The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-08 00:00:00

the secret assassin, who desecrates her
name. The sympathies of every honest heart
revolt from such companionship ; and the blow
which these misguided fanatics destine for another
only recoils upon their own heads, and weakens
their own cause.

It is always a gratifying thing when those we
are accustomed to see taking a foremost part in the
exciting arena of politics, and mixing in its angry
strife, come forward to assist in more peaceful un-
dertakings, and lend their aid and influence to in-
augurate intellectual works and further the inte-
rests of societies for the benefit of the lower classes.
Mr. GLADSTONE has always something to say on
every subject; whether he is right or wrong in his
arguments, it is all the same. He can flourish
away with his logic, startle with his rhetoric, and
dazzle with his brilliancy. Still it is a pleasing
taek to follow the right hon. gentleman through
the course of such an address as that be delivered
in Flintshire. The subject was very suggestive,
and of course in such hands it was appropriately
treated and made the most of. Another attraction
of the affair was that it was the opening of a new
reading-room; hence there was ample ground for
speculation, and plenty of opportunity for prophecy
as regarded the future fortunes of the undertaking.
The impressive allusion made by Mr. GLADSTONE
as to the increased responsibility that fell upon
those whose gifts and advantages were augmented
was very opportune, as sad would be the state of
society if men only cared to increase their worldly
stores, and left unheeded and uncared for those
mental qualities which can never be neglected with
impunity. The right hon. gentleman also declared
that the time had gone by when it was incumbent
on any one in his position then to say much in
favour of such institutions, for the " common opinion
of England had decided in their favour. This is a
great point gained, and perhaps one of our surest
grounds of hope that an extended power and in-
fluence will not tend to a speedy deterioration.
There is no better safeguard against the effemi-
nancy of luxury in the upper classes and the ten-
dency to grovelling pursuits in the lower ranks
than the sedulous cultivation of the intellect. Those
who can only turn to these elevating and refining
pursuits occasionally will yet find the benefit derived
from them incalculable. There is no greater mis-
take than for persons to imagine that because
they have not devoted any particular time to
study in youth, and do not possess any
shining talents and striking abilities it is use-
less and unavailing for them to try to gain know-
ledge or seek culture. The fact is that all are the
butter for some such engagement, and no class can
claim exemption from the solemn trust and sacred
duty which they owe to their MARER, their country,
and themselves to improve, cultivate, and extend
their faculties to the fullest extent. Mr. GLAD-
STONE spoke very earnestly on this point. He said
that GOD had laid upon the labouring class the law
of labour, but at the same time He had given them
powers of thought, reflection, and inquiry. These
institutions, then, had for end and object to endea-
vour to present to them the means of using those
powers and improving them to the uttermost. After
analysing to some degree the peculiarities of these
societies, and enumerating the special advantages
which a reading-room would impart, Mr, GLAD-
STONE took a practical view of the question, by
drawing the attention of his hearers to the subject
of savings. He introduced his remarks in a very
ingenious fashion, of course, but nevertheless con-
trived to bring his meaning home, by stating that
in many instances the English were not so thrifty
as they might be. This was a case in point on
which to found his strictures, because the very exis-
tence of such an institution would depend on the
contributions of its members. Certainly it would
be an inducement for the working classes to
exercise care, thought, and self-denial in the outlay
of their incomes, if they found that by so doing
they could increase their enjoyments of the most
solid and satisfying advantages that money can
procure. "My mind to me a kingdom is," is a fine
thought, and there is no reason why the son of toil
should not in his degree share the treasures of
knowledge, and taste of its unqualified delights.
" Digging there for richer gems
Than the spoils of diadems."

At first sight it may appear strange to some to
see the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who deals
in calculations of millions, and rules and regulates
the destinies of the country in regard to its fiscal
arrangements, throwing these aside to dwell upon
the scanty sums of a working man's earnings.
Yet, rightly regarded, such a study is
not incongruous, and much may be learned
from the right hon. gentleman's eloquent
and earnest address, if those to whom it was
addressed and their equals in condition will take it
to heart and give it that attention and considera-
tion which it especially deserves and particularly
merits. The habit of putting money in savings-
banks is an admirable one, and can hardly be too
much recommended ; but at the. same time, as is
here mentioned, how rarely is the practice put in
force. Mr. GLADSTONE gave a minute account of
the working of the Post-office savings-banks, and
certainly these is sufficient strength in his argn
ments to convince all but the very wilful or totally
reckless of the advantages they possess and the
services they may render. Nothing can make a
man useful or happy in his vocation if he is a
spendthrift. All gains are to him losses, and his
improvident habits render him a prey to the worst
temptations, bring suffering on his family, and
cause a succession of irremediable ills, while they
pervert and destroy the good gifts of Providence.
There is the other extreme of parsimony, which is
foreign to the subject here touched upon, but that
does not produce such serious consequences to society
as reckless waste. 'Without the extreme being
touched upon, a thriftless style of carrying on the
business of life will occasion serious trouble and
heavy burdens to the working man. Mr. GLAD-
STONE could not have given his friends better ad-
vice; and it is to be trusted that all who heard will
heed, and those who read the discourse may profit
by it, for they can but derive benefit from its sound
sense, practical illustrations, and earnest exhorta-
tions. Statesmen can never employ their energies
to better purpose than by endeavouring to bring
their intelligence to bear upon the subjects that
intimately affect and immediately concern the great
body of the people. The welfare of the masses,
their social position, their intellectual elevation,
and their status as regards political economy,
can never be too fully entered upon or
too extensively taken up. The concluding
passage of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
eloquent address is well worthy of notice, as it brings
before the mind the high and holy mission which
the meanest among us has to fulfil, and urges on-
ward in the great race of life those classes that toil,
encumbered and poverty-stricken though they may
be, are important and influential members of the
community, who sow that others may reap, and do
their best to promote the welfare and prosperity of
their country. The inculcation of provident habits
can never be too earnestly advocated ; they are use-
ful in the day of prosperity, and real blessings in
the time of trouble. Mr. GLADSTONE thus closed
his speech, which, for foresight and right spirit, is
one of the best which he has addressed to the work-