The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-28 00:00:00

against it

MR. COBDEN is again before the public
one of those matter-of-fact men, who require sti
mulating, or what is vulgarly called " stirring up, '
occasionally. That he has lately had to bear
a respectable share of popular reanimation is quite
certain. His appearance to take an active part in
public matters is a circumstance of some import.
At the re-opening of the Barnsley Mechanics'
Institution, on Wednesday night, he delivered a
very lengthy speech on education, and on this
occasion we find him giving expression to those
liberal sentiments which pervade the whole of his
public career. His facts are nevertheless most
bitter and humiliating. He tells us that in one of
the most distinguished manufacturing towns in
England, the art of drawing, so essential in' cor-
rect designing, is almost unknown, while the only
hope of improvement he could discover, was Buell
as could be picked up by the operatives from the
ninth or tenth part of a drawing master, an in-
structor whose labours were spread over eight or
nine other large towns.
Compare these facts with what we see in France
and other continental countries, where the finest
touches of the greatest masters in the Arts can be
discovered in the works of the humblest operative
sculptor, embellisher,'and weaver. Even the needle
of the simplest sempstress shows a knowledge of
art, while the chaste and gorgeous tapestry of
remote ages supplies the patterns for the lace
workers in the lowliest cottages. What wisdom,
what forethought, what comprehensiveness and en-
lightenment have the rulers of the Continent
shownrin thus refining and shaping the taste and
habits of the people.

He is

The health, happiness, and stability of a nation
may be measured by its refinement. How many
millions of men have been won over to
the Latin Church, and other formula of religion,
by the exquisite works of Scriptural painters. The
Early Fathers of these churches were not slow in
discoVering the extraordinary power which the
true and life-like delineations of the artists' pencil
exercised on the human eye and heart. The tapes-
tries of the temples of antiquity were the Only
records of virtuous and heroic deeds left to
emulate those mighty nations that first made war
on the primitive degradation and hopelessness
of man.

In every age remarkable for purity and the
durability of its institutions, the art of painting
and drawing is found to hold a most conspicuous
place. Nor do we find any nation distinguished
for learning, which was not deeply indebted
to the great masters in the Arts, for
many details necessary to link together the facts,
and complete the history, of scene memorable
epoch. Important and interesting as the subject
of artistic education really is in this point of view,
how much more so must it be when we consider
the extraordinary advantages foreigners have over
Englishmen, in the production of those fabrics
to which designs impart nine-tenths of their
value ? The gain of one State is the great incen-
tive to imitation by another. If Manchester has
grown in magnitude, and become rich by calico
weaving and printing, what is to prevent other
countries—France, for instance—from adopting
those trades, and with the vast advantage of a
refined artistic taste for designing, and a more
perfect chemical knowledge of dying and the
proper application of colours ?

If the artistic education 4 a people was a
matter no longer possible, we silo ald not be sur-
prised at the apathy which exists on the subject
in our large manufacturing towns. But where it
can be accomplished by the expenditure of a
moderate sum of money annually, we cannot
help expressing our astonishment that it has not
been taken up before, as a means of closing the
doors of our manufacturing prosperity against all
probability of innovation.

On the subject of scholastic Education, Mr.
Cobden spoke with great force and truth. He
described with his usual ability the moral and
social degradation of the people, as well as the
political dangers of a State, where the population
is immersed in ignorance. He cites one case,
where a magistrate of Manchester had attended
the swearing-in of the Militia in one of the
largest manufacturing towns in the kingdom, and
that not one-half of the men could read, and not
one-third could sign their names or age ! Again,
he says, " as I came with a gentlethan from Pres-
ton the other day, he told me that he attended a

coroner's inquest, one day last week, and out of
thirteen jurymen, five signed their names and
eight made their marks." Here, then, we have
besotted ignorance called to discharge a duty of
the utmost importance, and one in which the life
and liberty of the subject was left to the disposal
of eight men who could not write, and, in all
probability, could-not read their own verdict, much
less the depositions when written for them.
This is, indeed, a lamentable statement of facts
to go before the world. But what shall we say of
those education-mongers -who have been harping
about schools and schoolmasters, and who have
not forgotten to draw rather largely on the pockets
of the public, for funds to promote the education
of the people? It is now nearly a quarter of a
century since the National School system was first
introduced, to which Ragged Schools have since
been added, and yet when we go abroad among
the younger portions of the population, whose age
may vary from ten to twenty years, we find but
little trace of instruction, and as great a want of
refinement, as it is possible to conceive. What,
then, has become of the money raised to supply
the great want of scholastic education ? This is a
question we shall not lose sight of; in the mean-
time, we must content ourselves by returning to
Mr. Cobden's remarks on " strikes," the evils
attending which he attributes entirely to the
ignorance of both the disputants. On this subject,
the observations expressed by Mr. Cobden are
precisely similar to the opinions which we have
promulgated in the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.

To grapple with the elements of society, by
which millions of beings are clothed, fed and
housed, requires no ordinary amount of education,
in addition to great experience and considerable
ability. The most perfect system of instruction
cannot supply all that information we find cen-
tered in a few, to the great multitude; but, as
Mr. Cobden truly observes, in referring to the

existing strikes :
We do not find, every time the cessation of work by
25,000 of the community takes place, the military called out
and blood shed. We see an amount of passive endurance
which certainly, if it had wisdom and true policy at its back,
would be highly commendable. We see none of that vio-
lence which we formerly saw, and we shall live to see the
time when another step will be taken in intelligence—when
men will settle those matters, not by resorting to blind pas-
sion—not by the multitude of gathering together, and vitu-
perating one another—but we shall, instead of that, see per-
fect liberty given to all parties, whether it be masters or
whether it be men, to arrange these things according to their
own interest and will ; and when that is the case the rate of
wages will be settled just as quietly as you see the price of
any article settled in the market.

This augury simply applies to the operative
classes, who are certainly, through their own good
sense, making rapid strides in education by means
of the facilities which Mechanics' Institutes afford
for self-instruction. But among the great masses
below mechanical classes, we find the demon igno-
rance in all its worst form ; and to illustrate the
impending dangers to society from this source, we
must again use Mr. COBDEN'S words :—" All of us
must admit that the mass of this countsy do go-
vern. In the last resort they are called in to
arbitrate on all questions that touch our national
interests ; and we must all admit that it is best to
have an•arbitrator who has been trained to think—
who
.have been accustomed to weigh and discuss
reasons, and to deduce conclusions from facts and
evidence—it is better to have parties of this kind
to settle great national questions than to refer such
mighty interests to the arbitration of ignorance,
prejudice, and passion."

SOME Toronto newspapers falling into our hands
just now, direct our attention to Upper Canada, of
which Toronto is the capital. In one of the leading
papers of that place, now lying before us, it is
stated in substance, that the Province has already
become one of the United States, for all commer-
cial pUrposes—that the bonds which fasten it to
England are growing weaker and weaker, and its
adhesion to the United States stronger and
stronger. Yow it must not be understood, that
any alienation of political feeling on the part of
the inhabitants against the mother country, or
any tendency to disloyalty, superinduced the
declaration above noted. On the contrary; it will
be remembered that, when Lower Canada rose in
rebellion against 'the United Kingdom, in 1837,
it was owing to the loyalty and prompt action
of the Upper Province that the insurrection was
so Suddenly. and effectually suppressed. Again,

let it be noted, that the people of the Upper
Province, in contradistinction from the Lower
Province, are of a political status giving pledge of
loyalty. While a majority of the people of the

Lower Province are nationally French, and re-
ligiously Roman Catholic, the inhabitants of the
Upper Province are-1, the descendants of the
Tory-Refugees, whose fathers fled from the States
during the Revolutionary war; 2, Scotch farmers,
and, 3, of English gentlemen, landowners, bankers,
merchants, tradesmen, &c. Their religion is de-
cidedly Protestant, divided pretty equally into
Episcopalian, Wesleyan, Presbyterian, and
Baptists.

Here, then, the people, in blood, religion, pur-
suits, and social habits, are essentially British;
and yet they declare, themselves, that they have
become one of the United States for all commer-
cial purposes ; and that they are fast cutting loose
from the Home country. How is this ? Why,
look at this magnificent Province geographically,
and the enigma is explained. The settlements of
the Province commence at the north-east, below
Kingston, and stretch south-west along the shores
of Lake Ontario, the River Niagara, and Lake
Erie, for about six hundred miles, to Detroit River
and Lake St. Clair. Most of the land is rich in
soil, and equal to Western New York and Michi-
gan; and lying in the same lallt,uae, the climate
being of the same temperature.
But the local position of this fine Province is
such, that it must be mixed up with the surround
ing - States in all its business operations. The
great State of New York bounds the Province
south and east, through the centres of Lake
Ontario and Lake Erie. Ohio and Pennsylvania
cut in for a share of the boundary towards the
head of Lake Erie. On the west, are the two
thriving States—Michigan and Wisconsin. Now,
it occurs, that these productive States are all alive
in the enterprise of internal communication by
railways. Upper Canada lies wedged in between
the Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron ; and the
most direct route from Western New York to
Wisconsin and the Far West, would span Upper
Canada through its most cultivated and richest
part. The Province cannot resist the temptation,
thus to be linked to those great thriving States ;
and she foresees that this commercial artery will
let her out directly to the Atlantie, via Albany
and New York, thereby avoiding the long and
tedious route by the River and Gulf of St. Law-
rence. The moment this railway project is com-
pleted (and it is now in rapid progress), the
interests of Upper Canada will be as much iden-
tified with the commerce of New York, as are
those of any of the Western States. But this, so
far from injuring the Province, will give a new
life-spring to its population ; and a portion of the
redundant population now floating off to Austra-
lia, will turn their attention Westward, where the
land is cheaper, and very much better than at the
Antipodes.
We look that, when the' " Gold fever" shall
somewhat abate, men will find that digging but

the depth of the ploughshare for gold, is the most
sure way of finding it ; and especially if they dig
in the luxurious soil of Upp.er Canada.

So the embryo Mayor is not to be permitted to
" walk the course" of Abercromby Ward, at the en-
suing Municipal Election. We are glad to find
that the remarks which we ventured to offer yes-
terday have already produced their fruits. It will
be seen, on reference to another column, that J.
HOUGHTON BRANCKER, Esq., has consented to be-
come a candidate to represent the ward in the
Town Council. He has issued an address to the
Electors, and a public meeting of his supporters
is to be held this evening. We believe a more
suitable selection of a candidate could not have
been made. Mr. BRANCKER is the nephew of the
late Sir THOMAS BRANCKER, and his name has long
been associated with the progress and welfare of
the Borough. He is a man of considerable attain-
ments, and his position is such as to justify the
belief that, if elected, he will render valuable ser-
vices to his fellow-townsmen. Remembering the
triumphant manner in which the Electors of Aber-
cromby Ward last year returned Mr. ROBERTSON
GLADSTONE to the Council, we can have no doubt
but that Mr. BRANCKER will, on the day of Elec-
tion, receive an amount of support commensurate
with his fitness and qualifications for the office.

Yesterday, Dr. Goss, the new Roman Catholic
Bishop of Liverpool, officiated at the opening of the new
Roman Catholic chapel of Sutton.

The Health committee did not meet yesterday
and no meeting will take place until after the re-constructio
of the committee on the 9th prox. by the council.

SHIP LETTERS FOR AUSTRALIA, BY THE GOLDEN
AGE.—We perceive that the Post-office authorities
have advertised that ship letters for Melbourne
and Sydney will be taken out by the Golden Age,
which sails from Liverpool on the 10th of next
month.

ROYAL INSTITUTION SCHOOL.-011 Saturday last,
Mr. G. Abram, Sizar of Clair Hall, Cambridge, was elected
to the vacant Canning Scholarship, in the above school, by
the two examiners, Mr. H. Ueir, M.A., of Caius College,
second master of Edinburgh Academy, and Mr. John Bell,
M.A., of St. John's College. Mr. R. Duckworth, whose
election we lately noticed from the Royal Institution to a
scholarship at University College, Oxford, did not enter as
a candidate on this occasion.

It appears that the 10,000 sovereigns which were
lost from the Osmanli steamer have been recovered. The
news was received on Wednesday from Marseilles by elec-
tric telegraph, and was conveyed to that port by the overland
mail, which arrived there on Wednesday.

We believe that the result of this year's revision
of the South Lancashire register will be a gain to the Libe-
ral interest of from 1,500 to 2,000 voters.

THE CITY OF LONDON COMMIISION.—Yesterday
forenoon, the commissioners recently appointed to enquire
into the management of the corporation of the city of Lon-
don, heid their first sitting at the official residence of the
Prime Minister in Downing-street. The commissioners
presant were---the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, the Right
Hon. Sir John Pattison, and G. C. Lewis, Esq. None of
the City magistrates were in attendance, and the represen-
tatives of the public press were not admitted. The com-
missioners were engaged in consultation up to 2 o'clock, and
they are to sit again on Tuesday next, at iI. It is under-
stood that they will sit every Tuesday, Wednesday, 'Thurs-
day and Friday at twelve o'clock for some weeks to come.
At these meetings reporters will be admitted, except when
the commissioners are engaged in private consultation.
ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.—BRAVE CONDUCT OF A
DOCK GATEMAN.—Last evening about seven o'clock, a man
fell into the Union Dock, and would• inevitably have been
drowned, were it not for the assistance rendered him. On the
cry of a man overboard beingraised, Mr. Lewis, dock-gateman,
Union Dock, lowered himself down into the water by means
of a rope, seized hold of the party who was drowning, and suc-
ceeded in keeping his head above the water until George
Corfield, No. 2, dock-gateman of the Coburg Dock, came to
his assistance in a boat. Ry the united efforts of Lewis and
Corfield the man was got into the boat, landed, and conveyed
to the Southern Hospital. Mr. Joseph Wood, dock-master,
also rendered valuable assistance in rescuing the party immersed.
It appears this is the fifth man Lewis has saved since his ap-
pointment as dock-gateman. His bravery and humanity
will entitle him to the consideration of the Humane Society.
PUBLIC MEETING IN LONDON ON THE Russo-
TURKISH DISPUTE.—A meeting of the inhabitants of the
Tower Hamlets was held on Wednesday night, "to give
expression to opinion on the Eastern Question." Captain
Mayne Reed took the chair, and made a speech attacking Lord
Palmerston for " not aiding to release Kossuth from Kutayah ;"
censoring Mr. Cobden for his peace theories ; and referring
hotly to " Hungarian independence." A letter from Mr.
Charles Salisbury Butler, M.P., respectfully intimated his
inability to attend, adding " Although I am as anxious as most
men that our national honour should remain untarnished, it is
impossible to avoid a painful reflection on the frightful conse-
quence of an European war." Mr. Duncombe excused him-
self by pleading a previous engagement, and Lord Dudley
Stuart wrote to the same effect, also advising that the enthu-
siasm of meetings on the Eastern question should not be
directed to other objects. Mr. William Newton spoke, con-
demning secret diplomacy. Mr. David Urquhart followed.
He attacked the government for not assisting Turkey. A
resolution censuring the Ministry for want of energy in sup-
porting the Porte was then passed ; but one gentleman in the
meeting having attributed all the proceedings of Russia to the
conduct of the English government, that opinion was put into
another resolution, and formally carried. There seemed no
division of opinion among the parties present, and at an early
hour the assembly separated.

FARMING IN THE WEST.—The Devonshire farmers
have ceased to grumble ; they are reaping. a golden harvest.
The crops, on the whole, have been good, and the wheat
has been got in in very excellent condition. As a proof of
the advantages the agriculturists have derived from free
trade, our correspondent states that at the various district
ploughing matches held during the last week or two, the
subject of Protection has not been mentioned. A short
time ago the Bookers and Chowlers of Devonshire were tin
the habit of vehemently insisting that Protection must and
should be had ; but these worthies have been silent for some
time, and the agriculturists generally are constrained to
acknowledge that they are reaping the benefit of free trade.
One Devonshire 'squire, who clung to the idea of Protection
with surprising tenacity, and complained bitterly of having
been obliged to reduce his establishment and discharge his
servants, sold this year's wheat a short time ago, in the
Exeter Market, for 10s. per bushel. Prices of grain in the
western markets are high, and cattle are very dear, and have
continued so for some tune. The average price of wheat is
about 9s. per bushel ; barley ss. ; beef has fetched within
the last few weeks 1 is. per score, and mutton 7d. per lb.
Pork has realized 7d. and even Bd. per lb. Dairy produce
is equally dear. Added to this, there is an abundant apple
crop, and the root crop, turnip especially, is remarkably
good.

LITERARY REUNION AT TAMWORTH

SIR ROBERT. PEEL ON STRIKES.

A very interesting demonstration took place at Tamworth
on Tuesday. The anniversary meeting of the library of the
town (rendered remarkable by the presidency and addresses
of the late Sir Robert Peel) was held, and derived addi-
tional importance on this occasion from its being connected
with a conference of delegates from the mechanics' institu-
tions of the Midland Counties. The delegates discussed
measures necessary for the efficient establishment and man-
agement of mechanics' and other establishments of a similar
nature.

Sir Robert Peel was elected president for the ensuing
year, in the room of the Earl, of Yarborough, whose
term of office expired. The principal attraction of the
proceedings was the conversazione held at the town hall
in the evening. Sir Robert Peel and a distinguished body
of visitors at Drayton, called specially together for the
occasion, were early in attendance.

Sir ROBERT PEEL spoke at some length, and in an appro-
priate spirit. "Their wish," he said, "was to givo
to the working classes of England as much of the literature
of the country, carefully selected, as the literature of
the country could supply." He expressed a hope
parliament was about to inaugurate a measure of primary
education applicable to the whole kingdom. Lord John
Russell, beyond all other statesmen, was capable of digesting
such a measure; but the task would be beyond the powers
of any government to accomplish unless it received the co-
operative support of the people. (Cheers.) Sir Robert next
denounced the strikes which have recently occurred in the
north, and said that it was that which cheated labour of its
hire, and robbed the wife, family, and firesides of the honest
labourer. It was only the other day that he observed
there was a strike in Stockport. Not fewer than 20,000
workpeople were said to have "struck," and, in wages to
operatives and profits to masters, not less than £150,000 was
in a given period lost—as much, just as much, as a loan to
Russia. (Cheers and laughter). He (Sir Robert) now saw
that there was a strike in Preston. He should like very
much the opportunity of going to Preston and telling those
turnout workpeople that wages did not depend upon them
or their masters, but upon the standard state of trade.
(Cheers.) He cautioned the workmen of England against
the doctrines which led to strikes for wages. -
. Addresses were delivered in the course of the evening by
Mr. Monckton Milnes, M. P.; Mr. Adderley, M. P.; Dr. Lyon
Playfair, the Earl of Yarborough, Mr. Hill, Recorder of
Birminglam,