The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-03 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 3, 1846.

maintaining social rights and preventing social
wrongs. There is a social right and there is a social
wrong in education. He, therefore, who is entrusted
with its superintendepee is an offioer of state, whether
we call him so or not ; and we hold it to be the first
principle of good government, that responsibility
should attach itself to every office and to every officer
of the state administration.
Theortant position of the schoolmaster in the
social economy, requires that he should be qualified to
discharge the serious duties entrusted to his care.
Everybody is ready to assent to this proposition ; but,
unfortunately, most people are satisfied with mere
assent, as if it were a mere abstraction of no practical
concern. But, if it be desirable that the qualifications
of the schoolmaster should be ascertained, it is obvious
that the task of ascertaining them must devolve upon
somebody. It does not devolve upon the Church,
because the schoolmaster is not a functionary of the
Church; it cannot be adequately performed by any
voluntary association, because, that such an association
should adequately perform its duties, the confidence
reposed in it should be co-extensive with the limits
of the nation, and in that case it is identical with the
state itself ; and to entrust the duty to a number of
separate volunteer associations formed by chance, and
held together by caprice, would be to render educa-
tion an element of faction and an incentive to party.
The state, of which the schoolmaster is the func-
tionary, has the sole right to prescribe his qualifica-
tions, and with that right we can find no discoverable
expediency which interferes.
The extent and amount of this interference are mere
questions of detail ; we do not disguise either from
ourselves or our readers that a stnet and perfectly
efficient system of superintendence, after centuries of
absolute indifference, is not very easy of attainment.
But it is no reason for doing nothing, that we cannot
accomplish everything. If we wait for a scheme of
theoretical perfection, we shall have to submit to
Fears of practical misdoing. Let us then direct our
inquiry to the amount of good which we may not
unreasonably expect, and not to the possible quantity
which we may be permitted to desire.
If government went no further than establishing a
tribunal, before which such as pleased might offer
themselves to be examined to prove their capacity for
teaching, and that the judges should have the power
to give certificates of competency to those who proved
themselves deserving, no one, we presume, could say
that such a measure would be inconsistent with
the voluntary principle, though unquestionably it
would be an act of state interference. It would not,
indeed, give the public the same security as is ac-
corded in the case of surgeons and apothecaries, but
it is probable that it would do so in time. Good
teachers would be induced, by emulation and com-
petition, to give public proof of their capabilities ;
parents would demand to see their diplomas before
entrusting them with their children ; and uncertifi-
cated schoolmasters would soon be reduced to the
position of uncertificated bankrupts : and no other
position ought they ever to have occupied.
Government should provide a model school for the
industrial and commercial education of the middle
classes—for those who want to be assisted in the
charge of instruction, but who neither want nor
wish that it should be offered to them gratuitously. A
model is wanting, because in England there does not
exist any school which could be taken as such; and any
school established by private enterprise would want
the influence and authority necessary to render it an
example. It appears that a private association is
about to be formed for the purpose of constituting a
board to examine schoolmasters, and grant the proper
certificates of qualification. This is as complete a
usurpation of the functions of government as if a
society had been formed to examine the qualifications
of military officers with the intention of entrusting
the defence of the country to a volunteer force. The
fact, however, that such a proposal has been made,
and has found favour, sufficiently proves that the evils
of inefficient and improper schoolmasters is generally
felt, and that the country is prepared to receive an
adequate remedy.
We need not repeat what we have often said on the
necessity of authoritative supervision and inspection ;
in the Irish system it is practically found that the
inspectors are even more important than the school-
masters. A precedent has been set, in the ease of
factories, for compulsory inspection and registration ;
so that the proposal is not liable to the objection of
being an- English ; an objection which simply means
that England should be the only nation under heaven
-with perhaps the exceptions of China and Japan—
to profit by the experience of its neighbours.

The Polish question and its consequences continue
to engross almost exclusively the Paris journals of
Tuesday. It is impossible to witness the unanimity
with which the political necessity of the re-establish-
ment of the English alliance is enforced from day to
day by organs of the press most opposed on other
points, and the anxiety on the same subject expressed
everywhere in society, and especially in the financial
circles, without feeling a profound conviction that
this great international object must ere long he
realised. Ilow this realisation may be brought
about it would be hamrdous even to conjecture, so
much must depend upon circumstances and even-
tualities, but so prevalent is the opinion of its
expediency, not to say' absolute necessity, :n
France, that the party itself which supports the
present Minister of Foreign Affairs would be recon-
ciled to his retirement if such a personal sacrifice
could be rendered the mans of appeasing the inter-
national dissension which exists at a moment when
cordial co-operation lactvreen the countries is so

desirable. -
The protest of Loa Palmerston, the outline of
which was given in the ministerial journals, was the
subject of general comment, each party viewing it
according to their respective opinions.
Le Siede affirms that Lord Palmerston has proteste4
because he could not help it, Inasmuch as England hav-
ing signed the treaties of Vienna, would have been
dishon °urea by her silence, but that he has taken care
to strip hie protest of every character which could
render suck a document serious or efficacious. This
jouraal farther says that it has received private
letters from Berlin to the effect that the northern
courts had obtained an assurance that England 'would
offer no obstacle to their measures before they decided
on the annexation of Cracow to the Austrian domi-
nions. The correctness of this information is SiiTle
does not pretend to guarantee.
According to some of the organs of the Opposition
the spoliation of Cracow is only the first step in a
more extensive series of aggressive measures contem-
plated by the northern courts.
The rapid diminution of specie in the Bank of
Prance has for some time attracted serious attention,
and created apprehensions sensibly felt on the Bourse.
The amount at present is under 90,000,000 fr. The
causes of so considerable a reduction are mainly the
large drafts recently made by the Treasury, and the
purchases of wine and grain usual at this season, but
which at present have been much more considera-
ble than hitherto. In our former correspondence
we mentioned the project of a minority in the Bank
direction to raise the rate of discount to 5 per cent.,
and to limit the discount to sixty days. Such a mea-
sure would, however, produce serious inconvenience
and derangement in commercial transactions; and it
was accordingly rejected. An application for a loan
to the Bank of England is now generally understoLd
to be contemplated. It is well known in Paris that
the disposable amount of silver bullion could not
be obtained directly from the Bank of England ; but
it is expected that by a credit established there in its
favour, the Bank of France may, through the instru-
mentality of the private bankers and capitalists of Lon-
don, obtain the requisite facility for the purchase of
the necessary amount of silver bullion. 'Meanwhile
it is hoped that the drain on the Bank of France,
which has already continued so long, is approaching
its termination. The amount paid into the Paris
Savings Bank, on the 29th and 30th ult., by 4,2781
depositors, of which 523 are new, was 583,937 francs. I
The disbursements made in the last week amounted
to 1,008,9:16 francs. Stock purchase on the demand
of the depositors dosing the same 'oeeek, amounted to
365,999 francs. The demand for disbursements, of
the 29th Nov., were 1,026,405 francs.
The harbour of Marseilles has become so crowded
with shipping, chiefly freighted with grain, that
steam-tugs have been employed constantly in towing
the vessels which arrive to the neighbouring
anchorages. The number of vessels which arrived
in the week ending 24th ult., was 53 ; of these, 20
came from Italy or Malta, bringing 67,900 hectolitres ;
3 from Alexandria, with 12,700 hecs.; 13 from 'fur-
key, with 40,000 bees. ; and 17 from the Russian
ports of the Mack Sea, with 76,700 bees. The total
importation in that week was therefore 197,300 hoes.,

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nearly the whole of which was wheat. The total
importation at Marseilles in the last 4 weeks amounted
to 1,373,300 hecs.
Much disappointment is expressed among commer-
cial persons, at the prob ible yet unexpected aban-
donment of the project of a line of steamers between
Havre and New York. A law passed the Chambers
in 1840, authorising the government to contract
with commercial companies for the establishment
of that and several other transatlantic lines of steam
communication. No company, however, has hitherto
been found willing to undertake these enterprises on
such terms as would be conceded by the government.
I A commercial company has recently proposed to
establish the line between Havre and New York, sup-
ported by a sufficient capital, on the sole condition
that the government shouldsupply it with the steamers,
four of which are already built and equipped, the
company being pledged at the expiration of the con-
tract to surrender the ships in good repair, or, in the
event of a war, to give them up without previous
notice. This proposition was approved of by the
Ministers of Finance and Marine, but it is now said
that the company will withdraw their proposition.
The Infant Don Enrique left, Paris on Monday for
Madrid. One of the journals of Tuesday, L'Esprit
Public, has the following
o Well-informed persons assure us that hi; departure was
preceded by an act so ignominious, that in spite cf the cer-
tainty of our information, we can scarcely credit it. This
prince, as is khown, held an active and confidential corre-
spondence with the leading members of the Progressi,ta
party in Spain. It is said that he has delivered up this cor-
respondence, and has betrayed the secrets of all those who
had put themselves under the shelter of his discretion and
his honour."
The Bey of Tunis continues to be feted. He visits
daily the public monuments, museums, and other esta-
blishments. A magnificent entertainment, with
concert under the direction of the celebrated Auber,
will be given him by M. Guizot, at the Hotel des
Affaircs Etrangtires, on Friday evening, at which all
the musical talent in Paris will assist. Several hun-
dred invitations have been issued for this festivity,
which will be on a scale of unusual grandeur.
Temporary rooms are in process of construc-
tion, to afford increased space fur the guests,
which will include, of course, all the persons of poli-
tical distinction who consent to mingle in dynastic
Lacs. The corps dePlotnatiluc have been all invited,
and have accepted the invitation, with two excep-
tions. These are the ambassadors from London and
Vienna. The excuse assigned for their absence is
that these courts do no: acknowledge the sovereignty
of the Bey of Tunis.
In announcing this approaching festivity, the Con-
sfitutionnel asks whether it is to be followed by
another plunge into the public purse, in the shape of
an extraordinary credit.

The Madrid journals and correspondence of the
25th ult. were received in Paris on Tuesday. The
ministerial paper, El Iferaldo, expresses a wish,
which may of course be interpreted as the foreshadow-
ing of the intentions of the government, that the
approaching Cortes should accomplish a liberal reform
in the tariff, so as to throw open the foreign markets
to the wines and oils of Andalusia, the grain of Cas-
tillo, and the wool of La Mancha, that the first mea-
sure that the government would propose would be to
lighten the amount and improve the distribution of
the taxes on landed property, to impress a vigorous
impulsion upon the works already commenced on the
great lines of communication.E/ Heraido adds, however,
that toaccomplish this, it is not necessary either chat the '
government should fall into the hands of the Plogres.
sista party, or that the constitution of 18:17 should be
re-established, or that the national militia should be
reorganised. Nothing is necessary to realise these
measures of progress except a Cortes in which all
parties having real interest in the country shall be
represented, giving a majority as adverse to a retro-
active policy as to revolutionary measures.
Mr. Cobden arrived at Malaga on the 19th by the

steamer Basting.
The Eeo del Conierelo says that the Carlists have
great hopes in the arrival at Madrid of General Alza
ex-Minister of War of Don Carlos. He held converse
with different high personages, and only remained
two days at Madrid. We do not guarantee the au-
thenticity of this rumour, adds the Eeu del Comercio.
We give it as we received it.

Di%sensions have broken out in the leading canton
of the Ultramontane League in Switzerland. Even
among the Catholics of Lucerne there is a strong
party which desires to adopt conciliatory measures;
but the chief subject of apprehension in Switzerland
at present, is the project of intervention apprehended
on the ome side from Austria, and on the other from
France. E venthe party inwhose favour such astep would
be intended repels it. The Gazette d'Etat L'alloilique re-
jects such an interference on the part of the League;
nevertheless, it declares, that, rather than submit to
the yoke of radicalism, it would ask the protection of
the powers. The anival of new troops on the French
frontier, and the measures taken to keep a corps of
observation during the winter near Basle and Geneva,
have created much disquietude, especially since the
seizure of Cracow.
Without attaching, says La Iterue de Glitiorc, too much
importance to the analogy ,between the danger to which
Switzerland is exposed and those under which Cracow has
just bunk, it is impossille, looking at such an event, not to
cast a glance et our situation in relation to the states of
Europe more or less monarchical. First, we observe with
what singular inconsistency the organs of the French
ministry have immediately thought of the occupation
of Geneva and Basle, as a compensation for the
violation of the treaties of 181.5. It would indeed
seem as though these cities existed only by the treaties of
1814 and 1815, and that these treaties being torn, our repub-
lic, must become the prey, of those whose convenience they
may suit. But the people of Geneva prove by their resist-
ance to attempts to separate them from Switzerland, that
their country does not depend alone on the safeguard of
treaties. We subsist by ourselves for many ages, and we
have motives to continue so, which happily are no more
understood among official people in Europe than the resist-
ance of St. Gervais was by the retrograde faction of Geneva.
The same journal says, that in the new constitu-
tion the executive power will be confided to a council
of state, composed of seven members, renewable by
election every three years, all the citizens who are
electors being qualified to vote for its members.

PARIS, Nov. 30.
Amongst the projects which the destruction of the
independence of Cracow have caused to ferment in
the council of ministers, it is attributed to M. Guizot
that he intends sending a fleet into the Adriatic, in
order to blockade Trieste and Venice, till such time as
the three northern powers have given way to the repre-
sentations of the French cabinet on that point.
This plan would be feasible if England and France
had agreed to execute it, but in the state of disunion
under which the western powers are now labouring,
such an announcement would be but a vain bravado.
It would not be a prudent step to declare war against
Austria, Prussia, and Russia, which have acted in
concert in breaking through the treaties of Vienna.
There should be room for reflection before placing the
whole of Europe against one. Louis Philippe,
is not for violent or decisive measures. His fixed
idea at present is to obtain a congress of the
great powers, there to discuss the interests which
at present divides Europe. lie forgets that the con-
gress of Laybach and that of Verona, under the
Restoration, had no other object than to rivet the
chains of nations, and strengthen the despotism of
kings ; and in lightness of heart he world openly brave
discussion with three nations in leap e with each other,
which would invariably form amr,ngst the five great
courts a systematic majority. It niay be that the dream
of Louis-Philippe, that mania V,r a congress, finds an
echo amongst the servitors who wear in his presence
the habit of ministers. But there could be nothing
so unpopular ; no combination would appear more
puerile, and nothing would be less fit to colour the
agitation which exists in the public mind.
The French people would come at last to the con-
clusion that the government is an accomplice of
foreign courts. But, indeed, the northern powers
would not admit of such a combination; they
would not suffer what they consider their right to
be questioned. It is an anachronism to wish to re-
solve by diplomacy questions which have already
been solved by the sword. The northern courts
can no longer be convinced. They should be
intimidated to be rendered wiser; and this part
belongs less to Louis Philippe than to any other
potentate. I have not spoken to you of the mani-
festoes published by the radical party, on the occasion
of the annexation of Cracow to Austria. They are of
little importance ; they may cause a little agitation ;
but they have no political weight. The radical
party is numerous, and might become powerful with
men and ideas, but there is a great lack of
both these qualities in its ranks. If it still preserve