The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 21, 1855„

i POPULAR OPINION AND THE GREAT
TTPT":I f?_ j) F 41"! nTT T,'c' fr' Ar

ea.ers.ay s ei ear;: crew atlentinn to
the following statements :—" Upwards of one hundred
thonsand human beings are annually perishing in Eng-
land from preventable diseases. In Scotland and Ireland
the preventable mortality is comparatively even greater
than in Eagland." We gave it as our opinion (not with-
out refreshing our memory by a careful scrutiny of facts
and figures) that these were no hyperbolical assertions ;
and we added further—and a careful perusal of the
Health Bills now before the House, and of the reports
of various meetings held to discuss the qualities of these
measures, only serves to strengthen us in the opinions
then advanced—that until a grand popular opinion be
formed upon the " solemnly momentous questions of
health and education," the nation possesses but a poor
chance of realising such broad and beneficent views of
sanitary reform as might augment the mental and
bodily powers of all classes of the community. We
recur to this topic in order to request such as are work-
ing in the cause of health and education (societies as
well as individuals) to consider to what extent the
labours of Mr. Hopley (to whose earnest endeavours we
have on more than one occasion called attention), might
be made valuable towards the formation of this re-
quired opinion.
We gather from the pamphlets before us that this
gentleman has been for some years engaged in preparing
for delivery in London "a series of plain and simple lec-
tures on the education of man, his object being two-
fold first, to urge upon the serious consideration of
such of the upper and middle classes of society as will
favour him with a bearing the 'fearful effects of certain
errors existing in the systems under which their children
are for the most part trained—errors requiring but de-
termination among heads of families to be at once eradi-
cated ; and, secondly, to show to all whom he may have
the power to address something of the physical and men-
tal condition of the national poor," who, as he well re-
marks, "can never be rescued from the sin and misery
which are at present forced upon them, save by the
energetic strivings of large bodies of men and women,
who will work, not for the sake of pay or human ap-
plause, but through love of God and their neighbour."
The series, it appears, is to consist of two courses—the
one on physical development, the other on intellectual,
moral, and religious training ; and, if we understand
rightly, the first course, comprising eight lectures, is now
ready for delivery. A short summary of the topics
discussed in these eight lectures is prefixed
to the pamphlet now before us ; and we must
say that matters of more importance to the whole
family of man than those on which Mr. Hopley proposes
to treat it is impossible to conceive. Let any one who
comprehends the sorrows, and has studied the world-
wide wants, of society, carefully peruse this summary,
and we venture to affirm that ha will agree with us that
the subjects chosen by Mr. Hopley are those on which,
beyond all others, the world requires enlightening. How
these subjects will be treated is'quite another thing, on
which (as we have never been in the way of hearing Mr.
Hopley lecture) we can farm no opinion, save by the
writings before us. These, upon their first appearance,
were spoken of in our columns as exhibiting unusual
force and lucidity, being evidently the work of a man of
ability, thoroughly versed in his subject, and unmistake-
ably in earnest. We do not hesitate to record our
opinion that, if the lecture on respiration is to be taken
(and we presume it may) as an average specimen of the
series, Mr. Hopley promises to be an unusually effective
public instructor. That he possesses highly exalted
ideas of the character of the true educator no one can
possibly deny. " What," he asks, "do we mean by
education? for the word is differently defined by dif-
ferent individuals. To educate, using the phrase in its
common acceptation, would appear to be to teach the
arts of reading,• writing, and arithmetic, a little
history and geography, some faint knowledge of
religion, and perhaps a smattering of one or
two foreign languages, to children. To edu-
cate, using the phrase in its noblest sense, is to de-
velope to the utmost cspabiiity of its powers the physical,
intellectual, and moral nature of man. Thus in the eyes
of man education would seem to relate simply to the
young; whilst to others it shines forth as an object of
the utmost importance to the entire human race. In its
narrow signification it may be said to t_irminate when
the pupil ceases to be under the control of teachers ;
hence we hear of finishing tutors,' finishing gover-
nesses,' and finishing schools.' According to the more
enlarged idea it never terminates but with the life of the
human being. Education, then, as we regard the term,
is the science of making man as great as God would
have him, and •as such is cf vital moment to us all."
After the delivery of the first eight lectures (which,
by the way, delivered at the rate of one per week, would,
if well supported by our various sanitary and educa-
tional societies, serve to keep up a good two months'
steady agitation in the right direction) they are to be
published in a cheap form. They might thus find their
way into many hundreds of mechanics' institutes and
people's libraries, and work like an active leaven among
the masses ; but Mr. Hopley (who is evidently hoping to
set in motion a grand crusade against filth and igno-
rance) does not stop here. In order that there may be
an opportunity of spreading, as widely as possible, the
truths which these lectures will enunciate, there will be
a further publication of extracts from each particular
lecture. These pamphlets of extracts, under the name of
"Helps towards the Physical, Intellectual, and Moral
Elevation of all Classes of Society," will be sold
at the rate of lid. each upon purchasing by the
thousand. "If ministers of religion, national school
committees, ragged, school teachers, Scripture readers,
cottage visitors, sanitary associations, temperance socie-
ties, and various other committees, associations, and
societies, constituted for benevolent purposes, were to
undertake to circulate where they are so needed these
'gatherings from the labours of the world's philosophers,'
how much," asks Mr. Hopley, "might, be effected to-
wards the formation of the required opinion even by these
simple papers ?" Now this is just what we want, various
committees,_ associations, and societies (provincial as well
as metropolitan) to consider for themselves. We have
by us one of these "simple papers." We refrain from
commenting on it, as it may be got for a mere nothing-
at-all ; but we do most earnestly hope that those who
have at heart the cause of the poor will procure a copy
of these "Helps towards the Elevation of Society," and
consider to what extent they may be made valuable
towards the formation of the required popular opi-
nion. We may add that Mr. Hopley, in his
pamphlet on Respiration, expresses himself desirous
of delivering his lectures " for the benefit of the Society
for .—.'t This ellipsis scarcely explains itself ; but,
judging from the general spirit of this effort, we imagine
we are not far wrong in supposing it to signify that he is
ready to hand over any proceeds which may arise from
the undertaking to any society or societies ready to ener-
gise in the cause to which he is devoting his abilities.
If money he realised from the sale of the "Helps"
(which, by the way, is scarcely possible at the extremely
low price at which they are published), "it will be ex-
pended in the cause of humanity." Whether Mr. Hep.
ley does or does not succeed in effecting a large amount
of good will, we cannot but fancy, depend in a very
great measure upon whether he does or does not meet
with a large amount of co operation.

* Published by Churchill, London.

TESTIMONIAL TO LORD D. STUART.

The Earl of Shaftesbury is to take the chair at two
o'clock on Friday next, at Willis's Rooms, where a meet-,
ing is to be held for the purpose of raising a testimonial
to the memory of the lamented Lord Dudley Stuart. On
the score of philanthropy and ardent benevolence, prac-
tically illustrated by the indefatigable exertions of his
entire life, no man better deserved a similar tribute.
The deceased nobleman enhanced the merit of his exer-
tions in behalf of the injured and oppressed by the
urbanity of his manners, in which the heart of a Chris-
tian and the discrimination of the maa of bnsiness were
united. There was nothing in his character of that
" Coutemptor animus et siiperbia," which, according to
Sailust, is the "Commune nobilitatis malum." With-
out being a reproach, he was in this respect an amiable
example to his own order. He was as warm and sincere
in his politics as in his other estimable qualities. He
had many devoted friends, and they who differed from
him on public grounds always professed unfeigned re-
spect for the purity of his motives. Prodigiously
active, he had but one object in life—that of making
himself useful to his country and to his fellow-men in
general. The extent of his labours in that vocation is
yet imperfectly k.iown. That they contributed to
shorten his life is highly probable. On all the above
grounds a testimonial to his memory is a tribute fairly
due to his worth. We have every reason to think that
the meeting will be numerously and respectably attended,
and that it will fulfil the object for which it will be held.

ter ofi the Fpeaker. Under these circumstances, the
_,_ • , . , o•n-ii footed ca)lll,t lad t>
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posed to passing tolls, and he hoprd, therefore, the hour
w•oli(1 stop the fur; her progress of the bill,
1, 1. !) T•I S",“1“14.1 tht! HU; Mr.
EvSlEdt uppt,6cct it,.
Sir J. GRAHAM said an officer of the Board of
Adtuiralty had reported in favour of the seierne, and the
house would be acting unwisely if it rejected the second
reading of the bid.
The amendment was then negatived without a divi-
sion, and the bill was read a second time and ordered to
be committed.

NEW WRIT,
On the notion of Mr. HoRsrALL a new writ was or-
dered for Liverpool, in the room of Mr. Liddell (now
Lord Ravensworth) called to the upper house.

PETITIONS.
Captain SCOBELL presented a petition from Bath
against the opening of the British Museum and National
Gallery on Sundays.
Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition from Man-
chester praying that the National Gallery and British
Museum may be opened on Sundays the same time that
gin-shops and beer-houses were allowed to be opened:
Mr. Walter, Mr. W. Brown, Mr. Brotherton, Mr,
L. Heyworth, and several other hon. members pre-
sented petitions against the sale of intoxicating liquors
on Sundays.
Mr. SPOONER presented a petition from a place in
the West Riding against the opening of the British Mu-
seum and National Gallery on Sundays.
Sir J. IVA.LMSLEY presented a petition from the
working classes of the metropolis, numerously signed,
praying that those institutions may be thrown open on
Sundays.

Mr.-WILLUISS, Mr. W. WILKINSON, and Mr. W. J.
Fox presented similar petitions.
Mr. CROSSLEY presented a petition from Halifax
praying for the abolition of flogging in the army.
Mr. KINNAIRD presented a petition from the Wes.
leyan Conference against the opening of the National
Gallery and British Museum on Sundays.
Mr. KERSHAW presented a petition from Stockport
praying for the repeal of the Beer Act of last session.
Sir E. FILMER presented a petition from Kent
against the opening of the British Museum and National
Gallery on Sundays.
Sir D. NORRI:YS presented a petition from a place
in Ireland, praying for the establishment of Fiscal
Boards.

HAMPTON COURT.
On the motion of Sir G. PECHELL, the following re-
turn was ordered, viz. :—Address for return of the
number of visitors admitted to see the apartments and
pictures at Hampton Court, and the Gardens
at Kew, during the year 1854 ; distinguishing
the number in each month, and the number on the se-
veral Sundays (in continuation of Parliamentaraer,
No. 313, of session 1854). y p p
POOR-LAW INSPECTORS.
On the motion of Mr. H. BROWN, the following re-
turn was ordered, viz. :—Return of the names of
. the
poor-law inspectors, the dates of their respective ap-
pointments, the unions in the districts allotted to each,
the dates of their visits to each officially, during the
years 1853 and 1854.
CORN AVERAGES.
Mr. STEEL asked, why the sixth section of act 5 and
G Will. 4, c. 63, by which all local and customary mea-
sures were abolished, and a penalty was imposed upon every
person who shall sell by any denomination of measure
other than one of the imperial measures, or some mul-
tiple or aliquot part thereof, was not enforced;
and why the officers appointed by Government to take
the quantities and prices of grain sold in each market
town, and by the niagistrttas in each county, to regulate
weights and measures, were not instructed to enforce
the use of the standard measure in the sale of corn and
grain ?

- Sir G. GREY said he W:l3 unable to give the informa-
tion asked for, as it was left to the local authorities to
enforce the law.

IRISH POOR LAW.
Mr. BELLEW asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether it was the intention of Government to bring
forward any measure, or otherwise to permit the con-
solidation of certain Poor-law Unions in Ireland ; also,
whether the .Government meant to introduce, during
this session of Parliament, any measure or measures
legislating as to the existing relations between landlord
and tenant in Ireland ?
Mr. HORS MAN replied in the negative to the first
question ; with regard to the second question, the sub-
ject Lad been under the consideration of the G-overn-
went, but they did not think it would be right to intro-
duce any measure until that of Mr. Serjeant Shea had
been discussed and disposed of.

YARMOUTH.
Sir E. LACON asked the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty whether any order had been given for a ship of
war to be stationed at Yarmouth ; and, if so, when that
order was given ?
Sir C. WOOD said in point of fact no order had yet
been given.