The Press.
London, England, 1857-11-07 00:00:00

Once more ail was cleared for a renewed attempt,
and the whole force of all the prepared appliances
brought to bear to push her ofy, but in vain. The
chain to her bows broke, the engine to wind it
broke, and one hydraulic ram got out of order, yet
she moved not. The fact is, the crad!es were jammed
on the ways by the unequal motion of the two, as we
sometimes see a window jammed when one side is
pulled. Means to cvercome this difficulty could
not, of course, be supplied in time for a launch these
spring tides ; but, doubtless, next month success will
reward the skill, energy, and patience of the con-
structors of this the latest wonder of the world.

It was most pleasing to observe the interest felt
by the spectators, who were chiefly men who liad
left some daily occupation, not idlers, and, above all,
their sympathy with the engineers. All seemed to
enter into the feelings of the chief actor, and ono
constantly heaid the words, "What a moment for
Brunel !"

Though we cannot help feeling disappointment at
the present want of success, we yet feel more confi.
dence than we did before the attempt. The strength
of the ship has been tested, and that of the cradles,
and controlling chains and break apparatus ; and,
but for a misunderstanding of orders, all would
seemingly have gone well.

Some fears are entertained that the ways mny sink
under the load of 12,000 tons before the month is
out, but the chance of a partial launch was foreseen,
and doubtless amply provided for.

LORD SANDON, M.P., ON EDUCATION.
VISCOUNT SANDON, M.P., recently presided at the
annual distribution or prizes given by the Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Education in the ➢fin-
ing and Manufacturing Districts of North Stafford-
shire, which took place at Stoke-upon-Trent. Lord
Sandon, on opening the business of the evening,
briefly traced the history of education, and pointed
out how unsatisfactory was the result of twenty-five
years' effort:—
They found the agricultural labourer just where he was
before. The mechanic had made little progress, and the
collier and miner had not improved in intelligence and
morals. What was the reason of all that? They found
from statistics that crime had not decreased, that those
humiliating objects, public gaols, were as large, if not
larger, than ever, and that the number of their inmates
did not decrease.
Now, he believed if children were longer in the
hands of their masters that they would prove more
valuable to their parents and employers, and more
useful members of society :

They were now in a kind of transition state from the
old to the new system. Half the population was educated
and half was not ; if, indeed, that favourable estimate was
correct. The educated portion looked down upon the un-
educated as inferior to them, and thus arose a complaint
that working people were above their position. Well,
they were now passing through what he had called a
transition state, and as soon as they got the whole of the
population educated every one woud feel in his or her
own proper place. No man would then think that because
he was a good reader, cr a good writer, and a good arith-
metician, lie was above his fellows, for everybody would be
in the same position educationally, and he thought it was
not extravagant to say that the spread of general educa-
tion would produce that result. . . .

The meeting was also addressed by Viscount
Ingestre, M.P., and by several local clergy and
gentry.

fabal and Dilitarg `,nttiligtutt,

FROM an official tabular statement of the occupa-
tions of recruits passed in 1855 0, it appears that
27,989 were husbandmen, labourers, and servants,
20,079 of mechanical trades, 4,223 shopmen and
clerks, 79 of professional occupations, as students or
licentiates of law, medicine, or divinity, and 2,161
boys--in all 52,586.
Tut: 68TH LIGHT INFANTRY have been presented
with new colours, and eml,ark at once for India, vii
the Cape. The 09th, it is understood, will proceed
overland.

THE COURT-MARTIAL held at Ilong Kong, on
Commander Chambers and cn ►he master, for the
loss of the Transit, has resulted in a severe repri-
mand on both officers

- -
The South Devon Militia will be embodied at
Plymoutl► on the 10th inst., under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Yarde Buller. This
regiment, which is to proceed to Waterford imme-
diately, was employed on carrison duty during the
whole period of the last war. The present strength
is 840 of all ranks.
Th. 3 Shropshire Regiment of Militia, under the
command of Colonel Bill, were embodied for perma-
nent service on Monday, the 2nd of November, at
Shrewsbury. The regiment is destined fur service in
Ireland.