The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-06 00:00:00

turn as it were instan►ly from the intelligence just
brcJght to us—to look out with increased eager-
ness for the next arrival !

Anything like a hint even of " the beginning of
the end" of these deplorable troubles—of this
direful strife between Federals and Confederates
—never is, but always to be, brought to us!

The replies of Russia to England and France are
at last published. They are of considerable length,
but of course nothing satisfactory. The Moniteur
declares that these documents are most conciliatory,
and " contain the bases of negotiations likely to
lead to a common understanding
,between the
different Courts now seeking the means of uphold-
ing the legitimate interests of Poland." Doubtless,
it is convenient to appear satisfied with the state
of things officially, and therefore the French
organ contrives to see things couleur de rose just
now. In the first place, Prince GORTSCHAKOFF
informs Baron de BUDDERG that he has placed the
despatch forwarded from Paris before the EMPE-
ROR, and that " his august master has derived
therefrom the conviction that the views expressed
in the name of the Emperor NAPOLEON are in

entire accordance with those of his Majesty." This
is a very questionable compliment to pay the
French EMPEROR, and it seems both absurd
and unmeaning to make such an assertion.
How can there be any unity of sentiment between
the two Emperors when one is appealing to the
other to stop the cruel persecution of his subjects
towards the unhappy people of Poland. Not con-
tent with this extravagant assertion, however, the
reply goes on to state that "there cannot be a mo-
ment's doubt of the profound affliction that this state
of things has caused our august master." Really we
may expect to hear anything after this. After some
unmeaning'phrases about the impossibility of making
experiments that are sure to fail ; in other words,
implying that the Government of the CZAR do not
intend to take any advice from foreign Powersi how
to manage their own affairs, the despatch winds up
by an invitation to the French EMPEROR to assist
the Russians to put down all future chance of re-
volution by arresting the course of its operations
abroad. Prince GORTSCHAYOFP goes so far as to

invite the Emperor NAPOLEON'S " moral concur-
rence" in this worthy task, and thus admonishes him
regarding the duties that are imperatively imposed
upon him of giving assistance to the good
work of crushing down all attempts at
freedom. "He will certainly acknowledge that with
the elements of cosmopolitan revolution spread
throughout almost all countries, and which rush
from all parts to all points which offer chances for
disorder and overthrow, the care of bringing back
calm and peace should not depend on the efforts of
a single Government, and that to demand of us to
extinguish a fire which receives from abroad inex-
haustible aliment would be to continuo the question
in a circle without issue."

It would be a novel mode of aiding the patriots

to prevent their ever again being able to
assert their rights and to make know❑
their wrongs. The Moniteur would have hard
work to prove how, by coming to an understand-
ing of this sort, the Great Powers would uphold

the " legitimate interests" of Poland. Prince GORT-
SCHAKOFF i a no happier in his reply to our Go-
vernment; He begins by flatlycontradicting all that
Lord RUSSELL hes said in reference to the
interpretations of the text of the treaties, and
states that "they have the right of not ad-
mitting without reserve all those which can be
given to it." This remark speaks volumes for
the intentions of the Russian Government. We
do not meet with much " moral concurrence" on
their part to assist in adjusting the vexed ques-

tion of Polish affairs. After a few more remarks
on the matter, it is summarily and arbitrarily dis-
posed of in these words—" For the rest, all has
been said on both sides in this discussion ; its pro-
longation on this ground would be a sterile la-
bour. These are strong terms to use towards the
English Foreign Secretary, but the meaning of
them is true, and it is sterile labour to endeavour
to persuade those who will not hear reason, and
are deaf to the claims of justice. As to the next
question, the best means of affording peace to
Poland, Prince GORTSCHAKOFF becomes yet more
determined in his negatives to Lord RUSSELL. He
says that the misunderstanding arises from the fact
of the English Government persisting in maintaining
that keeping to the constitution of 1815 is the sole
panacea for Poland. In reference to this, the
despatch states :—" But the Government and the
British nation, of which the practical good sense
has founded the greatness of England, will not pre-
tend that there is only one single form of govern-
ment for all peoples, whatever may be their history
and their development. Before reaching that
political maturity, of which England affords an
example, there are many steps to pass, and each
nation should proceed in the path pointed out by
its own instincts. It is just and natural that a
Sovereign animated with the most benevolent in-
tentions, calculates the bearing and extension of
institutions destined to place his subjects in more
favourable conditions of existence."

It is really astonishing how any statesman can
have the effrontery to write like this. It is true
that Poland has a long way to go before she reaches
the present position of England, but she has not
taken one step in that direction under the
management of the present EMPEROR, nor
can he prove what is asserted in this docu-
ment, that he is adopting the best means of
ecuring the welfare of Poland. Finally, Prince
GORTSCHAKOFF adopts a to quo que argument
and declares that Lord RUSSELL may look at home
for the causes that conspire with other events to
produce a revolution. When the English Govern-
ment wishes Russia to fulfil her duties, he declares
'hat " she has not received a scrupulous recipro-

city."

Surely it would be very difficult to imagine any
replies that could be less satisfactory to well-wishers
of Poland than these here referred to. They breathe
the spirit of in tolerance,they lay down arbitrary rules
reallyerating t
they deny common obligations, and they repudiate
dthisenwringhatny of
intentionother nat. nations
ameliorating while they
s to interfere,
condition of Poland. For any good result to en-
sue from such an interchange of sentiment is
impossible, and it would have been as well,
for the sake of freedom and the cause
of humanity had no despatches been written on
either side. It is a deplorable calamity to reflect
on the bitter sufferings in store for the distracted
kingdom of Poland, and the utter apparent inability
of the other States as regards the power of ren-
dering assistance makes it doubly painful to con-
template. Besides this vexation there is the ad-
ditional mortification of finding that the strongest
remonstrances only call forth answers that are
couched in covert satire, and contain arguments
that are completely subversive of the wishes of
the mediators,

The subject of national education is one both
wide and deep, one whose importance is appreciated
by most men, and whose results are felt to be of vital
consequence to the community. Unfortunately it is
also a matter on:which every man has his peculiar
crotchet, and on which he is most unwilling to sur-
render an iota of his convictions. Earnest men of

peculiar views may submit to the regulations of
trade, or the restrictions of civil law, bat the edu-
cation of the young is a point which concerns their
principles, and it is never difficult to muster a strong
opposition to any particular measure or clause,
whether:it be a gathering of `Zr. NEWDEGATE'S fol-
lowers to deprecate a wise and enlightened toleration,
or of Dissenters objecting to the influence of the na-
tional Church. The question brought up last
night in the House of Commons by Mr.
WALTER did not, however, touch upon
religious- grounds. His proposal was that
the national grant should be made applicable
to all the poorer schools throughout the country
not being private schools or carried on for profit.
To this he added a declaration, that the employ-
ment of certified or pupil teachers by school
managers as an indispensable condition of their
participation in the grant is unjust and inexpe-
dient. The extension of the grant to all poorer
public schoolli not carried on for profit is certainly
a reasonable demand. The poorer schools are the
very ones that need assistance the most, and pro-
vided that the results of the instruction given are
tested and found to be satisfactory, the Government
should surely show a readiness to come forward.
Mr. WALTER'S proposal was that the capitation
grant of Bs. should be open for all children whose
examination should satisfy the inspector. This seems
fairenough, as, if the children come up to the required
standard, the Government ought to be satisfied with-
out demanding certificates from teachers whose
competency has been proved in the most satisfactory
and conclusive manner. The question is, where the
standard of necessary education should be fixed, and
whether there has not been of late years a tendency
to forget the requirements of practice in the dogmas
of theory. It is certainly very unnecessary that
the children of our small shopkeepers, artisans, and
mechanics should be instructed in the rudiments of
a sound plain English education by teachers who
are familiar with history, ancient, modern, sacred,
and profane, with pure and mixed mathematics,
with a dash of the classics and sciences. The
attempt to inculcate a quarter of this information
into the head of an ordinary country boy
or girl during the short time which they spend at
any educational establishment, unseconded by any
home influence, must necessarily be a hopeless one.
There is no reason why the system of granting cerl
tificates of knowledge to pupil teachers should be
suspended or interfered with, but it seems hard that
a man of middle age, who is well qualified by
general information and habits of discipline
to train and educate children of the lower
classes, should be restrained from such an
undertaking because in the days of his youth
certificates of knowledge were things undreamt of.
Experience, sound sense, and general knowledge
are qualifications more important than an acquain-
tance with the history of the liturgy or inorganic
chemistry. There should be a wise discretion
exercised in these matters, and due regard should
be had to the probable requirements of the children
in after life. The higher class of public schools and
training colleges might be open to those who from
natural aptitude, or promising circumstances,
wished to go further on the high road of learning.
But there should be a class of schools for the chil-
dren of respectable artisans, peasants, and others of
the same standing. It is absurd to say, in nine
cases out of ten, that such children will be any the
better or the fitter for their trade for having ac-
quired, at the cost of much time and labour, a dim
perception of the higher branches of education.
But if pure mathematics and ancient history are
not likely to be profitable to them, that is no reason
why they should not be thoroughly instructed
in the rudiments of education. They may learn to
read, write, and cipher with substantial advantage
and comparative ease. Book-keeping might super-
sede algebra with advantage, and the practice of
the plain rules of grammar and spelling would be
preferable to the study of English composition.
With regard to the girls we should wish to see
some other branches of useful household knowledge
added to the list. Some of us nay remember Mrs.
SEWELL'S amusing narrative of the lady in search of
a workwoman visiting the village school, and being
amazed at the proficiency of the pupils in the
most recondite branches of knowledge. Their
geographical and scientific acouirements over-
whelmed the astonished visitor, who listened

.n awe—

" While billions and quadrillions ran in easy numeration."

Coming to the point i❑ hand, however, she found
that not one of these female sages could make
a shirt ! There is no doubt that every
care and pains is being taken to open
the highways of knowledge to all who will go in.
The question is, whether there is a sufficient sub-
stratum provided for that very large class whose
educational wants and wishes will never soar beyond
" the three It's."

CHELSEA SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—L9st
evening a selection from Handel's Oratorio,

" Samson," was given by the members of this society at the
new vestry hall, King's-road, Chelsea. The solo parts wet e
sustained by Madame Andrea, Mdlle. deVillar, Mr. Montem
Smith, and Mr.Lawler, and Mr. Holdernesse. the conductor,
had a band and chorus under his command, numbering
nearly 1,50 performers. As might have been expected, there
was a little unsteadiness in the opening chorus "Awake the
trumpet's lofty sound," but as the oratorio proceeded, thanks
to the conductor, this defect was in a great measure reme-
died, and if we cannot say the choristers were, as a body,
quite up to the mark in some of the pieces, we at least can
compliment them for the very creditable manner in which
they gave the splendid chorus at the conclusion of the first
part, " Then round about the starry throne." The great
solo for the tenor, "Total ec•ipse," was finely sung by Mr.
Montem Smith ; " Honour and arms" won for Mr. Lawler
loud applause, but the great feature of the whole perform-
ance was the execution of the magnificent contralto air,
"Return, 0 Lord of Hosts," by Madame Andrea. It was
given with the most exquisite taste and feeling, and call3d
forth deserved and enthusiastic applause. The hall was
well attended, and the members cf the society may fairly
congratulate themselves on the success of their perform-
ance.

A CRUEL HARDSHIP.—A writer in the limes
says:— I had a presentation for Christ's Hospital
on " Travers's Foundation," only eligible for sons cf
lieutenants in the navy. I took the boy to London, and,
as it was not convenient for me to go on to Hertford, I
addressed myself to a stranger whose son was also just
admitted. " I make no apology," said I, " for introducing
myself to you, as you must be a lieutenant in the navy. It
you are going to Hertford, will you take charge of my boy
as well as your own ?" He readily assented. I then re-
quested to know to whom I was indebted for this act of
courtesy, "My name," said he "is Pollard." Are you
related," said I, " to the Pollard mentioned in liouthey's
Life of Nelson' as having shot the man by whose un-
erring aim Nelson fell ?" " I am the Pollard," said he,
" then a mate in the Victory, that you allude to." I never
saw him before or since, but I see by the Navy List he is
still a lieutenant, and in Greenwich Hospital. He, at any
rate, is not ruined by promotion, though 58 years have
nearly passed away since, in the execution of his duty, he
performed an act which has entitled his name to be handed
down to posterity in association with our great naval
chief.

TIIE SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF ‘' OUR LADY OF
MERCY."—" Nemo," inn letter to the Tones, says:
Your correspcndent "J. o.' claims assistance for the Sis-
ters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul on the ground ,f the
good dee,is of these sisters on behalf of our wounded soldiers
and seamen. The Roman Catholic " Sisters" in the British
army in the Crimean war were eight Sisters of the Order of
" Our Lady of Mercy" of Bermond. ey, some of whom, wi h
their admirable "reverend mother" went out with the first
and remained to the last; ten Sisters of the same Order
from Irish houses, with a "reverend mother" from Kinsale ;
and five "Sisters" of an educational Order which shall 1-e
namelfts, as, being f and totally useless, they were sent
sent home. In the French and Sardinian armies there
were, of course, " Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul." But
these,so far from assisting our soldiers and seamen, ac-
ceptedorder that thoespigratitudetaCrimea
riat Co°fn
otlly_waikllingly and gratefully large stores and mush assis-
17::siiraoniniinir nurses. A Kaiserwerth deaconess, from the
seamen in the
for the insertion of these lines in your paper in
Catholic Sisters who really tahraeupublic ie;
owt hase anlusorsaets
de-
voted :themselves assisting our wounded soldiers and
a may be expressed to those Roman
Swehuot ari
ally earned it.