The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-25 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1854.

Lord CLARENDON has spo'cen out boldly and
unequivocally. The Noble Etrl has justified the
high character he so long maintained, and the.
euloginnis passed on his efficiency by his distin-
guished colleague, the Home Secretary. There
is no longer any doubt as to the Ministerial in-
tentions. The declarations of last evening, com-
bined with those of the leader of the House of
Commons, place beyond the possibility of doubt
that Ministers have at length determined- on
carrying on the contest into which the country has
been forced with vigour and unflinching resolu-
tion. If in the pursuit of Naca they have been
-too dilatory—if they have i n some degree Yacil-

lated in exhausting every means of preserving the
tranquillity of Europe—if they placed too much
reliance on the professions of moderation of the
AUTOCRAT—the speeches of Lords CLARENDON and
John RUSSELL, coupled with the appointment of
Sir CHARLES NAFIER to the command in the
Baltic, and the despatch of troops to the East,
show that they are at length sensible of the
errors into which they had fallen, and are anxious
to make the best amends to the country. We
accept the offer, however much we may regret
the delays that have taken place. We shall cor-
dially concur in all that Inv be essential to the
public service, and render our best assistance to
the Ministers in carrying out the more vigorous
course of policy on which they have at length—
albeit at the eleventh hour—we believe, honestly
and c!.2,3=2:-
1,7 1.-3c-_%3

tatiug dee;aratiou that "-the -great question
which has been long foreseen, and long postponed
by all the able and clear-sighted Statesmen of
Europe, on account of the great embarrass-
ments and the political and commerchl disloca-
tions which it, would produce, ought to be settled
What more explicit than

once

for • all."

the assurance that "it is the purpose of
every man who, directly or indirectly, will take
part in the war, and the purpose of her MA-
JESTY'S Government, so far as the course of events
will permit, to do that which is necessary for the
future security and tranquillity of Europe, namely,
to check the aggressive and ambitious power of
Russia, to maintain the integrity efthe Ottoman Em-
pire, and to take solid gaaranteesi►a order that Europe
may not again be deprived of the great blessings of
peace " This is as it should be. This is a policy
worthy of 'England and every true-hearted
Englishman, no matter of what party, will sus-
tain and support those by whom it is honestly
and fairly carried into practical operation.

All doubt as to the command of the Baltic
Meet is at length set at rest. The appointment
of Sir CEIA.RLES NAPIER, which we have so long
and s, strenuously enforced on the Government
has been dfi . . ~
e naively announced. The Gallant
Admiral has thus effectually triumphed over Tory
rancour and Whig .
jealousy. He has, despite the
opposition excited by his reforming tendencies,
gained a glorious victory over those who sneered
at the man who ventured to tell his mind openly
to the Government of the day, and who fearlessly
exposed the mismanagement of naval affairs iu the
highest quarters. The predictions that he would
be allowed to he-
never again hoist his flag as the
Commander of a British Fleet are thus disposed
of. When the hour of danger and difficulty
arrived, the all
but unanimous voice of the coun-
try proclaimed the confidence reposed in the Hero.
He was regarded as the worthiest, where many
were worthy, and, like his illustrious cousin, he was
sought out by those whom he had previously offended
by his unrestricted freedom ofspeech, and conscienti-
ous exposure of abuses. None but persons animated
by a strong feeling of personal or party pique can
complain of the appointment, which, in this in-
stance, has indeed been given to the most meri-
torious.

It has bean said that while the eficiOncY and

bravery of the veteran have not been denied that
he is wanting in discretion ! Discretion, for-
sooth ! He may not have discretion to
flatter a Minister, or to seek promotion or
employment by indirect means. But be has
discretion to maintain the honour of the British
fi ig, and to sweep all opposing vessels from the
seas and oceans where it is proudly displayed.
lie has discretion to capture, sink, burn, or
destroy the enemy's fleets, and to batter down
her arsenals. He may not be skilled in the art
of special pleading—he may not be a practised
diplomatist, nor qualified to make fine-drawn
distinctions, nor to spin out protracted ne-
gotiations ; but he possesses the " discretion"
we require the discretion which will enable
him to apply to the best advantage the power-
ful force placed under his control to confer
the greatest benefits on the friends and allies of
Great Britain, and to inflict the largest amount
of damage on her foes, and finally to dictate the
terms of a not inglorious peace under the shadow
of the flag that has never yet been disgraced by
Englishmen. This is what the country wants ;
and heartily do we rejoice that so satisfactory a
guarantee has been afforded by the Government
fir the vigorous and energetic conduct of the
war as that supplied by the judicious appoint-
ment of Vice-Admiral Sir CHARLES NAPIER to the
Chief Command of the Baltic Fleet. It is evi-
dence that inaction will not be the rule in that
quarter of the globe—that the combined fleet will
be occupied in something beyond merely blockad-
ing or watching the motions of the enemy!

We by no means grudge the time devoted to
the education question on Tuesday night. The
debate was carried on in the fairest spirit, yet
with considerable earnestness ; and, besides the
instruction which all but mere partizans gain from
the dismission, great good is done by keeping the
most important of our domestic duties fully before
the public. Almost every speaker threw some
light on the general question ; and while the
house (properly, we think) decided that a local
Act, to lay rates to the amount of 40,0001. at
least, could not be proceeded with when so decid-
edly opposed by the local cox p3ration, yet the
reasons for refusal were many of them of national
importance.

The present system aids, from the national ex-
chequer, schools of all denominations, leaves their
religiOus instruction and peculiarities untouched,
and, by inspection and scholarships, endeavours to
improve the quality of the education. The Man-
chester Bill proposed not merely to aid, but to
pay the entire expenses of the schools by a local
rate ; on the one condition that no child who
wished to enjoy the secular instruction should
be required to receive the religious instruc-
tion also ; that the latter should be given,
probably, in extra hours. The schools are, of
course, to be free schools. The National School
Association at Manchester advocates also free
schools, supported by local and locally adminis-
tered rates, but requires that the education shall
be purely secular, leaving the religious instruction
to Sabbath schools, ministers, and parents. It
offers, we believe, to adopt the existing schools so
far as wished. Both the Manchester schemes aim
to supersede voluntary support by local rates,
which, if the large majority of the ratepayers
approve the system, is little more than an exten-
sion of the voluntary system. The chief difference
between them seems to be that the promoters of
the rejectei Bill retain the denominationalism of
the school. It is contended. that this lays the
Bill open to the same objection as that entertained
against church rates. It must be owned, however,
that a local rate for all places of worship in the
district—for this is the real parallel—would be
a totally different thing from a church rate for one
denomination.

Two of the most important points made good
in the debate were the seeming hopelessnesl4 of
gaining the class most needing education, the dan-
gerous class in all its grades, by gratuitous edu-
cation, or by anything short of compulsion ; and
the next to impossibility of finding teachers
adapted to this class by any means at the com-
mand of Governments. Our readers will remember
how these difficulties have hitherto perplexed us,
and they do so still. Those amongst the poor who
prefer their beer and gin to their children's
education, those who are too vicious and sen-
sual to wish even. for advantages for their
children which' are above their own tastes, and
which would unfit their offspring to follow
their parents' degraded mock. of life, those
also who partly support themselves by the earn-
ings of their children—none of these would send
their children to school, merely because the in-
struction was secular, or cost them nothing. All
of this class must be sought out by persons whose
heart is in the work ; and it is the concurrent tes-
timony of such men as Lord SHAFTESBURY, Mr.
M. D. HILL of Birmingham, the Earl of HAR-
!LOWRY, JOSEPH Sri:MOE, indeed of all who have
taken much interest in Ragged and Reformatory
Schools, that Government- aid could never pur-
chase the self-denying, kindly, hearty zeal, by
which alone these efforts have hitherto been car-
ried on. "It is not enough," observed the Earl
of HARROWRY, "to appoint well-paid officers, or
to have a number of persons scrambling for Go-
oat, oopointmomte, and t.-.)o hay to re-
__

vi e2nra

~a.z.~~

~kw~,

cazitzry, aa.ll) t 3 ta333 ViDD
have already distinguished themselves by per.
sonal sacrifices and great exertion in the work."
The sum of the matter, then, appears to be this ;
—the better part of the poor are•already educat-
ing.themselves •at the coat,. in school pence, of
nearly- 500,0001. a-year ; the worse part are not
deterred from education by the cost, but by habits
which compulsion alone, or the best quality of
missionary zeal, could overcome; the former would
not be endured in a free country, the latter no
rates or Government grants can purchase. This
is the great, the real difficulty, and it is better
that it should lie clearly before us all.
• We may- add, that we should much like the
friends of Secular Free School Education to set up
a few model schools on their own principles by.
subscription. They are sufficiently numerous and
wealthy; and till they do so, they are destitute of
all argument, or noaily so, from English experi-
ence, and 'Lilo trial might teach us all something.

The Duke of Devonshire has been paying several
flying visits to his grace's marine villa, Kemp Town,
which is in progress of enlargement by the addition of
Colonel Peel's mansion.

The 141archioness Dowager of Downshire left Gros-
venor-street yesterday, on A visit to Mr. George and
Lady Charlotte Chebwynd, at Grendon Hall, near
Stratford.

The Earl of Burlington has arrived at Belgrave-
square, from Holkar Hall, near Windermere.
The Earl of Powis left Berkeley-square yesterday
for Walcot Hall, near Ludlow, accompanied by the
Hon. Colonel Percy Herbert, M.P.
Lord John Russell will entertain a large party of
ministerial members at dinner this evening, at Chesham-
plaee.
TRZ FLAG-SHIP FOR QUEZNEITOWN.—As we have
already stated, the Conway, 26, at Devonport, is to be
the flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Sir W. P. Carrel, K.C.8.,
the commander-in-chief at Queenstown, relieving the
Ajax, 60, screw, Captain Warden, and adding that ship
to the Baltic fleet.

MADAME TUSSIIID'S EXHIBITION.—The group repre-
senting the most celebrated characters during the late
war appear to attract the chief attention of the visitors,
in consequence, no doubt, of the warlike aspect of the
European Powers and the probable protracted struggle
likely to ensue. This group consists of the Emperor
Napoleon the Ist, the Ein; eror's of Russia and Austria,
Prince Blucher, Murat, Ney, and others, all of whom
have been taken from authentic sources and are ad-
mirably executed, and form a subject of the highest
interest.

ST. PETERSBURG.—Advices from St. Petersburg to
the 16th inst. mention that, in consequence of the
breaking off of diplomatic relations, the English resi-
dents had waited upon the British Ambassador, by
whom they were informed that Count Nesselrode had
repeated the assurance formerly given, that even in case
of war between the two countries their persons and pro-
perty would be respected. Some business continued
to be transacted in produce, the buyers stipulating for
the option of receiving the goods or paying a forfeit.
In consequence of the decline in the rate of exchange,
several
countq.Parcela of gold had been despatched to this

MONEY IVIARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, including 1,000 taken
for export and on speculation. There was rather
mire inquiry but without alteration in prices.
Railway Shares were firmer.

The tone of the corn market this week has been
firmer, and English descriptions are about Is.
dearer, foreign having risen in proportion.
According to a statement by Mr. Edward Rainford,
" The arrivals of wheat from the Black Sea and
Mediterranean during the week have been 56 car-
goes, of which 38 were sold while on passage, 12
since, and the following remain on sale :—Jessie,
2,167 quarters Saide wheat, from Alexandria ; 10,
2,100 do. soft Roumelia, Varna ; Cygnet, 1,086 do.
Galatz, Galatz ; Caliope, 1,400 do. Saide, Alexan-
dria ; Sharp, 2,108 do. Polish Odessa, 64 do.
Odessa maize, 60 do. rye, Odessa. To which may
be added of previous arrivals :—Erse, 2,723 quar-
ters Behara, from Alexandria ; Agitator, '2,658 do.
mixed Egyptian, Alexandria."
The returns 6)f the Bank of England for the week
to the 18th instant, give but a slight increase in
the specie, the exports evidently neutralising the
receipts. The amount to the credit of the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer has increased a little. From
the reduction in private deposits, it is proved that
money was still in demand. Compared with last
week, the changes are as follow :
Active circulation..

Decrease.

Bullion .

Increase..

£21,654,800
453,770
16,253,313

Increase
Public Deposits
Increase
Other Deposits
Decrease
Seven-Day and other Bills
Decrease
Government Securities
Decrease
Other Securities

Decrease
Notes unemployed
Increase

49,785
3,445,498
4,897
2,440,107
458,200
12,177,209
179,836
1,086,779
32,572
11,757,704
183,962
13,346,376
68,904
7, 858, 420
560,080

Yesterday afternoon, the foreign exchanges were
without essential change. Paris, 90 days, was
firmer at 25, 271 to 32/. Amsterdam remained at
11 16 to 16k. Hamburg was lower, being 13 4.1
to si. Trieste improved to 13 12 and 13 18.
Gold is still in demand for exportation to the
Continent, and all that the Cleopatra brings will
be purchased for that destination.
The report of the Great Northern Railway Com-
pany was adopted to-day ; but the surplus for divi-
dend for last half-year was agreed to be divided as
follows, in consequence of counsel's opinion to that
effect
" At the rate of 41. 183. 341. per cent. per annum on the
original undivided ttock, which will give for the.half-year :
"On original stook 21.93. 1441. per cent., being 12s. 30. per
undivided 251. share.
" On B stock, 31. 103. per cent., being Bs. 9d. per 12/. 103.
B or A share.
"On A stock, 1/. Bs. 3d. per cent., being 3s. 6d. per 121.
10s. A or / share.
"A and B stocks together, 12s. 3ad. = to 251. original
share.
Leaving to be carried to the current half-year's account the
insignificant-not to say indivisible-balance of 341. Os. ld.
In the last sentence of the sth paragraph of the direc-
tors' report, viz., " This will leave, as the first dividend to
which the A Stock has become entitled, 14 per cent.," the
' I f per cent.' becomes amended to 11. Bs. 3d. per cent.
The amount of gold exported from London di-
rect in the week to Thursday last was 630 ounces,
and of silver 7,400 ounces, all to the Continent.
The Arabia steamer is telegraphed.
The English Funds have been rising, and the
accounts from Vienna are still considered favour-
able as to the adhesion of Austria. The announced
entry of the fleets into the Black Sea has given
great satisfaction, and inspires much confidence.
The Foreign Stock Market is very inactive, but
prices are firmer. Mexican have risen per
cent., viz., to 24k to 25i, though at the present
moment they are rather flatter again. Sardinian
Bonds have improved to 821 and 83, or 1 per
cent. higher than yesterday. Spanish New De-
ferred are dull at 18k. Brazilian Small Bonds are
quoted 98. There have been no dealings in Rus-
sian or Dutch Bonds.
Railway Shares are active, and a general en-
hancement has taken place. Great Northern are
up 1/. to 1/. 10s. The A Shares, 11. to 21. Lan-
cashire and Yorkshire, 1/. Brighton, 10s. North-
Western about 10s. to 1/. Midland, 11. North
British, 1/. to 1/. 10s. South-Eastern, 11. to 1/.
10s. York and Berwick, 11. York and North
Midland, 103. French Shares are quiet, but
Northern have improved about ss.
BILITJSH MINES.-The report of Mr. J. S. Lane,
is as follows :-A limited business is doing at the
following quotations :-Mollands, 13s. to 14s. ;
Shebas, 13 to 14 ; West Phi--:nix, 8i to 9, and
Goldens 1/. to 10.
The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not
officially quoted, are as follow :-Metcalfe, to g
premium ; Sua River, discount to par; Port
Royal, gto premium.
G-old Mines are neglected, the Land Company
nominal, and the Joint Stock Banks higher, though
with a limited business doing. Loudon and West-
minster has risen 10s., the New South Wales fully
it., and Union of Australia 10s.

BRITISH FUNDS THV DAY.—CLOSING PRICES
(From the Official List.)

Riminpx. 4,,ne.
dank Stock ...... ......... .... ..... ...... 217.# 181
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 92A A
3 per Cent Consols Annuities 914 2 1i i
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 934 1 i)
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Consols for Account 16th March
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£1000
11500 lB p
Small lB p

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
araz;Han Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small
Ilexican 3 per Cent.
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per
E,'-so.:211:1 Now 3 pr. ...... 13-.1

sei:;:e

Lzivango, 211 per Cant. 12 591
7: IVO O'CLOCK.
Consols 9li
Ditto March Account 913