3. Encourage ment and increase of evening classes by examinations and prizes, or other means ; 4. The engagement of lecturers, gratu tons and professional ; 5. The promotion of a good system for circulating hooks or otherwise improving local fibrin ies ; 6. The acquirement and diffusion of information upon matters relating to mechanics' institutes in general. He particularly approved of rule 3, having for its object the encouragement of evening classes. He regarded these institutes for the working classes much in the same light as he considered the Uni versifies in higher life—viz., as a means of carrying the knowledge already possessed by the students further than it had reached, and preparing them for undertaking higher and more honourable, as well as more useful positions in the particular condition of life for which they were destined. He hoped that those who had established this union of institutes would persist in the good work which they bad be. gun. It was a work of great importance, and one which deserved and would receive the gratitude of the public. The necessity for the general extension of knowledge among the people was now generally admitted ; the only question was as to the means. Every reflecting mind would acknowledge that it could not be the will of God that man should be allowed to live in ignorance of things past and to come, things human and divine, great and small, on the earth or in the heavens, or that the noble gifts given to man should be left uncultivated, any more than it could be the will of the Almighty that the soil of the earth should remain barren and untilled. It was our duty as citizens, as philanthropists, and as politicians, to promote education and the general diffusion of knowledge, and no man would now in this free country discourage the objects which these institutions had in view. He himself had no fear of the result of extending knowledge, and, without pretending just now to expound any scheme of poli tical reform, he would say that one of our first du ties was to see that those who had to exercise civil rights were made by education fit and competent to discharge them. It had been said that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." He was not afraid of knowledge, but he was afraid of ignorance, with its headstrong passions and prejudices, and it was their duty as good citizens to extend as far as they could the spread of knowledge, and to put an end to ignorance. Mr. SLANEY, M.P., also expressed his approval of the object, and observed that the great difficulty in the way of national education was the want of una nimity as to the best means of carrying it out. MR. COLLIER, M.P. for Plymouth, appears to have completely abandoned Lord Palmerston. Before his constituents on Tuesday, Mr. Collier declared in favour of Reform, resident suffrage, vote by ballot, and rearrangement of electoral districts ; and he exprest.ed his opinion that Lord Palmerston's faith. lessness on this question was the cause, and the just cause, of his fall from public favour. Speaking of the present Government, Mr. Collier said it was not his intention to give any factious opposition to the Administration of Lord Derby. He looked at mea• sures rather than at men, and, provided he found the present Government adopting liberal and progressive measures, those measures would have his support. Be had no desire for perpetual change, and believed it obstructed and delayed the progress of public business, and afforded Governments an excuse for doing nothing. He was far from saying that he be lieved it was immaterial who held the reins of office ; but, as he thought it more important that we should have measures of reform than to consider whether this person or th a t p erson governe d f or t h e time being, he should suspend his judgment with respect to the acts of the Derby Administration, and when the contemplated Reform Bill was brought forward be would give it his best attention, and, if satisfied with it, it should receive his support. --- AT A MEETING OF lIIS CONSTITUENTS AT ABERDEEN, on Friday, Colonel Sykes reviewed the leading events of the session, especially dwelling on the votes given upon the Reform questions, and having pointed out the different sections in the House of Commons, pro ceeded then to describe independent Liberalism : There are great lamentations about the direction of party influence, and a no bl e l or d l ast year wro t e a h oo k asserting that this country could only he well governed by party, and that patronage was essential to any party to keep its followers together—at least so I interpret the arguments used. Party has been rendered imperative by the growth of a body of men amongst the Liberals, who have resolved to exercise their own judgments upon their duty as good could the spread of ignorance. Mr. SLANEY, 111.1 the object, and obs the way of national nimity as to the be MR. COWER, M completely abando constituents on 1 favour of Reform, and rearrangemen expressed his opin lessness on this qu cause, of his fall f the present Govern his intention to gi' Administration of sures rather than present Governme measures, those n Ile had no desire it obstructed and business, and affc doing nothing. I lieved it was imm but, as he thought have measures of this person or the being, he should s to the acts of the the contemplated be would give it with it, it should r AT A MEETING I on Friday, Colonel the session, espec upon the Reform the different sectil ceeded then to de There are great party influence, an ihseniog that this by party, and that to keep its followe arguments used. by the growth of who have resolved E PRE S S, OCTOBER 9, 1858. all political questions irrespective of party cries or party leaders. That body, it is said, now amounts to about 120 members in the house; and if they were to throw their whole—l say their whole —weight into one scale or the ' other, the side they aid would preponderate. But they are without-organization, and the salutary or beneficial effects of their independence is only shown by the results. Judging by their votes during the last session, the majority of them have zealously tried to retrench expenditure, to prevent centralization, to extend the franchise, and gene rally to promote popular rights. I have usually found myself in the same lobby with them in their divisions ; but by themselves they are powerless against a union of the Conservatives, and one or more sections of the Liberals. Their increase in numbers in the house will no doubt render the Government by party still more difficult than it is now; but I have not the misgivings which some have, that this would 'oe prejudicial to popular interests. A weighty body in the house, con. scientioualy resolved to vote for measures and not men, will surely do more good in prcmoting national progress than a party Government of reluctant Conservatives or a Liberal party Government, whose promises hitherto have not realized the expectations their name implied. MIL HASTINGS RUSSELL AND COLONEL GILPIN, the members for the county of Bedford, and Mr. Barnard and Mr. Whitbread, the representatives of the borough, have been addressing their constituents at the Bedfordshire Agricultural Association meeting. In returning thanks for the health of " The Mem bers for the County," Mr. Russell eschew3d politics, merely remarking, apropos of Cherbourg, that if they asked him what impression lie had borne away with him from France, he should certainly reply that, in his humble opinion, a courteous intercourse was a more fitting attitude for two great nations like France and England than sneers and depreciation. Colonel Gilpin followed in the same course, confining his remarks to agriculture, expressing his opinion that the less Parliament legislated upon agricultural matters the better. There were many members of Parliament who tried their hands at such legislation, but he thought that if they had more intercourse with the farmers of the country, and had made themselves more acquainted with the system of agri culture pursued in the country, they would be con verts to the opinion which he himself entertained — namely, that the farmers were quite able and com petent to manage their own affairs. There was, however, one bill which was not of a party nature which be should be glad to see brought before Par liament, and that was a bill to establish a uniform system of weights and measures throughout the country. The remarks of Mr. Barnard and Mr. Whitbread, in responding to the toast of " The Borough Members," was also of a non-political cba• racter. Nicw QUEEN'S COUNSEL are to be appointed in Michaelmas term in November next. Mr. Hawkins of the Home Circuit, and Mr. J. D. Coleridge and Mr. Karslake of the Western Circuit, are to be elevated to the dignity. These appointments will he highly popular with the bar and the public. MR. ROBERT MONTGOMERY, of the Bengal Civil Service, has been appointed provisional member of the council of the Governor General of India. J. B. DASENT, Est., of the Norfolk Circuit, has been anointed to the Judgeship of the Northumber land County Count, vacant by the death of Mr. Losh. LEOMINSTER ELECTION.—The only candidate in the field is the Hon. Captain Hanbury, of the 2nd Life Guards, who sat in the last parliament for Herefordshire on the Conservative interest. Mr. James Wilde has issued an address announcing his intention of reserving his claims until a general election. Rlttropolitau. THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOW LEDGE has held its first meeting, after the vacation, at 67, Lincoln's-inn Fields. The Bishop of London presided. Several interesting communications from India were read, the society having contributed 10,000/. towards the Christian cause in India. Money votes for the society's objects at home, as well as in the colcm;ci, were agreed to, and books were granted f , )r noor districts. A considerable amount of dons tions and legacies and accessions to the special Indian fund were announced. THE COURT OF COMMON Consul., on Thursday, presented the freedom of the City, together with swords of the value of 100 guineas, to Lord Clyde and to Sir James Outraro for their distinguished services. THE MONSTER BELL, known as " Big Ben," which is to sound the hours in the clock tower attached to the \Vesttuinster Palace, has been removed from the beam by which it has been suspended and placed upon a " cradle " for the purpose of being passed to the base of the tower. A TABLET to the memory of Sir Astley P. Cooper, Bart., was fixed on Wednesday last in Guy's Hospital. 977 THE CHIEF REGISTRARSHIP OF THE COURT Op BANKRUPTCY, vacant by the death of Mr. John Campbell, has been conferred by the Lord Chancellor on Mr. Whitehead, senior registrar. Mr. W. F. Higgins has been appointed to the registrarship vacant by Mr. Whitehead's promotion. THE WINTER SESSION of the various metropolitan schools of medicine commenced on Saturday. The lectures were of a high order of ability, and wars wal attended. THE REPORT on the arrangements for constzuetia the main drainage and intercepting sewers • the metropolis has been presented to the Metropoli tan Board of Works by Mr. Balzagette the engineer. The main propositions are to carry out the works at numerous points simultaneously, to contract at once for the northern high-level sewer, arrangements to be made for the purchase of land for the main out fall sewer at Barking, preparations to be rustle for the erection of pumping engines, tenders to be invited for the deodorization of the sewage in the western division, eleven contracts in all to be taken at an estimated cost of 150,0001., or if with reservoir and low-level sewer on north side of the Thames a total of 2,131,0001. THE BIRTHS of 861 boys and 865 girls, in all 1,728 children, were registered in London last week. The deaths, which had fallen considerably below 1,000 in the previous week, rose to 1,021. Of these deaths. 30 were accidental, 4 were suicide, and no fewer than 6 by murder and mans.aughter. Of these last, 5 were the deaths of infants. Scarlatina shows a constant, though not a rapid, increase. THE SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM was visited during the week ending 2nd October by 10,643 persons. retintial. THE STRIKE AT THE RAKE COLLIERY, which has excited so much interest in the South Yorkshire district, and which has lasted upwards of eighteen weeks, was brought to a conclusion on Saturday last, and the turnouts resumed work on Monday, the terms being such as to satisfy both masters and men. The strike, which has been an enormous loss to the pro prietors, and which has also cost the Miners' Association upwards of 2,0001., has been the means of introducing several novelties upon the mode in which strikes have hitherto been conducted—the living in camps by the turnouts after being ejected from their homes, and more recently the attack by a body of strangers upon the dwellings of the black slie.2p—the men at work in the pit. Several men have been sentenced to various terms of imprison ment for taking part in the proceedings. THE HARTLEY BEQUEST, made nearly ten years ago, under which upwards of 100.0001. was left to the corporation of Southampton, to be expended in measures to promote the intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of that town, and which was disputed by distant relatives of the testator, in the Court of Chancery, has ended in a compromise, on the recommendation of the counsel engaged on both sides, and the litigants having withdrawn their claims for 22,5001., thus leaving about 78,0001. for the cor poration ; but of that sum, however, the law costs have to be deducted, amounting to nearly 35,0001., and legacy duty amounting to nearly 4,5001., so that all that remains to carry out the dying wish of the testator is 39,7801. THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY has purchased Roehampton -park, the seat of the Earl of I:it ashorough, with the magnificent mansion so long the residence of the late Mr. Roberts, the banker. Otturrt. THE BISHOP of CARLISLE delivered his judgment in the case of the Rev. T. G. Livingston v. the Dean and Chapter, in the Chapter House, Carlisle, yesterday week. His lordship said his opinion was that the provisions of the Carlisle statutes assigned to the dean a superintending power on all matters touching the celebration of Divine service, subject to the general ecclesiastical law, and that as the statutes were silent respecting the preparation of any list of music to be used in the cathedral church, the dean was entitled to inhibit the pre centor from preparing any such list ; but be could not concur with the Dean and Chapter in the view which they had taken of the formal complaints preferred by the petitioner, which raised a question as to the proper interpretation of the statutes regarding the precentor's duties. He should, therefore, restore Mr. Livingston to the offices of precentor and minor canon within the cathedral, from which lie bad, in his lordship'sopinion, been without just cause removed. EARL Fuzartuamn has just presented 2001. for the purchase of a pulpit or an altar cloth for the new church of St. George, Doncaster.