The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-25 00:00:00

MNITAVNIA.

THIS E% ESIN.I. Till THE ORPITA Ns,. —The
Gr. st Marts.. —ll.llle. r.-lestss Atephiso.—llED .1011 IN HIE
DAI:I MI Mr cntslosrst, Mrs. Y. Yasmosid. and Mrs. It. Itssmsvr.
_to osecitisk ss:th 'AWL'S TRIAL/1.--Coommarr at hisllit.ist 6.

1111:0 WATER AT LONDON INIOCER.
Ri. !mylon•bm. Aftenvom. 741.
MC/i/WW —Mynas& 54. tim...• • Anlarlele. fa. 7m.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2:i.

TO OUR READERS.

SVOIZTING INTELIJOENC E.

A !Ate ulition of the Express is publimhul every
evening (luring the racing roaaon, containiiq the
reAulta of tin, day'e Tama

Husrfrst has held its annual celebra-
tion. hi Saturday the Lose Mayon and the
City authorities attended with great pomp, and
listened, amongst other things, to two orations—
the one iu .:reek, the other in English—delivered
by two " Grecians," in praise of royal hospitals.
The subjects of the exorcises on such occasions
are generally chosen with reference to passing
events, and the double demonstration of the
benefits conferred upon the nation by Christ's
Hospital shows a remarkable anxiety to per-
suade the public of their existence. The truth is,
that the Report of the Education Commissioners
contains sonic very awkward facts with respect to
the foundathoi, and the wonder ix that they have
not already attracted more attention. Thu state
of the Hospital was, indcyd, elaborately investi-
gated by Lord linov.:iisvi's Commission, but that
was many years ago. It is true that the
Charity Commissioners in Duke-street gave no•
tice of an intention to hold an investigation,
but somehow or other that intention never was
carried into effect. When the Duke of Newessri.x
and his colleagues proposed to inspect the institu-
tion, it seems that the treasurer and the other
governors objected to any such interference, upon
the ground that Christ's Hospital is not intended
to supply popular education. The objection was
somewhat audacious, considering tho terms of the
charter. And upon further reflection the authorities
at the Hospital seem to have found out their mis-
take, for they desired their treasurer, Mr. G nage,
to appear before the commiss:un, and to furnish all
the information required. Even now that we are
in possession of Mr. tlit.riN',4 evidence and the re-
port of the Commissiouers, it is difficult to trace in
the modern " Blue-coat School" any family
likeness to the noble original. The youthful en-
thusiasm of a boy for the munificent founder of a
school which be is about to leave for college is
pardonable enough. But Mr. (lux's, at least,
and probably the Lulu) Maven too, must be
aware that "the poor fatherless and motherless
" children" for whose " miserable estate" King
EDWARD VI. designed the foundation have been
robbed of their inheritance, which is now usurped
by those for whom it never was intended.

The revenues of the Hospital in Cho year ending
1859 were 63,930/. 7e. 101. ; of this sum 6,0001.
was derived from the " benevolences" or dona-
tions of 50101. each paid by twelve gen-
tlemen on being appointed governors.,
The number of children in the Hospital varies
from 1,100 to 1,200. Of these 800 are in Lon-
don ; the rest are in tho preparatory school at
Hertford, whence they am drafted, when sufficiently
advanced, into tf•e London school. Now, there
can be no doubt, as the Report of the Education
Commissioners says, "that this institution was
" inteneed for the poor." The terms of the
charter make the matter clear. In point of fact,
however, this essential condition seems altogether
ignored. The practice of the Committee of
the Hospital formerly was either to reject Alm-
lately every child whose parents had an ineoine
exceeding 3001. a year, or to refer any special ease
to the general court. Formerly the special cases
were rare ; but within the last 20 or 25 years
they have considerably increased in number, and
in some instances the treasurer admits that "the
"income of the parent has exceeded 500/. a
" year."

This might seem perversion enough. But it is
cast into the shade by what is termed the system
of "Donation Governors." Originally, and indeed
down to the middle of the last century, the gover-
nors—other than the Lo MAYOR, the Alder-
men, and twelve Common Councilmen—were

appointed, ostensibly at least, on the ground of
personal distinction. Since that period a serious
change has taken place. For the sum of 5001.
any person can make himself a governor.
At present, therefore, out of the whole
number of governors, which is 485, and
was lately 500, all, with the excep-
tion of the Loan Msvoa, the Aldermen, and the
twelve Common Councilmen, are " Donation
" Governors." By the payment of 5001. they
have acquired the right to present to all the places
in the Hospital, with some comparatively few ex-
ceptions. By these subscriptions, which amount
altogether to 6,0001., the revenues of a royal
foundation founded for the poor of the realm, and
amounting to 57,0001., are placed at the disposal
of several hundred private individuals, to be used
at their individual discretion. It would be diffi-
cult to parallel so gross an usurpation, the origin
of which is so recent and yet so obscure. But
what are the results of this state of things 1
Mr. Ottrur, the treasurer, has already proved
that it is rather the rich than the poor who
enjoy the benefits of the foundation. But besides
this it seems that so far from promoting education,
the present system of the Hospital positively retards
it. As the boys are not admitted until seven, it
is of some importance that they should be tolera-
bly educated. But it seems that the right of a
donation governor is so absolute that it is doubt-
ful whether the Hospital has legal power to refuse
any child who nay be presented. " We have
"been inundated with children," says Mr. GILPIN,
"who did not know their letters ; " and even
after two years at Hertford some of them have
been hardly able to spiAL Attempts have been
made to remedy this by requiring the children to
peas au e, mimetic' M IMMO% but with doult-

ul success, for some of the donation governess
have argued, " I have made myself a governor
" hers, and if I choose to send my hoy to this,
" which is a large charitable school, it is your
" duty to teach him ;" and the argument has
been hold valid. Nor is this all. The evidence
of the treasurer, to show the singular success
which he and his colleagues have had in retarding
education by the expenditure of a revenue of
some 63,1nn1f. a year, is so striking that
it must be given in his own words
" We had hoped," he says, when asked whether
children were to be henceforth required to be able
to read on their admission, "that every parent
" would see the necessity of that ; but we paid-
' " tively were met upon one occasion, when a child
" came for admission, by the fact that hu did not
" know his letters. 1 asked the mother what she
"could be about! She was the mistress of a
" National School ; and I said, • What can be the
" reason of this!' The reply was, 'We knew he
" was to have this presentation, awl tto reho oee
" did not tale Ow trouble to nloctitt him at
" 4Even the boys from the parochial
schools, although of an inferior class,
come better educated than those pot
in by the donation governors. It seems, then,
that these gentlemen, who constitute the ruling
powers of the charity, are not merely usurpers, but
prevent the very object fur which the charity
e‘ists.

It is clear, therefore, that the system of dona-
tion governors ought to be abolished. In this re-
commendation of the Commissioners we heartily
concur. But with regard to the other presenta-
tions, which are now in the hands of the official
governors, the proposal is equally sensible. They
propose that a presentation to Christ's Hospital
should be, like a presentation to Eton or Winches-
ter, the reward of merit, in order, as the
Report says, that parents who bring up their chil-
dren well, and children who are well conducted
and industrious, may look to a place in this great
foundation as • reward to be won by them inde-
pendently of interest or connexion, and as an
honour HO less than a pecuniary advantage.

CD: Ocurt.

BALAIORAL. Sarrntua 23.

The Queen and Priuce Cumort: with Print:vim
Alive and Prince Louie of Hew, attended divine service
yesterday tnornina in the pariah churchof Crathie.
The !odium and Gentlemen in Waiting were in attend.
apse.
The Hey. Dr. Fowler officiated.
Dr. Itoberteon was the only addition to her Majesty's
dialler party.

Despatches were received yeeterday at the Colocial-offico
trace the Lord High Commis/Maar al the lonian !eland..

ARRIVAL OP THE GRAND DUKE AND
DUCHRSN coNsrAirrims.

Yesterilay afternoon their Imperial Highnesses
the Grand Duke and Duchess Constantine arrived at Dever
by one of the Royal Mail packets, specially retained for the
service, from Calais. The illustrious visitors, who were
attended by a numerous suite, including the Mareschal de
la Corr Tchitcherin, M. Ilawrowits, and Y. Linn, are en
mule for the Isle of Wight, the Grand Duke having secured
• mansion in the neighbourhood of Binstead, a short dis-
tance from Ryile. and the property of Lord Downe,
where it is supposed these ,:istinguishal members of
the Russian royal family will remain fur the ensuing
two mouths. Oa landing, their imperial highnesses were
received by his Excellency Baron Brunow, the Russian
minister, and Mr. S. M. Latham, the Russian vice-consul at
lover; hut as the °road Duke travels rnnonnitu as Admiral
Itornanoff, there were none of the official marks of honour
usually displayed on like occasion,. It was the original
intention of the Grand Dula aryl Duchess to proceed direct
to Portsmouth oo laodiog, and a special train of the South
Eastern Railway had been prepared by the station super-
intendent at Dover, Mr. Way; but these arrangements
were ultimately countermanded, their Imperial Highnesses
determining to remain the night at the Lord Widen Hotel,
and to proceed by the 9 cm. train today, via Hastings.
Great curiosity was manifested by a crowd of strangers who
lined the quay on the arrival of the packet to catch •
glimpse of • personags so distinguished as the brother of
the Russian Emperor, but those who anticipated a line and
commanding presence were somewhat disappointed. The
Isle of Wight is a favourite resort of the Russian nobility,
more than one personage of high rank from St. Petersburg
having recently passed through Dover or. their way thither.

THE LuRD-LIEUTILYANCY OF DSVON. —lt is ru-
moured that the Lord-Lieutenaucy of Devonshire, which
has become vacaut by the death of the Parl ',ostracise, will
be conferred by her Majesty upon FAA Russell.

On entering Coblentz on the evening of the 20th,
the Prince of Wales sad the Crown Prince acid Crown
Princes rod* in a carriage immediately behind that emu.
lied by the King of Prussia, and were enthusiastically
theorem!, specially by those of British nationality either
reddest in the town or neighbourhood, or who were
making a tour in Rhineland. Immediately after the royal
carriages came an enormous torchlight procession, coo.
Mating of the various societies and corporations of the
town, bearing their flags and banners, headed by the chief
magistrate and the town council, and numbering in all
2,000 persons. The national hymn was sung by the
populace, and the procession made the circuit of the town,
sad axe aftermath the royal visitors left the castle 113
apse meioses sad passed through the illuminated streeta.
The seem at this time was magnificent, for not only was
the town illuminated, but resplendent firm shone on the
Rhine bridge, at the magnificent castle of Ehrenheeiteteio
on the opposite shore, and on the neighbouring heights.
Their majesties Sr. expected to reman at l'oblenta for
some days.

The Marchieneva of Exeter and Lady Mary Cecil
have left Grosseoor•square for Snubley House, near Starn•
ford, where they were joined ou Saturday by the noble
=argot@ from ammeter.

Thu Earl of Wilton and Lady Alice Grey Egerton
have arrived ►t Heaton Hall, near Hawheater, from ► tour
of visits in Scotland.

The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have left
the lard Wardos Hotel for Wollner Castle.

-----
Lord Dynevor has arrived at too Lord Warden
Hotel from Calais.

The Baron Charles Rothachild and family have
left the Lord Warden Hotel for Calais.

The Lord Chancellor's rectory of Font's Cray,
Kent, has biome recant by the detth of the Rev. Eunch
Hodgkinsou Warriaer, M.A., .4 Lincoln College, Oxford,
who wu instituted in IM2I. The benefice is worth about
300/. a year, with a house.

The Princt.i.s Madill,le in Altortly to leave her
seat at Bel irate, on the Lig" Mctßime. to Nara a I'. W dais
at the chateau of Moon, lo Loiehady.

The Empress Eugeuie paid a visit on Saturday to
the Salloil'Aeile, at Bayonne, and woe received by the
mayor, the inommitti • of patrone:m, the prefect of the
BasomPyrimees, and • number of superior functionaries.
Eighty of the children, from three to seven years of age,
were ranged at the entrance of the building ; and at one
idea the entrance stool twelve little girls i• white, while
at the other were drawn up in line twelve boys, each with
• miniature musket io his hand, who served as a guard
ei honour to the initerial vinare'', and accompulied her
to the exercise mole, where the whole body of the
children, amouoting to 'mend lUdilball, were ewers,•
Mid, Here the COTTIM•I3.IOT of the Lilliputian bend ep.
preached the Empress, awl after baying with perfect gravity
made the military salute, said, in a resolute tom :
" Madame, I come to tell your Majesty that all these boys,*
*Mai to the twelve under his orders, " are determioed
to be soldiers of the Prime Imperial !" A shout of " Vice
M PASO* Imperial's" arose throughout the whole room, and
wee ever and over again repoated. The children the,
miswirrod with coosidenshle lotelligence • number of ques-
ting no stibjecte suited to their ages, and went through a
variety of exertion. The Empress ordered • quantity of
edger and sweetmeats to he distributed among them, and,
after expreesiag her natisfactioe, took her departure amidst
the acclamation of the children.

LATICf3T INTELLIGENCE.

JAPAN.

ATTEMPT TO MURDER THE BRITISH

LEGATION.
OILUTZIeII TELIGRAIIK.)
POINT DE OALLE, grrr. I.
News of a very grave character bas been re-
ceived hem inn!' Japan, to the effect that during
the night of the sth of July, a murderous and
evidently a premeditated attack was made ou the
intanbers of the British Legation in Japan. Mr.
Morrison and Mr. Oliphant were seriously
wounded. The rest of thu Legation, more fortu-
nate, escaped, and took refuge at Yakohania.
Tue Impericuse and the Ringdove had been
ordered up.
A telegram in the nuts sari :

An attempt was made at Kanagawa by a band
of armed assassins, on the night of the Gth of
July, to murder all the imitates of the British
Legation.
Mows. Oliphant and Morison received several
wounds, the rest escaped unhurt.

All was quiet on the 21st of July, but the
foreign community were very nneasy,
Mr. Alcoek is still at Yaklo. The Reimlox was
there. The Actteou, the Algerine, and two gun-
boats at Yokohama.

The Japanese government affect much auxiety
for the foreign reai4leuta at Kanagawa.

CHINA.
CANTON, AUGUST 12.
The Prussian minister bas failed to obtain a
treaty from the Chinese goveninieut.

The rebels are reported to be approaching Shang-
hai, with an army of 100,000 men. Nankin is
atilt closely invested by the imperial troops.
The port of Tai-Wan-Foo, iu Formosa, ha!, been
opened under the treaty. Mr. Sw•iuhoe ham been
appointed British vice-consul there.

The Chinese Customs and the working of the
new treaty cause niuch dissatisfaction to the
whole mercantile community. The Chamber of
Commerce has summoned a meeting to consider
the question.
The Emma is reported lost.
The Manilla, Rajali (!) Drusan, and Cosmopo-
litan, are aground in the Yanglitze river.
The neighbourhood of Canton is doodad.