The Express.
London, England, 1847-03-10 00:00:00

Msik &NU bs applied to the cultivation of the
iv., =l.lwspaleallll; and this appears to be the most
b Eby time fee seating the experiment—in Ireland.
▪ wassever operations Ina tie reduced to general rules, and
abort to a mechanisal process, there a company can per-
".lhne them to greats" advantage than an individual ; but, if
,geppeel operations an ainstently required in any business or
sods, thee individuals will always conquer. Now there
deli wet appear anything in agriculture which cannot be
pas* reduced to mechanical and chemical rules, and the
agaarrige of carrying it on, on a large or gigantic scale, can
, be easily shown. Linder the present system, t yen in Eng-
land, of the dividon of property and of farms, advantage
Minot be taken of nature's bounties. First, there is a eon-
" slant jeal..iny and dispute respecting water-courses and,
gemsequestly, irrigation is very imperfectly performeb, and
s woer power van seldom be employed to its greatest advan-
, lege. See ndly, in the present mode of letting farms, even
s„ is keg haws, there is always a prohibition annexed of
betaking up pasture land, under the fear that the tenant
exhaust it at the conclusion of the lease. Thirdly, there
bno farm ii these kingdoms large enough to employ a resi-
• eat then Ist, at a good salary, to analyse the soil and
: mew& sea indicate where the two will act most in unison.
• Two objr,tions immediately disappear under a joint-stock
. sempeay, eultivati ig a very large 'rack of land; for, with
to the first, their property will include such an ex-
' =geed running water, that it can be diverted for all pur-
:. pssss with ut injury to neighbour& Indeed, the company
would be able to increase the quantity to almost any extent,
be et present the rains of h are in be far the greater
• proportion wanted, by being allowed to find their way rapidly
to the rivers, aril thence frequently flooding the country.
• Now, in the case oontemplated, of a great part of a country
perhaps under one management, there will generally be in-
cluded high lands of little value, in the gorges of which
• large reservoirs may be made at a trifling expense to catch
the ruins, th. ace to be distributed over the lands es required,
similar to tl c one at present in operation near Glasgow,
place keireyer is applied exclusively for waterpower. With
, respect to the second head, as no land can be so productive
• as when under a reviler course of cultivation, and as the
• owner is also thy cultivator, pasture land will take its turn of
',amid grams to great additional profit. The third
reason is the most important of all. Science will
then be applied to every part of the vegetable
• kingdom. A normal egriculitual school will be es-
. tabhged, 'rom whence will emanate young men, caps-
, his of applying chemistry to every port of agriculture,
who will be domiciled on the property, the extant of which
will give them full employment and enable the company to
reward them handsomely for their services. The number of
labourers required will soon be known • these will be distri-
buted in a certain number of comfortable houses, and no
addition to that number ever made, consequently the popu-
btion en the load will remain stationary, and a public com-
paeyean afford :hem wages which will enable thcm to live in
comfort-1P their families increase, the number beyond those
• accessary to replace their parents, will, as et present, move
rail' to the manufectaring towns, where it is to be hoped
some means will soon be taken to prevent the supply of
• labour much eseeeding the demand. Ido not think there
is any thing Utopian in thin plan, and if first attempted in
• Ireland, where the property can at present be readily bought,
the first joint stook company that attempts it will be the
• c:hest benefactor the world ever saw.—H.A.M.—Bristol,
6.
FIRE.—IN DRURT.LANE.—Ladt evening, between
• six and seven o'clock, a fire broke out in No. 26, Brownlow-
;street, Drury-lane. The parties in the first and second
IMOTita succeeded in rushing down the stairs, and effecting a
retreat; but a Mrs. Warren, who tenanted the top floor,
•Was not so fortunate, for the flames had gained such a
lowa hold of the staircase that the was unable to descend.
The flames entered her room, when she got upon thewindow
'mil, and was about to precipitate herself to the ground. The
•pertin cried out to her not to throw herself out, and they
-would fetch • ladder. Some few minutes elapsed before one
could be procured, during which time the female was seen
'banging from the ledge of the window. Upon placing the
,ladder in front of the building, it was found to be long
'enough to reach only to the second floor. A ersyman
courageously mounted the ladder, and carried her down in
safety. An abundance of water being obtained, the firemen
let to work, but notwithstanding that the engines were
'worked with full vigour, it win half-past eight before the
dames could be conquered. By that period that portion of
the house where the fire began was burned out, and the
second and third floors, together with roof, were destroyed.
INQUEST", YeSTERDAV.—ALLEGED DEATft PROM
CONFISEVMST IN A POLICE STATION 1101:86.—Before Mr.
Payne, by adjournment, in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on
the body of Samuel Laud, aged 77. The circumstances of
the false charge of theft and hasty imprisonment have been
given. Several of the City police attended to explain
to the jury the state of the cells in the station-houses ;
and Mr. Beard from Mr. Sidney's Aloe, in lietton-garden,
'attended to watch the use on behalf of the widow
and family of the deceased. Inspector Woodroffe said that
whilst deceased was confined he did not complain of being
cold, and he had bread and butter with coffee on three occa-
sions during the day. To keep the cell warm a ehaldron of
peke was consumed per week. John Story, an officer on
duty on the night that deceased was given into custody, said
that on asking him if he was cold he merely said that he was
Chilly, and he then gave him a rug to wrap himself in. On
the other side it was alleged that deceased had complained
bitterly of the piece he had been put into. The jury, after
Nearing the whole of the evidence, returned a verdict of
n Death from apoplexy, which they thought was hastened
by the charge made against him, and the confine-
ment he woe subjected to." The jury, at the
same time, recommended that a certain temperature
should be kept up in all the cells in cold weather.---,
GRATH Or CHRISTOPHIR GRAHAM, ESQ., NT Poison.—By
Mr. William Carter, at the Prince Regent Inn, Dulwich,
'Meeting the death of Christopher Graham, Esq., aged 82,
who died at his mansion, Dulwich, on Monday morning lest.
The deceee.d gentleman was for many years chief partner in
the eminent firm of Graham, Simpson, North and Co., of
New Bridge-street, Blackfriars. The fleet witness called
was Hears Kimance, the deceased's late footman, who de-
posed that his master had been very ill latterly with lum-
bago, for which complaint he had been under the care of
Kr. English, the surge in. On Monday morning last, whilst
sitting at Lrenkfast with the cook and two housemaids,
mother female servant came into the room, and said,
"Master is very bad, and well he might be, for the stuff they
have sent him to take almost choked him, as be was twenty
minutes in taking it." Witness then told her that she moot
have given him the wrong medicine. Witness ran up to tbe
bed-room, and found that she had given the deceased the em-
avocation Minced of the draught. The bottle had been three
parts filled ; when he went into the room it was quite empty.
Mrs Graham, who was in bed with the deceased, was in-
slimily made acquainted with the fent, and ordered Mr.
!kebab to be sent for. He attended with the stomach-pump,
bat the decea-el became insensible, and died in four hours
afterwards. The lotion had been used on the Sunday, and
left by witness on the dressing-table, near the medicine. It
was labelled, with every direction on the label fur use. The
female who administered the same was in the habit of being
caned into the bsdchamber at all hours in the night, and
on the present unfortunate messier' she had in haste taken
up the wrong bottle. Witness felt satisfied it was an acci-
dental occurrence. She had been ten years in the service of
the family, and bore an unblemished character —Arthur
William English, of Forest-hill, Dulwich, surgeon, stated
that he was called in on the morning in question to see the
deceased by the last witness, who came in'grest haste. He
found the deceased lying on the bed in a partial state of coma.
Witness easily detected what he had taken, and therefore
dinned it necessary to withdraw the contents of the stomach.
Re had swallowed a large quantity of the embrocation,
which consisted of laudanum, camphor, and ammonia.
Witness male him acquainted with the melancholy fact, but
he soon became insensible after the use of the stomach-
pang. Irritation came on, which was followed by inflamma-
tion of the stomach, which resulted from the ammonia. He con-
tained to sink, and died shout noon, front the effects of poi-
son. Either of the three ingredients would have been sufficient
to have caused death. Witness had timer made epos! ',torten'
examination of the body, and he was fully satisfied
that the deceased bad died from the poison taken
into the stomach.—Verdict of " Accidental death."—
SUICIDE AT WATILLOO-BRIDOR.—By Mr. Payne, at the
Vestry-hall, lienleydown, on the body of Mary Anne Sim-
monde, aged a4--Laura Jones said she had known the
deceased several years. The deceased had for thirteen years
pried as the wife of a gentleman, and on his death, about a
year and • half back, she fretted very much. His family
gave the deceased 401.—Eliza Russell, the deceased's sister,
gave corroborative evidence, and, in addition, said the de-
ceased, owing to her altered circumstances, was much
tZliin mind, and had threatened to drown herself
deceased left home, witness went to the station, at
Bow-street, and there ascertained that a female, whom, from
the description she gave as to her clothing, she had no doubt
was her seen. was seen on the morning she left Mrs. Jones's
to jump off Waterloo•bridge. Efforts to save her were
ineffectual.—From other evidence it appeared that the body
was found in the river off Cotton's-wharf, on the morning of
the and instant. In the absence of positive proof of the
!Unfilled being the person who jumped off the
bridge, the jury, on the suggestion of the coroner,
Warned en open verdict -"
Found drowned."---2.
MoTHEI AND CHILD BURNED TO DRATH.—By Mr. Payne,
at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the body of Hannah
Owen, aged 29. The deceased, who wee subject to fits,
was the wife of a sawyer, living in Collingwood-street,
Shoreditch. On Wednesday evening last, while nursing
her infant, she was seined with a fit, and fell into the fire.
716e7 were discovered by a neighbour, with their clothes
in flames, and the fin being extinguished, were brought to
the heapital, where the child shortly after died of the injuries
revived and the deceased lingered till Sunday, when death
sin terminated her sufferings. Verdict—" Accidental death."

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEEDS IN FAVOUR
OF THE GOVERNMENT PLAN OF EDUCATION.
Limns, MARCH 9.—Last evening a public meeting
of them persons who approve generally of the plans for the
estd itnprevement of education lately laid before
irby the committee of her Majesty's council, was
ti; art-borne at Leeds " for the purpose of ex-
plains their seatigagme need to the meseme, and
=sot ether Mere lbetimame• of it mina appear
" The meadsg aes ailed by the Nam, at the
Migablelsm ar the exaraittee appointed at a agent prelimi-
ite.alabsid et the
toPlte=hltiteimpposrltlet
tumor the Sammie whisk had Ufa odd
on
the abject subsequent to the emasumemeat tithe meeting,
eaadderabie interest was excited es hi the remit, and there
wee a very early attendance of these who wished to hear the
whole or the proceedings. Indeed, king before the hour ap
Pointed for bovine"' (seven o'clock), the large 'visions room
WM inconveniently crammed ; and it was stated during the
eaves
feomedings that there were four times as many waiting with-

The MAYOR (G. Goodman, Eal.), having taken the chair

and read the reqskition, said he wished that there had been
more accommodation foe them desires. of being present, as
it was evident that the court-house wee as full as it
could be ; and he had no doubt that many were
unable to obtain ingress ; • feet which showed the
great interest that this question bad upon the public
mind. With regard to his taking the chair that evening, he
thought it was, perhaps, right that he should date that his
opinions on the subject were not in conformity with the
views entertained by the requisitionists—( hear)--and he might
not be able to agree in the resolutions which they might pro-
pose. Nevertheless, it was exceedingly gratifying, as he had
said before at public meetinge, and as he said then, to have
an opportunity of calling his fellow-townsmen 4gether to
express their sentiments upon such great public questions.
This was, as they were aware, • meeting called fur the en-
titles purpose of promoting the views of the government
upon the important subject of education ; and he sincerely
hoped that the utmost quietness would prevail, and that
the subject would be fully, fairly, and candidly discussed.
(Hear.)
JAMES 0. MAU/HALL, Esq., having been called on, rase
and said that they were met on that occasion to take into
consideration an offer on the part of the present government
of very important assistance In promoting the education of
the mass of the people. The questions which arose out of
the consideration of that offer were two-fold. They had
first to inquire how far the present amount of educa-
tion was adequate to the wants of the population,
and, secondly, whether the assistance offered b the
government wee such as they could accept. Here
considerable clamour arose from the back part o the
meeting, apparently occasioned by persons desirous of gain-
ing admission, and there were loud cries of " Adjourn,"
which, notwithstanding the appeals of the mayor, were kept
up throughout Mr. Marshall's address, end many times pre-
vented those in his immediate vicinity from hearing what he
said.] He expressed a hope that they would pursue the in-
quiry in a spirit of charity and impaztialay, laying aside all
party prejudices and political prepossessions, and to be careful
only to search after that truth which it was se important to
attain. With respect to the present condition of popular
education in this country, he thought that the extensive dia-
-1 elusion which the subject had recently undergone would
enable them to come to a practicable decision ; and in refer-
ence thereto, he should found his observations upon those
statistical elements which bad generally been conceded by all
parties. Adverting to Lord Kerry's report, and to the
number for whom additional school accommodation had
since been provided, we understood Mr. Marshall to say,
amid the noise which prevailed, that the number et present
under education was 2,170,000. The population of England
and Wales was now estimated at 17,000,000, and the
number between the ages of 6 years and 16 years was
within • small fraction of 4,000,000. The point upon
which opinions diverged was, what proportion of these four
millions were under instruction, and what ought to be the
dumtion of school inrtructien ? Mr. Baines bald that one
half the term, or fire years, was the usual period, which
would give a proportion of one in nine of the population ;
but others took the moth between five and ten, or 74, which
was equivalent to a proportion of one-sixth of the whole
population • and he thought there were good reasons why
they should take • lower standard than that. That was
the proportion which existed in many other countries, both
in Europe and America; in places where education was
free, and where it was compulsory. Asauming that propor-
tion, and taking the period at 71 years, the number who
ought now to be under education amounted, within • frac-
tion to three millions. (Here the uproar was increased, and
rendered the speaker unable to proceed.)
Mr. Councillor Bacon and Mr. J. SHAW, two of the
leaders of the working classes, endeavoured to quell the dis-
order, and urged the importance of the subject under mon-
eideration, especially to the working classes. The former
suggested that it would have been better if the meeting had
be, n called for noon, and the other wished to ink the pro-
moters of the meeting if they would have any objection to
adjourn to the Cloth Hall yard next day at noon ?
Mr. JOSEPH Jonas, a labouring man, proposed an ad-
journment to Wednesday at noon in the Cloth Hall yard,
but there were numerous objections to the hour, as being
inconvenient to the working classes, and the motion was not
seconded.
. .

The MATOR mid that it was in order to give the working
classes en opportunity of attending the meeting in as large
numbers u they could, that the meeting had been called at
that hour. He wet Pure that the object of its promoters
was quite pare and quite right, and he trusted that they
would as far ss possible let the present meeting proceed. He
might state that he was aware of the intention of n large
body of persons to convene another meeting on this subject,
for the purpose of ascertaining if the great bulk of the com-
munity were in favour of the proposal of government or
otherwise, at which all would have an opportunity of ex.
pressing their opinions, and he trusted they would allow
those now present to express their views, u it might be most
convenient to them to do so.

Mr. Mwannstx then resumed his address, but the noise
which prevailed previnted hie being heard for two conse-
cutive sentences. He said that the ministerial scheme would
enable the people to carry out a sound and efficient plan of
education, on a scale of magnitude which would give the
whole population the mesas of discharging en imperative
duty, and of enjoying the privilege of joining in the most
glorious work that man could be engag_ed in. To the work-
ing men of England he was confident fiat there was a boon
offered which to them and their children, and theirehildren's
children, would be invaluable. This messure was calcu-
lated to gain far the working man, gradually it was true,
and gently, and peaceably, but also surely and fully, all those
civil sod social advantages to which they were beginning to
aspire. (Loud cheers.) It would raise their entire class in
the social scale of the community; and it would eventually
introduce them, with the good will and hearty welcome of
all other clams, to the enjoyment of many civil and social
privileges. (" Hear," and cheers.) Without pledging him-
self to all the details of the measure, he did think that it was
founded on the principles of justice, and was capable of
doing much good. The management of the schools was left
in the bends of the people. (" Hear, hear," and " No, no.")
There wan nothing to prevent the more intelligent of the
working classes Irom being elected on ceminittees for school
management, and he trusted that many working men, the
' parents of children receiving education, miebt be elected to
that honourable post, and which those who supported this
measure would be glad to see them fill. (Hear.) Nor could
he feel from this plan any real danger to the voluntary prin.
ciple. He would yield to no man in the value that he
attached to the voluntary principle, rightly understood.
(Hear.) He hoped that his exertions hitherto had proved
him to be a true voluntary. (Cheers.) And be could assure
them that he was not going to change new. He would se-
riously, sincerely entreat those voluntaries who objected to
this measure to reconsider well and maturely the position
they hal taken up. (Hear.) He trusted that he was alto-
gether incapable, in common with all those he saw around
him, of anowingly joining in any act of intolerance or injus-
tice towards the conscientious religious convictions of any sect
1' party of his fellow-countrymen ; but he did feel strongly
that those voluntaries who were opposed to th is meaaure miebt
retain in all its force their own principle, and be absolutely
independent in their own religious community, and yet be
at liberty to join their fellow-countrymen upon an equal
footing in this great common came. (Hear and cheers.) He
concluded by moving—

That the =Melons and deplorable deficiency of memo for the good
and efficient education of large numbers among the poorer claws in
Oils country, coulee the ea faience of • great amount of ifINCIMICC and
crime, bi an evil of alarming magnitude, and calls foe prompt
and energetic remedial measures on the part of all claws of the
community.

The MAYOR read a letter from the Rev. Dr. Hook, vicar
of Leeds, who was aliment at the parish church, where he
is delivering a course of lectures on every evening (except
Saturdays) during Lent. The rev. gentleman stated, that as
the meeting had been called half an hour earlier than was
intended, he feared his other avocations would prevent him
beine present in time to second the first revolution. He,
Sher • fore, hoped, if that should be the case, that some other
gentleman would be called on to perform the duty, fee
though be was in favour of a more extended plan of national
educ itisn, he desired to express his sympathy with any
movement in the right direction. (Heal.)
Alderman TOTH' said he had come there to conclude,
perhaps, the last scene of his efforts to promote the education
of the working-classes. He had very little to say upon the
subject, and therefore he hoped they would beer with
decency. (Hear, and a laugh.) He was sure that there had
been a sufficient exhibition that there Ines want of training—
(Hear)—a want of edmation— ( flear)—and, he was quite
sure, a great want of good manners. (Cheers and laughter.)
It had been his wish and his object, ever since he became a
thinking mar, to see the community intelligent and free in
everything • but they could not be usefully free unless they
had knowledge. The greatest slavery was that of ignorance.
They were seeking to do away with that ignorance, and that
was their sole object. Whether the means proposed were
totally adequate or not, he agreed with their worthy vicar,
that the movement me in the right direction—(" Hear,"
and " No," and loud responsive cheers)—and if they did
not support it, they would give a greater evidence of their
ignorance. (Loud laughter, disapprobation, and applause.)
He had only to say, that he cordially apprived of the resolu-
tion his worthy friend, Mr. Marshall, had p roposed.
The MaYon. then put the resolution width war carried by
a triumphant majority, only about thirty or forty bands
being held up 'gamy it.
JOHN Gorr, Esq., said, he presumed from the adoption
of the resolution just proposed, that they were decidedly of
opinion that education was required and essential to the hap-
I Ponies of the great body of the people. (Hear.) He trusted
they were all agreed upon that. lie should therefore pro-
ceed at once to the resolution which had been placed in his
hands to move—that in the opinion of the meeting, it was
the duty of the state to facilitate and encourage the
education of the great b" ly of the people. (BeAr.)
That appeared to hint to be so entirely true, that he was
surprised there could be any difference of opinion upon the
point. But still, if there were any such difference of
opinion, he would wish to state one or two of the reasons,
which in his mind were conclusive, se to the necessity for
the government assisting in the education of the great body
of the community. He took it that the state was responsible
for the preservation of the public peace ; and that those who
presided over the affairs of the state were required to use
means and appliances to effect that object. This they did
at a great expense. The enactment of laws, and the estab-
lishment of police at great cost, was for the purpose of en-
suring public order, and the general welfare of the people.
If they could accomplish those objects at less cost, and at the
same time elevate the national character of the people, by
adding to their intelligence and information, and give a
higher tone of moral feeling in everything that can elevate
the character of en individual or a state, it would be a great
object gained. He took it that they were bound to do so.
(Hear.) This obligation was greater now rum at any
termer period ; and he was quite sure that the more the
subject was understood, the more the minutes of the
privy council were examined, the more the people
would be satisfied that their object was to raise
-.themeless, sad their children, and their children's chil-
dren in the social scale of society. The sincere and earnest

desire of the framers of those minute., and their whole
scope and object, was normerely to secure the public safety
end order by adding to the tone of moral feeling amongst
the great mass of the community, but at the same time to
induce sources of happiness and enjoyment at present un-
known to them. This was of especial importance in Eng-
land, which now stood with reference to the rest of the
world as the centre of commercial enterprise, He would
leave others to enlarge upon the regulations proposed in
those valuable minutes of council; yet he would observe
that in his opinion it was the duty of the people to accept
the proffered benefit from the state. He maintained that
the education of the great mass of the people was of in-
estimable benefit, and that those who contributed to that
object were the greatest benefactors of the people. Now, if
that was true in the case of individuals, he would not de-
prive the state of a participation in that duty ; for
he thought it conducive to the safety of r. state that it should
be grounded in the affections of the people—(Hear, hear)—
and to his mind there was nothing so well calculated to
promote that object sa enabling the state to promote
the education of the people. He believed that the measure
under consideration was based aeon the soundest state po-
licy and the strictest constitutional principles, and that it
would effect great good if it was allowed to be carried out.
He should, therefore, pr .pose—
That this meeting dealers to recognise the duty of the state to faci-
litate and encoarpge the education ca the whole body of the people.
Alderman STANOFILD said it was from a sincere CO/rela-
tion that the means of educating the people of this country
were lamentably and disgracefully deficient, and that the
voluntary principle alone was net adequate to remedy the
evil, that he cordially cooperated with the promoters of that
Meeting in obtaining that aid which he held that it was the
duty of government to give, and the right of citizens to de-
mand. Hear.) What was the end and aim of all govern-
ment ?Security and liberty to life and property. Why did
men in forming new establishments, and founding new colo-
nic., p!sce themselves under authority, but to -hinder one
from injuring another? They formed armies to moire'
them from foreign aggression, and established a police
to guard them from domestic foes, and also to
punish the criminal ; and, if they were wise, they
educated their children, that they might check the ten-
dency to roil in its infancy. He maintained that it was a
higher and more important part of the duty of government
to educate the Mtn than to punish the criminal. (Hear.)
In the one ewe they merely vindicated the rights of the
community; in the other, they rescued the individual from
ruin, protected him from criminality, and secured the
greatest happiness to the greatest number at the smallest
cost. Ignorance and idleness were the bane of society ; edu-
cation and occupation were the antidotes; and unless they
attended to those two things, all their exertions would be in
vain. Much had been done of late to devise work and find
employment for the people, by the liberation of trade and
commerce from its former restrictions; and as he had taken
part in that effort without regard to party considerations, so
he would be ready to support the proposition of government
regarding education, without regard to the particular claims
or interests of churchmen or dissenter.. (Hear.) It was high
time that the question of education should be drawn from the I
arena of politics, and that it should no longer be the
battle-ground of rival religious communities. Mr. Stansfeld
then referred to " Porter's Progress of the Nation," wherein '
reference was made to the province of Nova Scotia, as illus-
trative of the advantages of educating the people; for there, in
consequence of the eztent of instruction given, though gaols
had been built in compliance with the law, it had not been !
found necessary to appoint officers to many of them. He
added that he would not on any account undervalue the
voluntary principle, but in the language of political econo-
mists, he looked upon the voluntary principle as he did upon
labour ; he regarded it as the source of all wealth, but that !
when aided by capital it would produce a hundredfold. In '
thus expressing his general approval of the ministerial plan,
he would take the opportunity of saying, that instead of the
distribution of the parliamentary grant being confided to five
members of the privy council, it would be better to have an
independent board, whose chairman or president should hale
a seat in the House of Commons, and be able to answer
questions and inquiries that might be put to him. But when
he was called upon to decide whether he would support this
plan when he could not get a better, he would remain true t
the principles that the Protestant dissenters upraised in 1839, !
when they prayed for government aid and lay inspection
on the ground of the insufficiency of the voluntary principle.
In seconding the resolution, he recognized the duty of the
state to facilitate the education of the whole body of the
people ; he did it with a sincere desire to promote the moral
and religious advantages of his fellow-creatures. (Applause.)
The resolution was carried.

The Rev. C. WI c 8T aED said he owed a word of explanation
on the reasons which had occasioned him to take part in pro-
moting the object for which the meeting was called, because
he found himself that night associated with many gentlemen
with whom he had the fate generally to differ, and he was
dissociated from many gentlemen with whom he had
had the fortune on matters of this kind generally to
agree. But he had but one principle of conduct, and
he hoped he should never have one opposed to it, and
that wag the principle of emaciating with those, who-
ever they might be, whom he thought to be In the right,
and of deciding against those whom he thought to be in
the wrong. (Hear.) If they were agreed with him in that
principle, he would congratulate them that after the amount
that had been said in this town against the proposition of
the government, they had an opportunity, if they would
listen to the speeches, of hearing what could be said in
favour of it, and of coming to a conclusion upon it. He
must he allowed to Ray that this town had been the tonne—
he must be excused if he lased rather strong terms—the
scene of a strange and extravagant and unusual opposition,
not oily to this measure of the government, but to the as-
sistance of the state in educating the people in any way.
(" No, no," and " Hear, hear.") Now, he wished to hold
up his hand with thou who, on the contrary, maintained .
that it was the duty of the Mate to assist in the education of
the people ; and that as to the specific measure before them,
though it was not in all respects complete, and did not go so
far as might be desired, it was, as far as it went, he be-
lieved from his soul (and he had read the minutes not
merely once, but twice and thrice, with • suspicious
jealousy), fair and useful and honourable. (Loud
cheers.) Many years ago it was the cry of the people, and
of the dimenters amongst the number, that it was disgraceful
while they were expending fifty-two millions a year for
the expense of the army, th• navy, and the other govern-
mental departments, that they should allow so miserable a
pittance as they did fur the education of the people. And
yet, in that same year, there was voted 70,0001. for the ernct
! non of stables at Buckingham Palace, and only 30,0001. for
aiding the education of the people of Great Britain. (Hear.)
If they would listen they would hear some of the details of
this measure. Hitherto they had had little but antioipa-
times of its consequences. For instance, he had read in the
Leeds .Mercury that the danger of this measles e was, that it
would throw all the power, of whatever kind, into the hands
ol the government. (" It will.") Perhaps it would ; let
them see. It was said that it would throw the whole power
into the hands of the government, that they would be meet-
ing state functionaries at every turn of the street ; and that
though they now paid 62 millions yearly into the hands of
government, an additional million and a half would entirely
defeat and overthrow all English liberty and throw
it into the hands of the government. He believed it would
throw some power into the handset the government. (Hear.)
But there was another position which had been laid down by
the Morning Chronicle. That paper said that it would
throw the power into the hands of the church,—that so far
from the government having any power, the privy council
would be bound h and and foot to the church, and would not
have power to appoint • single inspector, or master, or pupil
teacher' He w,.uld simply ask, could both these alleguions
be true ? He t hought that by the operation of this measure
some extent of power would be given to the church, and
some extent of power would be given to the state, but he
thought that a great extent of power would go into the
hands of the people. (Cheers.) It might be that very
jealous dissenters would be afraid that all the people should
become indoctrinated into the church catechism ; he might
perhaps have to anticipate that it would rouse the people to
desire a catechism purer in doctrine and fuller in informa-
tion. Some might seppose that the measure would deprive
the English people of their liberties; he, on the other hand,
might suppose that it would lead to an extension of the
franchise, for it would be impossible to withhold an extended
franchise from an educated people. (Cheers.) These antici-
pations, then, they would say, were done with. But what
were the regulations proposed ? Government did not propose
to take the initiative ; but it said that any number of persona
of any sect whatever might unite to build a school, and that
government would contribute one-third part of the sum that
was shown to be usefully expended. Again, they wished to
bring the master's salary up to a proper standard, by propos-
ing that it the managers would provide a house free of rent
and taxes, and a stipend of 601. a year, the state would add
301. to it. If the meeting had seen, as he had seen, the
penury to which many schoolmasters had been reduced, they
would think it high time to effect this improvement. There
was a rumour that no assistance would be given except upon
the report of the clergyman of the parish; and that dissen-
ters' schools would have to be visited by the clergy men of the
parish ; but he would say, that, except as regard. d church
schools, such a statement was false. (Hear.) The clergy-
man would have no more liberty to put his foot into a dis-
senting school against the will of its managers, than they
would have to go and examine his scholars without his will.
Yet it might be said that the inspector would be a clergyman;
but at purest the majority of the inspectors were laymen, and
nth. a the number was increased the proportion would probably
be increased too. They would, therefore, be entitled to have
a layman as inspector, and he would have no right to
inquire into the religious exercises of the school, for it was
forbidden him, by an express minute, to make any such in-
quiry ; and the managers of the dissenting schools would
alone have the power of giving certificate, as to the religious
qualifications of the masters and the pupil teachers. it had
also bean said, in an early stage of the discusaion, that the
pupils would have to be taught the church catechism ; but
it was remarkable that in the government scheme it was not
even required that the pupils in the church schools should be
taught the church cateetion ; though it was required that
the pupil teachers in the church schools should be convers-
ant with the church catechism : but not in other schools.
He repeated the fact, that the dissenting schools were not
interfered with at all ; and that the managers were at liberty
to adopt such religious instruction as they might think fit.
After some further observations, the rev. gentleman said:
I am ashamed of the spirit of diment, as manifested in the
opposition to this messare. It is not English ; it is meta-
non. It is not British ; I was going to say, it is independent.
(Loud applause.) He concluded by moving:
That, In endeavouring to promote the general enemies et Os
potpie, the policy of the cover/anent should be to 'daub* wet Is
aupenede, the voluntary efforts of the people ; and to moo fig MI
equally accessible to all, by avoiding constraint upon the Minims mt.
victims of the receivers.
tiaMOIL Hay, Esq., seconded the motion.
Mr. Councillor Baum( said, he had a few words to say
upon the proposition of Mr. Withiteed. He eras sorry that
the conduct of the meetiug should have called forth the
strong observations of Alderman Tottie ; whether they