The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-07 00:00:00

THE REV. F. ANDERSON.

Lord STRATHEDEN moved that an address be pre-
sented to her Majesty, for copies of any correspondence
which had taken place between her Majesty's Government
and the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, on the imprisonment, in
Grodno, of the Rev. Fortescue Anderson, a British subject,
during the autumn of 1863; anti also for copies of any cor
respondence which had taken place between her Majesty's
Government and the Rev. Mr. Anderson on his imprison-
ment.

Earl RUSSELL said Mr. Anderson's case was very
simple. He had visited Poland when the people were in a
state of insurrection, and had been apprehended on 8116..
pieion of having su,4plied arms and ammunition to the Poles
The case was investigated, and as there was not sufficient
evidence the rev. gentleman was set at liberty, on condition
that he left Russia. Her Majesty's Government did not
think it was a case in which the circumstances justified any
interference on their part with a view of procuring a
pecuniary compensation.

Lord ULARENDON moved the second reading of the
Public Schools Bill. The object of the measure is to pro
vide that any person accepting office in a public school shall
do subject to any future legislation by Parliament.
Lord LYTTELTON, referring to the remarks of Lord
Stanhope in the former debate, defended the recommenda-
tions off,the commissioners, asserting that on the evidence
adduced they could scarcely have done less. After what
hid been done with the universities it was quite impossible
the public schools should escape inquiry, or be left to their
own action to mike the reforms required.
Lotcl DE ROS denied several of the allegations made as
to defects in the system pursued at Eton, and contended it
would be dangerous to interfere too much with what had
given satisfaction far so long a period.

Lord CAIi,NAR.VOIS would not oppose the bill, but
thought come alterations would be required in committee.
Injustice might be done in certain cases if the bill were
made operative from the date of its introduction. He also
pointed out several objections to the changes proposed by
commissioners in the course of studies.

Lord WODEHOUSE admitted that the Eton system had
Many good points, but agreed with the commissioners that
it required some alteration. He hoped the good sense of the
masters would induce them to adopt voluntarily such of the
recommendations as would remedy evils of which the ex-
istence had been proved.

Lord CLARENDON explained why the bill had been
made operative from the date of its introduction, but if this
should be an objection he would propose it should take
effect only from the date of its passing.
Lord BROUGHAM thought all the friends of education
were deeply iniebted to the commissioners for the suEges-
Lions they had made.

Lord HARROWBY approved most of the changes pro-
posed, and anticipated great benefit from them.
The Bishop of LONDON said there was every disposi-
tion on the part of the masters of the public schools to
accept the suggested improvements. It would be necessary
to do away with some of the present restrictions in the
choice of masters, anl give those appointed to the offioe
more liberty of action. The best methods of instruction
would then be adopted.
Lord DERBY thought many of the defects charged
against public schools were really due to the very imperfect
instruction given in private schools and by private teachers.
Unless this evil were remedied all the subsequent labour in
the public school must be thrown away,
Lord CLARENDON explained that this defect had
been met by the suggestion of an examination before ad-
mission to a public school.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said the Commis-
sioners had drawn up a most valuable report, and approved
their recommendation of the study of foreign languages
as
a part of the regular course of instruction. Ritherto this
had not been the case, and the attempt to teach French
and German had therefore failed. The public schools
were very valuable institutions, but they were capable of
improvement.

After soma further discussion on points of detail,
The bill was road a second time, and their lordships ad-
journed at five minutes past 9.

HOUSE OP COMXONS—Last Evening.
The SPEAKER rook the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The follosting biils were read a third time and passed:—
Belfast and Northern Counties Railway—Bristol and
South Wales Union Railway—Exmouth and Budleigh
Salterton Water— London and Ncrth Western Railway
(Traffic Arrangements)-oRwestry and Newtown Railway
and other Companies (Arrangements)--and Wokingten
Harbour.