The Press.
London, England, 1857-11-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS, NOVEMBER 14,1857.

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another occasion that it is rather to the threefold division of her
classical course into morals, history, and scholarship, and not to the cul-
tivation of scholarship, alias the philology, alone, that Oxford
University education is mainly indebted for its success.

We have read with attention the address of the Orange Society.
It is extremely long and temperate in its tone ; but, with every respect
to its composers, the reasoning is weak :
Were the British Constitution in good order in Ireland there would le no
Orangeism. It is because it does not work well—has never worked well—in Ireland,
that Orangeism has become a necessity.
This is a dangerous style of reasoning, but we have cited the exact
words of the address. The assertion cannot be admitted that the
British Constitution has not worked well in Ireland. Civil wars and
social dissensions have been the curse of that country, and the finest
Constitution could not of itself cure deeply-seated social evils. Recol-
lecting. also, that the Roman Catholics were not admitted to power
until 1829, the injudicious assertion of the failure of the British Con-
stitution is in itself something like a reflection on the whole history of
the Protestants of Ireland. But, in truth, it is beside the purpose
altogether to enter on the working of the British Constitution in the
sister country. The enormous evils of Ribbonism are dwelt upon in
the address. Eloquent passages from the charges of Chief Justice
BUSHE and Lord Chief Justice BLACKBURNE are cited describing the
evils of Ribbonism But the terrible state of Ireland in 1832, as
described by Chief Justice BUSHE, was coincident with the Orange
Society in its full ‘vorking. What did Orangeism do to put down
Ribbonism in Munster, or in the disturbed parts of Leinster? show
us the work it actually did in 1832, and we would be ready to re-
consider the propriety of such an exceptional institution. The British
Constitution, it is argued, wants strengthening in Ireland, and its
want of stamina is to be cured by a secret political society. Alas !
could not two play at that game ? Would not a certain number of the
Roman Catholic agitators be glad to follow the precedent of a secret
political society, countenanced by distinguished personages of spotless
honour like Lords RODEN, ENNISKILLEN, and others? The state of our
columns prevents us from discussing the revival of Orangeism at
greater length to-day; but we are convinced that the majority of the
Conservatives of the empire are decidedly opposed to a revival of the
institution. We shall have, on an early occasion, to refer to this lin-
-)ortant subject again.

The election of Mr. TEMPLE to the Head Mastership of Rugby
School is likely, we should think, to give general, though perhaps not
unqualified, satisfaction. He is popular with younger men, and has
the faculty of inspiring them with reverence. His exertions in the
cause of education are well known, and a most luminous exposition of
the whole education question in a former number of the " Oxford
Essays " proceeded from his pen. On the other hand, it is to be feared
that Mr. TEMPLE, in his desire to accommodate differences and smooth
away obstacles, has lost some of that respect for the independence of
religious creeds which is still one of the most favourable points in our
English clergy. We hope we may prove to be mistaken, and that in
his new sphere Mr. TEMPLE will inculcate religious doctrines more
suitable to the reception of masculine intellects than those effeminate
compromises which are so much the fashion of the day, and which,
in not more than a twentieth of those who profess them, can by any
possibility he sincere.

The prohibition of the Exeter-hall services by the Rev. Mr.
E DOI:ART, the clergyman of the parish, is certain to be the subject of
much acrimonious discussion. We wish the first month of it was over.
That the platitudes were all out, the foam all spent, and a little
breathing time arrived for quiet meditation on the point. This, how-
ever, is unhappily a vain wish. Through the long winter months we
are still doomed to listen to the din of " priestly arrogance," " unchris•
tian bigotry," " narrow-minded formalism," and all the rest of it.
Quieguid ehartis atnieitur ineptis. That is to say, whatever phrases
emanating from the charity of Low Churchmen ultimately find their way
to some Gallio in the shape of a grocer who cares for none of these
things, and wraps his sugar-candy in them. Seriously, we do net see
how there can be two opinions as to the propriety of Mr. EDOUART'S
conduct among all persons who are free from sectarian bias.
The Dissenters are at this moment straining every nerve to associate
themselves with churches and Churchmen. Like the Devil, "grown
wiser than before," they work rather by flattery than invective. They
creep where they cannot climb, and wherever the door is closed
against them are on the look-out for an open window. In such times
as these the Church must act with firmness alid moral courage. She
must not be deterred from vindicating her character as the guardian
of Divine Ti uth, or repelling the insidious advances of her oily-tongued
betrayers, by any dread of popular abuse, or any synapa►tlty with mis•
directed religious zeal. Mr. EDOI:ART'S fetter is a model of firmness
and humility, and we most earnestly hope that Dr. TAIT will reconsider
his opinions. There can be no doubt that these services are un-
canonical. There can be no doubt that in the present temper of