The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-12 00:00:00

THE NEW EDUCATIONAL MINUTE.

A deputation, consisting of the members of com-
mittees, or office-bearers of the National Society,
the Church of England Education Society, the EH-
' tish and Foreign School Society, the Home and
Colonial School Society, the Wesleyan Education
Committee, and the Councils of Training Colleges,
waited by appointment upon Lord Palmerston, at
Cambridge-house, Piccadilly, to present a memorial
on the subject of the recent minutes of the Commit-
tee of Council of Education. The deputation was
introduced by Sir James Kay Shuttleworth, who
said those present did not belong to any political
party, and were not moved by any political feeling
adverse to her Majesty's present Ministry. Nothing
was further from their desire than to create even
partial or temporary embarrassment to the Go-
vernment. On the other hand, those among them
who were warm supporters of the Ministry
were not deterred from acting in concert with all
who are agreed in regarding the minute of the 29th
July, 1861, as inconsistent, both with the principles
and the forms of administration which have guided
the committee of council since 1846. He then
went on to urge at some length that the minute
cannot be reconciled with the previous administra-
tion of the committee of council, that it is based upon
principles inconsistent with the previous minutes,
and is subversive of them, that it is incapable of any
modification which would not leave within it the
elements of the destruction of the existing system.
In conclusion, he read a memorial praying that the
minute may be entirely withdrawn, and that any
modifications, which may be found to be desirable
in the existing system, with a view to prevent an
undue growth of the public grant, to secure simpli-
city in its administration, and greater efficiency in
its results, may be made in conformity with the
principles of the preceding minutes of the Commit-
tee of Council on Education.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Mr Rebt. Foster,
the Rev. John Scott, principal of the Wesleyan
Training College, Mr. Reynolds, of the Home and
Colonial School Society, and Mr. Colquhoun, chair-
man of the Church of England Education Society,
also enforced by arguments the prayer of the me-

mot ial.

Lord PALMERSTON, in reply, said the deputation
would not expect him to say on that occasion any-
thing more than that he was much obliged to them
for coming there to explain at large the views which
they entertained upon thesubject which had brought
them together. He was quite aware that there was
nothing of a political character in the feeling which
had arisen upon the question. They had good reason
to know that that feeling had been wide spread
throughout the country, and it was therefore de-
serving of serious attention. They were aware that
Mr. Lowe had given notice in the House of Com-
mons that on Thursday next he would make a state-
ment on this subject, and they would not therefore
expect him (Lord Palmerston) to anticipate what
he (Mr. Lowe) was going to say; but theywere quite
sensible of the importance of the matter, and of the
feelings of those gentlemen whom he saw there,
which had compelled them to come and state their
objections to the new code. They knew that it arose
entirely from the strong interest which they took in
the progress of education, and not from any politi-
cal motive of any sort or kind.
The deputation, having thanked his lordship for
his courteous reception, withdrew.

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