The Express.
London, England, 1858-08-17 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY MIMING, AUGUST 17, VW-

It is not front the words of others, nor even fi
his own, that we are to conjecture what an the a
of NAPOLION 111., but from his actions. I !Throo
out his reign his actions have billy/ Om an,
ing object—to excite and till Owl imaginations of
French nation. There is theatrical ostentation

display about everything he has dose. The same
characteristic pervades his present devotion
to the French marine. lie is not &athl-
etics of conquest; he has no grudge against
any Wien or dynasty to satisfy. He merely seeks
is his the French nation that he is doing some-
edig that will redound to its honour and glory.
111sdkinesly lavish though he appear to be in the
AMOR of expenditure, is. knows that the resouress
acea of a nation like France may be exhausted, and
he will husband them es well as he can. He knows
that penile display is lees costly than war, and there-
fore he will eschew war as long as he can. He
may memo a diresteniug attitude to this es
dse ether Power, but if it really pelesaiss
strength, and remains quietly firm, he will edge
away without bringing matters to the arbitrament of
blows. We have already had a slight experience of
this in the discussions about the immunity of
preterite is England. If ever LOUIE NAPOLEON is
engaged in a serial' war it will be spinet his will;
for he knows how severely the popular discontent,
which would necessarily spring from popular priva-
tion, would shake hie anoemented throne. It is
true that the theatrical display, which is
the main instrument of his policy, may at
aoy time carry him into a position out of
widish he cannot back pacifically and creditably at
lie Name time. But the knowledge of this risk
slight to be sufficient for any rational government,
Ossutant watchfulasee and decorous firmness are all
that are required. An earnest hint at the outlet
that to follow out any vapouring demonstration may
endanger peaceful relations will be sufficient to pre-
vent persistence in it. If appearances are aired, he
will ask no more. It is unnecessary to snake any
specific application of this maxim. The rock.
ahead which at present threaten the entente cor-
dial* between the French and English Governments
are sufficiently high above water to warn any pilot
of average prudence.

Tea results of the Oxford Middle-Claie Examina-
tions are somewhat surprising. It seems that
about five-eighths of those examined have been
" plucked ;" and the failures have been chiefly in
the preliminary subjects. It was arranged that no
candidate should be allowed to pass unbars be
satisfied the Examiners as to his knowledge in
Reading, Dictation, Arithmetic, Geography, and
English History. It is bad enough to be " plucked'
in Greek or Sanscrit ; but to be found deficient in the
primary elements of a good education is not very
tolerable, especially for an irritable schoolmaster. It
would be monstrous, indeed, to impugn the judg-
ment of the Examiners with not a tittle
of evidence to justify such an attack. We
are more disposed to accept this singular
result as cogent evidence of the necessity
of this new scheme. Dr. TEMPLE and his no-
adjutors asserted that the state of middle-clam
education was thoroughly bad: still there was
no means of proving the allegation or of devising a
remedy. The upper classes had the great public schools
and tha Universities whereby to test the educational.
. . _ .

training of their children ; the lower' classes had
the Government inspectors to ascertain for them
that the lower-class wheals were well conducted. Bat
the middle climes had nothing of the sort. Those who
send pupils to school are not generally in a condition
to form a correct judgment as to the program of the
pupil or the merit, of the schoolmaster—and the
schoolmaster himself has no means for proving
his professional capacities. Now, an exami-
nation of the pupils brought up at such
schools by some competent body affords an obvious
remedy for those defects. The Universities of Ox-
ford and Cambridge are such bodies, and it was sug-
gested that they should undertake the office. This
was done. The men appointed examiners by Oxford
(fora yet Cambridge has not held any examination)
were experienced in such matters, and their im-
partiality was not to be doubted. They have
finished this task, and the result is such as we have
indicated. No doubt the number of those " plucked"
is very considerable, and there is a disposition in
some quarters to be discontented. This is natural,
however foolish. Let it be remembered that the
Examiners are as much upon their trial as those
whom they examine. Experience may prove that
the Examiners judge badly. But as things
at present stand, no doubt the predictions of
those who inaugurated this scheme have been
singularly verified. Very many of the best
pupils at middle-class schools have been found defi-
cient in the ordinary and most useful branches of
education—reading, writing, arithmetic, and geo-
graphy. At the same time many of those who
have been plucked show considerable knowledge of
the higher branches. Thus a young man, CIIARLES
EDWARD GROVER, educated at the College, Brilitoa-
hill, under Mr. WILION, appears to have distin-
guished himself in three sections, though he proved
hisompetent in the preliminary examination. This
is no uncommon thing. There is now
an eminent living Prelate whose orthographic
powers were so weak that it was a ques-
tion with the ()steed Examinees of his time whe-
ther he ought to past. Cabinet Ministers and plisse
Admirals have sometimes betrayed a strange
ignorance of spelling and
,geography, and therelbre
Mr. Onoves need not &tram himself at his failure.
Lit it not, however, be issagt nod that these remarks
an meek in disparagement of a good preliminary
adimatica. The probability is that no part of edu-
cation received km attention now • at the great public
seheek. It seed to be grievoar.'y neglected then;
and if these middle-clam examinations have the
sabot of improving the Imam-Wing or of in-
creasing the knowledge of geography and English
History of private school pupils they will not
lave best instituted in vain. Tadao% it cannot
be too often repeated that the c.hiet object
of their istrednetion wae to test the character
of the ediesation furnished to the middle claims, and
kr diet purpose to Insist upon the porn rn of a
mad eirematary education. The number of per-
iling a plucked" Ned to prove conclusively that this
tut wee not only wanting, but has been effectual-1Y
"Plied-

Ot
Douce these results are lulled by the oppo•
Dente of this new sehmse with the liveliest sainfee-
dee. From the My commencement many have
anticipated balers. Now they are certain of it.
Row, they ask, is it possible to examine a vast
amber of strangers with no definite object P If
yea allow a seen to attach A.A. of Oxford to his
mime the Colleges will be emptied, and the Tattes'
peek*s will seam, loosess who is to distinguish
A.A. teem B.A. P Again, we are told that this new
scheme is a gigantic system of wrammies,erentmen,
aids SIM books I M If all badly sondnoted examine-
thus were tie Bolas to the tame abuse. But surely
this is but idle talk. Bitting aside, tw unworthy and
somewhat sordid, the taiiiershle ergotis& abort
losing fees by diminishing students in resides*, at
the Univalitise—which we lamest to say was Skit
limited by a DX. of Cenehridge—there is sothing I

whatever in any other of the 0.,
!ddle-alas examthatian is r* uses
its ollject that that conducted
y by the Civil - Service , Examiners. St
Windage et aftaoWng B.A. to a name does
not depend on the viffue set upon it by ignorant
people who know not what it ramie. Though a
high degree does not entitle a man to any addition to
his name, it is idle to contend that a senior wraargler,
or double first, has not better credentials than the
man with a common degree. If there is any real
advantage in B.A. over A.A., it is vain to pretend
that a man will be less willing to undergo the disci-
pline required to attain that advantage. If the
Awed advantage is a sham, the sooner it is ex-
ploded the better, even though it involve the ruin of
a sears of Cambridge doctors. Sometimes we
are 'inured that the whole scheme was got
up in a hurry, and that, like everything
for which no plan has been framed, it
most fail. Experience, however, seemly sup-
porta this view. The two columns of imooess-
ful candidates gathered from every district in
England, and from a vast number of schools, the
anxiety of schoolmasters to find that their pupils
have distinguished themselves, and the eagerness of
the pupils themselves, tell a very different tale. The
scheme has been an undoubted success ; and if the
number of candidates who appear next time at all
approaches those who have already presented them-
selves, that rooters will be absolutely certain. It
should not be forgotten that this examination
is voluntary. No candidate need submit him-
self to the ordeal—need bend his neck to
the yoke unless be pleases. lie can gain nothing by
succeeding in it except honour and distinction. It
the judgment of the Oxford Examiners is bad, one of
two consequences must follow—either no one will
come to be examined, or the certificates which are
granted will be ignored. No young man will, of his
own free will, submit to be plucked by an ignorant
man. Nor will any one submit to be branded as
competent if that brand is proved by experience to
denote the very opposite quality. In short, this is a
thoroughly self-adjusting system, which eau only
succeed it it be administered by competent
men. No doubt the first examination has
surprised many who knew little of the state
of middle-class education. At the same time
it is hit to remember that the examination held the
other day was the first attempt. Candidates will be
better prepared next time. They will are
thoroughly understand what is expected of them.
And in confirmation of this, it is singular that of all
the oemdidates this time thaw from Bath and Exeter
did themselves most credit, especially in the preli-
minary subjects. The reason is obvious. Them
were the two places at which the experiment was
first tried by Dr. TEMPLE and Dr. ACLAND. They
bad some experience of the sort of thing. The pro-
bability, therefore, is that a similar improvement
will be visible throughout the country at the next
_ examination.

TU.

THE ATLINTIC TELEGERAPI4.
MFIBSA9EB TO AND PRO.
TO. TKO lIDTTOI OP TOO Z1713M4
Bm—l have the pleastut to inform you that the
line from Valenti& to Newfoundland is now working
satisfactorily both ways. The following menage
was despatched yeMerday evening from the Direc-
tors in England to the Directors in America :

" Europe and America are united by telegraph.
Glory to God in the Highest; on earth peace, good-
will towards men."

This message, including the addresses of senders
and receivers, occupied 33 minutes in transmission,
and consisted of 31 words. Immediately afterwards
a message from her Majesty the Queen to his Ex-1
eellency the President of the United States, consist-
ing of 99 words, was received by Newfoundland
in 87 minutes. Both messages were repeated
back to Valentia to test their accuracy, and were
found to have been taken with great exactness.
Of course, unless permission were given, the con-
tents of Her Msjesty's despatch cannot be made
public.
This morning we have the following message, the
last 38 words of which were received in 22 minutes,
from Mr. Cyrus W. Field, who is at Newfound-
land:

" Cyrus W. Field, Newfoundland, to Directors
Atlantic Telegraph CompenZ, London.—Newfound-
land, Monday.—Entered Trinity Bay, noon of the
sth. Landed cable on the 6th. On Thursday morn-
ing
ship at once to St. John's. Two miles of shore
cable, with end ready for splicing.
" nce was cable landed at ValentiaP Answer
by telegraph and forward by letters to New York."
It will thus be seen that the line is now capable of
being worked with perfect accuracy, and the oom-
pany will now proceed, am rapidly an is consistent
with the establishment of a proper system, to make
the necessary arrangements for opening the commu-
nication to the public, in doing which, however,
some delay must neoessexily occur.—Youre truly,
GEORGE SAWARD,
Secretary and Manager.
Chief-office, 22, Old Broad-street, London.

The following message has been received this
morning from Valentia:—
" We are now receiving from Newfoundland ao-
curately, with perfect signals, at the rate of one
hundred words per hour."

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(71011 OVA OWN

PARIS. MONDAY EYUIKG.

The flits of August 16 went off exceedingly well,
according to the programme ; and the programme is
so like that of last year, and msny years preceding,
that there is very little to be said about it. To those
who are familiar with Paris fetes there was little
novelty in this, and those who have never seen one
can form bat a slight ides of it from any description.
The raree shows, the theatres open gratis, the re-
freshment booths, the flags, the illuminations, the
fireworks, and the crowds, may be read of in the
files of any newspaper for the last quarter of a cen-
tury; only, under the reign of Louis Philippe, and
in the time of the republic, you most look for the
date of the "three glorious days" of July, and
since the Empire, for the 16th of August,
which is at once the Feast of the As-
sumption and of Napoleon. The principal
variations in the accounts of each year
concern the weather—wet or dry, intensely hot or
tolerably coot. On the present occasion the weather
was perfect ; there was a clear blue sky, a warm
but not burning sun, a soft but brisk southerly
breeze, and the dust had been laid by a smart
thunder-shower the day before. Under these fa-
voring circumstances, all who were disposed to enjoy
the fOte had a full measure of enjoyment. There
was less mosey spent in illuminating and deco-
rating the Champs Elysees than there has been on
recent occasions, and the crowd there and in the
Plass de la Concorde was not so great as usual. The
removal of the fair from the Champs Elystes to the
Place des Invalid's is a great relief to the former
fashionable promenade. The epicures who frequent
Lsdoyen's restaurant went to their favourite resort
to breakfast and dine without being compelled to
force their way through serried battalions of blouses.
In the evening the absence of the working classes
!rem the former central point of the fetes was
remarkable. Great numbers of well-dremed ladies
heard the grand concert at the Roux-point in
comfort, and afterwards walked to the Place de la
Concorde, to see the illuminations, without the
slightest inconvenience. The truth is, that the
removal of the fireworks to the heights of Treosdero,
draws the multitude away to the Champs de Mars,
where they see them well. From the Champs
Elystee the effect is deadened by the blaze of light
around, and also lessened by the considerable dis.
tame. 1, however, greatly applaud the system of
spreading the population over a wider surface, and
thus preventing the fearful crowd which need to
eudanger the lives of the lieges in the Champs
Elyeies. The Tuileries gardens, which formerly
made a great feature in the fetes, were this year shot
ap, they being mutilated and not fit to be seen.
Judging from the appearance of the streets, I should
say that fewer people came from the provinces than
in former years; and I also believe that many
Parisians who formerly stayed in Paris now sensibly
avail themselves of a fête to go out of town lee the
day and breathe country air.
The Paris Conference held its eighteenth sitting
to-day. It is not thought that the convention of
the Principalities has been actually signed, but the
general opinion is that it will be at another meeting,
to be held to-morrow or Wednesday. As soon se
the necessary formalities can be complied with M.
Billing, Coast Walewski's Chef de Cabinet, will
start from Parts to present the convention to the
Emperor in Brittany.
At the *peeing of the Bonnie this morning the
Rents was in great demand, and after • temporary
and rather violent reaction it recovered end became
very firm for the else. The last prices were 01/fr.lio.
for arab, and 69fr. 16e. for account, being • rise in
seek ease of 10e. Mobilise, after considerable
fluctuation, clamed with a fall of 2fr. 60c, The
railways improved 000siderably; Orleans roes 16fr.;
Northern, 11ft. 260. ; Lyons, (Or. 76c.; Southern,
Tfr. 60c.; and Western and Eastern, 6fr. earth.

A oorreepearlent of the /worpnewesoli; at
whist from Bed* Mass that fee mem maim.
physlehae bap lutemlieted the Primers preemies Win*
from tekleg runway jaarseye. her eseradmemed betas im-
puted it October. The same compepadent Mites that
ateemlle, to peasemarraegemeeeee the Quinn wlll reader at
Potsdam mil the nth, sad on her Mars will Mop two dip
M the mart of Cehearg.
At the late grand ball at Brest, the Emperor
Load with the Mapes daughter, Kan.. Beast, the Lu-
pus with the hyper himself; sad Admiral Fissealts.
Mishear dm le Iffmtes, wee elm to the M. The Itspremf
tame wee mitu . rieseigue, astir et beach* diode= of
limeade, is the mere et sidle wee the ham stems called
.t• lageat ; a seethe with thus rows dine pamh, with •
db. mead clasp bracelet, dhateads mad tathisha. Rif elm
was ~f Wagtails, steadied with lever, with Itemeass theammil
Inman 4 heat ci lbs eoreese.

ri Y IBM NAPOLEON.
Last night, the Fete Napoleon having this year
MO* on a Bosley, the *pee of the French &dew was
the tested. the devious were in gas, and non-
sled of en ogle, having on one side of it the initials
"N. E.," mumonnted by the imperial crown; on the other
the crown of England planed above the letters " V. A.," and
in base • bugs star, seven feet in diameter, blaring in its
centre two bands clasped.

The banquet, as our readers are aware, took plan on the
previous day ; the following I. a translation of the textual
Ve7llloll of the word' to which his Esoelleuoy the Dao de
Malakoff proposed the health of the Qucen :

"Gentlemen,—lt is always a great honour and a sweet
satisfaction for the ambaseador of Prance to propose the
health of the gracious Sovereign of Great Britain. Those
sentiments receive new strength from that recent event,
at which two glorious Bags floated in the closest union.
As a witness of that imposing spectacle my emotion was
that of a soldier and of a friend; and I there saw for the
two countries a new pledge of eternal alliance (iternelk
alliance). Under that impression, gentlemen, I propose to
you to drink respectfully a toast to the noble and gracious
Queen Victoria."