The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-01 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

plan of education. If the subject were dealt with in
earnest, with due consideration for religious feelings,
he was sanguine of the result.
Mr. MULL criticised at great length, and with
much severity, the machinery now applied to the
schools. He moved to reduce the vote by 80,0001.,
reducing it to last year's.
Mr. MACGREGOR would augment the vote rather
than diminish it. Other countries were infinitely
better educated than our own.
Mr. RIGGS said that, from accurate private research,
the educational destitution turned out to be much
greater than was shown by published statistics. He
should introduce resolutions next session pledging
the house to a general system.
Mr. MILES urged the introduction of an efficient
measure.
Mr. COBDEN lamented the lukewarm tone adopted
on the subject by Lord J. Russell, which he con-
trasted with his former energy. He advocated the
giving power to localities to establish schools by local
rates, and decide on the principle, whether religious
or otherwise, on which the schools should be con-
ducted. He believed that the people of this country
were to be trusted, that there was no plot against
Christianity, and that the religious difficulty was a
bubble which would burst when touched. He en-
tered at great length on the moral degradation of the
masses, who were not reached by any educational
movement, or identified with any religious opinions.
The great point was discussion, which would end in
solving all difficulties.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL defended his own consistency,
and pointed out the perplexities of the proposal of
Mr. Cobden, which would establish a school rate
with all the objections of a church rate. He in-
stanced the failures which had attended all attempts
to introduce general schemes of education, and vin-
dicated his own share in them. _ .

Mr. EWART urged the system of general rating and
local self-government.
Mr. HEYWORTH contended that the voluntary prin-
ciple offered the only solution for the educational
difficulty.
On the understanding that committee of inquiry
would be appointed next sepsion, Mr. Miall withdrew
hie amendment. _ _ .

The vote was then passed, as were the following
votes for the purposes of education and art instruc-
tion after a miscellaneous debate.

The Poor-law Board Continuance Bill, the Union
Charges Continuance Bill, the Indemnity Bill, and
the Youthful Offenders' Bill, severally passed through
committee. . .

Other bills were advanced a stage, and the house
adjourned at fifteen minutes past one o'clock.

The latest accounts from Vienna state that the
answer of Russia to the Austrian summons was not
expected before the beginning of July. On this
subject a long letter appears in the Paris Moniteur
which seems to disprove what has been said of the
Emperor of Russa having formally signified his ac-
ceptance of the recommendations of Austria and
Prussia. His formal answer, according to this
authority, will not be given for some days, as he had
resolved to wait for the letter of the King of Prussia,
which could not have reached bim until the 20th.
Until his answer shall have arrived, therefore, it will
be impossible to know what is the real character of
the late retrograde movement.

A St. Petersburg letter of June 19 informs us that
the Czar had set out on his way to the south. After
a short stay at Kiew, it is said he will proceed to the
Crimea to inspect the fortresses on the Black Sea.
The works on the fortifications of St. Petersburg are
carried on incessantly.

A despatch from Vice-Admiral Parseval Deschenes,
commander of the French squadron in the Baltic, ap
pears in the Moniteur. It is dated Baro Sund, 19th
June, and contains a long account of the blessing of
an image of the Virgin Mary presented by the
Emperor to the squadron. The ceremony took place
on board the Inflexible.
Marshal Magnan is said to be seriously, if not
dangerously, ill. He bad an attack of apoplexy a
night or two age, and was for some time in an alarm-
ing state.

The Verio has received a "warning." This is the
first press notification issued by the new Minister of
the Interior, M. Billault. To be sure he has been in
office only half a week. The editor acknowledges the
justice of the rebuke, and regrets the insertion of the
inculpated article.

A public functionary of Pontremoli, whose deposi-
tion could cast some light upon the assassination of
the Duke of Parma, has been mortally wounded by
the blow of a stiletto.

Orders have been issued from the Admiralty for
the launch of another 90-gun ship, to be called the

SATURDAY,

Exmouth, from Devonport Dockyerd, on WednesdaY'
the 12th. The King of Portugal, the Duke of Oporto'
and other distinguished personages are expected to
be present.

THE MILITIA TROOPS increase in favour: six have
been embodied and employed as " regulars." The
Essex Rifles are especially distinguished for their
thorough drill, activity, and soldierly bearing. The
Commander-in-Chief has caused a complimentary
letter to be forwarded to Lord Jocelyn since their
Monday's inspection in Hyde-park.

JULY 1, 1854.