The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-18 00:00:00

"See a long race the spacious courts adorn—
See future sons and daughters still unborn !
In crowding ranks on every side they rise
Demanding life, impatient for the skies."

Sir E. WINNINGTON, M.P., moved a reso-
.ution affirming the " desirability of establishing
institutes in every town and village in the
country." At present there is scarcely a town
with more than than 2,000 inhabitants without an
I institute, but it is found difficult to carry out
the attempt in villages, partly because the
elder people are so ignorant. 'The hon.
baronet referred to the subject of novel read-
ing, and declared with great great justice that the
artisans had only formed their tastes in that respect
from the classes above them. It is a great mistake
for people to decry the practice of novel reading in
toto, and surely if any one has a right to the enjoy-
ment of such a pursuit it must be those who are
compelled to devote so much time to labour. There
are few novels which will not increase the know-
ledge and extend the reflections of the working
classes, and none of those which the council of a
union would approve of are likely to have hurtful
tendencies. Mr. CHARLES DICKENS made a very
just observation, when a remark on this subject was
made to him. Ile said that the " English labour-
ing population had the hardest work possible, and
that, notwithstanding the acknowledged excitement
of novel reading, these tales generally had a good
moral attached to them." It is to be trusted that
the efforts of those who are striving to promote the
cause of education will succeed to the extent that
they deserve, and too much acknowledgment can-
not be made for their services. Their work is
worthy and honourable in the sight of GOD and
man, and they may rest assured that they sow that
others may reap a goodly and gracious harvest, for
generations still unborn shall rise up and call them
blessed.

It is not surprising that the outrageous conduct
of Spain towards the Republic of Chili should have
called forth indignant remonstrances from all un-
prejudiced observers. The merchants of Liverpool,
whose interests are deeply concerned in the affair,
have, we are glad to see, adopted prompt and active
measures. A large and influential meeting of gen-
tlemen interested in the Chilian trade was held,
yesterday, at Liverpool, Mr. TURNER, M.P., in
the chair, at which the attitude assumed by
Spain, and its effect upon British commerce,
were commented on. The Chairman, in itro-
ducing the subject, observed that it was un-
necessary for him to enlarge upon the details of
what had taken place, since most of those present
had private sources of information, in addition to
the full accounts published in the columns of the
press. So far as could be learned, the blockade
was entirely without justification, but there was
reason to fear that the success which attended
Spain's attack upon Peru had led to this unwarrant-
able assault upon Chili. Mr. TURNER added that
he thought the trading community had a right to
ask the Government for all the information they
possessed, and also to ask them for energetic mea-
sures for the protection of their interests. How
great those interests are, we may learn from the
statement of Mr. NICHOLSON, a gentleman present,
who said that the Chilian exports and imports which,
in 1849, only amounted to $8,700,000, in 1864 were
$24,000,000, or between six and seven millions
sterling. Certainly the representatives of so large
and important a trade have good right to demand
from their Government Some protection against such
an uncalled for and unwarrantable attack, and we
are not surprised to find that the deputation ap-
pointed by the meeting left Liverpool last evening
le hopeu
in order to present the memorial, which was unani-
mmooruislling resolvedWe
. pyotrrihattothLeonrodblCe LeAarRIENN:iII acquit
Nthuiits
himself with firmness and judgment in this stormy
inauguration of his official duties. There can be no
doubt of the course Which should be promptly fol-
lowed, and which has been already indicated by the
combined protest of the diplomatic body. The
vessels of England and France should protect the
ports of Chili and prevent the enforcement of the
blockade, a course which we have very little doubt
that the American Government will already have
followed. The idea of a Power like Spain attempt-
ing to enforce a blockade in defiance of the three
greatest naval Powell 14 preposterous; but probably,

N virtue, besides the mere acquirements of informa-
tion in the abstract.
It is because of the signs and tokens which we
ilrave received of the benefits and blessings that flow
1 from the diffusion of knowledge that the leading
! men of the day. have came forward so energetically
to promote the educational movement, and due
credit should be accorded to them for it. Their
time cannot be better spent, nor can their energies
be directed to a nobler end than to encourage their
fellowmen to improve their minds and devote their
faculties to the end for which they were directed.
This is the sort of work which will turn to account
when " the long day of life with all its labours is
over for eternity," and it is no exaggeration to say I
that it is work which must last and increase in
strength and perfect in comeliness, while coming
years shall wax and wane. It is a cheering thought
to encourage those who now strive in the infancy
of this effort, as it may be called, to dwell upon the
bright prospect of its fruition. In some respects •
the lines of the poet may be expressive to illustrate
this vision :—.

Sir JOHN PAKINGTON mentioned one great ob-
stacle, which has along militated against the cause
of " popular education," and that is the impossi-
bility of keeping the children of the working classes
at school beyond a very early age. This drawback
has been touched upon by almost all who advert
to the subject, and it is met with in every year's
report " presented by the inspectors to Parliament."
Since it is out of the question to prevent this evil in
a great measure, the next best thing will be to pro-
vide a remedy in the form of imparting instruction
to those whose studies have terminated at so early
a period. To enable the working classes to complete
that education which has been left in so imperfect a
state in early life is a great desideratum, and there
can be no reason why such an attainment should
prove impracticable, and if those who are com-
pelled to labour so incessantly can combine cultiva-
tion with work and cultivate their faculties, the
happiest results must follow. It is perfectly true,
as the right bon. baronet stated, that Parliament
has literally voted money, and the clergy and minis-
ters of all religious denominations have devoted
time, but all the efforts of the friends of
progress and enlightenment could not conduce
to keep the children at school beyond an early
age. It would be against the feeling of the
people of this country for any enactment of the
Legislature to enforce a compulsory attendance
up to a certain age, as is the case in Germany
and other nations. The " practical difficulty"
must, therefore, be met and overcome in the right
spirit, and unions such as this referred to must be
the real means which can afford compensation to
those so sadly injured by their parents' over-care for
making money, regardless of consequences. Social
educational institutions ought to be encouraged in
every way by those who sincerely desire the social
and moral improvement of the lower orders, as well
as the benefits of intellectual training in the
abstract.