The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-19 00:00:00

RETROSPECT OF IMPORTANT
EVENTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
The following table shows the great difference in
prices in the period of two years :

1845.

1847

Railroad Shares. Price, Paid. • Price.
Paid 801. Great Western 232 85 Oct. 5, 97
100/. London and Bir-
mingham
21. Vale of Neath .... 5 4
3 Per Cent. Consols,
1001.
Exchequer-bills .... prem. Oct. 5, 30 dis.
Bank Stock
Here we may remark a diminution in the value of
established railway shares exceeding 30 per cent.,
which, with the diminution in the value of other pro-
perty, must have materially lessened the revenue in
stamps for conveyances, legacy duty, &c.
Within the same period the bullion in the Bank
has been lessened from 18 millions to 7 millions, of
which the greater part has been exported for corn.
In 1846, the bullion in the Bank was 18 millions ;
in May, 1847, it was 9 millions ; in August, 1847,
7 millions.

In May, 1847, Liverpool, Newport, Cardiff, and
many other towns, were inundated with Irish beg-
gars, and 1,500 starving Irish beggars were landed
in London by two steam-packets in one day.
The export of such a large amount of bullion was
a diminution to that amount of the trading capital of
the kingdom.
Credit, Bank-notes, and bills of exchange, have
been diminished, and interest has been raised accord-
ingly. In May, 1847, some of the most respectable
London merchants were obliged to pay 10 and 12 per
cent. for discounting their bills ; others were refused
altogether; and to stem the torrent, in October, 1847,
the Bank of England refused to make advances on
Government Exchequer-bills.

In 1844, the Bank-note circulation in England
alone was 48,000,0001. In 1847, the Bank-note cir-
culation of the whole of Great Britain and Ireland
only amounted to about 36 millions.
We may assume, as a moderate calculation, that the
bullion of this country has been diminished to the
extent of five millions by the importations of corn,
which has reduced Bank-notes to the extent of five
millions, bills of exchange to the extent of five mil-
lions, and credit to the extent of ten millions, making
a total of not less than 20 millions in the trading
currency.

Assuming that this kind of floating currency makes
only two turns in a year, the above diminution has
lessened the productions of industry by about 40 mil-
lions per annum.

Mr. Bennock, at the Anti-Gold Law-league meeting,
Oct. 6, 1847, states—" The funded property has been
reduced in value eighty millions, and, taking other
property into account, there has been a depreciation
to the extent of two hundred millions. That in order
to obtain 20,000,0001. of food, we had to send five
millions of gold out of the country:"

Let us now look back on Sir Robert Peel's last Act
for amending and repealing the corn-laws. Was
there not a great latent defect in it, which defect is
now obvious to every person ? Did it not permit
imprudent corn merchants and reckless speculators to
export an immense amount of bullion for imprudent
importations of corn ? Did it not permit imprudent
corn merchants to lessen the wealth, the capital, and
trading currency of the kingdom ? Did it not thereby
permit the imprudent corn merchants to lessen the
productions of industry to the extent of about forty
millions per annum ? Have they not brought dis-
tress to Manchester and the manufacturing districts ?
Have they not lessened the value of a great
portion of the property of the kingdom'by about two
hundred millions—in many instances from thirty to
sixty per cent. ? Have they not diminished the re-
venue ? Have they not retarded the construction of
railroads ? Did they not in the spring aggravate the
wretchedness of the Irish poor ? Have they not
brought failures on several wealthy and solvent mer-
chants, and brought distress on numerous individuals
who are pining and struggling in secret? All these
consequences were foreseen and foretold in 1845.

I have been informed, on undoubted authority,
that between October, 1845, and February, 1846,
letters were written to Sir Robert Peel, Lord John
Russell, and several others, pointing out the defect
and foretelling the consequences of their Corn-law
Bill, and also suggesting an important amendment of
it. But those eminent statesmen thought there was
nothing like their own Bill ; they were totally re-
gardless of all warnings ; demonstrations as clear as
those in Euclid's Elements were thrown aside or put
in the fire. Sir Robert Peel's corn-law and Lord
John Russell's suspension were inflicted on the coun-
try, and their want of skill in legislation, fully estab-
lished by our Government paper money falling from
a premium to 30s. discount, by the productions of in-
dustry being lessened to the extent of forty millions
per annum, by the value of property being diminished
from thirty to sixty per cent., by a diminution in the
revenue from the Customs at Liverpool, in the July
quarter, by 159,0001.,6 and by the several recent
failures of some of the most eminent English mer-
chants and bill-brokers, and by the failure of the firm
in which the Governor of the Bank of England was a
partner.
It has been attempted, I think unjustly, to take the
onus or odium of these reverses from off the Govern-
ment and their Corn-law Bills, and to throw it on the
Bank of England.
It has been said in Parlaiment that the Bank ought
to have diminished the currency, curtailed accom-
modation, and raised the discounts sooner than it did.
To prevent the export of bullion, and the imprudent
importations of corn, the Bank might have put on the
screw the moment a suspension of the corn-law was
proposed. This would have brought the Bank into
direct collision with the Government for counteract-
ing their plans. What would be the consequences of
that ? I apprehend rather serious. I should not like
to see such a collision.
I have read histories of the Government paper
money of almost all countries who have issued it.- The
Bank of England appears to have managed its•affairs
better than any government in any country; and I
think it, therefore, manifestly unfair to throw any
onus or odium on the Bank, when their notes•are at
par, their Bank stock at 93 premium, and when our
Government Exchequer-bills have lately been at 30s.
discount, evidently from an obvious defect in the Go-
vernment Corn-law Bill.
Lord John Russell's Act for postponing the con-
struction of railroads last session is something like
the act of the groom who locked the stable door after
the steed was stolen.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, MONDAY.—The Queen and Prince
Albert walked this, forenoon in the grounds around
the Castle.

If he and Sir Robert Peel had amended their
Corn-law Bill in 1846, as suggested to them at the
time, the merchants would have been importing corn
and exporting manufactures, from August, 1846, to
March, 1847, instead of waiting all that time for the
Corn-law suspension. The corn would have been
imported ; the bullion would have remained in the
country ; the discounts would not have been raised to
12 per cent.; the Corn-law suspension would not have
been wanted ; the Railroad suspension would not
have encumbered our statutes; and Lord John Rus-
sell would have escaped the compliment of having
passed an Act as preposterous as one to prevent the
construction of a bridge from England to Halifax.
From the retrospect of the past we form our
opinions of the future. It seems clear, that unless
some persons of greater foresight and skill are brought
into the Administration, the construction of railroads
must be retarded and commerce crippled for the
next few years : and we may also feel certain that all
the evils which the nation has suffered from a dimi-
nution of the bullion-currency and credit must
come again with the next deficient harvest, or exces-
sive importation of corn, although by discreet legis-
lation those evils may be greatly mitigated, if not
altogether averted.

The Royal Family took their usual walking and
pony exercises.

His Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen, his Serene
Highness Prince Lowenstein the Duchess of Suther-
land, and the Duke of Wellington, are expected to
arrive at the Castle this evening, on a visit to her
Majesty.

"Vise'mint Morpeth left the Castle this niorning,]
The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening
is expected to include her Royal Highness the Duchess
of Kent, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glou
cester, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
his Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen, the Duchess of
Sutherland, his Serene Highness Prince Lowenstein,
the Duke of Wellington, Lady Anna Maria Dawson,
Lady Caroline Murray, Baroness de Speth, Miss L.
Dawson Darner, Sir George Couper, and Major
Stephens.

Oct. 14, 1847.
* LIVERPOOL CUSTOMS IN THE JULY QUARTER, 1846-7
1846—X944,498

The Band of the Grenadier Guards attend during
dinner. Her Majesty's private Band afterwards
attend in the Castle.

1847- 785,175

A Cabinet Council was held, at two o'clock yes-
terday afternoon, at the Foreign•office. The Mi-
nisters present were Lord John Russell, the Lord
Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George
Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chan-
cAor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland,- Sir
John Hobhouse, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere,
Lord Campbell, the Marquis of Clanricarde, Viscount
Morpeth, and the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay.
The Council sat two hours and a half.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Tuesday, the
2d of November, at eleven o'clock, as the day on
which he will receive the Lord Mayor elect, in order
to signify her Majesty's approbation of his Lordship.
The Lord Chancellor will also on the same day (the
first of Michaelmas Term), receive the Judges,
Queen's Counsel, &c.
These receptions will take place at the Lord Chan-
cellor's residence in Park-lane.

Viscount Morpeth returned to town yesterday from
Windsor Castle.

Dispatches were sent off last evening from the Co-
lonial-office for the Governor-General of Canada, and
also for the Governors of the othar*Nurth American
provinces.

£ls9,323—Diminution herein one•sixth of the

gross revenue.

BISHOPRIC OF MANCHESTER. - The Rev. James
Prince Lee, M.A., head master of King Edward's Free
School, Birmingham, has just been appointed bishop of
the recently created see of Manchester. The reverend
gentleman was formerly second master of Rugby School,
at the time when the late Dr. Arnold was principal, and
suc.eeded to the head mastership of King Edward's
School, in Birmingham, on the appointment of his pre-
decessor, Dr. Jenne (now master of Pembroke College,
Oxford) to the Deanery of Jersey.
ORIENTATION OF CHURCHES.—In your journal of
the 2d inst. I notice an article in which the writer
endeavours to prove that it is not necessary, in the erec
tion of now churches, to adhere to the invariable practice
of the English branch of the holy Catholic church, and
place the building east and west. To strengthen his po-
sition, numerous foreign examples are cited, and recourse
is had to several writings on the subject., the most im-
portant of all, however, being singularly overlooked.
" The priest, standing at the north side of the table,
shall say the Lord's prayer." Our Book of Common
Prayer settles the matter; if the priest is to comply with
the rubric, our churches must be placed east and west.—
Correspondent of the Builder.
THE LAW OF NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION.—A
gentleman in Peterhead, who received and read this
(John o' Groat Journal) paper for three years, en the
account being presented to him refused to pay, on the
plea that he did not order the journal; that a friend had
ordered the paper to be sent to him; that owing to some
private understanding betwixt themselves he considered
the paper to have been settled for, and held himself in
no way responsible for the amount. In consequence of
his refusal
were
Court
Peterhead,liged t
andbring
a
in
an action
to
the pay,S wmael Debt
" Alter a strong contest
agent in Court at that place:—
few days since received the following note from our
decreet against him, on the wel
with your debtor and his agent in iCourt, the sheriff
gave ned
-ascertai
prin-
ciple, that the reader of a paper is bound to pay for it,
whether ordered direct by him or not.

THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

--- • -
SlR,—The following hint how to take care of your-
self, should you chance to be rambling on the tops
of the Scottish hills without a guide, and be overtaken
with a fog, or be benighted in the cold and wet of
winter, may be useful to your readers :
The melancholy and affecting death of the two
English gentlemen, Mr. Whitebourn and Mr. Ste-
ricker, found lately on the hill of I(inlochleven, In-
verness-shire, has reminded me of an incident in my
own life, which I now write for the first time, in the
hope it may be useful to others.
About thirty years since, when I was a lad of
eighteen, full of the ardour lind thirst of sight seeing,
I set out on a journey to Skye and the' western parts
of Inverness-shire, and having an aged aunt in Morven,
I took advantage of a sailing-packet going in that
direction. After having spent the autumn with my
relative, I began to shape my course homewards ; and,
though it was in the month of November, I rashly re-
solved to return by the district of Moidart, in order to
see the landing-place of Prince Charles Edward. It was
on this route that I nearly perished. The first day's
journey, along the beautiful shore of Loch Suanart,
was pleasant and prosperous enough. But how short-
lived is our pleasure, and how uncertain is our pros-
perity. It was, as I stated, the month of November,
and, being three o'clock in the afternoon as I began
to ascend the Hill of Aorun, I had but one hour of
daylight, and that hour was spent in getting into the
centre of the mountain top. All at once I was enve-
loped in clouds and darkness, alone and forlorn on a
hill of storms. I now for the first time began to see
my danger. Strangers, when looking at a mountain
from the valley below, are generally apt to imagine
that the top or surface of the mountain is a clean
flat, or equal ground, whereas the greater part of all
I have yet seen are studded with bumps, like stacks
in a barnyard, rocks, cliffs, and crags, ravines, and
precipices ; many, too, with small lakes, large enough
to drown a horse and his rider. Such was the Hill
of Aorun. In such a place to proceed was dangerous
in the dark, and to remain still was equally so in a
winter night of sleet and rain. Death stared me on
either side. I ate a bit of bread and cheese, after
asking a blessing on it. I then pulled heath, on
which, after prayers, I lay down to rest ; but
soon found, by cold and shivering, that this
would not do ; so I got up, and wrought the whole
night at pulling heath, and by daylight I had a
waggon load of it. I thus kept my blood warm and
in circulation ; whereas I might otherwise, like poor
Mr. Stericker and Whitebourn, have slept the sleep
of death. Both my hands were, with the labour
swollen to nearly the size of my head; and, if any
shepherd lives now who saw the heath, and could not
account for it, he may account for it now. The finest
music I ever heard was the shrill and clarion voice of
a domestic cock, which I then heard before dawn ;
for it assured me that I was not far from a human
dwelling, though I dared not, from the precipices that
surrounded me, venture to proceed. One would
imagine that after this I should not readily be en-
trapped again in a mountain mist; yet was I very
nearly again taken, and a guide with me. It was
about fifteen years since, in the same month of No •
vember, when I was going professionally on a visit
through Knoidart ; but a blink of sun having darted
through the mist saved us ; and well it did, for my
guide became so paralysed and frightened that he be-
came useless. Had the worst happened, I would
have again wrought at the heath, as I would have
every one to do who should ever be so unfortunate.
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant,
ALEXANDER MACLENNAN,
Incumbent of Rosse Church, Fort William,
Inverness-shire.

THE LATE ASSAULT AND RonBERY AT WEST-
MINSTER.—It will be in the recollection of our readers
that in the daily journals of Wednesday last, under the
head of " Westminster Police Court," was inserted a
report of the examination of George M'Coy and Thomas
Doyle, on a charge of having, with two or three others
not in custody, made a most murderous attack on an old
gentleman, named Bellchambers, residing at No. 44,
Wilton-street, Pimlico, while returning home, on the
night of Monday, the 11th instant, through Orchard-
street, Westminster, when, after most brutally b, ating
and injuring him, they robbed him of his watch and
other property. At the examination it was stated that
Mr. Bellehambers was lying at his residence in a state of
great danger, and quite unable to attend at the Court,
and the two prisoners were accordingly remanded for a
has since fortnight.
diedlV e
fi•er
ogmr e tt
hneo
ewffteoc t
ss t ao tfe theth adtrMe
ar Blh
d.
fu lc
injuriesam b ehr
he
received, the melancholy event taking place at nine
o'clock on Sunday night.
STRAW BONNET MARINO, WANT, AND DEATH.—
Last evening a long inquiry took place before Mr. Car-
ter, at the Feathers Tavern, Walworth, as to the death
of Ann Gallagher, aged 65. The unfortunate deceased,
it was too evident from what was witnessed in her room,
was in an extreme state of destitution. There was but
a single chair, and a mass of mere rags for a bed. Mrs.
Young, of 10, Burton-street, stated that the deceased
lived in her house, where she had a single room. She
was a straw bonnet maker. Coroner—And what could
she earn at that ? Witness—Sixpence a day in full
work, but she could not work lately. Coroner—Was
that all she had to live on ? Witness—l believe she had
2s. 6d. a week from the parish. The witness went on
to state that she often gave her tea and other things, but
she would never let her go into the room. On Saturday
she sent for some laudanum, and took a portion of it.
She said it would assuage her pain. On Wednesday
she was found dead in bed. Coroner—Do you think
she took the laudanum for the purpose of destroying
life ? Witness said she thought she had been in such
a state of want, and as she herself said her stomach was
destroyed from want of food, that the laudanum had
had a great effect upon her. On the Wednesday when
she saw her she thought deceased was stupified from
the effects of the laudanum. The foreman and ono or
two of the jury said they had no doubt the laudanum
had accelerated her death from extreme weakness,
arising from want; but ultimately a verdict of " Natural
Death" was returned, the coroner observing that it lau-
danum had accelerated death it was not taken inten-
tionally.

DEATH or DR. DEALTRY.—The Church has just
sustained a severe loss by the death of the late Venerable
William Dealtry, Archdeacon of Surrey and rector of
Clapham. This excellent man died at Brighton on Fri.
day last, being, we apprehend, in about the 72d year of
his age. He took his B.A. degree in the year 1796,
being the second wrangler and Smith's prizeman of that
year, which was one not barren of eminent men, Dr.
Wordsworth, the late master of Trinity College, being
the tenth wrangler, and Dr. Butler, of Shrewsbury
(afterwards Bishop of Lichfield), the fourth senior
optime. Mr. Dealtry naturally became Fellow of Tri-
nity College immediately after, and was soon appointed
to a professorship at the East India College, Halley bury.
On the death of the Rev. John Vcnn, then rector of
Clapham, he was called to that important post, which he
continued to occupy for about thirty years, and in which
he ever manifested an union of fervent piety, high re-
finement, and practical good sense, such as is rarely
witnessed. He was appointed Chancellor and Preben-
dary of Winchester abuut twelve or fifteen years back;
and, on the elevation of Dr. Wilberforce to the deanery
of Westminster, he succeeded him as Archdeacon of
Surrey. Few men have had the happiness to pass
through life amidst such general esteem and affection as
have gathered round Dr. Dealtry for very many years
past.

LORI) JOHN RUSSELL.—The fact is correct which
we announced last Saturday, namely, that Lord John
Russell proposed to be in Glasgow on Wednesday the
27th current, to be inducted into the chair of Lord
Rector of the University ; but all the classes do not
meet on that day, nor for some days afterwards ; and it
is probable, therefore, that the induction of the Noble
Lord will be postponed till tho week after.—Scotch
RIM nor's Gazette.

THE SUN, LONDON, TUEISDAY
_EVENING, OCTOEE 19, 1847.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
The Cambridgeshire betting was brisk enough on the
leading favourites, but did not involve a very heavy out-
lay; and, apart from them, was alike flat and unim-
portant. It will be sufficient to state that after the
" favoured few," Newcourt, Wanota, and Deriades were
most in favour; the first was backed at 25 to 1, Wanota
at 35 to 1 (40 to 1 afterwards offered), and Deriades at
1,000 to 10, just double the odds that were offered to be
taken at the close. The prices returned are the final
averages:—

CAMBRIDGESHIRE STARES.
Bto 1 agst Mr. Greville's Geraldine, 4 yrs, 6st—t
11 to 1 agst Mr. Nunn's Prior of St. Margaret's,
4 yrs, Bst—taken
12 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Hydrangea, 4 yrs,
6st 101 b—taken
13 to 1 agst Mr. Parr's Giselle, 4 yrs, 7st—taken
13 to 1 agst Mr. Rolt's Collingwood, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b
—taken
13 to 1 agst Mr. Worley's Patriot, 6 yrs, Bst 115—t
16 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Foreclosure, 3 yrs, 7st 31b
—taken
20 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Queen Mary, 3 yrs,6st6lb
20 to 1 agst Mr. Taylor's George Hudson, 3 yrs, 6st
25 to 1 agst Captain Pettat's Neweourt, aged, Bst
21b—taken
25 to 1 agst Mr. Rolt's The Cur, 5 yrs, Bst 21b
30 to 1 agst Lord E. Russell's Dulcet, 5 yrs, Sst 51b
30 to 1 agst Duke of Bedford's Bridle, 3 yrs, 7st 51b
40 to 1 sgst Lord E. Russell's Reminiscence, 3 yrs,
7st 21b

40 to 1 agst Lord Caledon's Wanota, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b
40 to 1 agst Mr. Wigrattes Deriades, 3 yrs, sst 10Ib
3,000 to 30 agst Mr. A. Johastone's Rough and Ready,
5 yrs, 6st 101 b—taken.
CRITERION STASES.
6 to 4 was laid on Mr. Green's two (Assault and Flat-
catcher) and 5 to 2 agst Loadstone.

LORD ASHLEY AND THE EDIN-
BURGH INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.
On Friday Lord Ashley visited the different in-
dustrial schools established in Edinburgh, after which
he addressed a large number of ladies and gentlemen
who had assembled to meet his Lordship in the school
in Ramsay-lane. Among those present we observed
Sheriff Spiers, Sheriff Jameson, Dr. APLaggan, Rev.
Mr. Drummond, Rev. Mr. Millar, Dr. Beilby, Mr.
Meldrum, S.S.C. Professor Balfour, Mr. Stewart,
W.S., Dr. Greville, Mr. Blackadder, Professor Miller,
Mr. W. Johnstone, Rev. Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Crawfurd,
Advocate, Professor Allison, ik.c.
On the motion of the Rev. Mr. GUTHRIE, Sheriff
Spiers was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN having introduced Lord Ashley to
the meeting in a few appropriate remarks,
His LORDSHIP rose, and addressed the meeting at
considerable length. He felt, in addressing a meet-
ing at Edinburgh, that he spoke to an audience
who were perfectly conversant with the important
subject that had brought them together. He felt
that there was in this city a body of ladies and gen-
tlemen who were fully alive to the improvement of
that peculiar class of the community who had hitherto
escaped notice ; and it was a discreditable fact in
the history of the government of this great empire,
that for so long a period this peculiar • class should
have passed without the slightest care or attention.
Many individuals believed that the majority of this
miserable class were only isolated individuals of the
great mass of corruption, and not a wholly distinct
class, spawned in the very mire of immorality
and profligacy, and completely separated by man-
ners and locality, _ from all the genial influences
which exist among the rest of mankind. He felt
that in London and in Edinburgh they were asso-
ciated together for the accomplishment of a glorious
enterprise ; for he could not conceive anything more
becoming their position as Englishmen and their high
calling as Christians, than that they should be banded
together for the purpose of rescuing from vice and
misery a large portion of the human race. He had
some reason to believe that an attempt would ere long
be made in London and elsewhere for introducing a
system of things that would go far to destroy all the
benefits that would result from it. This system was
known in Scotland by the name of the hospital
system. In London, he understood, a plan was
in contemplation to send out parties to scour
all the various localities, and to send away
the children to an hospital some ten or fif-
teen miles from the metropolis, where they
would be brought up in a state of com-
plete separation from the rest of the community. He
could conceive nothing more prejudicial than such a
plan. It was, in the first place, objectionable on ac-
count of its expense ; and, in the next place, it would
take away one of th chief advantages at present de-
rived from the industrial-school system—that of in-
fluencing the minds of the parents through the
medium of the children. It was the opinion of the
ministers of the various denominations, borne out
by the experience of the different City mis-
sionaries, that more good was effected on
parents through the reformation of the children,
than ever had been effected on the children
through the reformation of the parents. He was de-
cidedly of opinion that they would never successfully
deal with the vast mass of vice and immorality which
prevailed among our adult population, unless through
the medium of the children. He could quote nume-
rous cases in proof of this. The establishment of the
hospital system would therefore entirely take away
this instrumentality. He had another objection to
this system, and it was this, that it would bring up
these children in a way in which their lives would not
be afterwards led. However faulty the domestic
system might be at home, yet, with all its faults,
it was the system which had been instituted by.
God; and he must say that he looked upon the per-
formance of the little duties which took place between
brothers and sisters, and the thousand other inci-
dents connected with domestic life, as worth all
the teaching which the children ever could re-
ceive under the hospital system. There were
no doubt excepted cases ; such as where children had
lost both their parents, or where the parents were so
corrupt and degraded that it became a matter of ne-
cessity that the offspring should be withdrawn
from the parental roof. Lord Ashley then went
on to show that it was of the utmost consequence to
keep the industrial schools at their due level. The
tendency of the present time was towards parade
and show ; and the consequence was, that the
clever children were always selected as the objects
of peculiar care, whilst those who required
the most vigilant attention were neglected. This
should not be ; for as long as the present popu-
lation lasted, they must make their schools to
correspond with it. Their business was in the
mire and the gutter, and the moment they got out
of these, they were in a position which did not
belong to them. He hoped, therefore, that they
would carefully consider the matter before they
adopted the hospital system which was about to be
set on foot in London. He was glad that, with re-
glird to the schools in Edinburgh, it had been decided
to make them all industrial. To the children who
attended these schools they must give completely new
ideas. They must implant in their minds the notion
that it is not only pleasant but profitable to be em-
ployed, and that there is another way to get their live-
lihood than that to which they have been hitherto ac-
customed of either begging or stealing. He urged this
because he had known children that had come to thes,
schools absolutely ignorant of the rights of property ;
who conceived that to obtain a livelihood, they were
quite justified in doing anything that came within the
compass of possibility. They must also be put to
that kind of work which they understood to be,pro-
fitable, and not merely for the purpose of keeping
them out of harm's way. Hence in London they had
put them to the making of shoes and clothes, and he was
glad to see that here they were put to the making of
nets and the teasing of hair. His Lordship then re
ferred to the good that had been effected in London
by causing the children to make their own clothes and
shoes; one class of the boys making the former, and
another class making the latter. 'lbis plan, besides
exciting to habits of industry, implanted the desire of
appearing decent, and taught the children, besides,
the value of depending upon each other. His Lord-
ship then related some anecdotes illustrative of the
advantages that had accrued from these schools in
some of the worst districts in London ; after which he
intimated his concurrence with the opinion expressed
by Dr. Chalmers, that it was only by an aggressive
policy that they could do any good whatever in the
large and metropolitan cities. He believed that all the
reformatory systems at present in operation in our
various prisons and penitentiaries, necessary as they
might be, were useless as compared with the good
that would be effected by an aggressive policy car-
ried on through the medium of the children. He
was of opinion that education, however necessary
and indispensable, was not the only thing.
Reading and writing were merely the avenues
by which intelligence could be communi-
cated to a child ; and therefore moral train-
ing must go hand in hand with all their teaching.
Reading and writing, however, were on the whole an
advantage, for he found from a return given by the
metropolitan police, that out of 62,841 persons appre-
hended in 1846, 22,223 could neither read nor write ;
35,467 could read and write a little; 4,222 could read
and write well ; and 509 had received a superior edu-
cation. His Lordship then expressed his conviction
that if we had gone on for twenty-five years
longer as we had been doing for the last two
centuries in this country, we would have been
quite unable to have checked the gigantic mass
of vice and mischief. He did hope, in whatever
was done by Government or private individuals,
that they would never depart from the great principle
of making revealed religion the beginning, the middle,
and the end of all. From the Queen on the throne
to the poorest beggar, it was the one thing needful ;
and much more so to the latter, whose hope was
not in this world, but in a better state of existence.
What was the Bible ? Was it not the palladium of
our liberties, and the strength and glory of our
institutions ? It gave him, therefore, the greatest de-
light to know the manly resistance which they had
lately made to a proposition to exclude the Word of God
from these schools. Was it not, he would ask, their
glory to look out for the most miserable and forgotten
of these children, and to put the Bible into their
hands, and tell them that that was their charter and
title-deeds, which no man could take from them, to an-
other and a better world ! He would impress those
who differed from these views with the fact that they
might make good citizens without making good
Christians, but they could not make good Christians
without making good citizens. Lord Ashley con-
cluded by saying that it was only by making our-
selves the acceptable people of God that this empire
could successfully withstand the shock of such lower-
ing times as the present.
The Rev. Mr. GUTHRIE, in moving the thanks of
the meeting to Lord Ashley, said if he had his ill
he would turn every hospital in Edinburgh into a
ragged school, because he was convinced that the one
does a vast deal more good than the other. Ile felt
confident that the instrumentality of the ragged
schools would tell mightily upon our large towns ;
and he held that, amidst all
our
andother
monuments,exhihi-
tions of pictures, universities,beauties,,
Ragged School was the real lion of Edinburgh.
The Rev. Mr. MILLAR seconded the vote of thanks
to Lord Ashley.
The motion was carried amidst acclamation, and
Sheriff SPEIRS formally conveyed the acknow-
ledgments of the meeting to his Lordship. He did
not know whether or not it had been ascertained that
his Lordship had any priority of claim in the inven-
tion of the system of ragged or industrial schools;
but this did not matter much, as it was not so much
the person who made a discovery that benefited the
human race as he who took advantage of it, and made
it to work for the benefit of the human race. In this re-
spect no person had a higher claim upon them than Lord