The Press.
London, England, 1853-11-26 00:00:00

CIVIC CONDOTTIERI.

GIBBON relates that, under the pontificate of
one of the Popes, pilgrims were deterred from
visiting the shrine of St. Peter, lest they
should be pillaged by his successor. His
Holiness, being generally in ambush with a
few trusty followers on one of the roads lead-
ing to Rome, prepared to spring on any prey
that presented a prospect of booty. What
that Pope was to the devout of the middle
age, " the chief magistrate of the capital of
commerce," as the Lord Mayor delights to call
himself, and his brethren, is to the merchants
of the present day. The corporation of Lon-
don has at its command a body of Condottieri,
who are called fellowship porters, and whose
number, forty, is singularly suggestive of
their deeds. It brings at once before us the
tale of " Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," or
" The Forty Thieves." Mr. KEARNS, a what-linger
of the city of London, when appearing as a
witness before the Commission of Inquiry, gives
a pleasing sketch of this stanch and chosen
band of brothers, and of their pursuits. It
appears that the corporation levy such heavy
duties on fruit that foreign merchants are
unwilling to send cargoes to London. Nor is
the amount of the exaction surprising when we
remember that the salaries of the civic digni-
taries and their officers for managing a popu-
lation of about 130,000 exceed the whole ex-
pense of the central Government of the United
States. Funds, too, must be found for City feasts,
" and fruit is dear that aldermen may dine."
So upon corn, nuts, apples, and onions, a duty
called metage is levied. Thus, if nuts are
sold at a profit of Bd. a bag. 2d. must be paid
for metage, and 2d. for porterage. The latter
is, of course, at least double what the work
could be done for if the fellowship of the
forty porters (lid not exist The " forty " have
the right of boarding any vessel they choose,
and unloading it. But, as a " forty-porter
power" is not adequate to the exigencies of
the tonnage arriving at " the capital of com-
merce," viz., the wharf at London-bridge,
these worthies are allowed to call in the aid
of allies,

many of whom were great thieves. These persons e► .
tered the ships under the corporation banner. . . They set
the owner of the goods at defiance . . he (Mr. Kearns) had
often attempted in vain to remove from a ship men of that
class
tent under the existing system. Fruit was somet►mes
seen in the baskets of women in the street before the mer-
chant had received his sample.

By their fruit truly may ye know them !
Last year the career of one of these allies, who
had worked in fraternal harmony with the
fellowship—Mr. KEARNS thought he was one
of the " forty "—for seven or eight years, was,
through the exertions of that gentleman,
brought to a temporary check at the Old
Bailey. Which is worse ?—the plundering
Pope of the dark age, or the plundering cor-
poration of the age we call enlightened? or is
there any real difference between them? How
the Pontiff spent his gains we do not remem-
ber; but the corporation we know spend
much of theirs in that moat gross and de
grading of all vices—gluttony.

THE SCHOOLS AND PRIESTS OF IRELAND.
Sut Roma KA:Ws recent speech in reviewing the
progress of the Queen's Colleges in Ireland has
attracted considerable attention. It is a less satis-
factory statement in some respects than at first sigh
appears, and the speaker seems to us to have sal I
either too much or too little. In such severe terms
were the existing schools of Ireland disparaged by
Sir ROBERT KANE, that, accepting his statements 64
verities, one would be disposed to say that, instead of
colleges, with an expensive process of grakluation, it

NOVEMBER 26, 1853.

would have been better to have established high
schools—like Harrow and IVinchester, and similar
foundations—in order to meet the alleged want of
schools for educating, young Irishmen of the middle
classes. Many persons, on reading the remarks in
which Sir Ron Era KANE deplores the necessity of
professors being obliged to lower the tone of their
courses, and to turn themselves into mere school-
masters, will cry, etti bona the Queen's Colleges?'
They may possibly express their re;:ret that, when, in
con►pany with several othe►s, Sir IL KANE With for
years bringing the whole question of education before
the public. he did not apply his great. intelli-
gence to the tinestion of schools for the middle
classes.

Thanks to the energy of Lord DERRY, while the
Noble Lord was Chief Secretary, the education of the
lower orders in Ireland may be looked upon almost
as practically perfect as can be expected. The Pro-
testant population, also, whatsoever Sir ItoBERT
KANE may affirm, enjoy excellent private schools.
Many of the most distinguished alumni of Trinity
College, Dublin, are masters of seminaries through.
out the island, and in several instances they are pre-
sided over by pious and learned clergymen ti the
Established Church. But it is said k though not by
Sir ItonEni Kass, who judiciously avoided this por-
tion of the question) that such schools as we have
alluded to could not he expected to work efficiently
amongst the Roman Catholic middle classes. Pre-
judices, traditions—even personal antipathies—
would in many instances prevent Roman Catholic
tradesmen from sending their sons to be taught
elementary knowledge by a Tory and a Protestant—
possibly half sun ected of Orangeism. Recollecting
the peculiarities of Irish society, we are rather dis.
posed to concur in this assertion. But these consi-
derations show what grave conclusions are involved
in this whole topic. For instance, it is impossible to
associate for any length of time with the Protestants
and Roman Catholics in Ireland and not perceive
the inferiority in self reliance and general intelli-
gence of the former. Have we, in this inferiority of
school education, a solution of the reason why there
is so much mental energy amongst the Protestants as
compared with the Roman Catholics'
And, further, taking the statement of Sir Roma
KANE for granted, have we a reason for the vulgarity
of tone, and the discreditable personality of coarse
allusions, in which the Roman Catholic popular poli-
ticians too often indulge ? Compare the tiles of the
provincial press in Ireland with those of the same
grade of journals in England, and the numb: r of
6• scenes" and altercations of a furious character re-
ported to have taken place in Ireland eannot but
to arrest even a careless scrutineer. The middle
classes in England have certainly much to elevate
their tone, and give them practical education in pro-
priety. Their clergy are gentlemen and scholars,
and the religion in which they worship their Creator
is almost compulsory of self .education—each aniengst
them in his Bible "reads his charter to the skies."
But in Ireland a bigoted clergy, who have never
produced orators or scholars to rival the fame of
the luminaries of the Irish bar or the Established
Church, do little to indoctrinate the flocks over whom
they rule with the hive for science or letters. The
priests of Ireland have for the lust fifty years talked
more than the rest of the European clergy taken
together. The annals of Christendom do not re-
count such an array of sacerdotal spouters. Their
style of eloquence can be estimated most accurately
when one reflects that they have never during that
long time delivered a solitary speech which any
educated Irishman could quote as a worthy specimen
of the fervid eloquence of Erin. No CURRAN, no
Bestir:, no PLUNKET, no GRATTAN, no SHEIL, has
ever written P.P. after his name. One orator was
reared amongst the Irish in jests, anil that exception,
the famous KIRWAN, conformed to the Protestant
Church.

It is, perhaps, to influences like these, and others
too numerous to indicate, that the backwardness of
elementary education amongst the Boman Catholic
middle classes must he attributed rather than to the
positive want of good schools. Sir lionslrr KAN E.t4
View of the question is rather a limited one, and it is
necessary to examine it on all sides, if the subject
be further agitated as to providing a better descrip-
tion of schools in Ireland. Ile hopes, also, to apply
the training given in the Queen's Colleges to the spe-
cial purpose of developing the industrial resources of
the soil in Ireland. But his views on this part of
the question border on enthusiasm. The soils of
England, Scotland, Belgium, much of France and
America, have been "developed" without the aid of
a staff of professors. Fanning is no more to lie
taught theoretically than shepkeeping, thought the
operations of the tiller of the soil, and of the trader,
are ruled (like all other human agencies) by general
principles which can be reduced to scientific demon-
stration. The whole statement of Sir Rotwirr KANE
seems too partial in its conclusions for us to
accept it with entire confidence ; and on all Irish
questions it is specially necessary to be very careful
iu ascertaining the exact betuing of all thy facts.

THE PRESS.

MR. THACKERAY AND MR. WASHINGTON.
Otit attention was called to a letter in the Tines of
Wednesday, headed "MR. WASHINti•roN," and signed
"W. M. TuveraitAY." The Americans, it seems,
have resented the 'mitier in which their national
hen, has been mentioned by our poptdar novelist,
and, with charaetetistie susceptibility. have given
vent to their indignation in langinigo no less charm
teristie. It appears, tn(breover, that the American
correspondent of our daily contemporary has taken
up the American view of the question, if not with
equal bitterness, in "a tone of sadness and gravity "
fitted to the enormity of the crime and the solemnity
of the occasion.

Mr. THACKEHAV, it seems, in 010 1491E4111W and
allusive style which is at present so much in fashion.
intending to indieate the year 1770. desoribos
the period when pigtails grow on the backs of
" the British gentry (we tl ght they grow oo
" their heads); when their wives wore cushions
" 011 their heads and pomatuni on their ;lair HIM
" Ministers of the Crown wore stars and ribbons in
"the House of Commons, 4.. e.; when Mr. Inishing•
" ton eras heading the American rebels with a courage,
• it must be eonfeased, worthy a better rouse," AT.
Having quoted this sentence at length (we have cur-
tailed it for the convenience of our readers), Mr.
THACKERAV proceeds to give what he calls the
" moral of the apologue which has been MO oddly
" construed." We cannot but think be would have
judged better to refrain. " The satire," he says, "if
" satire there be, applies to us at home, who called
" WASHINtiTON Mr. WAsHIS..T.IN, as we called ha:-
" 11ERU:1i the Oreat the Protestant hero (who calls
" him so ?), and NAroi.Eox the Corsican fiend, or
" General lioNArAtrrE. Need I say that our officer:
" were instructed (till they were taught better man-
" tiers) to call Wysiirkarrox Mr. Wminciotos ? and
" that the Americans were called rebels during the
" whole of that contest ? The rebels ! Of yours'.
" they were rebels; and I should like to know what
" native American would not have been a wild in
" that cause ?"

" Irony," Mr. 11%eliEllAV says, "is dangerous,"
and he proceeds to explain, "in perftwt faith and
gravity," that he thinks the 4111.4 for which the
Americans fought entirely just and right, and its
champion the " purest, bravest, and best of (it'd's
men." We hope the ATlierieilill4 Will be satisfied with
the aldeet humility with which the English moralist
prostrates himself before them. There is a homely
proverb, " When you speak to asses you ought to
bray." We believe no compliments eau be too
broad for our transatlantic cousins, no flattery
too gross for their digestion, but we ourselves
understand irony so little that we should actually
have thought with them that Mr. TitvesEn.tv did
not mean to speak of that inelaneboly contest
with unqualified approbation. It would havn ap-
peared to us that an Englishman might have con-
sidered a civil war, so long and bloody and so disas-
trous in its progress and in its close, was not
subject of unmitigated satisfaction. lint we were
mistaken. Mr. TIIACKIAIAV himself enrrects us, anti
it now appears that in America the imputation of
"rebellion " is still offensive, while in England it is
deemed a VI ompliturnt. "ttf et purse," says Mr.
ACK ERA Y, " they were rebels." It is not in him
power to pass a higher eulogium.

DIRT) STANLEY AN!, I't►I'ITLAR EDUCATION.
THE speech of Lord Siist.t•:v at, the Bury Atbenseum
is deserving of particular attention. The great sub
jet% of popular education has ttsi long been left in
the hands of declaimers, who, with exaggerated
views and inflated language, have in ROM respects
injured a noble cau.a . In lord Si+at.rxy'a speech
we find a plain and vigorous statement of what may
be rationally expected from enabling pertains in the
humbler walks of life to attain R really sound culture
of their flu•ulties. Education is advccated as a great
means, not a final end ; its utility is defended
against some of its prejudiced assaihuits; and, with.
out being too sanguine, the noble speaker's tone is
decidedly hopeful a. 4 to the resulting benefits. In
•lirecting his hearers to the library of the Athemeum
rather than to its lectures, the Noble Lord showed
that he was familiar with the reason why midi in•
stitutions have not always attained what their muni•
ficent founders and cordial supporters have desired.
They have been too frequently made an introduction
to the excitement of the Platform, and have too rarely
served as an encouragement to the dkcipline of the
Study.

699

NI N 1 rAcrt• STATISTICS.
o• r rou oF "rim mast 4."

~, hes,.much giumt ..agrievatunli
siatistics it is rather odd that Ito one broaches the
question of the 'lllll4' 11H44.411111 In 11111113111-
filettllVs. This 11,, 111,1tS'.1, of o mow .ital conse-
quence, it' tsnlan.;ol viers are taken of the subject.
If it is so important to have 'quantum's and full re•
turns etmeernite.: the quantity- of corn Rimer'', surely
it i t of more to know as fully what quantities of corn
eaters an, gathered together, and bred to, perhaps,
dangerously ineoustautt employments. The action
ol''apital on the population, it not controlled, ought
at least to be known; and for that purpose a eons's%
'nice in ten )1441'S Is by no WIWI% tittliteleill, anti ha•t
11111'411, indeed, any use in reference to this subject.
I.e.:1,0'11111kIII is to be reganleil as a pokey opposed
to all the dangerous e‘trentes of either mob rule or
alespotie ,:siverititietiis, and is consequently averse $4l
um unfair partiality to any interest. Vet eapitwl, on
the peetenee of luring live, arrogates to itself the
privilege being, in this country at least, the only
chiniered libertine of power. .t mere temutt-at-
pleasure in the country, it eomes and gtle!,4 uaague.•
(titllod. it may, its it has often done, deisiedata a
rural di.tri.•t alters% at Vll'llloll4 peasantry lived in
lioidth and eimasirt, and idler driving them into
wretelie.l villages which .well to miserable towns,—
after 'Ming miles of wretched streets with an 111111111111•
I 'HIIIIIIIIII4 •it is lel IieNVO thf.lll Wllt'll it
pica S'S au IMMO' tub Ilse'lll%Phin. 11111 l tat the country.
The system sluieb Ints hitherto barn
eert;iiiil) iisa work ell well. No &bola capitalists will
.ay that if it were all hir strikia it would lie all very
sell 'toil work very smoothly ; but what are strikes
lint ene of the iie'e..aly frillt,4 sit In% system itself*
.tgitattass are said to get ; hilt, e‘u'll if that
were wholly trate, who ol• what. Kelm np agitator*
makes the operative iweillimaly liable to Iwo
misli'd lay agitators, whit er whist is to lii thanked lion
the igtairinlo4. The evil working is, indeed, in mho
nature of the system itself. Anil whether a full de.
lineation of the stills in or capitol would cure this evil
or mat, it widthl certainly open a will los cure. It
'lllllth' IN to 1111VM1.1. Itistl gnarl' against the
mischief, *Fla till• 111 the Slate* I'/111111 Ise
missile readily, ir attacked befiire they heriatte
folly esiedirmetl.

a of elnirsio the cry of it riie‘ance, to which are
Mind whirr other interest 111.4• runlrrnrll, would 101 l
g• 61 11,1 by the capitalists, that the return of the
necessary facts 1.1,r such WIIIII4I lilt inter
lerence awl a prying into their private affairs, and
this is exiled.% the idea which is most likely to avail
them, for a striiiiiisl 111.1ielley I Meat hunters rust
inquiry in the eliSt. of II 111111u11 seigkilivo ~,, to
its honour. Mit thi. plea should not mail where it
is a matter of life and death, of corruption
iii OW very vitals of the ~lair. mittihiira should
be furnished as wlallll enable Iowa! as *ell as central
exeentives, and, inderll, Al thiinisighilly to
understand the w 111 Ph' 11111 of their lien posit. ,
14) observe the 111111111C1' its kick the rising genera
film is toeing trained, to estimate the probabilities of
this population living emplopll, or or a change jak 1111,
nature or condition of the market* being likely to
east them a burden on the rent. Such returns
would also help greatly to settle knelt a iittest• as
the Preston strike. It is the myodr r.‘--that source
111 alesillittiatti—willt which eapitali%ts allow all their
proceedings to be invested which mostly breeds
strikes mill dm feelings whit+ give rise to strikes.
Perhaps at strike at pre/Wilt is not. nndrsiruloh, by
masters; lout the object of such statistics would be
to prevent the present gaiiihling system which
enables two great powers, 01104 e of masters anil torn,
to play such a destructive game at the expense of
the country genenilly. That such statisties might
be SO collected and as to prevent con
titling' glutting% of markets, and the consequent de-
,r whh, advocate agriciiltural
statistics to hinder famines or over produetion rim
consistently deny. Stills statistical results e/mlll
indeed come to he as 111-44111 tea the I111111111114'1111.4.1"
thetusi.olves GM to ally other class.

Nor can it he said to Is an 111141 m. interference
With the rights of property. As to the right, every
nation has atithotity to deride on chat terms it %till
)ielil its protect isin In it.: toll•jcets in any enterurim.,
end it has certain!y a linty to pet-form to itself in
hindering even by strict coutrol greet c‘ils resulting
from any form ()renter-prise. lint this is not involvcil
in the, linektiias of 4114.11 returns. This interference
is mere!) that this operations of snch sio,lertukers of
enti.rprises shall he conducted in the light of day,
sin S is.). condition necessary fur the health of the
community.
- -

11.iphig hay renturk. 'nay iiiret with y'inr contaili ra-
titnt,-- 1 rut, pity ikeditiit *en out, E. N.