The Press.
London, England, 1856-12-27 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

to give them the foundation of a good education, based
upon sound religious principles. Let each, then, in his
own sphere do the best—do all he can—for the accom-
plishment of this great and desirable object. (Applause.)
You who read the Leeds Mercury know that the subject of
a national system of education is viewed with horror
by Mr. Baines. That gentleman believes that if the
State—that is, you and the rest of the community—were
to establish schools for the education of the children of
the community, the State would obtain an overpowering
influence, and that da:lgerous results might follow to the
community. Excellent as is Mr. Baines's opinion on
most matters, I think upon this subject he holds an ex-
aggerated notion of the p wer of the State in this country.
For myself, I do not think that there is any such danger ;
and I am iherffore prepared to assist the Government of
the country to establisoing a system for the secular and
religious education of the children of this country—the
religious education being given in such way as the parents
may deem best. The final accomplishment and complete
success of this great question we must leave to the
future—believing that if we work earnestly and zealously
the great object will be eventually attained. Good must
and will result if we enter upon the work with an earnest,
honest, religious desire to promote it.
MR. MACREADY on Tuesday attended the distri-
bution of prizes at the Sherborne Industrial Schools,
and made a brief speech in support of secular edu-
cation. Mr. Macready was the original founder .of
these schools.

LORD PANMURE, at Dundee on Wednesday night, at
the festival of the new Industrial Schools, expressed
a strong opinion of their usefulness with respect to
the prevention of crimp, and of their being the means
of solving the dithealt question of transportation and
tickets of leave. How to dispose of the criminal
might be a difficult question, but it was undeniable
that the best way to prevent criminals associating
with their "old familiars," was to prevent the youths
of the country being brought up in crime. " I know,"
continued the noble lord, " no system more efficient
for this than ragged schools, and nothing to which
the Government could more beneficially turn their
attention than to the encouragement of such insti-
tutions."

THE WAR WITH PERSIA was discussed at a meeting
convened by some of the disciples and admirers of
Mr. David Urquhart, in the Temperance-hall at
Bradford. The mayor (who convened the meeting
because of the requisition presented to him), and
Mr. John Priestman, a respectable member of the
Society of Friends, were present. Though called a
town's meeting, the chief speakers were three
strangers—a " Major " Rolland, a Mr. Stobart, from
Newcastle•on-Tyne, and a Mr. Isaac Ironsides, from
Sheffield. An elaborate resolution was presented by
two members of the local "Foreign Affairs Com-
mittee " (Messrs. I. M. Jewett and W. Walton), to
the effect that the expedition to Persia had been
undertaken i❑ utter defiance of the British Constitu-
tion and the laws of nations, upon the sole respon-
sibility of the British Cabinet, without the sanction
of the Queen an:l the Privy Council ; and therefore
the rr embers of the Government ought to be
brought to the bar of the Central Criminal Court for
punishment. Major Rolland loudly abused Lord
Palmerston. Mr. Priestman, though opposed to
war, disputed both Major }tolland's facts and his
law; and expressed his belief that the meeting had
failed to give information on the alleged war with
Persia. The resolution ought to be mo lified to
prevent the meeting from committing itself to a false
position. Other requisitionists, in the body of the
hall, protested against the meeting been made the
mouthpiece of sentiments such as were expressed in
the resolution. Ultimately Mr. W. Lord moved as
an amendment that the meeting had such very
scanty information on the alleged Persian war that
it was expedient to postpone judgment upon it.
Councillor Moore seconded the amendment, which
was carried by an immense majority—at least seven
to one—to the great discomfiture of the "Foreign
Affairs Committee."
THE MIDDLESEX REFORM REGISTRATION SOCIETY
is dissolved. • On Monday afternoon an extraordinary
general meeting of the members of the Registration
Society was held at the offices, No. 6, Jermyn-street,
St. James's, for the purpose of dissolving the society.
The chair was taken by Mr. Donald Nicoll, who ex-
pressed his regret that so useful a society should
fail to commaad support, and suggested that it
might be amalgamated with some other society of a
kindred nature. Several other gentlemen addressed
theimeeting in terms strongly censuring the apathy
of the Liberal electors of Middlesex, and the niggard-
liness which refused to subscribe towards an object
so essential to the sustenance of their cause. Mr.
Coppoek then moved a resolution that the society
should bo dissolved for want of funds, and that the
books and papers should remain in the care of the
committee for future use and reference. An amend-
ment for the continuance of the society was put and
negatived, and the original resolution having been
carried, a vote of thanks to the chairman cluticil the
proceedings.

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