The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-13 00:00:00

we are tempted to wish that they had continued so
for a little longer; it would have been infinitely
better for their reputation, the welfare of others,
and the credit of their country. Certainly nothing
tends more strongly to prove the disastrous effects
of the let alone policy which the other nations of
Europe have adopted towards Prussia than the
perusal of this speech. In the plainest manner it
is shown how one evil has led to another, and how
far unscrupulous people will carry their privilege
of prosecuting their unfair attempts and unright-
eous claims; Many would not have believed at the
commencement of the war that matters would be
pushed to such an extremity, that such a consum-
mation would have arrived, nor that after all the
events would have been spoken of in such terms by
the King. During the last few years, however, the
ruling spirit has rapidly developed itself in King
WILLIAM, and he now, it may be presumed, ap-
proaches the standard of perfection, or is in a fair
way of doing so. What a falling off from the pro-
mises he once gave, was the spectacle in which he
figured as chief actor, the other day, when he en•
tered Berlin at the head of the troops returning
from Schleswig. What a position for a constitu-
tional Monarch to take, and how unsuitable the
whole affair was to the consistency that should
attend the doings of a free people, and
one that has put forward the proud
pretensions of being so. It is enough, however, in
all conscience to tarnish the present, and throw a
blight over the future, without calling up the past
to take its ignoble share in the base transactions of
the late war. When the army is informed that their
achievements have "renewed the glory of the
Prussian army," it is virtually declaring to them
that the fame such es it was that adorned former
warriors and departed legions was acquired after
the same fashion, and that their exertions were
given to produce very similar results. There must
perforce be some brave and honourable men in
Prussia related to the worthies of olden time who
rebel in spirit at this wholesale assimilation of the
good, bad, and indifferent together. It is insulting
the common sense of those versed in military mat•
ters to persist in this barefaced manner to describe
the late contest as a glorious and noble affair, be-
cause under the most favourable circumstances
whatever no credit can attach to such a result as
that which inevitably ensued from the engagement
of forces so numerically ill adapted to each other.
What object is it likely that Monarch or Minister
at Berlin can propose to himself to achieve by the
utterance of such gross calumnies and extravagant
eulogiums as are to be met with in this oration.
The Prusslans, all know, are already sufficiently
self-conceited and elated at the affair without their
rulers still further compromising what character
they have left, and setting aside the scruples of the
consciences, which it is but flattering to assume
that they in a slight measure possess. One gleam
of truth pervades this tissue of falsity; it is said that
the days of Duppel and Alsen are handed down to
future generations in the history of warfare. This
is unquestionably true, but after what manner, and
in what a light will they be surveyed. It is to be
presumed that King WILLIAM and his satellites
share the feelings that prompted the " aspiring
youth who fired the Ephesian dome, and
are determined to be remembered for some-
thing. It looks very like it at all events,
when we reflect upon the spirit which has
evidently prompted this address, and the gene-
ral tenor of its remarks throughout. Bad as the
whole is collectively, there is one passage which
stands out prominently as a violation of all proper
feelings of respect and reverence which animate
decently disposed persons. It is sheer profanity
for the KING to cell Heaven as a witness on his
side for deeds which the earth may now refuse to
hide in her shelter. When we read the following
words in the address—" The blessing of Provi-
dence has rested upon you because you have feared
GoD, and have been faithful to your duty, obedient
and brave," it is really painful to peruse them. The
people who applaud such sentiments, and uphold
such principles, must be, indeed, sunk low in the
scale of upright and honourable communities, and
no extent of territory or increase of possessions can
compensate to a land that is thus destitute of the
one thing needful, tha sense to discern be-
tween right and wrong, truth and
falsehood, crime and honesty. It is a fearful
thing to note to what depths of degradation men
sink when they make selfish gains their object,
aim, and end ; and the same rule applies, in a
more extended scale, to the condition of that
country whose glory is in its shame. lio se the
Sovereign of a Christian community can outrage
the laws of sense and justice by such utterances,
it is strange to think of. According to this theory
all the successful tyrants aro saints or martyrs,
and their oppressed and ciliated victims sinners
and miscreants. The joy and pride of King
WILLIAM may be very great, and his "Royal
gratitude" may be very sincere, but pride goes
before a fall, and still more presumption. If the
standard of virtue be measured by the statutes of
Berlin justice, woe betide the poor and indepen-
dent states of the world ; but not so have the
maxims of all ages declared the truth to be, and
the verdict of honest and honourable mon is
against Prussian tactics now. while history will
hereafter confirm their judgment and ratify their
decision.

Year by year the great question of education
comes more prominently into discussion. Year by
year more anxiety is shown to extend its benefits
to the ragged, the outcast, and even the criminal.

Churches and chapels of all denominations have
schoolrooms attached, and almost the first thought
of any active philanthropist who is willing to give
time and labour to the task of benefiting his fel-
low-creatures is how he may instruct the ignorant
and enlighten the darkened mind. Education, as
a State question, has occupied the thoughts of
statesmen and politicians very considerably of ;ate;
it has given rise to 801210 angry controversies and
a good deal of conflicting opinion, but all
parties are agreed upon one point—that it
is the unquestionable duty of the State to provide a
system of national education. Oar public schools
have come under consideration. The system of
teaching adopted in them has been analysed, criti-
cised, praised, and censured, and finally made the
subject of a royal commission. Oar universities are
from time to time brought under notice by objec-
tions to their exclusiveness and plans fur the exten-
sion of their beneficial influence. Middle class
education is the best new form under which this
hydra has presented itself, and, thanks to the acti-
vity of the Science and Art D;partment it is not
altogether a verbal one. But while all
those signs of vitality are visible, and while
the great question with every one is how
to extend as much as possible the bless-
lugs of knowledge, it ' is well to pause occa-
sionally to ask ourselves
whether our peogress
is al
ways in the right direction, and, above all,
whether it
rests upon a satisfactory and solid
basis. This question heo just been brought before
the public by an able correspondent of our con-
temporary, the limes, and as S. G. 0. is some-
what of an authority in such matters, it is wet: to
examine what he says with some attention. :His

remarks are eminently deservine of notice. howevi