The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-24 00:00:00

COH3fERCIAL TRAVELLERS` SCHOOLS.

The annual examination of the boys and girls
of the Commercial Travellers' Schools at Pinner took
place on Saturday. For some years the event has been
, regarded by large numbers of friend, of the institution, as
, well as by the scholars who receive its benefits, as a yearly
holiday, and consequently the little road-side station
during the morning received some hundreds of ladies and
gentlemen who had- come by " special" from' London. A
Prettyp floral device over the wicket pre them a hearty
Weloome," and the band of the schools marched ahead
Ito lead the way to the grounds. The weather was bright,
and the country fragrant and beautiful in the midst of its
, hay-making and dower blossoms., while an abundance of
trees afforded the shade es-ential to the enjoy.
ment of a thorough summer Pte. •To use the
word "excellent" in connexion • with such an in-
stitution as this is something more than a mere form, for
the schools stand alone in the work they undertake, and
are intended for the good of a class about whim a peculiar
, interest is always felt. Although the rapid growth of
railways has greatly changed the occupation of the com-
mercial traveller as compared with the time when he was
continually " on the road," there are still between 20,000
and 10,000 commercial travellers in the country. These
schools are designed for the clothing, maintenance, and
education of their orphan and necessitous children. Every
denomination is admittel, but once in the schools the
childten have to attend the worship of the church of
England. Their friends, however, hive the privilege of
choosing whether they shalb be taught from the cite.
chum of the church of England or that of the 'Assent.
bly of Divines at Westminster. There are as
many as ninety-five rules by which the conduct of the
schools is regulated, and the elaborate manner in which
even the smallest detail has been decided upon and laid
down suggests the business-like capacities and habits of
the men who drew up the deed of " constitution". While
most other institutions of a benevolent character have
this year reported a falling off of funds, the balance-sheet
of the Commercial Travellers' Schools shows an increase
of nearly 5001., a goodly sum having been yielded by the
mahogany pejice boxes, which may be seen, in connexion
with the picture of the schools and grounds, over the
mantel-piece of hotels throughout the country. The board
I from time to time add to the property at Pinner, and thgy
have now some capital farming land upon which they
reir cattle, make hay, and conduct other • aid.
cultural operations. At present the board have under
diecussion sonic necessary works of improvement in the
buildings.
In the face of increased and increasing num-
! ben, the last general court of governors recommended the
! enlargement of the girls' schoolroom and dormitories.
I Friends of the institution may accept this announcement
as an appeal for renewed pecuniary aid. The oral exarni-
natio= of Saturday, conducted by. Mr. Saunders, of the
British and Foreign School Society; showed that a sound
and extensive education is being given, and that the
scholars are, as a whole, quick and well-informed. Ques-
tions were asked and answered upon Scripture history and
geography, English grammar, Latin and French, geo
play, history, arithmetic, Euclid, and algebra.r:.
The
more solid portions of the programme were inte
with selections of vocal music, charmingly sunglr
children. Miss Parnell, the matron, and the several in.
structors, were delighted—as, indeed, they are every year
—to see amongst the visitors many who used to be in-
mates of the school, and who, as subscribers and sup-
porters, now came beck to encourage their old teachers
sad friends. The afternoon was spent in sports and pro-
f menading in the fields, children and visitors joining in the
pastime*. Mr. George Moore, the steady friend of this
ands hundred other benevolent projects, was thechairman
of the day; and themanagingcommittee included Dr. Sieve-
king, the physician, Messrs.' Lendon, the secretary, G.
Stockdale, W. Foster, J. L.- Boothby, W. W. Davis,
T. H. Devonshire, Mr. Angell, D. R. Harvest, W. Har-
vest, George Hewitt, William Holt, Robert Itliforland,
H. Savory May. and J. Toleman ; the Hey. Mr. Hind,
Mr. Spurting, Mr. Knightley, Mr. White, Mr. Price, Mi.
C. Dice, Mr. James, Mr. Storer, Mr. Richards, head
muter, Mr. Brady, surgeon, and thers.

BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM.—On Saturday after-
noon the Bishop of Oxford presided at the distribution of
prizes to the inmates of the British Orphan Asylum,
Slough, upon the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the
opening of the new premises by their Royal Highnesses
the Prince and Princess of Wales on Martinmas day, 1863.
The large schoolroom was crowded by a fashionable com-
pany. After the Reverend J. Hill, R.D.. Head-Master
of the Royal Naval School. Greenwich Hospital,
and the Reverend J. 'Wallis, M.A., chairman of the
education committee, had stated the results of their
recent examination of the boys and girls, which ap-
peared to be highly satisfactory, the Bishop distributed
theordinary prises end certificates of merit, end also the
extra prizes contributed by various governors and subscri-
bers for special subjects of study and. industry. After this
his lordship addressed the pupils who bad completed their
term, sod dismissed them with a parting admonition and a
gift of the Holy Scriptures and Book of Common Prayer.
The Benediction and National Anthem concluded the pro-
leeedings in the schoolroom, and the visitorethen adjourned
to the grounds, where, in the course of the afternoon, the
' boys' drum and fife band performed a selection of music.
There arenow nearly 200 children in this most excellent
institution, and judging from their neat and comfortable
ap ce they are exceedingly well cared for.
HE METROPOLITAN ASYLUM DISTRICT ACT.
On Saturday afternoon the first meeting of the board of
manngers, elected and nominated under Mr. Gathorne
Hardy's Metropoliten Asylum District Act, was held in
the board-room of the Metropolitan Board of Works,
Spring-gardens. This board, as is already known, will
take under its own particular care all the sick and insane
poor in the different workhouses, and make such provi-
sions for the care and maintenance of them as they from
time to time may think desirable. The board is invested
with very extensive powers, under which they are em-
, powered to make such or as are necessary for the care
iof the sick and insane poor, examine all books and ac-
counts relative to the relief of paupers in the several asy-
lums, and make all necessary orders on the proper au-
thorities of the cavern] unions and parishes comprised in
the district for providing such sums of money es may law-
fully be required by the board of management on account
of such district. The board consists of GO members, 45
being elected by the different parishes, and 15 nominated
by the Poor-law Board. Dr. Brewer (representing St.
George'', Hanover-square) was elected chairman, and Mr.
A. Suter (representing the City of London) vice-chairman.
It was proposed that the Poor-law Beard be applied to,
and requested at an early opportunity to furnish general
information as to the special objects with which the beard
would have to deal. A gentleman from the Poor-law
Board said a great number of documents specially referring
to the subjects that would come before them were in pre-
paration, and would shortly be laid before them.
GIFT BY MR. BASS, M.P., TO THE TOWN OF
DERDY.—OE Saturday afternoon, Mr. M. T. Bass, who for
the past 20 years has been one of the members for the
borough of Derby, presented the inhabitants of that town
with a public recreation ground for ever. Toe grour.d is
situated on the bank of the river Derweet, on t)..ri east
side of Derby, being part of the Holmes, and P., not dis-
tant more than five hundred
t'ae market-
place. It is six acres in extent, and is enclosed
by a most substantial and ornamental fer.oo of iron and
wood. The ground has been raised in many places
upwards of a yard from its original ',eve', and is now
quite out of the reach ofithe highest I.oods. The sub-soil
dry and the surface of the gr'"Vz portion of the land
quite level. and ia adicirabiT ...elepted for racing, cricket,
and other sports. The len was purchased by Mr. Bass
from the co ration, at a, cost of 3,000 ff., besides which he
has defrayed the cost or, the fencing and levelling, which
has • been 8501. more, making the total value of the gift
3,8501. It is to be a Free Recreation Ground," and will
be devoted to the inhabitants of Derby for ever.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was amongst
the guests, eta dinner given by the Corporation of the
Trinity-house on Saturday evening. In replying to the
toast of " Her Majesty's Ministers, '• he said : —I need not
assure you that her Majesty's ministers must he much
gratified by the manner in which you have received the
breposition of their healths this day, and not the lass so
ecause, as our deputy-master has veiy properly observed,
011 girth occasions as the present their health x given, nut
as an appeal to party feeling, or the peculiar opinions
which any class of her Majesty'e subjects may hold, but to
the respect and good teeling of the great Ludy of
the people who appreciate the efforts of the publics
servants of the crown who endeavour, whatever the
principles under which they work, to do their
duty to their sovereign and their country., (Cheers.)
indeed, can sure you that, to us,
it must be much more satisfactory
that you should receive
inch a toast in the manner you have done today, totally
devoid of any party associations, than if it were received
on acme occasion when we had met together to celebrate
the triumph of party or the patronage or propagation of
any particular set of politica! opinious. After all it is in
the respect of our well-oonselenng fellow-subjects that we
must receive our teat reward for any exertions we can
possibly make; and it is to the calm verdict of the unim-
passioned portion of the nation that we must appeal for
our best justification. (Cheers.) When her Majesty's
government acceded to power they acceded to an
inheritance of great labour and great responsi-
bility, that under all circumstances must be • the
inheritance of all who undertake thine duties.
With regard to what we way have done, the policy of this
country may, generally speaking, be divided into two
heads—the management of our foreign relations and the
conduct of our home government. With regard to our
management of our foreign relations, I would not allude
to these uuleas I thought that I was echoing nut only the
universal opinion of all Englishmen, but of the subjects
of all countries-- (cheeral=that my .noble friend near use
(Lord Stanley), by his prudent and sagacious management
of affairs, has secured the peace of Europe. (Loud cheers.)
My noble friend is descended from a race who had soma
thing to do with the history of this country in the time
of that King Henry VII. to whom the deputy-master has
referred—(queen)—and I will be bold to say that not
one of his ancestors ever did a braver or purer act than
that he achieved when he signed his name to the late
: treaty made at London, and which secured the peace of
Europe. (Cheers.) With regard to our domestic politics,
I shrink from any allusion which may fora moment excite
anything like controversy— I won't say of expression, but
even of feeling. I studiously avoid it. Our deputy.master
has referred to may Inuuble efforts during the session.
They have teen made where, quoting the words of the
song last sung, . . .

The stoney whole do blow.
(Loud cheers and laughter.) I can say foe the policy of
her Majesty's government, in one sentence, that if with re-
ference to foreign affairs it is a policy to maintain the
peace of Einope, so with regard to our domestic
affairs our policy is to secure the peace of Eagland.
(Cheers.) it is with that view that we have felt it our
duty to introduce that great measure to which the
deputy-master boa referred; and all I will say of it on
the present occasion is, that• I hope, as I believe, that it
will conduce to the advantage of this country --(cheers)
that it will strengthen the state, and add to the spirit of
the ooenmdnity. (Cheers.) It is tow a matter of great
satisfaction that her Majesty's government should be
remembered on an occasion like the present, and especially
in this assembly. (Cheers.) The relations of the govern-
ment of this country with the Trinity-house are of long
date. For many generations their most eminent members
have been numbered among the brethrenof this society ; and
it is most satisfactory to them that they should be con-
nected with a corporation which is identified with one of
the noblest of our public services in all its branches, upon
whose efforts the prosperity of our commerce mainly de-
pends, and which, by its accuracy of scientific knowledge,
has added so much to thesecunty of this country, and has
diminished the perils and has mitigated the sufferings of
the mariners of England. (Cheers.) I hope the con-
nexion between her Majesty's government, from whatever
. party they may be formed, and this ancient and honour-
' able corporation will be permanent. (Cheers.) lam con-
vinced that if that be the case, they will be bound together
by associations which are commuted with the highest ate-
restaof thecountry. (Cheers.) For my own part, I remember
with pride that lam one, though one of the humblest of
your brethren—lcheersHand that 1 have succeeded in the
office I hold some of the most eminent men who have been
responsible for the administration of the country.
(Cheers.) On the part of her Majesty's government I
acknowledge with cordiality the honour you have done
them; and lean assure you withnissarity that the oemicions-
nest thatwe possessyour esteem and good wishes, whatever
may be your political opinions, is the hest reward we can
receive for the performance of our public duties and the
highest inducement we can have to do our duty to our
Sovereign and to our country. (Loud cheers.)

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.

On Saturday the half-yearly distribution of
prizes in connection with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
took place in the theatre of the college, under the presi-
dency of Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F.R.S. Lord Belper,
Mr. Grote, Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. It. N. Fowler,
Mr. Booth, he., were amongst the more distin-
guished persons present. Professor Oman, Dean of
the Faculty, reed the report, which stated that
the number of students in the Faculty of Science and Art
during the past tern, bad been 241, of whom 120 were
new, besides SJ who attended the evening classes, making
324, which was about the average of the previous years the
total number of new students being more than 200. This
showed an average equal to that of previous years. In the
junior claims, the numbers during the term had been 361,
the average of previous years having been 341. After re-
ferring to the changes which had taken place in the
educational staff, the death of Mr. Robinson, one of
the oldest members of the council, the report
mentioned the necessity for the enlargement of
the building, in onler to provide further class
room, and solicited subscriptions from the friends of the
college for that purpose. It further stated that in future
the year would be divided into three terms, and announced
proposala for giving lectures in art, science, and litera-
ture to the public in the same way as at the Royal Insti-
tution. The conduct of the students had been generally
good. As a foreigner the learned dean begged tobeartesti-
mony to the gentlemanly bearing of English student. as a
rule, their truthfulness and indep:ndenoe, combined with
obedience to their instructors and regard for discipline.
Speaking of his own appointment as Dean of the
Faculty, he remarked that it was only another
proof of the liberal principles on which the col-
lege was conducted. The profesana in the several
branches of education then announced the prizes.
and the young gentlemen who had earned them were called •
up to the table and received them at the hands of the
chairman. Amongst those who won prizes were' two nt-
tivesof Bombay and a Japanese. TheAndrewascholiusbip., ;
!Ai. each for classics 'awl nmthematioi, were awarded to
Mr. A. E. Higgs,. who took two and who also
distinguished himself by , off several of • •
the other prizes, and to Mr. T. 0. Harding.
The Chairman, in an appropriate address, congratulated
the successful competitors on the labours of the seafion, • •
but reminded them that the prizes, after all, were nothing • •
more than the stamp upon the sovereign, worth nothing if
applied to base metal. The great features of the college
were toleration in matters of religion and a due appreim.
tion of scientific as well as literary attainments. Tolerance
in religion was not, as some supposed, indifference ; on
the contrary, those who were most tolerant were often
•
the most religious. Subscriptiou to articles he re-
garded as the bulwark of error, and thought that tests
should be relaxed. At all events, religious tests were in-
appropriate in an educational college. As to scientific
attainments, when he went to school even arith-
metic was not considered a necessary part of
education. The examination and the prizes just awarded
in the numerous departments of scientific instruction.
showed how important an improvement had taken place in
this respect. He thought the history of the world was a
sufficient refutation of the old-fashioned opinion that
Greek and !Alin were the best agents for forming the mind
of man. He concurred in the recommendation of the
committee of the British Association that ear oral sci..nce
should form part of the course of instruction is every ••
school and be placed on tie same footing as mathematics
and modern languages. He held that the great improve-
meat which had taken place in education generally was •
the to the example set by University College. (Haar, .
hear.) (in the motion of Lord Belper
_seconded by Mr.
Grote, thanks were voted to Sir J. Lubbock I WhO.it-was •
dated, had become a member of the council), the =knew.
lodgment of which dosed the proceedings.

Tres lassie RAILWAYS.—The Irish Railway (~,m-rnittee,
rnittee, which is distinct from the deputation which waited
the other day upon Lord Derby with refen race to Irish
railways, have agreed upon the following banes for a pro.
position to her Majesty's government : —l. Her Majesty's
government to have • compulsory power to purchase all
railways in Ireland. 2. The purchaaed railways to he
leased. 3. Until leased the railways to be mausged by
commissioners. 4. Such commiseiouers to be appointed.
not by government, but by the House of Common,. 5.
Any loss incurred on account of working the railways to
be made up to government by ea Increased income-tax on
Ireland.—Oberrrer.
CALCUTTA AND Cuts* MA!Lt.—MALTA, JUNE 23.
—The Pert sad China wiU leave here at 8 a.m. to-mor-
row. The former may be expected at Marseilles on the
evening of the 26th inst., and the latter at Bouthnmpto•
on the 3rd July.