The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-14 00:00:00

financial resources and it is no part of our ob-
ject to place them in a gloomy point of view
—it cannot be denied that eight millions
would be peculiarly useful at this moment.
The ABEEDEEN-GLADSTONIAN organ tells us that
it was valuable as a demonstration of our
financial power, assimilating to the naval and
military reviews, which have, or might have, taken
place. It also acts the part of a Jos's comforter,
by declaring that "if the war goes on, as it
is to be feared it will, we shall want many mil-
lions to carry it on—so many millions that
a balance of eight millions or so will signify

little in the reckoning." This is, indeed, a strange
argument, which may be appreciated by those who
tie up one hand when entering into a personal
encounter, in which all their strength would be
taxed to the uttermost. We want so much that
eight millions is a mere trifle, and, therefore,
eight millions are to be sacrificed before we com-
mence. This is the substance of the Times' argu-
ment, and we leave our friends and the community
to e«timate its accuracy.

Recent occurrences have directed public atten-
tion strongly to the system of discipline observed
at some of our leading public schools. The jus-
tice and expediency of permitting the older boys
to tyrannise over others of inferior strength, or
less advanced in their studies, is beginning to be
more than doubted. Men do not pay consider-
able sums of money for the purpose of having
their sons instructed in the arts of polishing shoes,
brushing clothes, or other similar accomplish-
ments, better suited for flunkeys than for men to
whose hands the destinies of the country may at
some future period be confided. They do not
want them to learn servility and deception, to
crouch beneath the lash of a juvenile despot very
little older than themselves, or• to flatter the
prejudices and sacrifice their own independence
in order to avert the wrath of one who, at his
mere will and pleasure, might render their lives
miserable. Nor is the condition of one of the
cs upper boys," into whose hands such irrespon-
sible power is entrusted, in any degree more to
be desired by a judicious parent. The exag-
gerated notions of authority, the temptation to
overstep legitimate bounds and to insist on. a blind
and unreasoning obedience, is perhaps even more
dangerous to the future prospects of a youth, more
demoralising in every respect, than the slavish
submission which is exacted from his temporary
slaves. In a word, men do not desire to see the
rising hopes of their family converted either into
" cowards" or " bullies," and it is but too pain-
fully perceptible that the tendency of the existing
system is to render the parties brought up under
its operation either the one or the other.
There are many advantages attached to an edu-
cation in one of the great national academies. It
is not merely the knowledge of Greek roots, or
Latin derivations—the composition of hexameters
or iambics, that is required ; and there are some
things more strongly to be eschewed than these—
false quantities, or the misconstruction of Greek
or Latin sentences. Quick lads learn more from
their fellow pupils than from tutors. Public
opinion is as strongly testified in the school-room
as in the Senate. Boys are even more sensitive
than their parents. They view everything through
a particular medium ; and that entirely depends
upon their position in the school, whether on the
upper or lower forms. The object should be,
then, to make that medium as correct as possible,
and not to let them regard matters either
as slaves or despots. Neither of these con-
ditions are to be occupied in after life. If
a boy is to find his level, it is to be
hoped that it will not be in either of these
strata—that he may not lose the manly inde-
pendence or indulgent forbearance of his character,
or become oringing to superiors, and overbearing
to inferiors in rank and position. Such training
may be exceedingly good for a Russian official,
but it is not suitable for a British gentleman.
The unfortunate transaction at Harrow has
obtained such painful notoriety, that the injury to
the parties concerned citnnot be enhanced by any
observations which we may offer on the system
that led to such untoward results. The parents
of both the youths have just grounds of complaint.
The Earl of GALLOWAY sees his son, whose con-
duct exhibits the strongest traits of a high-
minded and honourable disposition, severely chas-
tised, not by one of the constituted authorities,
but by a fellow-pupil. A young man, in the 18th
year of his age, is compelled to submit to a degrad-
ing punishment of such a description, that a few
months later in life he would sacrifice his very exist-
ence rather than endure such a stigma. And for what ?
Because, while engaged in an active sport, with
all his animal spirits excited to the highest pitch,
he ventured to repel an insult, which imputed to
him falsehood and foul-play. We say nothing of
the severity of the blows, because the pain inflicted
is the matter of least importance in the entire
case. Mr. STEWART appeals to the Head Master
against the punishment, but is told that the mat-
ter cannot be inquired into—that, right or wrong,
ho must submit—that the " ukase" of his school-
fellow cannot be resisted, or the justice of his de-
cision in any way impugned.
But Baron PLATT has even greater cause of com-
plaint than the Earl of GALLOWAY. His son was
entrusted with irresponsible power—encouraged to
domineer over his fellows with whom he was at
play, and stimulated to vindicate the authority of
his office, which he was induced to believe would
be slighted and despised if he overlooked what he
had been taught to consider a grave offence against
its dignity, which must be maintained intact in
his hands. He consulted his master, and was
encouraged topersevere. He inquired of his brother
monitors with a similar result. The original cause
of quarrel was lost sight of. The resistance to
legitimate authority was the offence, and to Le
punished by one who figured in the fourfold
capacity of complainant, who had suffered the
injury ; juror, deciding on the facts ; judge, pro-
nouncing the sentence ; and executioner, inflicting
the castigation. No sooner, however, was it con-
cluded, than he is called to account for that in
which he was aided and abetted by the Head Mas-
ter, and he is degraded from his position for act-
ing as he was advised to do by that very
master. Nay, more, his name has been held
up for general censure as a vindictive person,
who has neither justice nor moderation.
We are not defending Mr. PLATT. He was
wrong in the transaction, and we are convinced
that lie feels it deeply at this moment. But he
was led into the error by the false position in
which he was placed. He was exposed to great
temptation, and if he fell we can scarcely feel
surprised. We have known high-minded, generous
youths that were guilty of similar faults in their
boyish days. But now his name is borne far and
wide, and possibly serious injury done to his

future prospects in consequence of the very
unwise system in operation at the semi-

nary where he was receiving the education
to qualify him for taking part in " the

battle of life." Let the objectionable rules, then,
be modified. Let not one boy be allowed to

domineer over his fellows, but induce the strong

rather to "protect" and assist their weaker

brethren. Above all things, make justice—calm,
impartial, and dispassionate justice—the invariable
rule ; and let perfect equality be, so far as prac-
ticable, maintained among all the juvenile citizens
of the miniature republics. This can only be
effected by the voice of public opinion bearing on
the school authorities, and instructing them what
they should do, sad what they should discourage.

The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and suite,
we understand, have left the Roman capital for Paris,
en route to London.
The Marchioness (Dowager) of Londonderry has ar-
rived at Holdernesse House, from Wynyard Park,
Stockton-on-Tees.
The Earl of Elgin, K.T., will, we have reason to
believe, succeed the late Rear-Admiral James Erskine
Wemyss, as Lord-Lieutenant of Fifeshire.
The Viscount and Viscountess Barrington are enter-
taining a select circle at Becket House, Bucks, during
the holidays. Lord Strathmore has joined the party.
The following notice was issued by the Postmaster-
General yesterday, viz., Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius,
Ascension, tttc. : —No packet having been provided for
tbeco nveance of mails to the Cape of Good Hope, &c.,
on the 15th inst., it is recommended that all letters for
that colooy be forwarded by private ship.