The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-12-25 00:00:00

3
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Christmas time so near at hand is utterly for-
gotten. Even the -anxious little crowd struggling for
admission at the prison wicket grows hushed bad
nervous under the dread influence of the passing bell. They
are somewhat impatient at being kept waiting on the colsi
steps, but their anger finds little expression. It last the
wicket opens, and one batch are admitted, then another, and
so on until the courtyard where the execution will take
place is half filled. Closed in on all sides by the inner
walls of the gaol, the yard feels peculiarly dank and damp
tLis morning. The freshness of the morning appears to
have been scared away from the place by that dismal
shed standing in one corner, or rather by what that
shed contains. A heavy beam some nine or ten feet
from the ground is supported on stout uprights, and
from its centre drop half a dozen iron links with a coiled
rope attached. That is all, and yet a more ervldening Bight
cannot be found within the vast circle of London boundaries.
Dismally tolls the bell; ten minutes more, five minutes, one
minute—the clock strikes eight. Scarcely has the last sound
died away when a heavy door creaks, there is a noise of feet,
a voice proclaims the glad tidings of the' Resurrection, 6nd
the prison chaplain enters the shed, followed by—the -hang-
man and -9* iiinwright walking sile by side All eyes are on
the doomed man ;all ears stretched to hear the slightest word
that may fall from his lips. Not a sound comes. Pinioned
tightly as he is, Wainwright advances with firm and even step
and stands underneath the fatal beam faciog the spectators.
Not a muscle of his tape quivers ;not a sign does he show of the
pent-up emotions that must be raging within him. Once or
twice something like. a Broil° even seems to flit across his
faoe as he stands there, calm and impassive, resolutely
crushing down every exhibition of feeling thatvmight be con-
sidered to suggest either guilt or innocence. Not for long
is his face seen. Marwood soon covers it with the cap of
doom ; the rope is adjusted; the chaplain and executioner
step back; and within a moment Henry Wainwright swiftly
drops from view below the platform of the scaffold. The
rope quivers a little, and then all is still for a minute or two
when the spectators again begin whispering to one another,
and the spell of seeing a mamput to death is broken."

very great when I reflect upon the awful position my
evidence has placed you in, and the terrible bereave-
ment it has entailed upon your poor wife, your chil-
dren, and your family. No doubt, in future years I
shall often ponder over your untimely end, and regret
that it was I who had to perform such a painful national
duty; but it will greatly assuage my regret when 1, in
future years, reflect that I did all I could to assure
you that I had no personal enmity to you. As a former
friend, I now ask you to make your peace with God.
There are many who, like myself, know the desperate
straits into which you were driven, and that, without
a doubt, yours is the story of a fallen and mis-spent life.
Amorg the many classes which constitute this great
world of London you were at one time the very orbit
of one—the very centre to which others of that particu-
lar
Ira leoked tip as their champion and their guide.
Yp extraordinary firruness may excite their admira-
tiOn,-4- but; there, empty approbation can _avail you
-nothing. in-the -e-nfrFeg of you not to be
led to mistake, as some do, in dogged obstinacy for
manliness and a persistent silence for pluck. All look
upon you as a highly inteltigentand educated man, and
you will, therefore, no doubt, not fail to see that they
are the most truly rranly who, when they have done
wrong, frankly acknowledge it, thus showing that they
esteem not the commendations of those who, in some
classes of society, would say, 'Be game to-the' end.' I
have been very much touched lately by attending some of
the special religious services held on your behalf in the
East-end. Many friends who were your former
associates were praying for you, and at one place they
sang a special hymn, entitled, 'I am praying for you.'
I enclose you a copy, and may- it be the means of
touching and softening your heart; and, further, as
these will be the last lines I can ever hope to address
to you, and as I must now take a solemn and awful
farewell of you for ever, toy humble and earnest
prayer is that God will be truly merciful towards you.
And now, goodbye for, ever, both in time and
eternity,
"From your grieved and obedient servant,
"ALFRED PHILIP STORES.

STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER..
"Sheriff Knight and Sheriff Breflit went to the prisoner's
cell a few minutes before eight o'clock, and found him en•
gaged in prayer with the Rev. Mr. Jones, the Ordinary of
Newgate. Just before he was pinioned he handed to Mr.
Smith, the Governor of the prison, a written statement,
which he said he whiled to have made public.

"The statement of the priscner commenced by expressing a
hope that through the loving kindness of the Almighty his
this wculd be blotted out for the sake of that Blessed
Saviour whcm he tat 80 long neglecei. The prisoner ten
acknowledied the jmtice of his sentence, and says that he
de4erves his fate, although he does not admit to the fulle,t
extern tl.at he was guilty of the murder. The prisoner
ten expi e.ses his thanks to the Governor and all the
officials of the gaol for the kindness he has received
'tom them during his confinement. He also expresses
his thanks to his many friends, known and unkhown,
for the kind and Christian sympathy they had exhibited
towards him and his family, and adds that he hopes and
beliPves that their prayers for his eternal happiness and
peace have been answered by the Almighty. The statement
concluded by the prisoner commending his wife and family
to the care of that,Almighty Father who was the protector
of the widow and fatherless.

"Mr. Henry Wainwright,"

•
"The prisoner slept for several hours on Monday night, and
got up and dressed himself soon after six o'clock, and from
that time to the period of his execution he was engaged in
earnest prayer with the chaplain.
"After the prisoner was cut down his countenance pre-
sented the most composed and placid appearance, and there
was not the slightest indication of his having died a violent
death."

The Globe also gives the following description of the
scene outside Newgate
"As early as five o'clock some of the constables, whose beats
extend around the district which comprise the Old Bailey
and Newgate-street districts, were concentrated nearthe Old
Bailey, under the direction of Chief Inspector Tilcock, who
had also a reserve force in the Sessions House. The Old
Bailey at an early hour was passed by hundreds of people,
many of whom congregated to the entrance of the prison within
which, however, nothing was visible to them. One of the most
dismal thoroughfares in the metropolis, when lighted only
by gas, is that called the Old Bailey, extending from the mid-
way of Ludgate-hill to the western end of Newgate-street.
At any season of the year the street is dismal, but when
viewed at five o'cleck a.m., during a heavy shower of rain,
and with the knowledge that within a few yards of the wall
which bounds the east side an execution was to take place,
the view became more dismal and depressing. One or
two policemen ware patrolling their beats, and the only
unusual aspect at this early hour was the reflection of
several lights from the windows oP the house tenanted
by the Governor, of Newgate Gaol. As the hour of
six approached groups of working -men and railway
officials wended their way from Blackfriars and Ludgate
stations to their respective dr stinations, and by the same
trains arrived persons who desired to witness the hoistirg
of the black 113 g denoting the, execution of Henry Wain-
wright. Upon the whole, however, there was no excitement
until about eight o'clock, when a crowd of about 5,000
persons had assembled in front of the prison. When the
black flag was hoisted, indicating that the sentence had
been duly carried out, a general cheer was given by the
crowd." •

Since the last execution in Newgate the apparatus for
carrying out the sentence of the law has been very much
re-arranged. Instead of having to reach tne gallows by
means of a ladder, the platform being a considerable
height from the ground, the convict walks on to the
platform on the level, and falls beneath the surface.
The apparatus of death is now a permanent structure
in one of the airing-yards of the prison, and it is en-
closed by shutters when not required.

as if they were big ones—which Ttake to be the secret of who wee rece.-ed with loud and repeated plaudits, in
that peculiar kind of rhetoric which we call rant. And don't I the course of his reply, said :
think that I am laying undue stress on trifles if I tell you of s
the value of a literary tone and habit of mind in teaching I believe that there is in every class—and in the working
you how to speak and Write Word are things: "Le style, class as much as in any other—a Conservative feeling, which
c'est l'homme," as the French say. You will seldom find a is a deep and strong feeling—a feeling which may at times be
man credited for a clear judgment it he has caught the trick masked, and whose influences may be overborne by some
of expressing himself in an involved or pompous grievance of the day and some popular cry, but which re-
phraseology; and on the other hand, many men have appears when these disturbing influences are removed. And
got, and daily do get, reputation for greater capacity when people ask why should working men be Conservative, I
than they really possess, because they have acquired answer, why should they not? Of one thing they may be
the art of putting their ideas, whatever these may be worth, quite sure—that all disorder, all revolutionary tendencies,
in few and clear and well-selected words; everything that creates popular panic or even general sin-
Of the gains derivable from natural science Ido not truss easiness falls more directly and heavily on the working man
myself to speak; my personal knowledge is too limited, and than on the members of any other class. Whatever troubles
the subject is too vast. But so much as this I can see—that the waters of society, whatever frightens the timid and the
those who have in them a real and deep love of scientific rich—and money as money is always timid—the artisan
and the labourer are the first sufferers—the shopkeepers
.or
research, whatever their position in other respects, are so far the manufacturers rise their profit but he loses his daily
at least among the happiest of mankind. Ido not tell you
bread. I think that is a fair reason' why working men
that to possess that taste—or rather to be possessed by it— shouldnnet
i3b_eonless. interested than.theirw.neighboure in the
is a matter of the will. I believe that with the mosteme- sbetiananc T social order. But I may be asked—is it no
cessful workers-it is a question at lempAlesient, Or of a pre-
dilection so early acquired as to resemble an i tinct. But
; frn
to .be expected that the working man will wish to
, vie athe condition -of 'his -clews? Can he, if he
for those who have it no passion is so absorbin no labotiets
cares about anything outside his private concerns,
so assuredly its own reward (well that it is so, for other 1
rewards are few) ; and they have the satisfaction of knowing ' not desire to see his fellow workers in possession of
that, while satisfying one of the deepest wante:of theiratesii greater - f got:god and adtentages ,of life than they
have nbw, and will he not therefore
natures, they are at the same time promoting' in the most , , , give his vote on the
effectual manner the interests of mankind. popular side? My answer to that is that [accept the pre-
misses, but I do not see that they lead up to the conclusions.
Salentine discovery has this advantaese over almost every Popular politicians never gave any man better wages or a
other form of successful human effort's, that its results are better house to live in. They may, indeed, profess to re-
certain, that they are permanent, that whatever benefit move grievances of a kind such as law can deal with, .but
grows out of them is world-wide: -Not many of his can hope what are those grievances with us? What has become of
to extend the. range of knowledge in howevoir minute a them? Is the working-man taxed above hit fair share?
degree; but to know and apply the knowledge that has been Why, if he is a teetotaller, he contributes literally nothing to
gained by others, to have an intelligent appreciation of what the revenue, excepteome 30 per cent. on the tea or coffee
is going on around us, is in itself one of the higher and most which he may use. Nearly every other article he etnsumes
enduring of pleasures. The vast development of science in is altogether free. Income Tax, House Tax, Stamp Duties
our time makes it idle for any man to attempt to do more -cannot touch him. If he likes his beer and tobacco—and I
.than select some one head'of it for special study. To take for one see no reason why he should not—he pays on these
all knowledge for one's province was probably impossible articles like everybody else ;,and since we • must have taxes
even to Bacon, and in Bacon's day—though he did not that fall on luxuries, they are probably the fairest of all. Is
think so. It would in our age be absurd. . And I be- he subject to exceptional legislation? So far from that,
_neve—speaking with that caution which one ought to observe whenever any legislation of an exceptional kind has been
*hen on ground with which one is not famiiiar—that, for passed of late years, it has been in his faveur, and not against
Intellectual and self-regarding purposes, the selection mat- him: (Cheers.) In the case of the two Acts of last Session
ters comparatively little. You cannot know more than a amending the Labour Laws, Parliament has not hesitated to
fraction of what has been done and thought, whether that modify rules of law, rules long standing and still applicable
fraction is a little larger or smaller matters not much. What to analogous cases, because they might be brought to bear
is essential is, to have mastered thoroughly what you do take hardly on members of "Frades' Unions. (Cheers.)
hi hand—to have acquired the scientific method and habit of
thought; and in that I inchide accuracy of investigation, Take another instance. We are very jealous in Parlia-
clearness of conception, and the conviction that, under all ment, and most reasonably jealous, of any legislative inter-
phenomena, however confused the appearance they present, fererce about principles of demand and supply. We are
there is a regulating law, whether you can detect it or not. always reluetant to extend the functions of the Executive,
and the Legislature, beyond these which have been imme-
One great advantage of exact science, especially of mathe- mortally ascribed to them. As a general principle' we should
matical victim is that it does not admit of half-knowledge. say that the kind of house a man lived in was a matter be-
You may listen to a lecture, or read a book on any subject tween himself and his family; but in large towns great difli-
of popular interest, and go away thinking that you have culty has been experienced by members of the artisan class
caught the speaker's or writer's general meaning, though yen in finding healthy dwellings, and Parliament has in copse-
may not have followed his details; with mathematics you quence gone out of its ordinary course in giving to local au-
cannot do that, you must either know a problem so that you thorities exceptional powers and exceptional facilities to
can work it out, or become aware by the 'attar° to work it, meet that want. (Cheers.)
that you do not know it at aIL And in a time lila:noun.
with all its varied and multiplied subjects of thought, and Take another case. As a rule, the question whether a man
its innumerable channels of publicity, when it is almost the is paid for work done by him in cash or otherwise is a question
normal condition of most persons to be discussing questions to be regulated entirely and absolutely by arrangement
which they perfectly understand, there is peculiar utility in between employers and employed. It is a matter of free
a process which absolutely compels exactness of thought and contract. That is the rule in all the ordinary transactions of
which makes half-knowledge an impossible condition, life. But many years ago complaint was made that in some
manufacturing industries the workman was unfairly dealt
We used to bear a great deal some years ago—more I with, because he was paid partly in food, and other articles
think than we do now—of the necessity of making science which he wanted he had to buy at a certain shop in which his
popular. I never have approved that phrase, perhaps from employer was interested, and it. was urged that he was thereby
not feeling sure what it means. You may make the results placed in a position of undue dependence and constraint.
of science popular without much trouble • every child can There was a strong feeling on the subjeot ; and Parliament
be taught for instance the main facts which astronomy has again went out of its way to prohibit a practice, not in itself
brought to light, and the mass of mankind will accept them immoral nor contrary to economical rules, but which was
with jut as implicit faith and with just as much ad- judged to be open to abuse, and by a succession of Acts,
vantage to themselves as they accepted in older times called the Truck Acts it has enforced the prohibition of pay-
the systems which modern teaching has superseded. But lug the operative otherwise than in hard cash. (Cheers)
that is not science. Science in the strict sense of the word
can never be popular. It requires close attention, which How, again, is the working man situated as regards the
to untrained persons is disagreeable, and the successful possession of political power? Why he is master of the
following of it presupposes either special and exceptional situation. (Cheers.) His class can, if it pleases, out-vote all
aptitude, or a greater devotion of time than the bulk of other classes put together. Ills not likely to care or to wish
persons in any class are able or willing to give to a non- to do that; but, again I say, having under the British Con'
paying pursuit. Science, above all, 'needs leisure, and I stitution as it exists supreme political power in their hands,
hope ills not utopian to look forward to the possibility of why on earth should working men be otherwise than Con-
e far ampler provision being made for its prosecution by servative when that Constitution is concerned? It used to
competent persons than exists at present. Ido not refer be the fashion to say, Look at America ; look at the
merely or principally to help from the State; though, United States," There is a country ;no wars, no debt,
speaking for myself, I should not grudge it in such a cause, hardly any taxation. (A laugh.) And every man
But the spirit of patriotism which animated founders of has got a vote. (tluch laughter.) Well, but since then
schools and colleges, and public benefactors of former days the United States have had a tremendous civil
is not extinct; in some directions it is more flourishing than war. They have got a debt and a heavy one They have got
ever. An American banker lately gave half a million to help taxes which are a great deal more burdensome than ours,
the peer of London; a well-known Scotch gentleman has taking State and Federal taxation together. They have a
given the same sum within the last few years in aid of the Civil Service which, not to say anything offensive, is not
Kirk of Scotland; money is never wanting at either end of generally considered cleanhanded or as efficient as ours—
this island when men see their way to make a good use of (laughter)—and whereas in this country a change of popular
it. When have schools, hospitals, public parks, museums, feeling reflected in Parliament may upset any Government
institutes been- more abundant than at the present day, in a week, in America there there is no reason why a Pre-
Science has no endowments, or next to none ; but only Went once elected should not during the four years of his
because the interest in that class of subjects is compares tenure use the power of the Executive in a sense opposedno
lively new, and rich men, who want to do some good with that of the Legislative Body. We wish nothing but good to
their capital, have. not looked much in that direction as our American friends. (Hear.) They have their ways and
yet. Is it too sanguine a hope that we may see individual we have mune but, on the whole, I venture to think that in
liberality take a form which hitherto it has rarely taken? matters aniedministration and politics they may have as
Who knows how many discoveries might be worked out, how much to learn from us as we have from them. (Cheers.)
many 'conquests of man over nature secured, if for, Ido not Great stress, again, is laid by a certain class of politicians
say a numerous body, but even for some 60 or 100 picked on the supposed fact that in these islands only a rich man
men, such modest provision were made that they might be has a chance of becoming an owner of the soil, and that is
at apart, free from other cares, for the double duty of ad- held up as one of those wrongs which ought to be remedied
'teeming and of diffusing science? Who can measure what before any poor man should call himself a Conservative. But
has, already been lost to England and. to the world, when how does the matter stand? In the first place, there is an
intellects capable of the highest kind of original work have enormous exaggeration as to the fact. It used to be asserted
been wasted, not by choice, but by necessity, on the common again and again, and even men so eminent as Mr. Mill and
drudgery of every-day life? I know very well that to some Mr. Bright repeated the saying—that the whole soil of the
extent that must continua to be the case; it is visionary to country was divided between 30,000 proprietors. I never
contemplate a state of society in which every man will find believed that story (a laugh), and I was fortunate :eholigh
exactly the employment that suits him; in human life, as in some years ago to be able to induce the late Goverment to
nature, there will always be a vast apparent waste of power. take steps to test its truth. We have not the full return
But we may at least reduce that waste where we see it going yet, hut I believe the number of owners will come out more
on; original capacity is not so common that we can afford nearly 600,000 than 30,000, or twenty times what it was put at.
to throw it away, nor so difficult to discover, that we may (Loud cheers.) But why should we stop there? What is
excuse ourselves by saying we did not see it. there in the state of our law to make us stop there? No
lam quite aware that endowments of all sorts are die- man who reads the advertisements in the papers can venture
countenanced by a certain class of thinkers, of whom e to contend that there is not land enough for sale to meet
speak with respect, but who, I think, argue from the all possible wants. If there be a wish among working men
abuse of a thing against its use. The fact remains that to become owners of some small piece of land what is easier
the most enduring and valuable work done in the line of than to form companies which will buy up estates and
1 pure science will not bring a shilling to the man who does will divide them so that small lots may be purchased and
It; and while that is so (and one does not see how it can the payments spread over a term of years, as is now done
be otherwise), there seems nothing unreasonable in saying in the case of houses in towns? Whether such a specula-
that society shall, in one way or another, Make provision tion would answee or not I cannot decade. And, personally,
for those who are doing so much for society. Nor do I I should not feel inclined to recommend any man whose
I see that the risk of jobbing in such matters is great. Men savings were small to put them into land. But what Ido
' who work to make money, or men who care for reputation say is that if working man have that desire, there is no
of the Popular sort, do not choose such pursuits as those of obstacle in our laws, none in our administrative arrange-
which lam speaking. And, making all allowance for the merits, none even in our national habits, to make its gratitl-
little jealousies and rivalries from which no profession is cation impossible or difficult. The sole obstacle in the way,
' free, I believe that there is seldom'any difficulty in picking the legal cost of transferring small pieces of land, has been
out the best qualified candidates for professorships and dealt with by recent legislation, and we hope done away.
apeointments of that kind where there is an honest wish to My argument then, comes to this, that there is nothing in
flue t, em. Igo intone detail. I indicate no special plan. I our laws and institutions as they exist to prevent work-
had rather,
.for my own part, Fee action taken by the corn- tug men from improving their condition to what-
munity than by the State. or, at leett, I should wish to seethe ever point may be attainable by them (cheers), and
commuuity largely helping the action of the State; but what- that there is nothing to prevent their assuming a Con-
es/sr is done, or whoever does it, I think that more liberal as- Retentive attitude towards these laws and institutions corn-
sistence in the prosecution of 0, igihal scientific research is one patibly with self respect and consistent with their honourable
of therecognised wants of our tinee. How far that assistance can and natural feeling for their own class. (Cheers)
infOlitained by the utilization ot ancient endowments lea As to legislation, you will not expect me to say much.' It
question partly of principle, partly of detail. Ido not agree is too late to talk about last Session, and too early to discuss
with the extreme views which have been put forward on either what we shall do in that which is coming. (Laughter.) I
side in regasd to it. I canna follow the reasoning of those who don't promise you sensational law-making, but I fancy we
say that the State has no right to divert endowments from shall have plenty of work for Parliament to do, and we must
one purpose to another. There must be a regulating power try to avoid the mistake which every Government has made
somewhere, else changes which, by common consent, lapse that I can remember, and I don't except our own—the mis-
of time has made necessary could not be effected. And take of launching more Bills than we can reasonably hope
whether that power is vested in a Court of Justice or in a to carry. (Cheers.) I cannot tell you what questions we
Commission, it is equally the power of the State. To shall deal with next Session, but I can tell you that if we
my mind, so far as right is concerned, the Legislature may pass halt-a-dozen years in Downing-street (a laugh) there
do what it chooses in regard to any endowment, without are plans enough in the pigeon-holes of the various offices
injustice, provided only that the rights of living individuals to occupy Parliament during that time at least (Much
are respected. How far it is politic to use that power is laughter.) The difficulty we have to contend with is of a
another matter. Push its exercise too far, and you kill peculiar kind ; measures which have been taken up as a
the bird that lays the golden eggs. Men give or leave party cry—lrish Church, Army Purchase, Ballot, and the like
funds, not for the promotion of useful public purposes in —if they are apt to be vehemently opposed, are also sure to
the abstract, but for some special form of public usefulness he warmly supported. Opt osinen generates enteusiasm,
that has taken their fancy You never hear of a fortune left but measures of administration, measures of a neutral charace
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to employ as he thinks ter, are apt to godown, as it were, in a calm; everybody ap-
best for the public service. One man cares for schools, proves of them in principle, but many people criticize them in
another for hospitals, and so forth; and unless intending detail ; and even of those who 'agree not many will lose their
benefactors have a reasonable security that the general put- dinners in order to pass them. (A. laugh.) We have had
pose for which they leave their money will be respected, the trouble in that way before, and may have again. All we
stream will soon dry up. More than that, I consider, they can promise is to do our best to meet them. I won't talk '
ought not to ask. Respect the founder's object, but use your you at length about foreign affairs, though Duey have a won
own discretion as to the means; if you do not do the first, or two to say about them elsewhere 'before I leave Edit'-
you will have no new endowments; if you neglect the last, burgh We heve on our hands more than one difficult and
those which you have will be of no use. .. . perplexing question, and where opinion is divided
After referring to the working of the University system, we cannot complain, if our course, whatever it may be,
his lordship continued—The ideal of educational reformers lis exposed to criticism. The eternal Eastern Question
take to be this—that whenever in a village school, any lad, is before u 3 nide (a laugh), and I for one have no
"however poor, lias shown really exceptional ability, he may Hess that the year 1876 will see it finally settled,
be enabled by some moderate pecuniary help to go on with and permanently settled. It is a good omen that, so far as
his education at a higher-class school; and if he still, con. I can judge, every Government which has to deal with it—
tinues to distinguish himself there, that he may be passed and it is a matter which necessarily concerns all Europe—
on to one of these Universities, either to take his chance seems inclined to do so in a spirit of moderation and caution.
in an open profession or to devote himself to a life of (Cheers) Still, however moderate statesmen may be, how-
learning and teaching, as his circumstances and his ever little mischief-making or intrigue may be going on, the
character may lead him. That is an ideal which to matter itself is full of embarrassment for all parties con-
the full extent has never been realized in any country, nor, cerned. What we do or determine in regard to it will be
perhaps, will it be; but some approach towards it may be frankly laid before Parliament. (Cheers.) in our diplo-
made, and, I know of no more useful manner in which a many, so far as the action of this country is concerned, there
'capitalist could dispose of superfluous wealth, and at the will be no mystery and no reserve. (Cheers.) You may
same time preserve his own name in honourable remem- have seen in the newspapers that there has been a good
brance—which, however it may be sneered at as vanity, I cleaned sensation both abroad and at home created by the
take to be not unworthy nor a foolish ambition—than by transaction into which we have entered by buying up
helping to construct one of these social ladders, by which some of the shares of the Suez Canal. (Loud cheers.) I
young men unfriended, but of intellect and activity, may hold that to have been a wise step—it has certainly been a
climb up into a position which will give their faculties fair Popular one, and I am prepared to defend it if necessary.
play. (Continued cheers.) But I must add that it would not
Another question on which I believe opinion is much have been a wise step nor an liOneat one if it had borne the
divided is whether competition, having so long been the rule construction which has been occasionally placed upon it.
among learners, shall be extended to teachers also ; whether, It is hardly necessary to disclaim any such notions as those
and under what couditions, lectures shall be allowed to be which have been imputed to us—a wish to establish a pro-
given in each branch of study, by others besides the Professors tectorate over Egypt, an interested reversal of our policy
specially appointed for that purpose It is argued in favour on the whole Eastern Question, or an intention to take
of such permission that competition stimulates energy, mono- Part in a general scramble which does not belong to us.
poly damps It; thesenet even very capable and learned men may (Hear.) We wanted and we have obtained additional security
sot always have tree 'faculty of making such teaching accept- for that which is to us e necessity—feee aud uninterrupted
able; and that, in that not impossible case, it is better that Passage through Egypt to India. (Loud cheers) We felt it
the work should be done in part by some.one else ehan that it to be essential that the great highway over which we have
should not be done at all. It is adoed,thatitftersteni in guns- even now more than three fourths of the traffic should not
tion is already in forcettethe medical branch, and with good be exclusively in the bands of the foreign shareholders of
i,reeult ; end that therej As) no reason to fear a different con. a foreign company. (Cheers.) An opportunity was afforded
'esehttencent it be extended to ether Faculties. The objection uss of acquit lug a right in it, and that opportunity we used.
' taken, if I understood it rightly, is that a competition of (Cheers.) There was no deep-laid scheme in the matter.
the kind proposed would discourage the best candidates We had not a week to consider it from. the first -moment we
from accepting Professorships' would lower the states of heard that the sale was intended, and our first idea was not
the Professors; and would lead both them eiud their rivals so much to buy the property for ourselves as to prevent it
to eompete for number rather than tor .quality in their from changing hands at aIL (Cheers.) lam happy to believe
classes, to neglect the higher stndente, and to aim pre. that in foreign countries there has been little, if any, of the
ferably at popularity among those- of an average or lower jealousy and suspicion excited which was predicted by some
type. It is scarcely for me, new to the whole conttoversy, persons ass a probable consequence. We have stated clearly
to pronounce who is right and who is wrong; if I hinted at what we want and why we want it, arid Europe is accus-
e. preference, I should say that the dangers of the change tomed to believe what we say. (Loud cheers.) We seek
do not seem to me as great. as. they ar'e' tepreeell)ed, while no exclusion, no monopoly, only a secure passage for our-
the advantages are obvious. 'lf the Pnifessbr in pee. selves, and the same security we are willing that all the
sessicn is centpstent, be has immense advantages over world should enjoy. As to the financial aspect of the
any entra-aeennical rival. If with these advantages bargain, that Is not the most important. I see no reason
he cannot hold his own, that result would seem why the State should lose a penny by it in the end.
to he due either to some defect on his part—possibly to (Cheers ) We have taken on ourselves a grave respond--
some want of sympathy with his audience—or to eminent bility, but Ills a mistake-to suppose, as I have seen it sup-
merit in the competitor in either Cage one does not Fee posed, that we have hi any deTeree encroached-on Ilie 'freedom
what is gained by sending the competitor away. But I and authority of Parliament Parliament is perfectly free to
have the less need to trouble you „with .discrission on this ratify Or to reject the bargain. •If it were rejected, which 1
and similar details, beettuse it is in my pbwer to make an dou't nor a moment contemplate, our coerse as b.. Government .
anteeincement which I believe will be received with satis- would be clear. But we have.pledged nobody excspt our-
fact ten: The Government have had under consideration the selves. The House of Commons will have the whole matter
state of these Universities. We bear in mind the number of in its own hands When it atsemblee ; and, fertmy part, -I do
students who attend -them- not less, I •believe, than 4,000 not shrink from any criticism however severe, from any
in the present year. We are aware of the hold which tbey scrutiny however jealous anti minute.
have acquired upon all classes of society in Scotland We A vote a '
vcry learty' t thanks Ofidca was Jo Lord
t
have not forgotten the public recognition of their import- s i e,
anc given in 1868, when the right of l'arliameu Derby_for his admirable address,
tary repre- . --
ientittiott 'wall 'ter the 'first time conferred upon them, nor
- Yeti tbe'fact that-they received geante out of the public funds
.to, iini imotiat 'exceeding £10;000 yearly' and; looting-to
Alia circumstance Ihall7 years have.ipassedOrice:the changes
mats by.,tbe, 44. of. Alb& first, ftine into play, --mid that
'Mee that time opinion has:imbed on many questaceencen-
nected with University teaching, we believe. ,that it is for
the general Interest that a .Commiteion should lake from
the Crown ivhich mets ndvlse be, 'and advise Parliament, as
to any modifications which it may be expediett to intros
duce into the present system. The reasons • welch have led
to awn . dee:sten need not be stated at length ; we are con-,
fidint that they will recommend themselves to all friends
of education and of Scotland, It only remains to eller you
my- sincere excuses for the imperfection of these remarks,
put together under the pressure of ninny and is orions °coin
pinions; to thank you for the pettence with which you have
heard me; to congratulate you on- the progress and pros-
perity of Edinburgh University, as set forth in 'the recent
able address of your Principal ; and to wish for . you tat ea
better wish it is not in my power to frauae) that,your time 'of •
preparation here may be so passed that In afterlife panes:SY
not only maintain, but increase, the leplitation of this
ancient and famous seat of learning.
,Tlirotigheeht the tadlireas (yia4.4mus
h'
cheering. with
At its conclusion the Lord Rector =noun
that, as a small and ,hurnble mark of 'hi4 irithrest n
the Uniwersity, he propoSed to' -offer a yearly pri e
during his tenure of offide for ati *linty dia sore
historical subject. (Loud cheers.)

talk to a
word i ,

PRESENTATION OF TEI FL,BEDOM Of ,TI.VICITY
,EDLNIIIJE4II TO LORD- DERBY.On ; • .
•
Saturday .Lord Derby was, uerefienpdlvith the
freedom ofAhe City of Edinburgh, and, in tacknow-
ledg.ing the compliment, Made is speech on public
affairs at home ancl;abtoad. Political agitation was
now, he remarked, suspended- by cdrciir.on sense, and
there existed a general willingness to pOstponi, for the
present, large questions involving Cdnatitutional
chap.-es. Was that a reason why Parliament should be
idle? He thought it was exa6tly the'reverse. Notwith-
standing this state of affairs, he hoped that the coming
session would not he a barren one. It was clear that a
period of comparative depression in trade must be
looked forward to, but we might- feel confident that
it would not last long. He concurred in much that
Mr. Forster had said about our colonies, but he had
failed to see„ as yet, any plans for drawing closer the
connection between the Empire and the colonies that
could be worked very well. He had no announcement
,to Make respecting, foreign affairs that was not satin-
factory so far as this county is concerned. In pur-
chasing the Suez Canal shares the Government had to
'aet in a Wholly unforseen contingency, and to take an
unusual responsibility. They did not shrink from
that responsibility, and they would appeal confidently
to rarliament to ratify their deoiston.

LORD DERBY'S SPEECH TO WORKING MEN.
On Friday evening there was a large and enthusi-
astic assemblage of Conservative working men in
the Corn Exchange, which was tastefolly decorated
for tile occasion. About 3,000 persons were present,
ono of the galleries being filled with ladies. An
address having been presented to Lord Derby by the
Conservative Working Alen's Association, his lordship,

Advice s from Madrid report an immense downfall
of rain which has caused the two rivers running by the city
to owl flow the lower F4rt of it. A considerable pqrtioo of
the inhabitants have been obliged to quit their houses, and
seek shelter elsewhere. Railway communication is inter-
rupted, the country for several miles round Madrid being
flooded.