The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-27 00:00:00

ASHFORD MECHANICS' INSTI-

TUTION.
There existed a few years ago a rather numerous class of
society, not occupying a very exalted position in the scale of
human intelligence, but still what might be termed a re-
spectable class, one distinguishing characteristic of which
was—a•great dread of education. They did not know much
themselves, and they considered it an unpardonable piece of
presumption for any one with an empty pocket to have a full
head. The marked improvement in the AB C schools for
the poor, far as that improvement falls short of what it ought
to be, was the first thing that drove these objectors half de-
mented; but when Mechanics Institutes began to spread,
and the tradesman and artisan dared to employ the time,
onee devoted to the pipe and the glass, in listening to scien-
tific lectures, or in studying political economy, then in-
deed their disdain and amazement knew no bounds.
Now, perhaps, their wisest course would have been to
have attempted, out of the resources of a moderately
furnished but little-used library, to keep in advance
of Mechanics' Institutes and their frequenters. ;But,
alas! this would have driven the advocates of anti-
quated prejudice sadly out of their usual routine. So they
adopted the much easier plan of vilifying and traducing;
and one of the commonest accusations brought against Me-
chanics' Institutes was, that they were unfavourable to, or
substituted human knowledge for, religion, and that in pro-
portion as the lecture-room was attended, the church would
no deserted. In effectual confutation of these charges, we
point triumphantly to such lectures as the one delivered
before the Mechanics' Institute of Ashford, on Thursday, the
18th inst., by the Rev.:John Dutton, M.A., Rector of Ware-
home. We have been favoured with a perusal of that lec-
ture, and never were we more deeply convinced that science,
far from being the antagonist, may be most advantageously
employed as the able handmaid of religion. The lecture of
which we speak is on " The -Moral Condition and Relations
of Man," wherein the lecturer clearly and eloquently de-
monstrates that the claim to mental freedoni can only,
sustained upon the theory of a Divine revelation ot-
morals. His arguments are forcible, his language
perspicuous, and his conclusions just; and we cannot
but think that such a lecture must have produced a great
effect fur good upon all who heard it. We cordially congra-
tul de the members of the Mechaniek,' Institute of Ashford on

having in theirvinunediate neighbourhood a gentleman so
ready to support their interests, and so admirably qualified
by his varied attainments, to contribute to their intaectual
improvement, as Mr. Dutton. And we would venture to ask
why should not the clergy more generally take a part in such
iostitutions? Why should they not seize the opportunity of
directing that march of mind which they cannot, if „they
would, restrain? And why should not science, bei;eath
their auspices, pursue her researches, with the lamp of re-
vealed religion burning in her right hand? We commend to
his brother clergy, the- example of Mr. Dutton, who, we be-
lieve now for the third time, has delighted and edified the
Mechanics' Institute of Ashford with a truly eiteettent and
talented lecture. It was sustained throughout by dose, con- •
secutive argument, the spirit of chastenedliberty and Chris-
tian liberality, whilst the illu-trations, supporting his propo-
sitions, were striking and powerful, showing a highly edu-
cated; comprehensive, and philanthropic miad.7-Maidstone
Gazette.

BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE FOR 1847.
We are requested to state that Mr.Colburn has this day pub-
lished "13urke's Peerage and Baronetage for 1847," new and
iin&lusct,raatnedd
revised edition, corrected throughout to the present time,
from the personal communications of the ne;sialintbydo,
containing all the New Creations, in one volume, comprising.
as much matter as twenty ordinary vporilueme
Bit d fTu thee,
with 1,500 engravings Of arms, &c. •
agents for the sale in Scotland, are kessrs Beicanclu
Edinburgh ; and for Ireland, Messrs. Cumming and Ferguson,
Dublin; and it may be now procured of all booksellers
tbrougboßuEtstsheAkringdol.
MALTA PROM RIGEL PRICES,
. AND
THREATENED FAMINE.--The avidity with which all grain
is bought up at Malta, chiefly for the wats of Great Britain,
thethe peooireruemr-sctlaahsesees
ofl
pataypinrigc,"adwdehdictho
from Egypt having been stopped bynot the means of
1 ve
the f u
Government,further e ra
heax
thosepor t s
from the Russian ports in the Blackat
Malta.lS aby the frost,h threaten
flatters
ms
are
rhis island a a recenyt date, stating
to be productive of much miser
letteriia
There is only aboulti
the place I People in the country are ase
:faevgowsesen: a
gonteo
hanovnetrisprett3. pitch in this island.
consumptionstatwin of, N, vhez t in
re-
spectable inhabitant of Gasel Zebbug states thatg. - the poor are
boiling the heads of the clover for soup ! ! ! In England all
the ports are opea for the introduction of grain of every
description, free of duty; the Government should follow the
same example here, and ought instantly to takeoff the duties
on pulse until the approaching harvest, otherwise the most
direful consequences must ensue."
CLOSE OF THE BOROUGH COURT OF REQUESTS.—
, Yesterday the Commissioners of this Court sat for the last
time, their functions being superseded by the new Small
l' iDebts Act, which comes into operation on the 15th of March.
'' jThe offices of the court were closed on Tuesday last, with
the 'exception of the receipt and payment of suitors' money
and the issue of executions, which will continu Lthe 10th
of March.