The Press. — London, England, 1855-09-29 00:00:00

SEPT. 29, 1855. PALMERSTON ON SCIENCE. His Grace the Duke of Argyll, in the course of the lecture in which ho was so good as to instruct the scientific world assembled at Glasgow, intimated that Lord Palmerston " intended to bring the claims of science before Parliament." This announcement naturally afforded much gratification, which will be increased when we mention some of the steps which the Premier intends to take for advancing the interests of science of various kinds. Considering that the science of Theology is yet in its infancy, the Premier proposes to institute a series of prizes for those students who, following his own example, discover new, or hitherto unrecog nised, truths in religion. To show his earnestness in this matter, he has already offered to revise, at such intervals as his engagements, parties, and balls will permit, the present " authorised version ;" and he thinks that, by a judicious use of the pruning -knife, he will be able considerably to simplify the labours of subsequent annotators. He intends also to deal, at the same time, with the Thirty-nine Articles, which he designs to " concentrate " for general use, face tiously observing that " anybody who wants a lot of creed can easily dilute an article with a little theolog ical hot water." With the science of Geograp hy he also designs to deal in a similar manner. He intends to offer rewards for the construction of new maps, in each of which the inventor shall exercise his ingenuity by showing some novel arrangement of territorial boundaries and dynastic possessions. Each map is to be accompanied by a brief, popular pamphlet, showing how the proposed changes can best be brought about ; and this is to be translated into the language of the people it will affect. All science having a higher aim than its own progress, the Premier hopes to do much good among the " nationalities," and elsewhere, by a plentiful distribution of these accredited productions throughout Europe. The science of Rhetoric, the Premier thinks, may be cultivated with great advantage, and he will propose to Parliament to institute a lectureship, by means of which those who intend to enter Parliament may be instructed in the various artifices which succeed with a re formed House of Commons. A prize for the best display of sham earnestness, and for the readiest and most impertinent retorts, will be annually awarded to the lecturer's pupils, and will be known as the Palmerstonian medal. The science of Politics Lord Palmerston considers has been lamentably neglectel, so far as its practical working goes. A man, he justly argues, may be very well react in political philosophy, and be very well informed upon the political topics, and yet may be utterly unable to turn his knowledge to its legitimate use, the attainment and retention of office. A scholarship is therefore to be founded, to be the reward of the student who will show, at some supposed crisis, the best way of " managing " a House of Commons, by cajolement, inti midation, or private negotiation, such scholarship to entitle its holder, 'after a certain time, to the first vacant Under-Secretaryship of State. Other propositions for the advancement of science aro under con• sideration, but these, which it is already determined to carry out, will show that the Duke of Argyll did not speak—when does he ?—without book. THE DOWNING-STREET LOTUS-EATERS. (AFTER A POEM OF THE LAUREATE HAPPILY NOT THE LAST.) " Courage !" said Pam, " Behold the official bench— Old Abby's rope of sand—will scatter soon !" And then that band whose cheeks no fraud could blench Nodded and grinned behind the pantaloon. Abby was in his phrase " a feckless loon," Breathing like Sly when he was hailed a lord, Wondering how he came there, and then how soon The mutineers would cast him overboard, Till in one general smash his house of pasteboard fell, And jeers and curses rung the Coalitions knell. Then came a gang of easy men and free, Who to their work did free and easy go. Chief of the throng of stop-gap sticks was he, The pantaloon who wrought old Abby's woe, The silvcr-sabled-whiskered mime whose flow Was great of jokes and jests like those you see Printed in name of Miller, y'clep'd " Joe" — Jests that in place of honest answers stood — And met with empty laugh the nation's cry for blood. And thus these drowsy dreamers made their way, Hoping through noble blood like water shed Some glorious news to save their place and pay, Some mighty deed of troops ill-fed, ill-led ! Whose merest wants they grudged them day by day. And thus its time each quarter's pension sped, And having nought to do and nought to say. The Lotos-eaters of Whitehall were fed By that still Lethe's fruit that's baked for Treasury bread. THE PRESS. ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM. Wz have been informed by a correspondent, who, for obvious reasons, requests that his name may be concealed, that the following correspondence has passed between the members of the Administrative Reform Association and the Colonial Secretary, in reference to the recent appointment of Mr. Victor Holton to the Chief-Secretaryship cf the islaud of Malta. 929 A letter from Mr. John Morley, on tho part of the Administrative Reform Association, intimating strong doubts that tho appointment of Mr. Holton was not an illustration of the principle, " the right " man iu the right place." To the Chairman of the Association for Administrative Reform : Colonial-office, Sept. 23, 1855. Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your com munication of the 22nd inst., and, iu reply, to assure you that the appointment of Mr. Victor Holton, of which you complain as milita• Wig against the great abstract principle which is your watchword, is, essentially considered, the most brilliant example recently afforded of its immediate concrete application. A little consideration will render this clear. But first let me, in humble imitation of the "clearest and most consecutive thinker" of ancient or modern times, elucidate in a few words the fundamental grounds of my position. By " right " and " wrong" I understand, in common with the philosopher of Malmesbury, names applied to acts in virtue of their consistence with or opposition to the governing power in a State, or any portion of it; by " place " I mean what is usually meant, and which need not bo more particularly defined ; by " man " I understand any human individual of my own acquaintance ; thus the phrase .` the right man in the right place " will be thus interpreted, " any human individual of my own acquaintance in any place into which I may choose to put him ;" and assuming that it is " right" to put "the right man in the right place " (which I am prepared to admit without controversy, though I confess I see many reasons against it), it is easy to conclude that " it is right to put any person of my acquaintance into any place I please ;" and it was on this principle, thus identified with your own, that I made the appointment referrei to. I have the honour to be, Sir, your faithful servant, WILLIAM MOLESWORTIL 111. Report of discussion at a meeting of Administrative Reform Associa tion, on the answer of the Colonial-Secretary with reference to Holton's appointment— The Chairman having read the letter, Mr Lindsay and Mr. Ben noel rose simultaneously, the latter giving way after some hesitation, with very audible signs of discontent. Mr. Lindsay " wished that Sir Weel'm Mollsworth had joost stuck to facks ; he dare say th• yoong man had no harm in him ; yoong men had allus been yooug men, and allus would be as long as the world lasted ; for his part, ho should joost vawte for the explanation being received." Mr. Bennoeh suggested that an inquiry should be made as to " Whether Mr. Holton wohre all-round collars or lay-downs, and that a return of all his washing-beells for the lasst two years sh'd be called for; ho was nut inclined to receive the explanation without further discussion; vent'late the question—(a member was here heard to exclaim " Blow it !")—the profound intellectual worrkins of such a mind as that of the Colonial Secretary were onnly to be judged by the depth of congenial powers. (The speaker was hero interrupted by loud cries of " Sit down," " Stop that," &c.) I will not be put down by impertinant clamours. Sir, I insist on a hearing. (The noise here became so loud, that Mr. Beunoch was obliged to resume his seat, after several unsuccessful attempts to gain a hearing.) Mr. Torrens M'Cullagh then rose to speak, but, in the general rush towards the doors which ensued, our reporter was unfortunately carried completely off his legs. and when he at last succeeded in regaining an entry, the Chairman had fallen into a profound slumber of so alarming a character, that the meeting was hastily dissolved, and a messenger despatched for medical aid. ENERGETIC PROCEEDINGS OF KING SMITH. EVER since his Majesty King Smith heard of the revolt in his Indian territories, he has manifested that indignation which is so becoming to Royalty upon great occasions, and it is now somewhat dangerous to approach the Sovereign. His wrath, upon originally hearing the tidings, was increased by the irritation consequent upon his by no means comprehending where the disturbance had taken place ; but even at that time his beneficent nature displayed itself in earnest hopes that the people of Calcutta did not suffer much from the ravages of the insurgent Santhals. He next got a notion that the affair must be a revolt of the serfs at Madras, having heard, or read, much of the fury of the surf on that coast ; and afterwards he found it difficult to rid himself of the conviction that Lord Torrington's misgovernment at Ceylon had something to do with the business. But when the King discovered that the conduct of some railway officials was sus pected to have exasperated the natives, he sent for Bradshaw, and endeavoured to find out the particular line running through the perturbed district, with a view to telegraphing orders to suspend every servant of the company in question from the semaphore posts at the stations. Being here again a little in advance of his age, he deter mined to make a personal appeal to his subjects, and he penned a very remarkable despatch, which would certainly have had its effect, but that misunderstanding, as usual, the tables before him, he delayed sending it until the Overland Mail had departed. If, however, the insurrection be not quelled at once, King Smith has resolved to go out and place himself at the head of the East India Company's forces ; and Lord Palmerston, for sinister reasons of his own, encourages this determination, declaring that his colleague is the most heroic Smith that ever lived since Tubal Cain. His Majesty is now occupied in discovering the way to India, and in worrying the unfortunate First Lord of the Admiralty to give him some ships, with which he purposes to bombard the Santhals in their strongholds. He now regrets that he did not acquire some military experience by accompanying the Duke of Newcastle to see the taking of Sebastopol, and those who have to transact business with hint mate that ho is not precisely alone in such regret.