The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, -JULY 3, 1863

year's study to the scholars, that there were
28,000,000 children in this country receiving their
education, and that the year thus razed might be
profitably devoted to the acquisition of much
valuable knowledge. This is a very specious argu-
ment; the well educated classes of society are at
perfect liberty to make up their accounts on any
plan that suits their fancy, as in the higher branches
of science and mathematics all calculations are
worked out on the decimal system. Mr. BAINES,
however, forgets that in saving a year in the edu-
cation of a future generation, he is requiring many
millions of adult individuals whose education is
barely equal to the old established mode of calcula-
tion to go to school again, and recommence their
education. This is, of course, absurd; yet further-
more, there are hundreds of thousands moving in
respectable circles who find it difficult as it is to
settle the ordinary accounts in their daily transac-
tions. How will they get on when both shopman
and purchaser are equally at fault in endeavouring
to elucidate this uncalled-for new system, which is
to overturn all existing rules, whether it be for the
weight, measurement, or price of the article. The
length of a road and the measurement of a piece of
ground, in fact everything, must be included in the
category. The whole survey of Great Britain must
be readjusted and readapted to the new metric
system, the length of every road and street revised.
and every individual who wishes to know the exact
value and length of his estate will have to call in
the surveyor to furnish him with a new measure-
ment, for chains, roods, and perches will have to
make way for their foreign successors. That the
present system of weights and measures throughout
the United Kingdom requires great revision we are
well aware, and would be among the first to support
a gradual and moderate amendment. But this is a
very different affair to change at one fell swoop
pounds into killograms, yards into metres, sove-
reigns into napoleons, and shillings into francs,
Why not, when such a comprehensive revolution is
to take place, complete the innovation by substitut-
ing the French language for the English.

The news just received from Madagascar is of a
startling and painful character. The King,
RADAMA 11., has been assassinated, and all the
bright hopes founded upon his career are brought
to an untimely end. The name of the late QUEEN,
his mother, who was for many years sole ruler of
this vast island, was long held in detestation
throughout civilised Europe. The readers of
Madame PFEIFFER'S interesting travels will le-
member how the adventurous and fearless lady,
who had safely and uninterruptedly made her
" Woman's Journey round the World," underwent
great hardships and was in peril of her life at Mada-
gascar, The conduct of the QUEEN to the European
Governments and to the Christians who unhappily
found themselves within her dominions was such as
to run the risk of provoking the Western Powers
to punish the offender summarily. Thanks to her
geographical position and to her political insignifi-
cance, she escaped the lesson which she deserved,
and it was the only consolation for her suffering
subjects to hope for better times under the gentler
rule of her son, RADAMA 11. The accession of this
Prince was hailed with universal satisfaction, and
the lenity and moderation of his character contrast
strikingly with the reckless injustice and cruelty of
his mother. He refused to sacrifice the life of his
brother although his counsellors advised it, and we
hope it may not prove that this forbearance has
been remotely the cause of his death. The telegram
informs us that not only has the KING been
strangled and his Ministers hanged, but that his
reign has been declared null, and mourning pro-
hibited. As a further sign of the times we learn
that the treaties concluded with European Powers
have been suspended. Certainly if King ItADAMA'S
reign is declared null his acts can hardly be officially
recognised ; but the fact is suspicious. The wife of
, RADAMA, who has been proclaimed QUEEN, has

signed, it is said, a constitution in accordance with
the views of the old Hova party. Religious
liberty, we are told, is to be maintained ; but who
can trust such an assertion. Discontent, we are not
surprised to hear, is spreading throughout the
kingdom, and fears of civil war are entertained by
the unhappy peasantry. So the curtain has fallen
over the new and hopeful prospects of Madagascar.
Neither life nor property are safe. The few steps
taken in the way of progress are retraced, and the
future looks cloudy enough. The rulers probably
reckon on the difficulties offered to invaders by the
interior of their island and the combination of the
arms of civilised and savage warfare, which they
possess, to render their position secure. But they
must not repeat the barbarities of the former
Government if they wish to retain undisturbed
possession of their ill-gotten power.