The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 7, 1864.

lost his senses within a fortnight. But if an event
so remarkable has taken place, it ought to be
established by unimpeachable evidence. This is
not so here. If any two justices of the peace, '
aided by two doctors, are competent to decide
questions of sanity, what need is there of
solemn inquiries, conducted before learned judges
and a host of jurymen ? No reasonable man would
propose that the humblest person in the realm
should be deprived of his personal liberty or of the
management of his property on the decree of any
two magistrates and any two doctors. Society is
entitled to the like privilege. If the question
of a man's sanity require to be investigated
by a Judge and jury in one cue, it ought
to be investigated by a Judge and jury in
any other case. There is neither justice nor con-
sistency in trying the sanity of the very same man
by two different methods, one public and the other
private—one before four men selected by haphazard,
the other by a judge of assize and a regular jury.
Least of all is such a course defensible in such a
case as that of TOWNLEY. For in his case the
solemn verdict of a criminal court has been prac-
tically reversed by the opinion of four gentlemen
who have acted upon whatever evidence seemed to
them reasonable, and who are all but irresponsible.
The public arc not even permitted to know the
grounds upon which the convicted man is to escape
the penalty of his crime.

It is bad enough that the CEO RETARY of STATE
should upon his own responsibility override the
verdicts of juries in criminal cases. The time has
come when, both for the sake of the public and
for the sake of the SECRETARY of STATE himself,
a tribunal should be appointed for the purpose of
reconsidering the guilt of a condemned criminal.
The investigation should be made in public ; the
tribunal should be composed of competent judges;
and, in fact, it should be clothed with the same
jurisdiction which is now exercised in secret by the
Home office. The duty of such a tribunal would
be rather to exercise an old jurisdiction than to ex-
ercise a new ore. In short, the HOME-SECRETARY
for this purpose would be transformed into a
court. But great as the importance of such an
alteration would be, it is as nothing compared with
the importance of getting rid of an Act of Parlia-
ment by which four irresponsible persons are
enabled to relieve a condemned prisoner from
the sentence which has been passed upon him.

paternal and filial affection. I have no doubt many such
spa:limas have often lewd, and still often issue, from
these namable pedals :
" At church with meek and unaffected grace
His looks adorned the venerable place ;
Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway,
And fools who came to scoff remained to pray.
The service pans'd, aroned the pious man,
With steady seal each honest milk ran ;
Even children followed with endearing wile,
And pluck'd his gown to share the good man's smile ;
His ready smiles parent's warmth expresed,
Their welfare pleased him and their cares distrees'd ;
To them his heart, his love, his griets were given,
But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven ;
As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway clears the storm,
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are weed,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
(Loud cheers.) I had meant to convey to you one or two
specimens of his power as a satirist. I always cousidered
Pope to have been the greatest master that ever lived, both
of the molt exquisite panegyric and the most fierce levee-
' tire. Witness in those lines in which he refers to the chi.
ranter of Lord Bolingbroke and Lord Hervey. But Gold-
smith, between those two extremes, hit off the characters of
his friends with a touch that was incisive but not severe.
I can only refer you to his characters of Burke, Garrick,
and Reynolds. (His Excellency having quoted some further
specimens of Goldsmith s poetry went on to say)—We are
met here to-day in the presence of rank, station, and learn.
ing. For what purpose ? To do honour to that which
was neglected and despised—to that which was his shame
in crowds. We are met here before his own university,
where he came in, an obscure sizar. and has given occasion
ever since to every sizar to feel proud of his position—
even here where, as we are told, be was laid prostrate on
the floor by his brutal tutor. (Cheers and laughter,)
There are no such tutors now in Trinity College--(cheers
and laughter)—the seat of all dignity and gentle learning
under the mild sway of the venerable Provost. (Cheers,)
We are met here to-day to do honour to his statue before
London his raised one statue in the open air to any one of
England's mighty poets. Mr. Foley has fully atoned for
Mr. Wilder. I have already, in the opening of these
remarks, adverted to the fact that when engaged
in the inauguration of the statue of Moore I ven-
tured to anticipate that we would present to Dublin a
statue of Goldsmith. Six rears hive elapsed since then.
Let not sir years elapse before we have a statue of Burke.
(Cheers.) Gentlemen. the authorities of the college have
been considerate and wise enough t.. leave a corresponding
space which absolutely requires some one to fill it, and who
can fill it so fitly as he who was. probably, the foremost in-
tellect of Ireland, the consummate orator, philosopher, and
statesman—Edmund Burke" (Loud cheering.) Why the
very statue of Goldsmith seems to invite the presence of
him who was both his most cherished companion in the
bode! hour sod his ardent and warmest friend in his
tore and frequent need. Well, then, my sympathising
hearers, men of high station, men of varied learning,
men of large heart—and I will not omit the fair
daughters of Dublin, so full of sympathy always for genius
end for virtue—(loud applausel—yon will not. I know, be
wanting to this most obvious and patriotic duty. I know
already that this work has enlisted the sympathy and ext
lions of many eminent and many publicapirited citizens,
and I trust, indeed, that no long time will now elapse until
on this very spot, where the historic memories, architec-
tural beauties, and the main thoroughfares and pulses of
Dublin most converge, the passer -IT as lie halts for a
moment shall look up, not without some feeling of patriotic
pride and emotion. to the two statues of Goldsmith and
Burke. (Loud applause.) . .

Lord tALROT .10E 31.asiitnr moved, and the Right lion.
J. WBIIL'.IDE, M.P., seconded, a vote of thanks to hie
Excellency.

LORD STANLEY ON THE OXFORD LOCAL
EX.LIU-VA TluNs.

Lord STANLEY, M.P., in di,tributing the prizes
yesterday afternoou to the successful competitors at the
Oxford Local Examination at Manchester, mid I
find the examiners say of the theological teaching:—
"By far the most general defect was the almost
entire absence of any iutelligent knowledge " of
the matters which bad been verbally learnt.. They go
on " words which boys use or hear every Sunday, convey
either no meaning to their naiads, or a wrong one." Of the
mathematical part they say that " it is generally sufficient
in quantity, but there is a want of intelligence displayed
wherever the text is reproduced verbatim." In au earlier
report they speak of candidates who have "a verbal
acquaintance with the rules of grammar, but who utterly
fail in their application," and they end with a sentence
which conveys the whole moral of that which I have been
trying to urge upon you. More marks would be gained, and
the process would be more beneficial to the candidates,
were they to confine their reading within narrower limits,
selecting one or more of the optional subjects and learning
them thoroughly, instead of eudeavouriug to obtain a less
acquaintance with the whole." (Hear, hear.) Now lam
glad to cite these passages, partly for their own value, partly
also because they answer an objection which I have often
beard—that examinations promote cramming—meaning by
that wont a temporary pretence of knowledge, which
is got up to serve a special purpose and useless
in all other respects. Not only do I believe
that not to le the truth. but I believe it is the very oppo-
site of the truth. Cramming implies just that show and
parade of things superficially sic iuired which may impose
upon parents who have forgotten their own early teaching,
but which will never impose on an examiner who under-
stands Lis busluess. (Hear, bear.) The fault, or the ten.
dency to the fault, is in the school ; the detection of it is the
duty of the examiner who tests the schooL There is one
more word 1 have to say on a matter connected with this.
Many sensible people are afraid that IT the increased iti-
retains of a wider competition we shall tempt young boys
to hurt their health by over-reading. That is a reesoneble
apprehension, but it admits of an answer. Overwork is
seldom good work. We used to may when I was an nod• r-
gradute at Cambridge. that anybody who had it in him to
become • senior wrangler, might become one—that is might
obtain the highest distinction in one kind which the I. ni.
varsity can give—by reading steadily six hours ► day. I
believe that was true, and I hold it certain that those,
whether boys or men, who hurt their health by overstudy
are not thee who labour steadily or at a moderate pace,
but those who neglect healthy exercise and care in other
respects, and more especially those who haying been idlers
for the greater part of their time, try and make up lost
ground by • desperate push at the last. (Hear,
hear.) And now, a word as to the IDOCCIIS which
thew exaruinatioos have met with. It has been stated in
the report that after the first year (1113e4) the number of
candidates tell off. and has only just reached its original
level. The juniors were 77,0 in 18-56, 573 in 11160, and 762
in the past year. Does that imply failure? I think not.
It shows that • great many came up, not in the least know-
ing what to expect, and haring had some unpleasant expe-
rience in the first sear did not come to try again. (A laugh.)
Out of the first 7750 only `>o passed. and no wonder that
there should have been some reluctance to incur such expo-
sure. But the effect has been good, for of the 762 who
went up last year 4'7 hare passed. Wog a proportion of
about 64 per cent. ; whereas the proportion in ]hill was only
38 percent. I take the returns of the junior candidates
only in order not to multiply figures, but the other would
give a similar general result. You cannot have a better
measure of the improvement in the art of teaching which
these yearly coruparisons between school and school have
created, and when one considers that no class of men how
ever excellent like to have their pretensions criticised and
their shortcomings made public, least of all these who exer-
cise a kind of authority on a small scale, it seems to rne
singular and creditable to the schoolmasters as a body that
so littleopposition has been made in a• 7 quarter to the whole
scheme. I shall detain you no farther, but only mention
before I sit down that Manchester holds in these examiaa-
tiara, as might be expected from the character of its people,
a place considerably higher than the average. You sent up
last year 157 candidates in all. oat of 1,029 from all parte of
England ; that is in round numbers more than one.seventh
of the whole. And if I assume that for this purpose Man-
chester represents all the neighbouring towns, with • popu-
lation of perhaps a million altogether (Liverpool and Leeds
being both rival centres), you will have one-seventh of
the total number of studeets from one twentieth of the
total population. So much for the numbers examined.
In point of success you stand a little, though only a little
above the average, having passed 68 per cont., as conieareti
with a general average of 64 per cent. I am justified,
therefore, in arming that on your part • certain superiority
exists. But while I say that I must add also that as a
Lancashire man, I shall not be satisfied, and I think von
ought sot to be satisfied =ail we make it more marked and
more decisive. (Cheers.) It meta with you to accomplish
that. The power is there, the will, I am certain, is not
wanting; all that is needed is to keep alive a (drone sod
healthy public interest in the matter; and that such in-
terest exists your presence here, the numbers that have
met in this room to-day, the character of this audience, and
the increasing pormlarity of these yearly gatherings, are a
sufficient and satisfactory proof. (Loud applause.)
Mr. Baxley, M.P., and Mr. Turner, M.P., briefly addressed
the meeting. Mr. Ponder, M.P., wasalso present.
A vote of thanks to Lord Stanley for presiding terminated
the proceedings.

DEATH OF THE DEAN OF CORK.—CORK, WEDNES-
DAT EVENING.—The Cork Examiner announces the death of
Dean Newman, of Cork, which took place at the Deanery-
house, St. Finial's, yesterday afternoon.
DEATH OF DEAN METLER.—We regret to an-
nounce the death of the very Rev. Dean Hagler, which took
place yesterday. at the advanced age of 80 years. Dr.
Meyler wee a contemporary and intimate associate of the
late Archbishop Murray, and was, we fear, the lest of a
generation of ROl3llll catholic priests—of those, at least,
apparent on the surface of public life—whose sympathies
were rather British than Roman. rather catholic than
ultranicrataiie. He was a kiorlly, social man, who sought
pewee mid the advancement of the country in civilles
and knowledge, occasionally even at the risk of somewhat
compromising his own professional interests. He did, how-
ever, fully succeed is obteiniog the general respect of hie
fellow-citisena.—Dublin Evening Moil.
CRYSTAL PALACIL--ONE SHILLING
WEDYNSDAT, JAN. 6.—Admissions on payment, 3,029 ;
ditto by season tickets, 1,326 ; total, 4,355.

AMERICA.

(arum's maesui.)
QUEENSTOWN, JAN. 7.

The Inman steamship City of Washington, from
New York on the 26th ult., arrived here this even-
ing with 550,000 dollars in specie and 70 passengers,
of whom she landed five. She proceeded at 12.10
a.m., all well.
(Per the City of Washington.)
NEW YORK, DEC. 26.

Intelligence received from Charleston states
that the firing on the city from Battery Putnam
continued• at regular intervals. The Weehawken
was about to be raised.

No news of consequence has been received from
the army of the Potomac.
The state of affairs in and around Knoxville and
Chattanooga remains unchanged.
The Federals in Western Virginia under General
Averill have cut off Longatreet's communication
with Richmond on the Virginia and Tennessee
Railway. The line was cut in two or three places.
The telegraph wires were broken, and the depots at
Salem, with their contents, destroyed, together with
several bridges and culverts.
General Averill, on his return front this import-
ant feat, found his path blocked up by the Confe-
derates at different points under no less than seven
generals. He, however, evaded them under corer
of night, and returned to headquarters with trifling
loss.

General Joe Johnston has been appointed to the
command of the Confederate arm_•: of Tennessee.
Despatches dated Fort Smith, Arkansas, 24th
instant, state that several Indian chiefs of the
Choctaw tribe, hitherto in friendly alliance with
the Confederates, had voluntarily surrendered to
General M'Neill, being desirous of returning to
their allegiance to the Washington government
under President Lincoln's amnesty proclamation.

The Confederate loss in the late affair at Bean
Station was about 800 killed and wounded.

The funeral service of ! the Federal general Cor-
coran took place at Fairfax on the 24th. His
remains were to arrive in New York on the follow-
ing day.
The New Orleans steamship Cromwell was seized
by the authorities at New York on the 24th. Large
quantities of powder and percussion❑ caps, supposed
to be intended for the use of the Confederates,
were found on board. Several passengers, present-
ing suspicious appearances, have been arrested.
All weapons found in the possession of passengers
on board vessels plying between American porta
are now taken from them by a Provost guard, just
previous to their sailing.
The weapons are gives in charge of the purser or
the captain, and are only returned to the owners on
' their arrival at their destination. This regulation
has been adopted to prevent occurrences in future
similar to that of the Chesapeake. It has also been
extended to English and other foreign vessels.
The English barque Circassia has been seized at
New York by the Provost Marshal, and many
arrests, both male and female, had been made.
General M'Clellan was adopted as a candidate at
the next presidential election by a meeting of the
Conservative Union National Committee, held at
Philadelphia on the 23rd.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Dre. 26.
Yesterday bring Christmas-day, bu,iness was
suspended. This morning gold was quoted 511 per
cent. premium. Exchange on London : Bankers'
bills, 166. New York Centrals, 13'21 ; Erie, 1071 ;
Illinois Central, 1171.
Petroleum, crude, 32c. ; refined, 46c. to 47c.
NEW YORK, 1nc.?6,1
General Joe Johnston has assumed the command
of Bragg's army.
There is no news of any importance.

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