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

111.U11 wATx.O AT LONDON BRIDUE.

THIS DAY,—Morning, 3.1 h. 50m.—Afternoon, h. m
rO-moßuow.-Morning, 12h. 30m.—Afternoon, 12h. 58m

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17:
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LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1861

Our Ministers having, now, scattered themselves
hither and thither for the purpose of enjoying as
usual the yearly delights of autumnal relaxation—
the Russian Autocrat (wholly unmolested, even dip.
lomatically) can trample oat, as he is trampling out
accordingly, the last faint sparks of the Polish Re-
volution .'—the despotic and spoliating powers of
Germany can portion out at their leisure, as they
are portioning out at their leisure accordingly the
territorial spoil torn by brutal force from the right-
ful possession of the little kingdom of Denmark!—
the bloody work of civil war, and of a civil war
with all its horrors exaggerated, can "progress,"
as it is "progressing" accordingly, without the
smallest prospect of interruption far and wide over
the ensanguined battiesfields of North America !
Eegland, herself at peace with the world,
Eagland, now in the plenitude of her power
and prosperity, can refrain, meanwhile, at
any rate is refraining pertinaciously and
with a heartless appearance of the most perfect
self-satisfaccian, from any interference whatever
between Russia and Poland—Letween Germany
and Denmark—between the Federals and the
Confederates. Her own pecuniary interests not being
affected by any cne of those three lamentable in-
cidents, not being directly effected, at least by any
one among the three, according to the views of the
present responsible advisers of the Crown—the
interests of humanity just go for nothing ! It
may seem—all this—to be a wretchedly pounds,
shillings, and pence view of the matter,but, however
that may be, it is the view taken by her MAJESTY'S
Ministers, and it is tho view acted upon, with the
consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament
aesembled,:resolutely and persistently acted upon,
by Her MAJEsTY's Government. The spoliation of
D mmark by Germany—it is argued—does not affect
the pockets of Englishmen. The brutal subjugation
of Poland once more under the iron heel of Musco-
vite autccr:cy has nothing to do with England pecu-
niarily, and therefore it has nothing to do with Eng-
land politically or morally—so—Pass it by ! The
appalling continuance of slaughter upon the oppo-
site side of the Atlantic is a matter in no way
affecting our territorial or financial arrange-
ments therefore—Give it also the go-by !
A justification all this would almost seem to afford,
on this present ninety-sixth anniversary of the
birth of the Great NAPOLEON—a melancholy
justification all this would seem to afford
at last of NAPOLEON'S famous taunt that
England is a nation cf shopkeepers ! For—the
policy now maintained, now initiated by Lord
PALMERSTON'S second Ministry, the policy
now formally accepted by the Houle of Com-
mons, and there very recently insisted upon as the
right policy for England, is purely and simply a shop-
keeper's policy—the policy of a shopkeeper whose
first consideration in regard to everything is—W

it pay ? How will it affect the till ? Can I turn
so many pounds by it, so many shillings, so many
dirty ha'pence ? HOT will this matter, that I am
urged to enter into, affect—not my Heart,

not my Con2eience, not my eense o,

Justice, of Right, cv.,n of Humanity, but,

how will it affect my Breeches Pocket ! That,

really and truly, " not to put too fine a point upon
it " is the plain, blunt, homely English of t his
bran new policy of Non-Intervention ! It seems
to be a cheap policy to begin with ; but, we are
inclined to think, that it will prove a particularly
dear policy in the end. The question is even now
whether after all it is a cheap policy, Seeing that
our annual expenditure upon our. army and navy
is such, year after year, that we might
almost call it a war expenditure. To What

ead, this war expenditure—heaven atone can

tell, this continuance of an enormous outlay year

after year upon What Mr. DISRAELI designated a

couple of sessions back (3,nd so designated not ex-
travagantly) our " bloated armaments." Viewing
this extraordinary new phase of the foreign policy
of the land of CROMWELL, of CHATHAM, even of
CASTLEREAGH, viewing it, too, on this " Fe'e
NAPOLEON," many a Frenchman will turn ever in
his memory, like a pleasant bon-boa in his month,
JNAPoLEoN's mot about " The Nation of Shop•
keepers !"

Lord W CDETIOUSE'S address at Norwich last
wee, an th 3 cccasion of distributing the prizes to
the successful candidates at th 3 University
examination, is well worth perusal. lie
referred to the movement for the improve-
ment of the education of the children of the
m!fldle clasles, and deplored its incomplete state as
yet, which is still in its infancy. It is something,
however, that it should have been commenced at all,
and there is no reason to fear that its progress may
be marked with success, for as time proves the effil

easy of the system, conviction must steal into the
minds of those who started with prejudices or held
aloof from want of interest in the affair. 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 comprehensive address, truly
characterised this class as individuals who
"in order to avoid the Scylla of over education,
drifted towards the Charybdis of no education at
all." There remain, however, great obstacles to be
overcome before the cultivation of the evhoN3 of the
community can be said to be in a satisfactory state.
Lord WODEHOUSE explained the want `when 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 much 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-countryme❑ 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
roil 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-
ale!y, to the individual, more happily for 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, ,vho are sure to distinguish them-
selves in whatever sphere they are found, and are
also certain, numerically speaking, to be few and
far between. Lord WODETIOUSE concluded his
admirable speech by remarking on the difficulties
that prevent the Universities from being the general
resort for educational purposes, an l he thought
much might be done by the endowed schools.
There was great truth in the noble
lord's remarks upon the mistaken notion
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 WODETIOUSE has
done good and essential service to the cause of
educatioa 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 queslicn 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-
on 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 cession 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 pat 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 be far distant, both parties
will b© only tco glad to dispose of the standing
armies which it would be dangerous 10 disband
in accomplishing " the great national design "
of seizing Canada, which will accordingly " be
" overrun by an army with which we could not
" hope to cope, and added to the northern republic."
Nor will this be without excuse. "The annexation
of Schleswig-Holstein to Germany affords an ex-
ample and a precedent sufficiently clear and recent
to serve as an excuse." Only the comparison would
have been more correct, in relative proportions, if
Schleswig-Holstein had annexed Germany. But
our new political prophet seriously anticipates the
Catastrophe, and therefore advises the immediate
remuneration of those rights which might be for-
cibly taken from us by a contest from which we
could gain nothing, and " from which we may issue
with mutilation and discredit." Critics may sug-
gest that this will be the probable result of hie own
scheme. If he seriously thinks that political am-
bition is measured by the extent of territory, he had
better tarn to the history of CHARLES the Fifth,who
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 prestige into the
hands of middle ciassdom to save the country from
re-volution." Such an event would not be greatly
to be deplored, for the sooner any Government that

agreed to the surrender of Canada dropped its inn
fluence the better, for the verdict of sane English-
men of those middle classes, which the writer
seems to look on with such horror, would be
of a very opposite character. It is true, that
we have one little proviso which alters the aspect of
affairs slightly. The transfer is to be made " pro-
vided the Canadians assent," and as there is a deadly
antagonism subsisting between Canadians and Yan•
keel, there is an awkward obstacle in the way of
a pacific solution of the difficulty. But while we are
about it we can very likely get over the difficulty.
We can find something else to suit the Federal
taste—our vast Indian possessions for example, and
we have only to refuse our aid to Canada to enab!e
the Northern States to rank her among their num-
ber. It was only the other day that a sage sug-
gested that for fear of incensing Spain we should
exchange Gibraltar for Tangiers (which is not
Spain's to give), and there are two or three other
corners of our dominions which might be well em-
ployed in pacifying the world at large. A judicious
distribution of English territories would, no doubt,
restore harmony between Germany and Denmark.
Russia would certainly be pleased by a slice of
India, and France might have a present of Ceylon.
Perhaps, indeed, it would be better to ask her to
take Ireland under her protection, a change which
would settle the dispute about the Lord Lieutenancy.
Then it will be tue least we can do to leave New
Zealand to the Maories, and probably the cession of
Cape Coast Castle will serva to pacify the wounded
feelings of the King of ASUANTEE. The surrender
of Canada will certainly afford "an example and a
precedent sufficiently clear to serve as an excuse
for such demands, if the concessions are not made
quickly enough. And with so much on hand we
had better begin at once without waiting for the
important moment which decides whether or no
Mr. ABRAHAM LINCOLN is to retain the Presi-
decoy.