The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-08 00:00:00

CIPAL COUNTRIES OF EUROPE AND THEIR
DEPENDENCIES. _ _ _

LETIT.B. 1..

The mass of information which has been made
public respecting the industry sad social propos of the
principal states of Europe and their dependencies, although
far from complete, yet affords materials for useful calcula-
tion. A genes of enumerations bas made us acquainted
with the number of inhabitants, and their distribution over
the surface in all the leading states. Inquiries have been
set en foot, either officially or by private exertion, to
ascertain the various occupations of the people, and the
extent of aid they derive born animal power or machinery
In their various trades. The fertility of the soil has been
estimated and compared with the crops drawn from
It. The consumption of food, of objects of clothing, and of
luxury, has bean calculated from the native resources of each
land, as well as from those which it commands from trade.
It is time that the results of these useful inquiries should be
availabledigte intoot treitler statesman anyd the make them
hantrni4danyy
who have hitherto been induced to look open statistical
inquiries as tending only to nourish idle speculations, or to
institute discouraging and inexact companions, will yet be
compelled to acknowledge that this anenee furnishes means
of practical utility which have been too long disregarded, and
that if little advantage have hitherto been derived by indi-
viduals from the labours of those who have devoted their
time to these inquiries, the blame is alone chargeable on
those who have neglected to make use of the information
I put into their hands.
We propose in the following letters to analyse the results
of the various statements that have appeared respectiag the
occupations of the inhabitants of the leading sense of
Europe. Our inquiries will be confined to the trade and
industry of each, embracing in addition only such parts of
their financial and political systems 111 have a direct influence
on the industrial pursuits of the people. At the numerous
I social and moral results which stand in an intimate con-
nexion with the production and consumption of every com-
munity, we propose, on this occasion, only to cast a hasty
glance in pasting by, when they corroborate or invalidate
statements Which have obtained currenoy from the authority
on which they were put forth.
It would mats as most happy if such readers as may follow
us In this ia do so with the firm eoaviction.
that the natZaeleitimars which guide men in their industrial
efforts are simple and grand as they present themeslres to

ailampzirrer. in seen other sphere. Their operation must
e Measily traced if It is to be acknowledged with-
Out ruination. Conviction must be willingly yielded, if it as
to lead to a.foyzeetioal result useful to society. Our greatest
pride will in seeking, by combining things long since
known to all, to show how near the explanation of some ap-
parent contradictions and discrepancies lay, that have
diffused mystery wlere.all was simply and naturally work-
ing its course. The other side of the pieure will, of course,
contain evidence of the disturbanceof the timple and
elluabls coarse of things under their natural laws by the
Impatience, and often reckless ambition, of men. A period
of peace and of scientific progress is a fit opportu-
nity for tracing the harmonious organisation of the
powers which providence has placed at the disposal of
man to minister to hie happiness or to his misery, accord-
ing to the use we make of them. In the certainty of retnin-
tion, where those powers are used for purposes of evil, there
are too few believers. Nor will it lie within the scope of
these letters to do more than point to such instances as may
chance to lie near us in confirmation of this proposition.
Some striking examples will not escape our notice.
We may be allowed to preface our special inquiries by a
few general remarks. Intelligence being the weapon with
which man is endowed by Am Creator to make good his
sovereignty in nature, we look everywhere rather to the use
a notice makes of its resources in general, than to any par-
ticular possession, as the source of its wealth or poverty, of
Its power or weakness, Judgment in selecting those best
available for the present purpose compensates for the
unequal distribution of the gifts of nature. 7Pki European can
complain that our climate denies us the growth of cotton or
of sugar ; seeing that more cotton and sugar is con-
sumed en an average in Europe than is used by
the inhabitants of the countries that produce those wens.
Another striking feature of our present position, that is in-
valuable as a piece of experience, is, that we have reached
this result,through peaceful interchange and improved means
of trade, after centuries lost in endeavouring to achieve it
by rapine. A third fact that will not be denied, is. that not-
withstanding the rapid increase of population within the last
century, a far greater share of comfort and more powerful
means of creating wealth are now at the command of every
individual than were to be bad a hundred years ago. This
assertion is not tantamount to saying that every man is now
more at his ease and richer than men were • century back.
But those who have the power are responsible for the use
they make of it, and where there is misery, we are infallibly
led to predicate the existence of ignorance or of crime. A
fourth change stands in close connexion with the preceding.
Two centuries ago, many doubted whether the spread of
education was not adapted to lure men from practical occu-
pations to such as were merely speculative. The solution
of the problem thus stated in favour of the culti-
vation of the mind is what has given us machines to
use in the place of manual labour. Instruction of some kind
is now considered indispensable for the mass of the people, if
they are to provide their own means of support. In the
quality of the instruction now imparted there may perhaps
still be as wide a field for improvement so there has hitherto
been in the quantity that was doled out.
A fifth conclusion to whit& those who compare attentively
the state of different nations cannot fail to come is, that such
lands are richest as carry to the greatest extent an inter.
change of productions with other nations, and give the
greatest facilities to exchanges at home. There is nothing
te mysrious in this result of trailing activity. It is
upon the law of nature, which hieda society together with
the golden chains of mutual advantage, while it strengthens
the feeling of individual liberty by the profit derived from a
division of labour. Wealth is formed by abundant and varied
production. Trade, by affording each country • chance of
making is peculiar resources available, induces their cultiva-
tion, and thus enriches the common stock. Money, that fal-
lacious index of wealth, is but a machine, like a ship or a
lifting crane, destined to facilitate the transfer of goods,
whose production and distribution form the legitimate ob-
jects of industry.
It is therefore into the nature of the resources of the various
countries of Europe, with their dependencies, the uses to
which they are turned, the results as shown in the consump-
tion of the people, and the objects which they chi, fly affect
as producers and consumers, together with the power which
they, by the influence of trades, exercise over the progress of
other lands, and over the general improvement of the civi-
lised world, that we propose to inquire. The limits to which
we must confine ourselves are necessarily circumscribed, but
we shall try to condense what is most worthy of notice, and
most recent in point of date, within the space that is
allowed us.

IMPORTANT DIOCESAN EDUCATIONAL
MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM.

Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the friends of
education in the counties of Warwick and Worcester, con-
vened by the Bishop of Worcester, was held at the Royal
Hotel at Birmingham, for the purpose of considering the
propriety of forthwith establishing a training school for the
entire diocese.
The Bishop of Woncesren presided, and stated the
rounds upon which he had been induced to cell the meet-
ing. The recent minutes of the Privy Council on education
held out, as they must be aware, very considerable advan-
tages in the way of promoting the improvement of parochial
schoolmasters throughout the country. That the qualifica-
tions of the schoolmsstecs in the various parishes throughout
England were greatly inadequate to the duties required of
them must have been obvious to all who had taken a part
in local affairs. An inquiry on this subject, instituted by a
rev. friend of his, had disclosed this most completely. Of
letters which he had addressed to 246 parishes, 135 answers
had been received; and from theee it appeared that, in the
course of the last twenty years, no less than 120 vacancies
had occurred in the office of the schoolmaster, and
that out of this number no less than forty-eight
had been dismissed either for misconduct or incompetency.
This fact was in itself sufficient to show the necessity that
existed for the establishment of training schools. Concurring
as he did with very many of his rev. brethren in the diocese
in the course the government had pursued with reference to
this work, and determining to meet it half-way, it had been
determined by the diocesan board to take the step which
led to the convening of this meeting. In other parts of the
country these training schools had already been established
and carried out with the most complete success. They were
in operation in York, in Chester, us Lichfield, and in Dur-
ham ; and why should not two such important and ex-
tensive counties as Warwick and Worcester, with so wealthy
a landed sad commercial interest, be able to do that which
the county of York had effected ? He believed that the time
had arrived when the thing was feasible ; and, if following
out the plan of the York school, they established a yramaro
Of middle school, the advantages would be so much themes
considerable. The experiment of this, which had been
tried at York, had succeeded in an unprecedented
manner. By the last report he saw that the
middle echoed was full, and that out of the pro
fits of it, the expenses of the training school were de-
frayed. (Hear.) In that case, the expenses of the training
school were, in the first instance, several hundred pounds
per annum ; the two schools were now self supporting,
leaving a surplus of some M. a year. Bach was the prin-
ciple upon which it was proposed to proceed by the educa-
tional board of the diocese, and he (the bishop) called upon
all classes of the community—clergy and laity—to strengthen
their efforts in so very desirable a work as that of properly
educating those who were to impart instruction to others.
Lord LrrrithroY, in moving the first resolution, said
that the present amount and quality of the education
provided by the church for their poorer brethren was
inadequate, was a fact sufficiently notorious; and as the per-
manent prosperity of the poorer classes must always proceed
from themselves, it was by education alone that they could
be placed in a position to profit by their industry: that in
itself he regarded as a substantial reason why these training
schools should be established. He and Mean had long en-
tertained the opinion that it was desirable the church should
power institutions of the kind now proposed; and that it
was extremely probable out of a population of upwards of
700,000 persons the means of supporting It would not be
wanting; at the same time he did not think that it would
have been prudent to have earlier attempted the establish.
meat of these schools, seeing that it was not eo mush on
account of the funds required for the purpose, but because of
the difficulty in getting a sufficient number of students.
It was well known that amongst the class of persons
educated in 'parochial and industrial schools, there
was a difficulty in inducing them to remain beyond
the age of thirteen years, because of the valise of
their labour to their parents: that great drawback upon
their exertions would be (be trusted), In a great measure
removed by the purrs/ disclosed by the Committee of
pard Council on Education in a recent minute. With to
those minutes they (the diocesan board) were now
to go on in concurrence with the government,rt not here-
after to participate in innovations which might be of
a dangerous character. The noble lord next explained
in derail the altered circumstances in which they
_

stood with reference to them training seho:iolauneh:t
the promulgation of the recent minute of
the most important of which (he said) was the papaw:4o(
the pupa teachers from 13 to 18 years of age. He looked
upon that as the most powerful engine that could be applied
to induce the boys to go into the training schools ; and he
had had from the secretary of the committee of council the
importmat fact, that up to August last there were up-
ward, of one thousand pupa teachers for training
Trim the recent minutes. The noble lord reed a mew
eh et losathy letter from Dr. Shuttleworth, wide& didalled
the Indiame government would afford, and advised on
Weird matters in the establishment of the school. In one
win of this communication it set forth that all inferior
schools had the element of decay in their establishment, for
that nothing gathered strength by age that did not begin
with vigour. The expense of erecting proper schools Dr.
Shuttleworth estimated at 8,2001., to which government
would contribute 3,0001. To this, Lord Lyttelton said, would
have to he added the grant they would receive from the
National Society which had recently resolved to aid the
original outlay in the establishment of training schools,where
the pupils were not less than 60 in number, by grants of
from 101. to 20!. each. The annual expense of carrying on'
this school, Dr. Shuttleworth estimated at 3,0001. a year,
and the amount of annual support received from government
would (he said) depend upon the number of students who
gained certificates of merit. It was calculated, however,
that from 1,2001. to 1,6001. a year would be required in the
shape of voluntary contributions. In conclusion, his lordship
pressed strongly the neceasity of establishing the middle
school, which would not add to the expense of
the original outlay more than 2,0001. He an-
nounced the munificent offer of Mr. Adderley,
M.P. for North Staffordshire, to present a piece of land (not
quite sufficient for the purpose), as a site, and some build-
ings thereupon, situate about two miles from Birmingham.
This (his lordship said) would reduce the original expense
by about 1,6001., and he hoped that this dimes*, which
was of recent formation, would mink all minor differ-
mums—that all parties would unite Dr the plfolllolloll in one
common and glorious cause—the providon of adequate and
proper education for the poor. (Applaues.)
The meeting was next addressed by lord Liffard, Sir

John Pakiegton M.P., Archdeacon Spooner, Mr. Adderley,
J M.P., the Rev. J. 0 .rbett, rural dean of Birmingham, the
dean of Worcester, dm.
The following resolutions were moved by the several
speakers, and tmanimonsl carried, with the exception of the I
fifth, which was pro against by the Rev. H. Powell,
oa the ground that tke minutes of the Privy Counsel were of
such an uncertain character that he objected to this partici-
pation by the rehooL of the advantages held vat ; to this
Lord Lyttelton replied, that as they were to be guided by
fixed principles at the outset, any change Isgrealia in the
views of the Pei Comma would not affect them
Thet It Is tea Isetitatlon be outlasted Ihr the ozeitisi
de
ea
moset Weeseaslselmemes to le ambled to church ot *Weed dank bibs
The tab gibing flied, Is gio dot lageno. be sulliset tee the
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in etatre Ms. se le e
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of the losilmatmt =kw Wilda, of the ustsiegelder
not be 4•lllll.weed till the sestributtele shell be oiled to more
the assemsedego of SS Meier&
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ler as&alert le the Woks sehool, if the hinds subscribed are stti-
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no the if the sheet lie mesa In a bard trustees,
mmledme et the beam time belog, est Modem est shooter
ihe ionest shush d lheemier, wise @hen hell the repety he
tleaasooeelW la grad reeelotim.
Thee heeded he emethetedessenting to thereto' MI down ; end
so as he MGM by he admishmes boldout by the Committee of the
envy Omen an idesellem.
Taft the gmeendeg bb of the limn be sisegesed at the hilowhig
ex qrs. amides : -The ammo/ Woremeer, the miner= sod the
rent times et he Aso" M hwdmlleetemat of the amaties
Wendell end Weameeer the heed emend Rugby Meet, and King
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Philikr% the eamehries of the Wormsem dlesemis
and the 110ovemey heeds of education, mod 114 sleeted
member., to to sell „cr to be ambled amenely,
is the
That ta• weep of deem almoseld
be a visitor at the simel, mod that
the gemming body be seigemered to an sap ill 1111111Miilla ie all
Meetand to make mrssmessents in it Mom time to timer they
ik et, subject to the approve of the risibar.
Subsequent resolutions declared the desirability of esta-
blishing the school in the neighbourhood, so the most cen-
tral part of the diocese; appointed a committee, consisting
of eighteen gentlemen, with six peers, these to have power
to collect donations, to apply for grants, and to carry out
further the intentions of the meeting.
The thanks of the assemblage were then voted to the
bishop, and the proceedings terminated, a large sum having
been subscribed by those present for the purpose of carrying
out the purposes embodied in the resolutions.