The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-10 00:00:00

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schaphi If this feisty I foe Ids Pod heregald SWe kelp yielding dtat
them foisted a school foe Moisten Bests Is laugh); it world
be7ii benefici 1 if all the f of Europe were as-
evil
a school somewhat eadeolding the antra{ school at des
Racial n the Borough. and when England and AMAMI
might act In the capacity of monitors. (Cheers and laughter.)
Scowls America opened a fine prospect to their view. There was
offered an ample held for their exertions. It was ROW relieved from
that thraldom to which Spanish injustice had condemned it. It
' was strange that it never for a second occurred to its conquerors to
improve the condition or attend to the happiness of a country which
Must so amply repay them for their kindness. No, they hunted
, demo its initabitams with dogs, and never once were betrayed into
a single act towards them which humanity or justice could dictate.
The people of that immense country were then free. He trusted
that they could continue to deserve the name of freemen, and he
doubted not that in the progress, of civilisation they might one day
pneluee specimens of art not inferiot.to the master works of Greece
and of Italy. (Applause.)
Mr. ALLEN. the Treasurer, informed the meeting of a fact
which (he said) the delicacy of the Noble Lord withheld—that the
Duke of Bedford's subscriotioti elm 1001. (Applause.)
IV's. It'*ws, E.g. M.P. seconded the motion. Ile did not
think it necessary to advocate the propriety of education before
such a meeting as the present. At the present enlightened e'
it would indeed Ise a waste of time to say one word on the policy of
a general instruction. (hear, hear.) All, he was sure, must feel
gradfild at the Report just read ; it must cheer them to find such
mighty ends produced by means so small. In considering the want
of education endured by /to many of their fellow-creatures, all eyes
• naturally turned to Ireland. (Hear, hear.) After some observa-
tion,' as to the anxiety which prevailed in that country for infor-
mation, he expressed a hope that such a system of ioatruction may
be pursued in Ireland, as would bring the youth of all persuasions
together, so that (in the words of a distinguished individual)" those
children who had knelt around the common fountain, may, in after
lifs' when enjoying the full green) of knowledge, remember their
early associatiors, and look with kindly feelings on the companions
of their infancy." (Hear, hear.) lie had lately attended an exaati-
nation which look place at one of the schools of the Society, and he
assured the meeting that he never saw children who answered bet-
ter—that he never saw children who answered more appositely the
questions put to them from the Saired wrLinees, and In such a way
too as to show that what they said was not got up for the occasion.
The Report was then adopted unminionsly.
The Rev. S. Dwrotur, cf the United States of America, pro-
posed the next )(isolation. The Reveret.,l Gentleman detailed at
some length the measures adopted by the American Government to
promote education in that country. There there was no distinction
between Catholic and Pi otestant ; every sect was allowed to pursue
its own course unmolested in America; every village had its
school, and in the. State with which he was nest acquainted every
family, and not only every family, but every child, had its Bible.
Ile was convinced that no Society was calculated to do more good
than those whose anniversary they were celebrating ; and he was
convinced that if its objects were better known it must receive com-

mensurate support.
Mr. MANTAKis. of Corfu, seconded the Resolution. It afforded
him great pleasure to have an opportunity of returning thanks, in
lois name and that of his countrymen, to the British public,
for their kind exertions to instruct them, to teach them to
read the Scriptures, and to regulate their action.: according
to the moral lessons contained in that sacred volume. The
light of education, through the Mfluence of this Society, was
spreading itself over every country in tie universe. and more par-
ticularly over Greece, which Moe so long lain in darkness--(ireece,
once the mother of arts and sciencen; that country feels grateful
for the benevolence of England, and he trusted that she would not
show herself undeserving the support she received. and that the
generous feelings of his countrymen would testify their gratitude
to this country for the kindness she now bestowed on her. (A o.
plause.) The exertions of the Society were most successful;
schools were established already in Argos and Athens. Oh, may
Athens once more (exclaimed Mr. Maneakis) rival her former
greatness ! May she once mare be the mother of arts and of heroes.
(Applause.) May she once more hold tl:r.t eminence amongst the
nations of the world which at one period her superior civilization
entitled her to. Much was dune tor Greece by the Society ; a
translation of the Testament in modern Greek, of which lie had
been the editor, was now widely circulated through that country.
He undertook the translation under the patronage of Mr. Allen, the
Treasurer of the Society. (Ilear, hear.) He remembered meeting
that benevolent individual some. years back at Corfu. when on his
return from Russia, where lie had been unceasing in lois efforts to
remove the darkness of ignorance. After sonic further remarks,
Mr. Maneakis went on to say, that Ladies' Schools were particularly
wanting in Greece. Ile trusted that the Ladies then present would
interest themselves in their favour, and extend to those who ap-
proached so near to the English Ladies in elegance, the blessings
of education. (Applause.) After again expressing the many ob-
ligations which Greece was under to the British and Foreign School
Society, and also the many benefits conferred on it by Englishmen,
and particularly by Lord Guilford, who established a seminary at
Corfu, he implored the Meeting to persevere in their course of be-
nevolence, that the poor as well as the rich might receive instruction,
and the darkness which so lung enveloped Greece gin e way to the
light of civilization. (Applause.)
The Rev. (I. CLAYTON moved the next resolution. Ile said
that though it was ungrateful and disagreeable to his feelings to
indulge, on such an occasion as the present, in tones of complaint,
or strains of lamentation, still he could not sit down without ex-
pressing his regret at the small and inadequate support received by
the Societe. Ile could not but complain that a Society calculated
so admirably to extend the blessings of education, should in these
halcyon days have to contend with crippled funds and limited
corns. (Hear, hear.) He could not disguise from himself
that the support which it received was not commensurate with
its known claims on the charity and clemency of the community.
The Rev. Gentleman, after remarking on the many obligations
which the Society was under to his Grace the Duke of Sussex, who
had so often presided at its Anniversary Meetings, and lent on all
occasions his warmest support to its objects, said that that illustri-
ous individual must, he was sure, have been kept away by busi-
ness the most pressing, from honouring them that day also with
his presence. The Senate had, however, supplied them with a
Chairman, whose virtues and talents must shed a lustre on any
proceedings with which he was connected. The Society, he
thanked God, wanted not patronage ; it already enjoyed the coun-
tenance and support of floe most exalted in the land. it wood not
in need of patronage, but of the individual assistance of the moral
and religious portion of the community. (Hear, hear.) Mark
the progress of this- Society; it is not upheld by a party, nor does
it contitie itself to the education of a particular party. No, it ex-
tends its exertions to tne instruction of all parties—of all re-
ligions—of all classes, and of all sects. (Great applause.) Thin
is its rale, both in this and foreign countries, in its march
it takes all tinder its wings. (Ii ear, heur, hear.) In the true
spirit of Christian beneficence, it says, in the words of the
great Redeemer, " I bring you all glad tidings." This Society
gore forth in the garb of simplicity ; it puts not on gaudy para-
phernalia; it pretends not to go to great lengths in the instruction
it affords. Some there are who wish it to bear the armour of
Saul; but it prelims taking the little pebbles of the brook to de.
stray the giant of ignorance. (Applause and laughter). After
some further observation!' the Rev. Gentleman said, the Society
was charged with mutilation of die Scriptures. Ile would tell the
persons making such a charge, that selection was not mutilatirn.
(Hear, hear.) He would tell them that the adaptation of particular
passages of the Scripture% to the calibre of the youthful mind, was
la, no means derogatory to the stared volume. (IL ar). Ile could
not forget that in it there were ',Mellows dim a lamb might fathom,
and depths in which a Isev:athan might play (applause), that it
contained " milk for babes and strong meat for men." (Hear,
hear, hear.) We (said the Nev. Gentleman) make the moral
passages of the Scripture the basis of our education—on that we
build our moral instruction; and here let me say one word as to our
Borough school : the system of that seminary has often been con-
founded with the Society, as it' all. its efforts were confined to it ;
that school, Sir, is merely the head-quarters of it; but the depot at
which our teachers receive that instruction which they go forth to
disseminate in every country under the sun. Much though I al.
noire the system of education adopted in that school, there are
other considerations which excite my admiration still more.
I admire, Sir, the grandness of the scheme, which compre-
hends the universe as its 'There of action, and wishes
to shower the blessings of education on the inhabitants of
every nation, however remote. (Applause). He was astonished
that the funds of such a Society. increasing though he adml t.d
they ware, did not exceed their present amount, particularly when
other kindred societies were supported as they were. The II ble So-
ciety had an annual income of front ninety to one hundred thou-
sand pounds—the Missionary Society received 41,0001. a year.
Did it then accord with the claims of equity, not to !my of gene-
rosily, whilst these institutions received such support, that the
British and Foreign School Society had to proceed crippled in its
means, and restricted in its funds. (Applause.) So much so that
were It not for the noble beneficence of their Treasurer, the Society
must long since have been stranded on an unrelenting shore.
Ile wished most fervently that all present saw in the same light he
di I the objects of the Society, and that they inoculated others with
the same feeling. Then, indeed, the Society would have no reason
to complain of inadequate funds. He implored them, however,
inn to be disheartened. Ile remembered that the opening prospect
was almost appalling and overpowering, and now lie rejoiced to
see it assume a noligniticence which its most warm advocate
could never have anticipated. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. Gentleman
lucre went into a detail of the Society's exertions in the islands of
Ceylon atlii Madagascar. In the latter they met with unpoirallelled
success ; the youths courted instruction. and showed a devotion to
the study of the arts which would confer honour on the most
civilized nation. South America too opened a wide field for im-
provement. In Colombia much had been done. and so eneceotsforl
svu the Society in Quito, that ar the present moment a public
moms:cry was occupied by a Bible School. (hear, hear, hear )
Alto r sonic observatiois in defence of the system of education pur-
sued by the Society, he proceeded to say 'Lot it was by ordurntion
alone they could hope for the melioration of Ireland ; her disease
was ignorance—the patient was sick.—ignorance the disease., and
the remedy education.—(Hear.)-1f they wished not to sec the re.
currence of those scenes of turbulence and crime which made that
country look like " chaos, end old night," they must administer
the e,ocit. remedy of coociliation.—(Applause.)—The nieliciim they
must trot apply at the point of the bayonet; benevolence and
kindly feeling reeve the tout effectual instruments for softening her
fe-ocity, if any She had ; don:: moist not have recourse to stripes and
strait waisteouos,—(a laugh)—or mach means of coercion.—(Ap-
plause.)—ln conclusion he prayed the Society to persevere in its
exertions to disseminate the light of education. and he doubted not
bat that at some future period its blessings would beoliffoeed through
Great Britain and Ireland, as they then to some ineasoure were, and

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