The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-26 00:00:00

ME SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 26, 1864.'

extent and for slaughter has scarcely its parallel in
modern history.

Mr, WALTER, on the occasion of distributing the
certificates of honour and prizes of books in the
Council Chamber at Oxford, made some remarks
which are well worthy of attention ; and although
the subject has of late been pretty frequently dis-
cussed, still its importance and interest demand our
sustained attention and our unflagging zeal.
Middle class education is a theme which cannot be

too much discussed, especially at present, for on its
right comprehension depends the welfare of the

community to a great extent. However much for
a time the claims of these classes may be put aside,
i❑ any period of confusion or at any crisis it is
sure to be app rent in whose hands the real power
of the country lies ; and if those who exercise so
vast a sway are not trained and modified by cul-
ture and thought, what is to be expected when they
are forced to judge for themselves upon most serious
matters and to decide important issues. Great
credit is due to all of those who have come forward
to assist in the great work now in progress of im-
proving the state of the education imparted to this
influential section of the community, and with
earnestness and eloquence to uphold the ad-
vantages that are unquestionably to be derived
from a fuller appreciation of the subject. Nothing
of any moment is done in a hurry, and certainly so
extensive and elaborate a task as this cannot be
accomplished in the twinkling of an eye. Mr.
WALTER began his address by declaring that that
day would be a memorable one in the lives of many
of the young men before him, and that their
especial congratulations were due to those who, "in
the raoe for distinction in which so many had con-
tended had run so as to attain it." It is most
notable that a few words in season, spoken
at a time when the feelings are excited and
the attention interested, will be attended to and re-
membered when more solid but less taking instruc-
tion has vanished from remembrance. Mr WALTER
drew some: conclusions from th subject before him
that were of consequence to his hearers, and aptly
explained the objects of these examination's in their
spirit and purport. In the first place, an examines
Lion produces a bracing effect, and puts the one
examined on his metal ; there are " no cribs, no dic•
tionaries" to apply to ; and again, it is a good train-
ing for the business of after life, which, as Mr
Mr WALTER observed, is often a "race agains!
time." It tends to enforce self-possession and
readiness, when on the spur of the moment exertion
and attention must be concentrated upon a given
subject. In actual life it is not the one who has
the most booklearning that can make the moat figure
or impress his generation, but the one who is able
to adapt and apply the information he possesses to
the requirements of life, and the various positions in
which he finds himself. For all these purposes, then
an examination is most desirable, and another bene•
fit that accrues to it is that ,it tends to put down
conceit. .Many of those who think themselves stars
in their own particular sphere, may find themselves
mistaken when they are thus subjected to a stern
trial of their powers, and must stand or fall by their
own intrinsic merits. While characterising these
affairs as of the highest importance, and stating
that these certificates and pr:zes may be described
as the title-deeds to the iossession of those qualities
of industry and intellectual power, and which their
possessor can never be deprived of, Mr. WALTER
wisely pointed out the mistake of supposing that
too much can be done by any examination. This
is very true, for it is only an end to a means, and
if we expect an inordinate degree of means to fol-
low from it, we shall be disappointed. It is not
the intellectual but the moral faculties, as here ob-

served, that ere the points upon which a man's

success in after life may be secured. The hon.
gentleman truly characterised the requirements
which are essential to a man's right progress in

the world. Those who take a comprehensive view
of life will acknowledge the truth of the remark,
that it is not knowledge nor even genius which

is of such vital consequence, as " good sense,
judgment, and, perhaps; above all things, temper.'
How often is this proved by the wretched uns
satisfactory careers of some who have entered on
their course with the plaudits of their university;
careers ringing in their ears, and with all the
prestige that admiring friends and earnest well-

wishers could impart. It can never be too strongly
impressed upon the young that something more
is requisite than shining abilities or striking
knowledge ; they must know how to condense their
powers and to expend them upon the necessary
work before them, or their lives will be a blank
and their deaths find them unprofitable servaats
atter 'all. The fact of these university examina-
tions is really an epoch in our days ; it is another
proof of the reign of exclusion being over, and the
benefits once confined to the few no 17? being accorded
as far as practicable to the many. Mr WALTER ap-
propriately described it as " MAIIOMET coming to
the mountain," the University spreading itself out
to those who cannot come within the immediate
sphere of its advantages. This experiment has now
lasted for seven years, and so far there is no cause
to doubt its success. The object of education is
here admirably described as the task of training
the mind to overcome those intellectual and moral
difficulties which will meet him iu after life, by
developing the qualities essential for such a purpose.
It is somewhat carious that on the very day on
which Mr COBDEN was sneering at classical educa-
tion Mr WALTER should have pointed out its ad•
vantages. He said it was hardly correct to call

Greek and L%tin dead languages. "If dead, they
yet speak in our own language, into the composition
of which they largely enters" Greek terms are
employed for the nomenclature of chemistry,
botany, and almost all sciences, while the Latin con•

stitutes a great part of the English language. One
chief merit of the study of these tongues is that
they train the mind better' than those which are
conversational, and, as Mr. WALTER said, they aro
of service to the " analytical faculties." In conclu.
sion, the hon. gentleman adverted to the satisfaction
he felt in observing that the prizes were nearly
all works of standard in English literature. Wisely
did he counsel his hearers not to neglect the mighty
masters of our land for sensational novels and

current literature. Such advice is especially needed
just now, when so much excitement prevails on the
subject of a fast style of reading, to the exclusion
of solid and lasting compositions. This admirable
address cannot fail to make an impression upon
those who hoard it, and it is to be hoped they will
remember the impressive counsel contained in
these words, " I wish you all every success in life,
bat you are not to considar your education at an
end ; it is bui: the beginning ; yon will not there-
fore, I trust, rest upon your oars, and assuredly you
will find, hereafter, that the learning best worth
knowing is that which you will have taught
yourselves."

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,—Mozarbs magnifi-
cent opera, " Don Giovanni," was performed last
night, but in many instances the caste was very weak
Miss Louisa Pyne, however, sang the music of Zerlina with
great efitct, and the band, under the direction of Signor
Arditi, was all that could bo desired, We purposely defer
a more lengthened notice of the performance until another
opportunity.