The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-15 00:00:00

cacy of the system, conviction must steal into the
minds of those who started with prejudices or held
aloof from want of interest in the aff sir. The
advantages of education are now most generally
appreciated, and it is almost impossible at present
to find persons who share the notion once so pre.
valent, that too much learning was to be by
all means avoided, and that it was hurtful
and prejudicial in the extreme. The noble
lord, in his comprehaesive address, truly
characterised this class as individuals who
"in order to avoid the Scylla of over educaticn,
drifted towards the Charybdis of no education at
all." There remain, however, great obstacles to be
overcome before the cultivation of the whole of the
community can be said to be in a satisfactory state.
Lord WODEUOL'SE explained the want w hen he
alluded to the deficiences in this respect that have
hitherto existed in regard to the middle classes.
The Universities have been remodelled in some re-
spects, besides inquiries have been instituted con•
cerning the public schools, and these reports and
changes have done good service to the upper
classes. For the lower ranks muoh has been
done towards the improvement of their con-
dition relating to the acquisition of know-
ledge. The middle classes have not hitherto
received the attention that they ought, and it is
now of paramount importance that this numerous
body should seek with more readiness to avail them-
selves of the opportunities placed within their
reach. The middle class, as it is termed for want
of a better designation, has of late years attained a
power in the country which greatly increases its
importance and influence, Of what consequence is
it, then, that they who now exercise such sway over
the destinies of their fellow-countrymen should
seek to bring their children up in all the advan-
tages of culture and intelligence. No one can over-
estimate the effects of education on the minds of all,
but especially on those who from their careers of
toil and traffic will have but scanty opportunities in
after years for the enjoyment of that lettered ease
which often refines and raises the minds of
those not sedulously trained in early life. It is not
enough to pursue a course of education for some
time, and then imagine that the work is done ; the
question is, how is it done, and could it not have
been accomplished more successfully, more favour-
ably to the individual, more happily fur the com-
munity in which he is one day to take his
place. A certain number are sure to step out
in all sects and divisions of society; but these
are gifted beings, who are sure to distinguish them-
selves in whatever sphere they are found, and are
also certain, numerically speaking, to ba few and
far between. Lord 117opEttousE concluded his
admirable speech by remarking on the difficulties
that prevent the Universities from being the general
resort for educaticnal purposes, and he thought
much might be done by the endowed schools.
There was great truth in the noble
lord's remarks upon the mistaken notien
that prevails in some quarters that these excellent
institutions must not be interfered with, Their
founders were in advance of their time, and they
would not be likely now to be behind the age we
live in ; all necessary reforms and desirable changes
would, in all probability, meet with their approba-
tion, and thus it is a fallacious doctrine which would
keep up forms and cust)ms little in accordance
with the spirit of the age. Lord .WODEIICITSE hes
done good and essential service to the cause of
education by his earnest appeals to the middle
classes not to neglect to avail themselves of all
opportunities which may present themselves to
educate their children, that they may not be
" deprived of advantages which were; absolutely
necessary to them if they were to remain
the most important and governing class in this
country." Great credit is due to all who, like the
noble lord and others, take up this question of popu-
lar education scientifically, and insist on all classes
and ranks being put in possession of their birth- ,
right. The more widely diffused the reign of
culture the wiser, better, and truer will be the con-
dition of the community. It is education that
really levels distinctions and puts down barriers,
and there is no more effectual remedy against dis-
content than for those in a poorer condition of life
to find that their acquisition of knowledge has put
them in possession of treasures beside which rank
and titles are as nought, for the delights of learn-
ing will remain, and these are subject to chance
and change.

In assenting to the proposition for the disrup-
tion of the British Empire,
we are expected
to be actuated in pursuing this extra-
ordinary course by a variety of motives, some of
them unfortunately of rather a conflicting nature.
We have a precedent in the cossion of the lonian
Islands for the proceeding, and we are to remem-
ber that the value of Canada as a colonial pos-
session has long been doubtful. If we tell the
Federals this, it would take the grace from the
gift, whose object is to convince the American
people generally that England sincerely desires
peace, and is by no means jealous of the extension
of American authority. But the desire to put a
stop'to the fratricidal strife, and all the horrors
which it is entailing upon our kindred, is' by no
means our sole reason for surrendering an expanse
of territory -which may match the South itself in
extent. A. -wholesome terror of the just displea-
sure of our Transatlantic cousins is to be our real
motive, though, of course, we shall put the best
sounding reason foremost, and declare that all is
done out of kindness. We must remember with
a feeling of awe and consternation befitting our
inferior strength, that the only point upon which
the North and South are agreed, is indignation
against England, and that when the civil war has
come to the conclusion, which under any circum-
stances can scarcely b 3 far distant, both patties
will be only too glad to dispcse of the ;rending
armies which it would be dangerous to disband
in accomplishing " the great Factional design "
of seizing Canada, which will accordingly " be
wit' which we could not
" overrun by an army
t
"hope to cope, and adde-4'o the northern republic."
Nor will this be.wit}:lout excuse. "The annexation
of Schleswig-HP:istein to Germany affords an e-,
ample and a 'precedent sufficiently clear ar-,' recent
to serve 5:4 an excuse." Only the com- •
Anson would
have
deem more correct, in relay'An
S'Jtkleswi ,Ave proportions, if
g-Ho s t ein had an-Jexed Germany. But
our new political Prol3‘l,et seriously anticipates the
catastrophe, and 4'
.aerefore adviees the immediate
remuneration of
those rights which might be for-
cibly talr.dn from us by a contest from which we
could, gain nothing, and " from which we may issue
'with mutilation end discredit." Critics may sug-
gest that this will be the probable moult of his own
scheme. If he seriously thinks that political am-
bition is meaeured by the extent of territory, he had
better turn to the history of CHARLES the Fifth,vmn
began his reign with the largest possessions of any
European Sovereign in those days, yet spent his
whole reign in plotting and fighting for more. But
he has no leisure to turn to historical records in face
of a calamity which may shake this kingdom to its
foundation, nay, oblige a bewildered Government
to drop their influence and social the
heads prestige into
hands of middle clasedom to save the country from
revolution." Such an event would not be greatly
(03 be deplored, for the sooner Any GLvernment that