The Press.
London, England, 1856-11-08 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

garment which we so greatly prize. Stooping is an
unhealthy as well as an awkward habit, and contrac-
tion of the chest scarcely a less dangerous result
than pinching of the waist. But when it is found
that the greatest health may be united with the
truest grace, and that the imrset is no longer a mere
fashionable expedient to produce effect, but a salu-
tary preventive of disease, and relief from deformity,
we cannot doubt that Mme. Caplin's system will be
universally adopted. Every stage of life, and every
female infirmity or peculiarity, is here considered at
length, and illustrated by excellent plates, which, if
sometimes inevitably wanting in delicacy, are never-
theless necessary to the work, and calculated to be
highly useful to the public. It should, however, in
justice be mentioned that the idea of her gymnastic
machines was not only originated by the well.known
Captain Chiosco, but has at this moment been per-
fected by him to a degree quite beyond the range of
Mme. Caplin's attempt. We would recommend the
original works of this talented Italian officer to the
attention of all.

M. JULLIEN'S CONCERTS opened on Wednesday
night with the usual success, and, we may add, the
usual riot. Id. Jullien has this year taken up his
ground in that, convenient locality—Her Majesty's
Theatre. Miss Catherine Hayes nightly sings. M.
Jullien's selection of music is always good, always
well performed, and the house, under these circum-
stances, is always certain to be well tilled. On Wed-
nesday night it was more full than on a cheap Tra-
viata night. A grand selection of music from this
opera is now in rehearsal, and will shortly be per-
formed.

ROMAN CATHOLIC PROPAGANDISM IN NORWAY is
thus alluded to in a recent letter from the Alten
copper-mines in Finmark. These mines are worked
by an English company, and form a kind of centre
of activity for the surrounding population of Nor-
wegians, Finns, and Lapps :

In the midst of this population arrived some time ago a
Roman C atholic mission, destined, it was said, for La-
brador, and intending only to make a temporary stay in
these somewhat less barren and cheerless regions in order
to become inured to the rigours of the Arctic climate, and
to render the missionaries able to bear the hardships and
privations awaiting them in the more tireary fields of their
labours. Norway, and more particularly these outlying
portions of the realm, was at that time in a state of reli-
gious ferment, caused by the preachings of a methodistical
sect called " Lucre," and especially of an individual
named Runge, whose fanatical doctrines found a willing
soil in the less cultivated members of the community, and
led to much discussion and many bickerings. Actuated
probably by the principle that it is good to fish in troubled
waters, the Catholic missionaries in Finmark soon began
to show indications of an intention to take up their per-
manent abode at Alien, instead of merely making it a
halting place on their route, as was at first intended. A
' large building, at one time the residence of the Amtmand,
or chief magistrate of the district, was purchased by them
and converted into a church. Not cc•ntent with the in-
fluence exercised through the pulpit, and other more sur-
reptitious means which are said to have been employed,
an advertisement in the local paper of Tromsde, dated St.
Oscar's College at Alien, and signed by one of the mis-
sionaries, Pater Bernhard, from Rheims, now announces
that they have opened a school, in which instruction will
be given in classics, mathematics, and modern languages,
as well as in all other branches of learning required for the
practical purposes of life. All intention to interfere with
the religious creeds of the pupils is disclaimed with an " of
course," while, at the same time, the '• universality " of the
Romish Church is indicated as a fact enabling it to provide
natives of the various countries with a knowledge of such
foreign languages as may be deemed desirable; and it is
boldly maintained that the circumstance of the teachers
in the school belorging to that Church ought not to be
a greater oustacle in Norway than in America, where the
Washington College, in the City of Washington, which is
under the direction of Roman Catholic priests, is frequented
by 300 pupils, many of whom belong to Protestant families,
who are rendered uneasy by that deviation from the funda•
mental principles of the Christian religion which is exhi-
bited in Protestantism, and which. in point of faith, and
doctrine, is in a constant state of fluctuation and oscilla-
tion, so that, although one may know what it is to day, it
is impossible to say what it may be to•morrow." Allusion
is then made to the teachings of Honge, " who has the
merit of having opposed this tendency, but whose activity—
like everything undertaken on mere human and self-
assumed authority—leads to different results from those
contemplated, and has contributed still further to develop
the spirit of sectarianism and methodism." The conclu-
sion meant to be suggested is evident: the influence of the
Roman Catholic Church, which is destructive of secta-
rianism, is the beat safeguard against the fluctuations of
Protestantism ; while the allusion to the example of repub-
lican America, as jealous of the religious, political, and
individual liberty of her citizens as the Norwegians of
theirs, is meant to allay any fears that might possibly arise
on this head.
GENERAL WALKER has issued an important decree
annulling the old decrees of the Federal Constituent
Assembly of Nicaragua, among which was one
abolishing slavery in Central America. The effect
of this is, that the right to hold slaves is now ac-
knowledged by the Government of Nicaragua, and
the peculiar institution may therefore be considered
as re-established in the republic.

1075

MR. DU CANE UPON EDUCATION.
MR. CHARLES Du CANE, of Brasted-park, and can-
didate for North Essex' presided last week at the
annual meeting of the Witham Literary Institute.
Mr. Du Cane delivered an eloquent address upon the
occasion, and in the course of his remarks expressed
the following opinion upon national education :

I remember that when 11 had the honour of addressing to
you last year a few remarks on this subject, I stated that I
hoped that the day was not far distant when the difficulties
that at present attended the question of a general measure
of State education would be overcome, and that this country
might ere long reap the benefit of such a system of general
education, combined with sound religious instruction, as
would hArmonise with the views and satisfy the scruples
of all parties, who, while differing perhaps upon matters
of detail, yet appear to make common cause upon the para-
mount necessity for the education of the masses of this
country. Such was the opinion I last year expressed, but
I must confess, when I consider the manner in which the
opinion of this country has been unmistakeably evinced
during the present year, on the subject of a comprehensive
measure of general education, when I consider, moreover,
the almost insuperable difficulties that surround the reli-
gious element of this great question—difficulties which
would be fomented rather than allayed by any compulsory
settlement—l begin to despair on the subject, I begin to
recant the opinion I last year expressed, and to doubt
whether a system of State education be not inconsistent
with the free character and free institutions of our country ;
whether it would not interfere with our national ideas of
our national liberty, and whether, which is abcve all au
important consideration, it would not tend to check that
private zeal and munificence in this great cause for which
our present age is so eminently conspicuous. I would
say then, let the Government of this country devote its
efforts to the extension and revision of the present existing
system, which if it be not perfect—if it does not effect all
that the most sanguine among us require from it, is at
least 1 think founded on sound principle. Let it continu
as heretofore to give assis•ance by giants from the Treasur.
to the voluntary and local efforts of individual combination y
let it proclaim the value of instruction, and give a stimalu,;
to the cause of the education of every class in the kingdom
by a more liberal system of admisson to the public offices
and appointments to the public services of the country
above all, let it extend its operations towards the reclama-
tion of those unhappy thousands of destitute children who,
for the most part abandoned by their parents, swarm in
the streets of our large and populous towns, without hope
either of instruction or employment, recruiting the already
too well filled ranks of crime, and a prey to every tempta-
tion to evil. I say let the Government of the country do
thus much, but let it not attempt to force upon this
country a system of compulsory education for which the
voice of its people is evidently as yet unprepared, and
which, besides the objections I have already urged, will
tend I think, and especially in the agricultural districts, to
interfere with the law of labour, to check the judicious
employment of the young, which would stir up the bitter
and angry feelings of conflicting religious opinion, and
ultimately effect that which I could never but consider as
otherwise than as a deplorable result, the entire exclusion
of the religious element from any system of national edu-
cation. I trust that iu venturing my opinion on this great
subject I have not allowed myself to be carried into matter
beyond the limits of discussion permitted by the rules of
this society. For my own part, I must say that 1 have
ever regarded the question of the education of the people
of this country as not one of an entirely political tendency,
not one that should call for the array of party against party,
and prejudice against prejudice, but one which we should
approach as a great question of national welfare—one
which involves the. real application of that oft-misquoted
sentiment, " The greatest happiness of the greatest num-
ber "—one which should combine as in a common bond of
union all who have at heart the social elevation, the moral
progress. and increase of true Christian civilisation of their
native country.
After a few remarks upon the ultimate object to
which all educational efforts should be directed, he
resumed his seat amidst very warm applause.

THE FRENCH RAILROAD FRAUDS.
TEE capture of Grelet in America has been quickly
followed by that of Charpentier, the principal crimi-
nal, and to secure whose arrest the Rothschilds had
exerted the whole influence unlimited means can at
any time command. Charpentier for some weeks
eluded all search. He escaped from New York, and
went into the interior of the State, intending to
secrete himself until the heat of the pursuit had
passed, and then watch his opportunity to slip out
of the country. After wandering about in several
disguises, shaving off his moustache and cropping
his hair short, he dressed himself ass farm labourer,
and came towards New York. Thsn, taking
the cars on the Erie Railroad, he stopped in
the neighbourhood of Newburgh, and once more
succeeded in obtaining employment on a farm near
Canterbury. Here be fancied himself secure from
detection ; but on Wednesday nigbt,the 15th October,
after retiring to rest, he was awakened by a man
wrapped in a cloak, who ordered him to dress and
follow him to New York. The poor Frenchman excused
himself, and endeavoured to convince the stranger
that he was mistaken—that be was not Charpentier
—but it would not do; the stranger was imperative, and
Charpentier reluctantly complied. He was securely
handcuffed, and then assisted into a waggon in wait-
ing outside. Two officers from Newburgh followed

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