The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-04 00:00:00

Education of the Prince of the Asturias.

MADRID, Oct. 28,
The official Gazette of to-day publishes a long re.
port addressed by the Ministry to the Queen,respect.
ing the education of the Prince of the Asturias. The
following are the most important passages :
" The enormous power of the Spanish monarchy
in the 16th century alarmed all Europe, and although
the absence of ability in the successors of Philip
11. restored tranquillity, and afforded the op-
portunity of extremely weakening Spain—
the colossus previously so redoubtable—the
announcement of the transfer of that Crown to the
Bourbon dynasty induced almost every European
nation to rush into war, with the idea of establish-
ing a necessary equilibrium among themselves,
The treaties of Utrecht, of London, and of Vienna
were concluded with this view. But as the realisa-
tion of this idea, however efficient it might have
proved against the dreaded evil, became impossible,
war recommenced at the earliest opportunity. It
acquired lamentable dimensions under the Consul,
late and the Empire of Napoleon I. After the fall
of that Emperor the idea of the desired equilibrium
revived, and the famous Vienna Treaties of 1815
are said to have been concluded for that object.
Wars nevertheless continued, and, however disas-

trolls they may have been, thinkers have never
considered them in any other light than as trivial
preludes to those which are apprehended and ex-
pected still.
" One notable circumstance has characterised
wars in Europe. All the Sovereigns of the belli-
gerent nations have led their respective armies in
person upon the field of battle—the cause of the
people thus becomicg the private cause of the mo-
narchs. For this reason also it is possibly to be
noticed that the education now everywhere given
to princes is chiefly military in all its phases.
Spain cannot act otherwise than the remainder of
European powers. The interests which may arise
must not be indifferent to her, and the Queen's
Government must not forget that the Spanish na-
tion, rich in glorious recollections, and with a most
brilliant history, retains its rank and the lively
sentiment of its dignity and honour. It will not
rush into imprudent adventures, nor into unsuitable
conquests, opposed to the ideas of our century.
" But if war should one day break out, it desires
and will be obliged to take up the attitude demanded
by the dignity and interests of Spain. As, fur-
ther, the cause of disturbance is not tempo-
rary, and, even if it were, would not fail to recur,
the Government must hold itself at all times
ready and prepared. The nation would endure in
silence, but would suffer deeply if he who is now
its prince should not walk in the footsteps of his
ancestors, owing to the negligence and false direc-
tion of the education required by circumstances.
"If the condition of our country and the state of
Europe point out that tha bent, the education, and
the instructio❑ to be given to the prince should be
chiefly military. It must not be forgotten that the
fundamental reason which decides your Majesty's
Government to recommend a military education is,
above all, the fitness and even the necessity of
forming the character of the young prince by
adapting it to the circumstances of our country and
of the age. His Royal Highness should, therefore,
be accustomed from his earliest years to visit the
troops, to descend to details, to understand prim•
ciples, to learn the origin of military force, the
conditions of its organisation, and to impress its
character upon his mind so as to understand it
thoroughly with discernment, but without exag■
geration. He will thus insensibly acquire the
qualities of a great captain, provided, as there is
reason to hope, his mind enables him to take in the
primary elements. Preference for a military career
toes not exclude, but on the contrary, presupposes
that the prince will at the same time receive the
religious, moral, scientific, and literary training
suitable to his capacity.
" It must not be for a moment forgotten that re-
ligion is the code of kings. From its teaching they
learn their dependence upon the Supreme Arbiter,
which represses evil tendencies, and serves as a
curb to passion. Therefore, and because these sen-
timents are his legitimate protectors, the re-
ligious education of the Prince should be carried
on more philosophically and with greater depth
as to morality than that of a private individual,
whatever his social position. Above all, it is in-
dispensable that this education should be pure, free
from all heresy, but exempt from every sort of
prejudice and very enlightened. The Prince should
further be instructed in other branches of human
knowledge into which it is unnecessary for the
Ministry to enter. They may, however, specially
recommend the department of the political law of
that people he will one day be called upon to govern.
This law is the guide of kings, the unalterable rule
of their conduct, the spring of their official nets. It
is apparent from these few remarks how careful an
education must be given to the Prince, how much
philosophy, discretion, and patriotism it is indis-
pensable to impress upon his mind. The Council
of Ministers have entire faith in the enlightened
foresight of your Majesty, and in the tender love
you bear to your august 'son and to the country.
They have full confidence that your Majesty will
carefully guard against this course of study in any
way proving prejudicial to the two objects equally
dear to your heart.
" The careful and thorough training your Majesty
has hitherto given to your august son, and the ex-
quisite tact of which your Majesty has afforded
abundant proof, must naturally inspire your Minis
tern with the wish that your Majesty will reserve
to yourself the superior direction of the Prince's
education. This will be the best and moat valuable
guarantee of its excellence.
"Signed by all the Ministers.
"Madrid, Oct. 27, 1864.0
The report is followed by the annexed royal des

cree :
" Considering the report submitted by my Coun-
cil of Ministers, and desiring that the direction,
education, and instruction of my august son, the
Prince of the Asturias, should respond to the ne„
cessities and high interests of the nation, I de-
cree as follows
" Art. 1. From the present time the professional
education of the Prince of the Asturias is to be
proceeded with in all its different branches accord-
ing to the development of his abilities.
" Art. 2. The respective Ministers, with the con-
sent of the Ministerial Council, will propose to me
such professors as they shall consider suitable to
conduct the education of the Prince.
" Art. 3. I reserve to myself the chief personal
superintendence of the education and instruction of
the Prince of the Asturias.

"THE QUEEN.
" RAMON MARIA NARVAEZ,
President of the Council of Ministers
"Given at th© Palace the 27th of Oct., 1804."