The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-27 00:00:00

S 117 N 7 JANUARY 27, 1849,

SIR R. PEEL AT TAM WORTH.
TAMWORTH, FRIDAY.--The annual meeting of the
subscribers and friends of the Tamworth library and
reading-room was held this morning, at the library, in
Lichfield-street. Some interest was attracted to the
proceedings in consequence of its having been announced
that Sir Robert Peel would —pccupy the chair. The
Right Hon. Baronet arrived 4, the library soon after
twelve o'clock, and immediately took the honourable
position which had been assigned to him. There was a
large attendance of the gentlemen of the town and neigh •
bourhood.
The report of the society's proceedings for the last
year having been read, the committee and other officers
of the institution were re-appointed. At the conclusion
of the formal business of the day, the Rev. Mr. Hodge
moved, and Mr. Knight seconded, a vote of thanks to
Sir Robert Peel, for his attendance and his able con-
duct in the chair. The resolution was carried amidst
applause.
Sir ROBERT PEEL, in acknowledging the vote, said he
was much gratified by the kind feeling evinced towards
him, and the cordial manner in which the meeting had
acquiesced in the resolution proposed. He was afraid,
however, that the situation which he had the honour to
fill as their president made no great call for the exercise
of ability ; but he could assure them that he had
watched the progress of the institution with the deepest
interest. It would be recollected that at the time the
library was established great objections were taken to
its formation, because, as it was urged, of its discon-
section with religion. Now, at the time, he (Sir
Robert Peel) felt confident that the diffusion of know-
ledge, so far from having an injurious effect, would be
the surest means of assuaging personal and political
animosities, find new sources of enjoyment for the
people, further the cause of morality, and
strengthen the very foundations of religion it-
self. To those who urged this objection he
might read the following passage from the report:—
" The number of volumes issued during the year amounts
to 5,009, being an increase of 1,851 above the issue of
the preceding year. Of the books thus circulated 843
have been taken out by first-class subscribers, 986 by
the second class, and 3,180 by the third class." That he
(Sir Robert Peel) considered to be a conclusive proof
that the interests of morality had not been injured by
the establishment of this library and reading-roem.—
(Hear.) In connexion with the subject of education, he
might mention that he was about to enlarge the founda-
tion of the school which his father had most liberally,
endowed, and :by that means he hoped greatly to con-
duce to the improved education of the youth of the town
and the welfare of the institution. He thanked many
gentlemen then present for the kind assistance the)
had rendered him in the promotion of this object.
Arrangements were in contemplation, and nearly
complete, by which he hoped considerable good would
be conferred upon the inhabitants of the town.—(The
Hon. Baronet sat down, but after a pause again rose.)
It had struck him that there were gentlemen present who
might be absent from another meeting in the town which
he should attend that eveaing. He would, therefore,
address the few observations (he intended then to offerl
upon the first occasion. His father, as they were aware,
had endowed a school in that town for the education of
the poor, with an annual income of 170/. per annum.
That sum it was clear his father intended should be sp
propriated exclusively to the education of the poor.
With that sum he (Sir Robert Peel) proposed to do no
thin4—it should be appropriated to its original design ;
but he did propose to increase the means of giving to
the youth of the middle, as well as to the poorer,
classes of the town a moral and religious education.
Now, it always struck him (Sir Robert Peel) that
while, by public institutions or otherwise, provision
was made for the education of the poor, the class im
mediately above them were placed in a disadvantageous
situation. If a tradesman or gentleman in the middle
ranks of life was desirous of giving to his son a good
education, he could not place him at a boarding school
under a payment of at least 20/. or 301. per annum.
This had a most unfortunate effect. The education of
the labouring poor was, by such institutions as those to
which he referred, rendered complete, while that of the
youth of the middle class was comparatively neglected,
if not forgotten. If he (Sir Robert Peel) could, there-
fore, make the endowment of his father available for
the middle, and still more advantageous than at present
for the poorer classes, he thought he should be confer.
ring a great benefit upon the town. He would tell them
what he proposed to do. He would pet the school in
connexion with the Privy Council ; and first he would
be well assured as to the moral character and competent
qualifications of the schoolmaster. He bad, therefore,
written to Mr. Moseley, one °lithe inspectors of schools,
to assign to him, from one of the training schools, a com-
petent master. When last in London, he had had written
and personal communications with Mr. Moseley and
others connected with the Board of Privy Council upon
that subject. The fact was he (Sir R. Peel) knew the de-
ceit of testimonials; he would rather have a master who
had pas: ed regularly through the ordeal of a training
He told Mr. Moseley that ho would guarantee
s liberal salary if he would insure the appointment of a
first-rate master. Mr. Moseley informed him that the
call for masters was great—that many were induced,
after passing through training schools—to enter into
the employ of merchants—and that the recent impetus
given to education had created a great demand for their
services. The Right lion. Baronet proceeded at some
length to enter into the regulations of the Board of
Education, and probable benefit which might accrue to
masters when appointed in advantageous localities. He
(Sir Robert Peel) told Mr. Aloseley that he would gua-
rantee 701. per annum, and 10Z annually for house rent,
in addition to what the master might obtain by pupil
teachers. Yesterday's post brought him a letter in
which Mr. Moseley stated that he had found such a
master as was required, and be (Sir Robert Peel) in-
tended by that evening's post to sanction his appoint-
ment. The salary he proposed to guarantee, together
with the amount derived from pupil teachers, would,
he hoped, produce him an adequate income. He
(Sir R. Peel) had also made some provision for the old
master, whose long services entitled him to great consi-
deration. He proposed that there should be two classes
in the school. First, the poor, on the foundation, who
should wear a suitable dress, and who should be selected
out of the town, on the ground of good behaviour, either
of the parents or the child. Another class should con-
sist of children whose parents paid a small sum for their
education. Ile invited the tradesmen of the parish of
Tamworth, the farmers, and the shopkeepers, to give to
their children in this school a first-rate education. He
did not propose to provide a classical education, but
an education in all necessary branches of knowledge—
geography, natural philosophy, history, and arithmetic.
For this education he proposed that the charge should be
not snore than 10s. per quarter, or 21. per annum. This
rate of charge for such a kind of education would be ex-
tremely moderate. The whole of the amount received from
this source it was intended to appropriate to the further
extension of the education of the poor. That was the prin-
ciple upon which he proposed to act—its success would
mainly depend upon the paying scholars. He, however,
entertained the greatest hope of ultimate success. In
Hampshire it had eminently succeeded, and in course of
time he bad little doubt but in Tamworth it would be
attended with equally beneficial results. He did not
know that he could have selected a more appropriate oc-
casion than the present on which to introduce the subject.
lle might state, in conclusion, that as the school was
originally founded in connexion with the, Established
Church, ao would it continue to be. He (Sir R. Peel)
hoped that those present would talk with their neighbours
upon the subject—that they would point out the advan-
tages of a sound moral and religious education, and the
cheap means by which it might now be speedily obtained.
Although the school would be under the Privy Council,
ho (Sir R. Peel) should also appoint local inspectors',
who, upon their visits, would have the opportunity of as-
certaining the mode in which it was conducted. In con-
clusion, Sir Robert, in answer to a question put by the
Rev. R. Taylor, said he did not see, if the means would
justify it, why the advantages of the school should not
be extended to the neighbouring parishe:.
The meeting then broke up.
Sir Robert Peel dines with the Mayor and Corporation
in the Town Hall this evening.
TAMWORTIL FRIDAY MIDNIGHT.
This evening an elegant entertainment was given by
the Mayor, Mr. Anson, to Sir Robert Peel, Captain
Townshend, the Clergy and Magistrates of the bo-
rough, the Members of the Town Council, and about
seventy other gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood.
The Mayor presided, and was supported by Sir R.
Peel, Mr. Brammell, the Rev. F. Morse, and on the left
by Capt. Townshend, Mr. E. B. Hamell, Mr. Fowler, &c.
The dinner was supplied by Mr. Rhodes, of the
King's Arms.
After the usual loyal toasts, which were drunk with
the greatest enthusiasm,
The MAYOR gave, " The Bishop and Clergy of the
Diocese," which was responded to by the Rev. F. MORSE.
The MAYOR, in proposing the " Army and Navy,"
expressed a hope that they would not soon be called
upon to fight our battles, but was sure, whenever their
services were required, they would not tarnish the lustre
of their renown.—(Cheers.)
Captain TOWNSHEND returned thanks for the navy.
He believed there never was a time when it was more
necessary that the navy should be in a state of efficiency.
His opinion was—and he heard it in all quarters, from
those who had lately served—he heard it very recently
from the son of the Right Hon. Baronet, who, though a
young man, was a very good judge of what should be,
and as good an officer as the service could boast of—
(Cheers)—that the navy never was in a better state;
and he was quite sure it was not only the interest, but
the wish of the country that it should be so.—(Cheers.)
lie did hope and trust—he also firmly believed—that no
Government would ever reduce the navy below the
proper amount of force, and that care would be taken

that their ships should be fully manned. If the navy
were allowed to dwindle too low, no one could tell bow
soon it would be necessary to have recourse to that most
odious system of impressment. Mr. Cobden had some
theory about reducing the expenditure of the country by a
certain number of millions a year, and if he succeeded in
his present attempt, he would no doubt be a very great man
—greater even than the Right Hon. Baronet on the other
side of the mayor—(A laugh)—but it was impossible he
could succeed; and although Mr. Cobden had sneered at
the navy in a manner which reflected on his own cha•
racier- for good sense, be (Captain Townshend) did not
believe he had any idea that he would succeed in the

object of his present agitation. If the country were
polled tomorrow, scarcely one would be found who
would not say, " Let the navy be kept up to a state of
pert ect efficiency."—(Cheers.)
The Afavon, then said, he had now to propose the
healths of " the Members for the Borough."—(Loud
cheers.) He greatly rejoiced to have the opportunity of
giving such a toast, and he warmly congratulated his
fellow townsmen on the proud position they held in
being so ably represented in the Commons' House of
Parliament.—(Cheers.) Their senior Member had a
fame illustriOus and world-wide.—(Cheers.) He must
be regarded as the foremost man in a period which had
been remarkable for commercial reforms. and social
progression.—(Loud cheers.) Of their junior Member
he might say at least he would always be found at his
post ready to uphold the best interests of the country.
He had much pleasure in proposing the healths of the.
Hight Hon. Baronet Sir Robert Peel :and Captain
Towashend, the Members for the borough of Tam-
north.
The toast was drunk with three times three.
Sir B. PEEL in rising was received with renewed
cheers. He said, lam sure the Members for the bo-
rough must ba greatly gratified by the manner in which
you have received the proposal of the chair, and as my
worthy colleague is so well qualified to return his own
acknowledgments, I shall limit myself to the expression
of my thanks for the honour you have done me. I feel
great obligations, which I think I share with rou, to the
Mayor, for giving us an opportunity of meeting on this
occasion.—(Cheers.) It reminds me of former times—
it reminds me of those festivities which we used to enjoy
before the period of municipal reform.—(A laugh.)
Gentlemen, I supported municipal reform, and I have
not a word to say against the advantages it conferred
upon the public; but I must say I think it was a very
great evil that it interrupted those convivial meetings we
used to have in this hall. —(Cheers.) I do, therefore,
hope the good example which has been set by our excel-
lent Mayor will be closely followed by his successors,
and that he will have the honour of reviving the
custom of assembling together the chief inhabitants of the
borough to pay their respects to the head of the corpora-
tion. Now, I shall cautiously abstain from saying one
single word which can discourage the revival of such a
custom. I shall bear in mind that this is not a political
meeting—this is not a meeting in which our harmony is
to be disturbed by any reference to party politics.—
(Cheers.) I have been in this room when it was the
proper object of the meeting that there should be the
expression of strong political opunons.—(Cheers.) I
have not shrunk from availing myself of the opportunity
of expressing those opinions, but this is not an occasion
on which I am called upon to say a word in reference to
politics; this is an occasion on which I think the intro-
duction of them would be altogether unsuitable; there-
fore, with your permission, I will avoid all reference to
:hem. I must say, that even in times of much greater
party excitement and political feeling than at present
prevails, and even at times when I have felt
much deeper interest than I now do in party conflicts,
I had always much greater pleasure in dwelling upon
those topics on which we were all agreed than
in referring to others which had a tendency to
excite personal or party hostility—(Cheers)—and there
are topics on which we are all agreed, whatever may be
our party connexions. Whatever our differences on
political subjects, I am sure there prevails amongst us
all a sincere desire to promote the interests of this town
and its neighbourhood, and, above all, to advance the
social and moral improvement of those with whom we
are connected.—(Cheers.) Now, as I intend to adhere
to my resolution of abstaining altogether from any re-
ference to political topics, it is not very easy, perhaps, to
find any subject connected with merely local interests of
sufficient importance to attract the attention of a purely
convivial meeting; but there is one matter to which I
must call your attention. I think it is impossible not to
feel that there prevails throughout this country an
earnest desire to promote sound, moral, and religious
education amongst the lower orders of the community.
A great and most successful effort is in progress to
redeem the time that has been lost, to found obedience
to the law and loyalty to the Throne upon
something better than the mere terror of
penal enactments,—upon a rational conviction of the
duty which we owe to God and man, and the advan-
tages we enjoy under the constitution we have the hap-
piness to possess.—(Cheers.) I fear whilst the effort is
made, and successfully made, to promote education
amongst the working and labouring classes of the com-
munity, equal attention is not paid to the intellectualimprovement of the class which is elevated by its posi-
tion above the working and labouring classes ; the
middle classes of the country have not the same com-
parative advantages which the labouring classes have
with respect to education; and, depend upon it, if
that disadvantage be not removed, and that inequality
as to education be not rt dressed, evil consequences will
ensue; you will have the position and relation of great
classes of the community reversed; you will have the
lower class more intelligent—possessing more of that
power which results from knowledge than the class
which is above it. I think you will agree with me,
that it will be a great advantage that the children of
the middle class, who are hereafter to constitute the
great strength of this country, should have equal means
of maintaining their relative positions, and should be-
nefit by the opportunities of sound and moral and reli-
gious education. The Right lion. Baronet then, at
great length, detailed the new scheme he meant to
adopt in the school founded by the late Sir B. Peel, and
called upon his fellow-townsmen to give their zealous
assistance in carrying it out. He concluded by saying,
—Depend upon it, these are the times when the
subjects of real importance are subjects like these. The
example we have recently bad, when we saw how the
middle classes of this country rallied round the throne,
at a time when other thrones were shaken, and fear
prevailed throughout all nations,—we are bound, I
think, maturely to consider, now the danger is past,
in what way we can promote their social im-
provement, together with the physical comforts
of the humbler classes of the community. -
-(Cheers.) I have the deepest conviction that I shall
meet with your cordial consent and, I trust, also with
your co-operation, in carrying the system I have pro-
posed into effect.—(Cheers.) I have had the greatest
gratification in all the relations I have maintained with
you. There is no reflection more gratifying to me than
that in every proposition which has been made tending
to promote the comfort or the improvement of the
humbler classes of this town and neighbourhood, I have
always received the most zealous co-operation and aid
from the class of gentlemen I am now addressing.—
(Cheers.) That concert and co-operation will, I am
convinced, still continue in promoting the plans I have
suggested.—(Loud cheers.)
Captain TOWNSHEND next returned thanks for the
honour done him in drinking his health.
Sir H. PEEL afterwards, in a highly eulogistic speech,
proposed the health of the Mayor, who returned thanks.
Several other toasts were drunk, several very good
songs were sung, and the company separated shortly
after eleven o'clock.