The Sun. — London, England, 1834-06-04 00:00:00

?he effect of this would be, as experience proved, to !ocrease smuggling. The noble lord (Althorp) well xoew that the addition of even sixpence a gallon duty °n gin had nearly opened the private stills of Ireland and Scotland. The cheapness of spirits was not the ''ause of drunkenness. They were cheap in Belgium and Prance, yet he never saw a drunken man in these countries. There might be such, but he never chanced to meet them. It arose entirely from the state in which the population of this country was allowed to remain. It was vain to think of teaching morality by laws or police. The only remedy for the viee of drunkenness was to raise the intellectual condition of the people by a system of national education, and by I mere active and vigilant discharge of duty on the Part of the clergy. In place of having non-residents and pluralists roving over the country and over Europe musing themselves, they ought to be in their parishes attending to the morals and providing zealously for the spiritual wants of the people. If this was done they would not see drunkenness so prevalent. To this conclusion he came from recollecting what he wit- Ceased in youth in his own country, and which he recol lected with gratitude. Was not everything done that could be done by taxation and monopoly to shut out the means of instruction from the people—to withhold from them even a knowledge of the laws they were to be governed by? One had a monopoly of printing Acts of Parliament, realizing thereby a fortune of a million sterling. There was also a monopoly of Bible Printing, adding thereby one or two hundred per cent. to the price. The people could not enjoy even the Pleasure of reading the aphorisms of Poor Richard's dlmanack without paying a tax of 15d. upon a copy. tverything that could be done by fi sca l oppress i on to barbariz e the people was done, and yet they expressed • Surprise at the prevalence of drunkenness. Let the doors be thrown widely open to information. Ignorance was the father of vice, and vice of drunkenness. The tnly remedy was education. He hoped the motion Would not be pressed. ' kr. MAXWELL supported the motion. Sir R. BATE SON supported the motion. He well acquainted with Scotland, and he would yen tUr to say that in no one of the three countries did i the vice of drunkenness prevail to so great an extent as tlt did in Scotland. ( A laugh.) In his part of Ire ' Laud the religion was the same as in Scotland, the ' 4 3 argy were as pious and as exemplary, and yet qrUnkenness was on the increase. It could not be at tributed to ignorance, for schools had greatly in treased in that part of the country, but as the march ?f education increased drunkenness increased. (A laugh.) He doubted much whether cheap publica tions did much good; quite the contrary. The evil arose, among other circumstances, in a great measure fr om the facility with which vagabonds who escaped from prison were permitted to set up public-houses. The most effectual remedy would be to take off the i duty on malt, and enable people to obtain a cheap and Wholesome beverage. Colonel VERNER supported the motion. Mr. BROTHERTON said drunkenness had in creased, was increasing, and ought to be diminished. (A la ug h.) Mr. BAINES hoped that the hon. member for Sheffield would press his motion to a division, and if that hon. member did so he should have his (Mr. tallies's) support. Mr. H. HUGHES should give his support to the /notion. A fact that came out lately in evidence Riven by Captain Ross before a committee of that house made him still more anxious to give the present motion his support. That gallant captain stated, the spirits of his ship being exhausted, his crew had for th ree mouths " con gealed ice" as their only beverag e k Loud laughter), and it was to this that Captain Ross attributed his having brought back safe so many °i s his crew. . Mr. CA YL E Y s h ou ld support the motion for going l ilt() a committee of inquiry on the subject. t , Colonel WILLIAMS sa id t h at one o f t h e worst 2 1 Ings about th ose g i n p a l aces , t h ose i n f erna l g i ns h ops, ;as that well-dressed women were continually seen wing out o f th em . Th e consequence wou ld b e that ire generations ould be olluted and contaminated, 8414 they could not seek too p vigorously (A laugh)—he m eant to say they could not employ too much energy ,Laughter)—in putti ng t h em d own . H e supported t ne motion. Colonel EVANS begged the noble lord (Lord Althorp) to withdraw his opposition to the motion. When so many members appeared in favour of the it totion he thought it would be better if the noble lord would not persist in his opposition to the committee. Mr. E. TENNANT complained of the great ex rnt of illicit distillation i n I r eland, and thought that act lord alone sufficient to claim the attention of the noble ;Ir. C. FE RGUSSON th oug h t t h at if t h e no bl e lor d would o n ly i ncrease th e d uty on spirits he would be conferrin g a great b ene fi t on t h e public; and it k W ould be a great sat i s f act i on to t h e peop l e at l arge to now that the q ues ti on h a d come un d er t h e considera " of the house. Lord ALTHORP, notwithstandin g th e f ee li ngs h an d Opinions of hon. gentlemen opposite, still felt it ' ec esSary to persevere in his opposition to the motion. Mr. 'WARBURTON did not see the necessity of Placing a large duty on spirits. Any such attempt as ,that Wou ld no t prevent th e consum pti on o f s pi r it s f rom 'noreasing. He perfectly agreed with the opinions ecpress e d during th e d e b a t e b y th e h on . mem b er f or liddlesex, that the best way to prevent the vice of drunkenness was to afford, to men of small and mode rate fortunes the same high motives that were afforded ;` persons Of large f or t unes — ma k e i t di sgrace f u l to "em to be seen intoxicated. Let them have such illearis of improvement as those pointed out by the I °ll . member for Oldham, viz., cheap and good pub ,!eations. These were the only means of discouraging gie bad habits of drunkenness. AhMr• BUCKINGHAM, i n re ply, saw not hi ng i n hahad been said on th e o th er s id e t o i n d uce hi m to raw his motion. The house then divided— For the motion ..... Against it Majority b The following comm i ttee were ti ickingliam, J. S. Flalford, H. Bkithorp, Viscount Fleming, .Adydral res Sir R. Galway, J. N. _ ,nelair, G. Knatchbull, Sir E. ,will i rn.,, Col. Finn, W. F. u•rinag A. Lloyd, J. H `trickl, cl . Sir G. Hawes, B. knirienti, Eme Emerson Wood, Alderman -e ‘' Si R Lefroy, A. fi ow rR. li r ' .ll , P. H. Ewing, J. 11:::tnertnn, J. Sandon, Viscount 4tPtre, J. p .• • I Col bein g pl re-admitted into the gallery, we found of °n--- E VANS Moving for certain returns t athe nature aQwhich the noise of strangers prevented us from —cortaining• -17 ten appointed : Philips, M. Burrell, Sir C. M. Johnstone, A. Fenton, J. Dare, Hall Briscoe, J. I. Pease, J. Alarsland, J. Le3ter, B L. Baines, E. Calley, T. EDUCATION. en Air. ROEBUCK then rose to move the resolutions this subject, of which he had given notice. He 114 id that he had brought this subject forward last year : 11 another shape, and th at h e now meant to bring it Io rward in an altered form. The form he now brought It in, was in the shape of a motion for a committee of niquiry. All that he would ask of the house, was to pant that committee of inquiry. He knew that in ~Ilgland, before any great changes could be made, minds must be prepared for them. That co one of his reasons for asking the house to grant a elmittee of inquiry upon this subject. By so doing, hotise v uld only be pledged to the extent that it ih°ught th would only be pledged to the extent that it OUght the subject of sufficient importance to grant e committee. When the house had already granted so many h• committees, t „ he thought they would not refuse of vital ining subject that embraced so many . matters j ce, and in which so many intere sts Were concerned. If the house should let his mot ion Pas s' a nd if they should dislike the resolutions with which it was acCom panied, he promised to withdraw th em, or to allow the house to deal with them in any they thought fit. Having said this much on the ittbject of granting a committee, he should now proceed !to argue the general.question. It was well known that t 1 all countries security of every species was preceded 4 3' high moral and intellectual culture. It was conse quently the duty of government to see whether they l'otild not introduce this culture, and to devise the best weans of' improving the morals and the intellectsof the People. He asked not for the advancing of any parti etilar creed. He wished only that such a state of t i t'', 41 culture should be introduced as to make men , v ,„" i !e, affable , and urbane towards each other —he ,'' s ned for such an education as would make them and give them the t"°°(l citizens, alive to their duty, 4:tiart to follow it the ri ght way. That was his object, thetithse thought it ought to be the object of all govern_ 44 4111 • The question he knew was surrounded with h ties, but they might be done away with. When e 100k ar i d wh -u. to the state of the peasant and th . e . poorman, tiety, h e e n h e_ reflected on the present cond i t i on o f so- round ed saw that the poor were continually sur to r .wt oy temptation. The only way to cause them s a slat those temptations, the consequence of the ea e li ent structure of society, was to give them such an " cation that they would be no longer exposed to every breath of - chance to break through the rules by lit be wise to inculcate notions in them above-their con which society ought to be held together. His object dition ? ( Hear.) " But," said the hon. member for was, not to raise men above their sphere, but to make 1 Bath, "it is only right that the per: -hould be enabled them happy and weed = e e'i••‘ d that men h a d to re f res h th e i r minds with intellect: :,l enjoyment a 'ter in a great degree ~ 7 tl1.1: eurp . ose in their the labours of the day were over." I.:ow, in his (Mr. own power. If ea:11 c i.. s the coy :IT:unity were edu- Cobbett's) opinion, they would be much more refreshed cated they would be able to work out their own happi- by a sound sleep than by any such nonsense. But, if ness. This, above all, w. , uld be ths• case with that I this system of intellectual enjoyment were to be most numerous of all classes, namely, the lateurer. adopted, was it it not very clear that they should at I f they of rate wages of labour depended on themselves, and ing and drinking? ( Laughter.) This was the first step might soon, by the exer c i se o f t h e i r own pru- to , be taken. He had said that the habits of the peo_ dente, e have sufficient means of subsistence. But the pie of other nations had nothing whatever to do with obtaining the mere means of subsistence would not those of the people of this country ; but, if they would make them happy ' • but if they were proper l y e d u - t urn t o A merica , a coun try that might be used for the c ated they would de r iv e pl easure from other sources purpose of illustrating this subject, they would find than mere animal gratificati on , an d t h ey wou ld b e th at in t h e proport i on tat education, or, if they would, ready to make immediate and trifling sacrifices for intellectual enjoyment, was extended, crime actually future and permanent good. Instead of being mere increased, and this he was able to prove to the satis -1 slaves of immediate gratification, they would look to faction of the hop. member by a document which futurity, and would endeavour by their own exertions he had in his possession, signed by the Recorder of to make th em selves happy. ( Hear.) He admitted New York, and which he would allow him to peruse that much had been done for the education and im- i whenever he desired it. He contended that anything provement of the people, but although this was the case I that was likely to give the •poor notions above their they must not lay the flattering unction to their souls I condition was a positive evil ; and being persuaded that there was not much remaining to be done. (The that a national system of education must have that ten hon. member then proceeded to illustrate the argi l - dency, consulting, as he did, the true interests and real ment by reading two long extracts, one from the re- happiness of the poor, lie should resist any proposition port of the commissioners of the poor laws and the of the kind. Sending children to a slipshod school other from a work written by a professor at a college mistress, or a drunken, or, what was still worse, a in Switzerland.) It had been said that it was not the sober, conceited coxcomb of a schoolmaster, was cal duty of government to educate the People ; but this, in culated only to engender habits of idleness ; and that point of fact, was begging the question. The go- being his opinion, he should now, as he had always vernment published laws and punished those who were done, resist, as far as he was able, any scheme for guilty of an infraction of those laws. It was the duty establishing a general system of education. ( Hear. ) of government, therefore, to place people in such a Lord MORPETH said that although he went a situation that they could in the best manner obey the long way with the hon. member for Bath, he differed laws. This could only be done by means of the dif- from that hon. gentleman on some particulars. He fusion of education. This, in his opinion, was an un- therefore should propose an amendment, which, though answerable argument. It had been said that it was a contemplating the same end, would pursue the object side-wind argument—that if the government had the which each had in view in a more definite manner, and power of educating the people it would mislead the with greater concentration of purpose. He was fully minds of the people, and inculcate slavish principles. impressed with the advantage which must accrue from It must necessarily be implied in this argument that • a system of general education ; but although he the government was a bad one, and therefore should thought it expedient to extend and encourage the dif be reformed. But when this argument was urged fusion of useful knowledge, he could not give his as hon. gentlemen forgot that power might be intrusted sent to the proposition of the hon. member for Bath. to a government for doing good as well as for evil. It He felt convinced that we must leave the education of was the recollection of the bad use to which power the upper and middling classes to the good sense of had been turned that had created a fear as to intrust- the public, for any attempt at control would be re ing it to a great extent for the purpose of amending jetted as impertinence. With regard to the poor, he the poor laws. This was obviously for a good pur- thought it the duty of the legislature to carry educa pose, and in that case, as in the case of education, tion as near to their door as possible, and wherefer there was nothing to fear, provided proper gwards, mid strong natural talent was found to exist, to extend checks were framed. There was nothing It present to it the fostering hand of encouragement. That Ito prevent any persons inculcating slavish principles. this was already done to a certain extent amongst Indeed he knew of a circumstance which bore this out, the operative classes, he was glad to believe was a which had occurred in a national school in the vicinity fact placed beyond doubt. ( Hear.) That that in which he was residing. On visiting that school he class ought to be educated for useful purposes there found it was a rule that no child should enjoy the could be no question; but it was not to be contended benefits of education in it if it did not attend the that these should have the same education as philo church, and he found it recorded in the books of sophers and men of science. With regard to the the school that a boy had been expelled because he was second instruction, he did not think it desirable to a monitor in a dissenter's Sunday school. This he make such a prefatory declaration as that contem also happened to know was the case with other na- plated by the hon. member. He apprehended there tional schools to which government contributed would be serious evils in substituting a compulsory for largely. He could not designate such conduct in a voluntary system of education. With regard to the other terms than narrowminded bigotry. If they edu- third instruction of the hon. member, he regretted he cated the children under a proper system, they would could go no further with him than in his other propo create a feeling of strongest attachment to the coun- sition. An inquiry was going on into the state of all try, and have a moral and intelligent population. It charities appropriated to education, and any such had been objected that so much had been done within course as that recommended by the hon. member the last ten years that it was unnecessary for the go- would be calculated to create feelings of alarm and vernment to interfere in the matter. Such an opi- suspicion which he thought it extremely desirable nion had been put forth by the Lord Chancellor, who should not be excited. Having stated his objections had spent the best years of his life in endeavouring to to the plan of the hon. member for Bath, he would promote the education of the people. The hon. and shortly lay before the house his own views, and the learned gentleman then proceeded at great length to proposition he meant to submit as an amendment. examine the data referred to by the Lord Chan- During the present session the house had voted a sum cellor in support of his opinion, with the view of of 40,000/. to the National School and the British showing that education had not increased to any great and Foreign School Societies, and he had had great extent when they allowed for the increase of popula- pleasure in supporting that application of the public tion. The hon. and learned gentleman afterwards money. The house were in possession of returns proceeded to point out what he considered to be the showing the good which had been achieved by this defects in the system of instruction pursued in the va- moderate outlay, and it was his intention to rely rious national and other schools at present. He im- upon them as the justification of the course he meant plored the noble lord to grant the committee for which to propose. The returns stated that since the ori he sought. This was not a party question, nor had ginal grant of 20,0001. voted to the societies last the motion been brought forward for party purposes, year, applications bad been received for establishing and therefore he hoped it would meet with no resist- 236 new schools, which were to provide for the edu ance. It was the duty of that house to be careful of cation of 55,000 scholars, and that local charitable the interests of the country, and to diffuse as much funds to the amount of 66,000/. had been already happiness among the people as they possibly could,and tendered in aid of the Parliamentary grant. In these this was the ground on which he now begged leave to circumstances he saw the reasonable hope of carrying move that a select committee be appointed to inquire into effect an efficient system of education, in which as to the means of establishing a national system of the exercise of the best public feelings should be education. encouraged, rather than checked as they would -be Sir W. MOLE SW 0 RTH seconded the motion by a system altogether compulsory. These grants, with much satisfaction, considering as he did that he was perfectly ready to admit, could hardly be looked the education of the poorer classes of the Eng- to in any but an experimental point of view, and they lish people was as deficient in quantity as it was were totally inadequate to the ultimate purposes of a allowed on all hands to be quality. The pre- national education. But they afforded experience on sent system of education, if education it could be a limited scale of the operation of certain principles called, was the subject of general complaint, and and rules, and he thought it would form the appropriate therefore he thought that some means should be subject of inquiry for a committee to ascertain how far adopted to ascertain how popular education is now such grants had been successful, and how far- they conducted in this country, and what it ought to be, if might be beneficially extended. Still he had no wish it were desired to extend the blessings of knowledge to limit the inquiry of such a committee to that point among all classes of the community. Experience if the house thought there were others deserving at showed, difficulty always existed in obtaining the at- tention. He did not mean to contend for the exact tendance of children at public schools, owing to a va- maintenance of all the regulations or systems of these riety of causes ; but, even admitting this to be the two societies, because lie could not but think that case, he still entertained the opinion that the subject there was something in their circumstances too stiff, was one on which the Government would be fully and distinct, and separate to permit of their system justified in hazarding some experiment. A principal being made the groundwork of any fiscal arrangement feature in any system of education should be an ele- deserving the description of a national system. At the vation of the character of the teacher ; but this was a same time he thought there would be great evil in point that in modern tuition was almost wholly disre- checking the display of public feeling which they had garded, the teacher being treated rather as a servant called forth, and he did not think the Lord Chancellor than a master. He would not wish to see the educa- had justly exposed himself to the reproaches insinu tion of the people intrusted exclusively to the clergy, ated against him by the hon. member for Bath of hay although he should desire their co-operation and assist- ing abandoned his early principles upon this question ance ; but, however persons might differ with respect because he desired to see the display of that feeling to the means by which such an object was likely to be continued. He thought that all that was good in these best accomplished, he thought they would all agree societies might be preserved under some superintend that every child born of British parents ought to enjoy ing and more active agency, which might fill up the the blessings of moral and religious education. void now left, and fuse what were now their somewhat The question having; been put, discordant elements into a more general and consistent Mr. C OBBE TT hoped to be able to prove to the operation which should lead to a system of more har hon. member for Bath that even if his scheme, such mony and order. He would preserve the best regula as it was, were adopted it could lead to no good re- tions of the two, and especially that which was the sult. It was idle to suppose that abstract reasoning glory of both, the free use of the whole Bible. What or philosophy could furnish them with any guide in a ever might be the case elsewhere, he was convinced case like this, and therefore, instead of devising that it was indispensable to the success of any scheme theories, they should attend only to the lesson which of public education in this country that the Scriptures experience had taught them. Within the last thirty- without mutilation or comment should be its founda five years the teaching of the common people had mul- tion. (Hear, hear.) This was one of his chief ob tiplied at least twentyfold, and what had been the re- jections to the plan of the hon. member. In offering sult ? Lancasterian and o th er sc h ools had increased his oppos i t i on to it he was aware that he was in some without number during the period he had mentioned ; measure taking a course that might seem invidious to but had this diffusion of knowledge, as it was called, the hon. member; but he assured him that it was to tended to the improvement of the morals of the people? tally unaccompanied by anything like acrimony, and He did not think that it had. But what were the as- that lie should entertain no feeling of disappointment sertions that they had heard made in that house in the if the house preferred the hon. member's plan to his course of that evening ? Why, that of late years own. He felt it to be his duty, however, to give th e drunkenness had increased to a prodigious extent. house an opportun i ty of com i ng to a decision as to Education, therefore, did not prevent drunkenness ; what auspices it would desire to confide so important a neither had it rendered sons better men than their question. He moved as an amendment to substitute fathers. On all bands it was asserted that the labour- after the words, " that a select committee be appoint ing classes of former times were as expert workmen as ed," these words, "to inquire into the application of and much better servants than those of the present the grants for the erection of schools, to consider the day, and, if such was the case, were not the common expediency of making further grants upon the same people better without than with this miscalled intel- principle, and to inquire into the general state of the lectual enjoyment? But there was another ground on education of the poor in England and Wales." which he must object to a national system of educa- Mr. HILL rose, but tion, and that was the dreadful increase of crime The SPEAKER asked who seconded the amend which the diffusion of knowledge, as it was termed, ment? _had produced in England and Wales. Cri me was now M r . HILL sa id, " I secon d t h e amendment, though four if n o t seven times as great as it was thirty.. Ido not approve of the course recommended by the restraintfi v e bastardy ear s geo: somesot, existed a and letn d g id ht ; i not the fearful incr e a se o f no bl e l or d." (A l aug h.) H e appre h en d e d that it was to prove mo veth m a e t n i t thuessmnoruatl purpose e en of h tfo un r vi hi g m i t t o d s i e s c e o u n ss d e t d h , e u a lt m ho en u d g m h ehnet, did d r the t any former p er i o d of ourt epresent history ? Th e h on . mem- agree w i t h the propos i t i on it contained. He was sure her had referred t o foreign states to sh ow th at our h e h a d seen t h at d one. system of education was practice of foreign countries to do sithth t e people of h av i ng declared himself opposed to the amen d men t, England,? It was good people and'. no(Hear gabbering p ro p ose t o s p ea k as i ts secon d er ? Wh o seconds the people that were wanted in thi s country. n .u d st a am m en r dm p e L nt u ? laugh.) They wanted the poorer cl asses to be what they ought to be and no more, a n d he desired certainly preferred R TdtoEseseecsoondunedpotrhtlnatmuensudhmjeeentt.as the only to see these trustworthy servants, and skilf u l an d education of the r people undertaken with a well-found industrious labourers ; but what was a smattering of fedsecu d rity that their reli g i ous i ns t ruct i on wou ld b e w education likely to render them ? (Hear , hear.) provided the for, nobleand o r d therefore oup l h e e d pa as e f i e t r r w e a d s w t t e h p t r h o o p o d s e i -- it not calculated to give them a distaste for lab our , an d tion pro,, o to make them wish to live in idleness ? (Hear , hear.) claration th at t h e free use of the Sacred. Writings was For his part he wished to see the children of the poor to form part of the system. at work as soon almost as they were able to walk ; but Lord AL TH OR P said' the object of the motion if, instead of being rendered useful to their fathers and being to institute an inquiry into the state of education mothers at an early age , they were to be kept at school in this country, he must certainly express his full con for the purpose o f b e ing educated until they were fif- currence in that object. ( Hear, hea r .) H e a l wa ys teen or sixteen years old, he should like to know by had concurred with those who thought the education whom great eating, stuffing, and drinking boys were of the people should be as extensive as possible. The to be supported ? (Great laughter.) By whom was difference between the two motions before the house their provender to be supplied, and how were their did not appear to him to b e so very great. The only bodi es to be kept up while they were thus imbibing difference was, that one prop ose d a general inquiry, the means oiintellectual enjoyment ? (Renewed and the other an inquiry into the present means of edu laughter.) It was idle to suppose that such an educa- cation. Now, if the motion of his noble friend were tion as this could communicate to children th e f ee li n gs carried, and if the present means were found inade of gentlemen, but, even if it could, would such a thing quate, his motion must be a necessary preliminary to be desirable ? The lab our i ng poor would, at all events, going further. ( He ar , h ear .) The arguments of the have to earn their bread, and, that being the case, would hon. member for Oldham were all addressed to bad I • education and not to good. He had always looked at • the education already given to the people very much l r in the same ii:ht as the hon. member for Bath; it was I more the means of education which the nation pro vided than education itself. For this reason he agreed with those who thought the education given in our in ' fant schools the best that was given anywhere, because it was not the mere teaching of reading and writing, but an education of the mind. ( Hear, hear.) Thi s was not calculated to make bad servants, as the hon member for Oldham had accused education of doing. He agreed with the hon. member, that a ploughman who understood his business was an educated man, and that the most profound mathematician who undertook the work of a ploughman without understanding it would be an uneducated person in his sphere. But the object of national education should be to instruct the people according to their rank and condition in life. He ageeed with the hon. member who seconded the motion, that religious instruction should be the foundation of all education. But he saw nothing in the amendment that provided for this, although, from what he knew of his noble friend, he was confident that any system which he recommended would have that foundation. Yet, as he understood the hon. mem ber for Bath, his proposition did not exclude religion or the Scriptures. He certainly was in some difficulty which motion to prefer, but he was certain that which ever the house adopted the committee would not fail to produce great public good. With regard to what had been attributed to his noble and learned friend (the Lord Chancellor), he was confident he never could have said that the voluntary means of education which had been supplied were sufficient for the wants of the people. The experiment of the grant of last year for the erection of schools had certainly been successful as far as it had gone. The experiment had hitherto been tried with very favourable results, and he I hoped that if the experiment was to be continued it would still continue to succeed. He trusted that if a committee were to be appointed on the subject of edu cation, they would make it a part of their business to inquire into the results of the grants already made by Parliament for the erection of schoolhouses. For that reason he would rather prefer of the two motions be fore the house the amendment of his noble friend ( Lord Morpeth), because it proposed to direct the attention of the committee to that point. It might be found, he did not say that it would, but it might be found that this was the very best mode in which Go vernment could interfere to forward the interests of education. He quite agreed that Government ought to devote still more attention to the subject (Hear, hear), and the only question was, how they could ap ply themselves to it most beneficially ? For instance, by the appointment of schools for the education of schoolmasters (Hear, and a laugh from Mr. Cobbett) —The hon. member for Oldham might laugh at the idea of sending schoolmasters to school, but it should be recollected that nobody was born a schoolmaster, and it was highly important that he should be properly instructed in order that there might be some security for the lessons he might teach. In conclusion, he would frankly confess that if the motion and the amendment were pressed to a division he should have much difficulty to decide which to vote for. He hoped they might come to a right understanding on the sub ject without coming to a formal vote. Mr. ROEBUCK said he had no wish to take the subject into his own hands ; on the contrary, he thought it much better that it should be left in the hands of the government, After a few observations in explanation, the hon. and learned gentleman consented to withdraw his motion. LONDON AND WESTMINSTER BANK Lord MORPETH said a few words in explanation, and withdrew his amendment. Mr. AB ERC R 01\IBIE suggested the propriety of extending the labours of the committee to a more general inquiry on the subject of education ; and therefore proposed the omission of the word " national" in the motion of the noble lord. After a few observations from Mr. BARRON, Mr O'CONNELL, and Mr. COBBETT, Lord AL . THORP consented to modify the terms of his motion in accordance with the suggestion of the hon. member for Edinburgh, which then ran to the following effect :—" That a Select Committee be ap pointed to inquire into the state of education of the people of England and Wales ' and into the application and effects of the grants made in the last session of parliament for the erection of schoolhouses; and also as to the expediency of making further grants for the purpose of education." The motion, as amended, was agreed to. POLISH REFUGEES. Lord D. STUART moved a resolution sanctioning (as we understood) an appeal from the House of Commons to his Majesty in favour of the Poles. - His lordship went through the arguments an facts de tailed at length in our late report of his spech on the same question. He was quite willing that whatever grant should be allotted should be restricted exclu sively to the Poles at present in the country, so that the danger of inducing further emigration to this country might be avoided. The noble lord concluded by moving that the house should resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to consider the pro priety of transmitting an humble address to his Ma jesty, praying he might be pleased to direct that some pecuniary assistance should be granted to the distressed Poles at present in this country, and as suring his Majesty that the house would make good the same. Mr. BUCKINGHAM seconded the motion. Lord ALT HORP said that on the distinct under standing that any grant to be directed by the crown should be restricted to the distressed Poles at present in the country, and further, on the understanding that those hon. members who supported the present motion would support the government in resisting any further grant that might be sought for the relief of Poles not at present in England, his Majesty's goverment had authorised him to state that there was no objection to the motion. (Loud cheers.) After a few words from Mr. C. FERGUSSO and Mr. HUME, the motion was agreed to, and the committee fixed for Thursday next. STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH INDIA. On the motion of Mr. C. GRANT, a select corn mittee was appointed to consider the best means of facilitating a steam communication nication with India by means of steam-vessels, consisting of the following Inglis, Peel Sir R. H. Rumbold, C. E. members : . J. S. Elliot, Captain Grant, Right lion. C. Evans, Colonel Thomson, C. P. Buckingham, Todd, J. R. Grant,Right Hon. R. Blake, M. Young, G. F. Mackenzie, J. A. S. Martin, J. (Sligo) Shell, R. L. Adam, Admiral Osssulton, Lord LFGoeykiirgihdiuoa:mns Ferguson, R. Sir!. it C R . . G . Hume, Joseph Sandon, Lord Strutt, E. IRISH COMMISSION. Mr. SHEIL wished to know from the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the members of the Irish Commission were to be paid for the time which they might be employed in the execution of their duties ? Lord ALTHORP replied that they would be paid one sum for their whole service, and that therefore they would have no inducement to procrastinate their labours. CIVIL OFFICES PENSION BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Civil Offices Pension Bill, Mr. HUME said that in the then state of the house it %vas impossible to divide, but he trusted that the right h on . bart. ( Sir.l.Praham) would assent to his proposi tion that pensions in future should be granted by that house. Lord AL THORP totally differed from the hon. m ember as to the principle of the pensions being granted by a popular assembly instead of by the crown. There would be no economy in such an arrangement, for that house had always been more willing to make grants of public money than the ministers, who were responsible for their conduct. The gallery was then cleared for a division, but the house did not divide, and on our re-entering the gal lery we found Sir J. GRAHAM on his legs, in defence of the bill He contended for the executive government being in trusted with the power of settling the amount of pen sions. Mr. H AWE S thought the bill very unfavourable to the interests of the clerks in government offices, and that it ought not to affect the right of those who had entered the public service before 1829, when a treasury minute had placed the clerks on the footing in which this bill would confirm them. After a short desultory conversation, in which seve ral hon. members took a part, the bill was read a third time, the 10th clause having been withdrawn with the consent of the right hon. baronet (Sir J. Graham). The bill was then passed, and the house adjourned at a quarter past two. Major Baring, of the First Life-Guards, M. P. for Marlborough, has retired from the army and sold out of the regiment. Lieut. Middleton Bid dulph, brother, we believe, to the hon. member for Denbigshire, gets the vacant company; and Lord Thomas Clinton, a son of the Duke of Newcastle, the vacant Cornetcy. BILL. The following opinion was given by James Lewis Knight and Robert Clayton Walters, Esquires, in September last, upon consideration of all the acts of parliament relative to the Bank of England, including the Bank Charter Act of last Session : We are of opinion that it would not be dm; breach of faith with the Bank of England for the King to grant a charter of incorporation to a joint stock bank of deposit in London ; or for parliament to grant au act to such joint stock bank, enabling it to sue and be sued in the name of one of its officers ; and we think that until such an act of parliament or charter be obtained, the business of the bank may be carried on in the names of trustees, who (proper provisions for the purpose being inserted in the deed of settlement, and other proper precautions as to their deal ings taken) might alone sue and be sued in all proceedings between the company and the public ; but we recommend that the clauses in the deed having reference to this object should be settled, and the precautions above alluded to he considered by equity and common law counsel in con ference with conveyancing counsel. (Signed) "J. L. KNIGHT. " ROBERT WALTERS. " Lincoln's Inn, Sept. 4, 1833." FROM LAST NIGHTS GAZETTE. LORD-CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, MAY 29, 1834 Notice is hereby given, that his Majesty's Levee nex week will be on Thursday, June 5, instead of the pre• ceding day. ST. JAMES'S PALACE, MAY 27. The King was this day pleased to confer the honour of Knighthood upon Lieutenant-General the Hon. Alexander Dutf, Colonel of the 37th Regiment, Military Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order. WHITEHALL, JUNE 2. The King has been pleased to present the Rev. William Stewart Martin to the church and parish of Kirktown, in the presbytery of Jedburgh and county of Roxburgh, va cant by the death of the Rev. Adam Laidlaw. WHITEHALL, MAY 24. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry James Har vey, of the city of Bath, in the county of Somerset, Gen tlethan, to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. DECLARATION OF INSOLVENCY. MARY SMALL, hackney-coach-proprietress, Bristol BANKRUPTCIES SUPERSEDED. CHARLES NICHOLAS PALLMER, ship-owner Norbiton-house, Surrey. CHARLES PERRY, victualler, Drury-lane. BANKRUPTS. PHILIP BEANS, grocer, Manchester, to surrender June 17, at eleven, and July 15, at two, at the Commis sioners'-rooms, Manchester. Rowley and Stainbank, Manchester ; Cuvelje and Enfield, Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, London. ROBERT JACKSON, grocer, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 25, at eleven, and July 15, at one, at the Bankrupt Commission-room Newcastle. Keenlyside and Walton, Newcastle ; Cuvelje and Enfield, Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, London. JOHN BARROW, wharfinger, Selby, Yorkshire, June 11 and July 15, at two, at Tomlinson's Hotel, York. Frost, Kingston-upon-Hull ; Rosser and Son, Gray's Inn-place, London. RICHARD FORD, clothier, Wootton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, June 17 and July 15, at ten, at the Old Bell Inn, Dursley, Gloucestershire. Sandau, Old Jewry ; Dyer, Wootton-under-Edge. JACOB WOOD, collier, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, June 27, at two, and July 15, at eleven, at the offices of Mr. Woodhouse, Bolton-le-Moors. Barker, Gray's Inn square, London ; Woodhouse, Bolton-le-Moors. WILLIAM HUXTABLE and RICHARD GENGE, ship-builders, Ilfracombe, Devonshire, June 11, at one, and July 15, at eleven, at the Commercial-rooms, Bristol. White and Whitmore, Bedford-row, London ; Bevan and Brittan, Bristol. JOSEPH DAWSON, scriviner, Liverpool, June 17 I and July 15, at one, at the Clarendon-rooms, Liverpool. Lowe, Temple, London ; Leigh and Sanders, Liverpool. JOHN COLBORNE, merchant, Poole, June 13 and July 15, at eleven, at the Greyhound nn, Blandford Forum, Dorsetshire. Wills and Burridge, Shaftesbury ; Tilsons, Squance, and Tilsons, Coleman-street, London. HUMPHREY BROWN, JOHN HENRY BRAD LEY, and BENJAMIN HARRIS, merchants, Glou cester, June 17 and July 15, at eleven, at the Hop-poll Inn, Tewkesbury. Bousfield, Chatham-place, Blackfriars, London ; Winterbotham, Tewkesbury. JAMES STOCK, cabinet-makei., Bristol, June 14 and July 15, at one, at the Commercial-rooms, Bristol. White and Whitmore, Bedford -row•, London; Bevan and Brittan, Bristol. THOMAS PEACOCK, timber-merchant, York, June 11 and July 15, at twelve, at Tomlinson's Hotel, York. Frost, Kingston-upon-Hull ; Rosser and - Son, Gray's Inn place, London. PHILIP ALLWORTH CARTER, victualler, St. John-street, Clerkenwell, June 9, at half-past one, and July 15, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Gadsden, Furnival's Inn, Holborn; Lackington, official assignee, Basinghall-street. DIVIDENDS. F. W. Davis, silk-mercer, New Windsor, Berkshire, June 7, at twelve, at the court of B an k rup t cy —C . P ower, underwriter, Old City Chambers, Bishopsgate-street Within, June 20, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy— J. Clarkson, merchant, Windmill-street, Finsbury-square, June 24, at half-past ten, at the Court of Bankruptcy— G. Deudney, seed-crusher, Deptford, June 25, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy—W. M. Anderson, surgeon, Foley-place, Marylebone, June 26, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy—S. Castle and W. Powell, bankers, Lom bard-street, June 26, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy —l'. Hollingsworth, butcher, Goswell-street, June 26, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy—J. Grant, merchant, Hatton-garden, June 26, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy—J. Worth and J. Worth, warehousemen, Trump street, June 26, at half-past one, at the Court of Bank ruptcy—J. B. Hall. innkeeper, Twickenham, Middlesex, June 26, at two, at the Courtof Bankruptcy—J. Romanis, hosier, Gracechurch-street, June 26, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy—W. H. Isaacs, bookseller, Charles street, Soho, June 24, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy—J. W. Pocock, upholsterer, Southampton-street, Strand, June 24, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy— F. H. Hemming and T. Monkhouse, laceman, St. Paul's Churchyard, June 25, at eleven, at the Court of Bank ruptcy—W. Shakspeare, hatter, Devizes, Wiltshire, June 25, at two, at the Commercial-rooms, Bristol—J. Ellis, brewer, Chester, July 9, at eleven, al the officesof Messrs. Finchett, Maddock, and Son, Chester—C. T. Clark, cloth-manufacturer, Gildersome, Batley, Yorkshire, June 27, at two, at the Sessions House, Leeds—R. Kew, jeweller, Norwich, June 26, at three, at the Angel Inn, Norwich—R. Irwin, grocer, Stapleton, Cumberland, June 24, at eleven, at the Cro wn an d Mitre Coffee-house, Car lisle—T. Morgan and J. Jayne, provision-merchants, Cly dach, Monmouthshire, July 10, at two, at the Commercial rooms, Bristol—R. R. Linthorne, victualler, Poole, June 26, at eleven, at the office of Messrs. Durant and Welch, Poole—R. Humphreys, woollen-draper, Winchester, June ' 26, at two, at the White Hart Inn, Winchester—W. Whitworth and N. Whitworth, cornfactors, Manchester, June 25, at three, at the Commi ss i oners '- rooms, Man chester—J. B e ll, coalfactor, Exmouth, Devonshire, July 1, at two, at Congdon's Subscription-rooms, Exeter—H. Thomas, bookseller, Bath, June 24, at one, at the Castle and Ball Inn, Bath. CERTIFICATES.—JUNE 24. G. Holden, calenderman, Salford, Lancashire—J. Grif fiths, hard confectioner, High Holborn—T. Hammond, farrier, London-wall W. Dunbar, hemp-merchant, Crutched-friars—T. Peppin, wine -merchant, -Fenchurch buildings, Fenchurch-street. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. S. G. Crane and T. Crane, jun., tea-dealer s , P res t on , Lancashire—J. T. Foord and 111. Smith, timber-merchants, Sculcoates, Yorkshire—E. Clegg and J. Sykes, scribbling millers, Elland, Halifax, Yorkshire—C. Bleadon and Co., tavern-keepers, Poultry—P. W. Braneker and Co., sugar refiners, Liverpool—W. Robins and R. Robins, drapers, Swaffham, Norfolk—R. Gilkison and J. Kirwan—T. Falkner and W. Lindsay, plumbers, Farnham, Surrey-- J. Shackleton and J. Hunter, corn-millers, Coniston, Yorkshire—W. Billington and C. Astley, tailors, Sand bach, Cheshire—S. Thornton and Co., merchants, Old Broad-street—S. Thornton and Co., merchants, St. Peters burgh (as far as regards H. M. Thornton)—J. Hezmal - halch and J. J. Hezmalhalch, ironfounders, Leeds, York shire—J. Simpson and Co., Kingston, Jamaica—F. Wor ley and C. Tomlinson, tailors, Queen-street, City—C. Webb and G. F. Aston, gold-lacemen, Old Bond-street— J. H. Matthews, and Co., bankers, Hereford (so far as re lates to J. B. Lye).—J. Davis and Co., silk-dressers, Artil lery-lane, Bishopsgate (as far as 'regards J. Davis)—J. Sorby and Co., merchants, Spital_hill, Sheffield, York shire (so far as concerns H. Sorby)—J. Johnson and Co., coal-proprietors, Parr, Lancashire—T. Burgess and F. J. R. Grant, attorneys -at-law, Half-Moon-street, Pic cadilly. The beautiful walks at the west side of Virginia Water are open to the public by order of his Majesty ; but the east side, where the fishing temple is erected, is accessible only to the King and his party, who occasionally visit this beautiful retreat. LIVERPOOL COTTON-MARKET, JUNE 2. - - - —There h as b een a goo d d em and for 'cotton t o -d ay , and from 5,000 t o 6,000 bales have been sold at Sa turday's p r i ces , principally to the trade—viz., 50 Per nams, 111 d. ; 150 Bahias, loid. to 1014.;' 40 Surats, ; rest American, from 7d. to 90. CORONER'S INQUEST. Monday the inquest was resumed on the fen:ale whose body wa3 found is 11-.0 cellar of a house in Ewcr-street, on Sunda of - May, end wl it wi s strongly suspect !cl can c to I.c; delth by un fair means. Inspector Fagan of the M division, stated, that he had procured other evidence since the day on which the inquest was adjourned, and that there were several Witnesses in attendance, whose testimony he was given to understand would prove the identity of the deceased, whose name was Ann Thorn, by the clothes found on her person when first discovered in the cellar. The CORONER (Mr. Carter) was about to take down the evidence of the witnesses who were to have been examined for the above purpose, when he was informed that Ann Thorn, the supposed deceased, was now in attendance and prepared to prove that she was still in the land of the living. The appearance of this woman caused a good deal of laughter in the room, and the Coroner said it brought to hisremembrance an inquest at which lie presided some time back on the body of a woman whose nari7ts was supposed to be Ann Baker, during which evidence t:as taken at length of her decease. To the amazement of all persons present who should stalk into the room but the very woma in n herself, who soon dispelled the mystery which the case had previously been involveti. The Coronetread over the evidence of the surgeon, w;;;) it al 3 P 4 ar'eti. was unable to give a decided opinion as to tn' causes 4"' the deceased's death, owing to the state of deco.7 l P° - sition in which she was found, added to the mutilatlo.' she had undergone from the rats. He had, however; ascertained that no fracture or injury of any kind ap.. peared either on the skull or the limbs of the woman. The duplicate of a shawl was found in the possession of the deceased, and the circumstance led ultimately to the discovery of who and what she was. A woman named Stephenson, the keeper o - f i lodging house in Kent-street and in the Mint, wats called, and upon the production of the clothes found on the deceased she identified her as a woman named Ann Walker, who lived with her for ten months. About five or six weeks ago the deceased, who was in the habit of getting intoxicated, left her service, and she had not heard of her since until she saw her •clothes produced on the present occasion. The wit ness added that the shawl, the duplicate of which was found on the deceased, belonged to her, and that she had purloined it out of a chest in her (witness's) Lett room previously to her departure. . . The CORONER here remarked that the identity of the deceased had now been clearly made manifest. The question that the Jury had now to ascertain was, how or in what manner her body came into the cellar where it was discovered. After a protracted inquiry, The jury returned a verdict, " That the deceased was found dead in the cellar, but by what means there was no evidence to prove." The CORONER remarked that, in the event of any further evidence which was likely to transpire to criminate any person in the transaction, the police would have au opportunity of taking the parties to the police office, where it would be further investigated. EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE BY TWO YOUNG WOMEN. Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held before Mr. Stirling, on the bodies of two young females, of the names of Matilda Archer and Mary Ann Perry, nur sery maids, in the family of a lady residing at Ham mersmith, whose bodies were found in the river the preceding night. It appeared from the evidence that they must have agreed to die together, for, when their bodies were found, they were fastened to each other by a silk handkerchief tied round their waists. The following examinations throw some light on the cause of this tragical circumstance : William Law, sergeant of division T, examined— This morning the postmaster brought a letter to our station. house, addressed to James Minnott, one of the constables of the force. I inquired of Minnott if the letter was one from the young women who had been found drowned ; he ( Minnott) gave me the letter, here produced. The letter was here read by the fore man of the jury. The following is a literal copy : " Dear James—You will never again see the unfortu nate girl that now addresses you, for by the time you re ceive this, I shall be on the Mall, or somewhere near it. My dear James, do not think that it is my fault or yours that caused me to do it. My dear James, you are the only one I have written to —my heart is too full to write to my friends. Mary sends her best and kind wishes for your welfare, and we are both together ; for that man has been such a brute to her, that he has caused her to do it. If you will call at the potteries, on the green, you will find the remainder of the books, get them bound and keep them for my sake. So now one sad farewell ;we are both on the point of leaving the house, never to return. 1 have nothing more to say; all happiness this world can afford you is the last prayer of " Yours, affectionately, " MARY ANNE." The above letter bore the Hammersmith post-mark. James Minnett, constable of police, was examined I have known both the deceased young women for seven or eight months. I was more intimate with Mary Ann Perry. I received the letter just read from her this morning by the postman. I saw Perry on Sunday morning last, but no conversation took place between us. By the Jury—l had broken off the acquaintance with Perry about a month since. I cannot say whether she was enceinte. I have no reason to suppose that she was. I did not see either of the deceased girls on Monday night, nor have I ever received any other letter from her besides the one produced. One of the Jurors had ascertained that both the young girls now dead were in company with a police man on Monday evening at nine o'clock, and that one of them gave a letter to him, which he (policeman) put in his hat ; now as this was only a few hours be fore a Mr. Sawyer heard the splash in the water, with screams and a cry of " Murder," he (the juryman) con sidered that it was essential to the inquiry that the said policeman should be brought forward. Mr. Williamson, the superintendent of the division T, stated, that a young man named James South was on duty at nine o'clock on Monday night, on the spot the gentleman referred to. James South was called forward and sworn—l have known the two young women now deceased, for some months. I went to the house of their mistress on Monday evening, with a young woman who wished to see Matilda Archer. I had some conversation with Mary Ann Perry. She said she wished to see me on Friday next, as she intended to invite me to her wed ding; she, however, afterwards said she did not think it would take place. I did not, at the time, receive any letter from either Archer or Perry. A gentleman present attended on the part of Mr. Noyes, the master of the unfortunate young women, and it was but justice to them to say, their conduct while in his (Mr. Noyes's) service had been proper. Mr. Noyes had no knowledge of any connection that existed between the young women and the policemen. Several documents were produced in the hand writing- of the female Perry, establishing a premedi tated design of self-destruction on the part of both the young women ; inasmuch that their little property was left severally to their friends and relatives. The jury returned a verdict of—Felo-de-se on both. MR. HARVEY'S CASE.—The committee on this subject move very slowly. They met on Thursday last for the first time (after having appointed a Chair man). They then received some papers, ordered them to be printed for their own use, and then adjourned till Thursday next. FINE ARTS.—The St. James's Gallery of Paintings, No. 58, Pall-mall, opposite Marlborough House, is now open. Admission Is. " The exhibi tion, called the St. James's Gallery of Paintings, is a most excellent and instructive one : there are here pictures of immense value and importance, chiefly selections from the best of the Spanish and Italian masters. Here we find Murillo in his full and perfect glory, his elaborateness of finish and wondrous effect also Rubens, with his matchless glowing:combination th exe °g w gi of colours, the twilightcharo-scuro of Ludovico Ca racci, and the harmo n ious sweetness o f A nnabele; the elegance of Dominichino, Pa rmeg i ano, and the Weeldg E 3 N l l e p ss o e i ng E er. the there gu lo i Ns.tistrkas exquisite beauty specimenea9 thety ofC other which, err great ith masters : all our ad m i ra ti on o f of is lasth exhibited, master we consider to be the ge m o f t h e collection.—Belts New PL N TIARY.—An accurate portrait of Plenipotentiary, the winner of the Derby and Ep som, will be given in Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle of Sunday, June 8. An edition of Bell's Life in London, price sevenpence, is pub lished at the office, 169, Strand, early every Saturday afternoon in time for post, by which it may be hid 200 miles from London on the Sunday. For the library, a file of Bell's Life in London (only 52 sheets annually) forms an excellent index foe reference as t) all sporting events.