The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-07 00:00:00

EDUCATION.

Mr. E WART then rose to move an address to tlec
Crown, praying for the appointment of a Minister of Edu- I
cation, who shall every scar lay before the House ot Com-
mons a statement of the condition and prospects of the
education of the people. The Hon. Member said in sub-
mitting this motion, he had two objects, first, theappointment
of a responsible Minister who should undertake to super-
intend the education of the people;' and next, that the
Minister should make annual reports on the state and pros-
pects of education in this country. lie wished the sub-
ject of education to have in this House a Minister respon-
sible to it and the people. He wished also have
publicity given to the state of education in tit's coun-
try. The motion which he made was perfectly in
accordance with the practice and the business of the
House. There wis scarcely any important depart-
ment which did not make a statement of its conduct.
Every year there was a statement of his conduct
from the Chancellor of the Exchequer respecting
the financial department. He doubted whether even
the finances of the country were of greater moment
than the education of the people. They had
also every year a statement from the Secre-
tary of the Admiralty and from the Secretary-at-
War. He questioned whether those were of more
importance then the subject before the House. '
He wished to see a Minister in that House who would be
responsible to the House for all the statistics of education.
If such a Minister were appointed, it would be in the power
of any Member to question him upon that all-important
subject, in the same manner as was now done
upon foreign or domestic affairs. The system of
periodical Reports had been adopted in most
foreign countries, especially in Prussia and in France,
and had been attended with the most beneficial results.
In Belgium, the system had been allowed to fall into
desuetude, and the consequences had been most deplor-
able. The education of the people had been during
the last ten 3 ears most disgracefully neglected.
There were elready systems of education in detail in many
parts of our present institutions. The factory inspection
was one of those, as it was the duty of the inspectors to
superintend and report upon the education of the children
in the factories, and iu the same manner the inspection of
prisons comprehended a practical recognition of the
principle which he advanced. Another point to which lie
wished to bring the attention of the House, was, that
there should be an annual report of the state and progress
of the arts, and that these should be placed under the
superintendence of the MiniAor of Education, as in
France, and other countries. Another subject to
which he wished to advert on this occasion,
was, that the Government ought to estabtisb
public librarie:, open to all classes. There was
no country in which there were so few public libraries as
in this ; and even these were not open to all
classes, as in France. He holed the Government
of this country would imitate the good example
set by the Government of France in that re=pent.
They all knew that, a vast number of public libraries had
been lately opened in Germany, and there were at pre-
sent not less than SO or 90 which were accessible to all
parties, and at all hours. In Russia the:e were seteral of
a similar neture. In 1837 the public library at So Peters-
burgh had been freely thrown open to the public, and
since then they had established libraries at Archangel, and
other places, accessible to the entire population. He
was convinced that no greater boon could be conferred
upon the adult population of the country than the
establi,hment of public libraries. These might very pro-
perly come before such a Minister of the Government as
he proposed to appoint, and he thought he could not do
better than to state the summary of the duties of such a
Minister as dot tiled by the Minister of Public Education
in France, in his report to the King of the F. ouch. He
said the interests over which that _Mini .ter was to pre-
side, were the most lofty on which public atten-
tion could be fitted—it comprehended the educa-
tion of the people, and the highest branches of
literature and science; it embraced all the institutions and
foundation of human knowledge. These were some of the
duties which would be comprehended in the efface to
which ho alluded.—( Hear. ) He thought the appointment
would be a great boon to the cause of gene-
ral education, and one of the arrangements should be
that the Minister should keep up a communica-
tion with foreign coantries on the subject of any
divc3veries that might take place or any improvements
that might be made in the general system of education.
By these means of international education, their system of
Infant Schools was disseminated over the country
to great advantage.—( Hear, hear.) The system of mu-
tual instruction of Bell and Lancaster had been adopts I
in this country with great success. In the United States
institutions existed well worthy of the imitation of this
country ; he alluded to the institutions called Lyceums. He
should wish to see that system imitated all over the coun-
try. From Prussia they had borrowed their system of
normal schools, and he regretted very much that those
useful establishments were so few in this country.
He felt perfectly confident that although he might be un-
succesVul on the present occasion, the principle of his
motion could soon be adopted, for there was a general
feeling in its favour throughout the country. Any one turn-
ing their attention to the subject, would find there were two
principles at work in Europe and America. In those coun-
ties where education had been entirely free there was a grow-
ing tendency towards centralization, and in those countries
where that system had prevailed, the current was
setting in favour of a freer system. In England,
and America there was a remarkable tendency to-
wards centralization, while in Holland, Prussia, and
France there was an earnest desire for more freedom.
In his opinion, a system which was based upon both
principles was the best. He could not adopt the
Prussian system under which children were sent
to school under the paternal control of a pol.ceman ;
he would like a system which would give encou-
ragement without interference—superintendence with-
out control. The great point was to give the people
a habitual respect for education. When they had attained
that point their object would be accomplished. There was no
necessity for any compulsory plan in Scotland—in that
country, much to its honour, a love of education descended
from father to son ; and in America there was a greater
proportion of educated people than in any other country
in the world : all that resulted from education be-
ing deeply seated in the affections of the people.
He could not consent to any system of Govern-
ment which did not come constantly before the
House; there should be an annual statement, like
that of the Chancellor of the Exchequer deliver by
the Minister of Education in his place in Parliament,
and borne by the press throughout the country,
Whatever other question of reform there might be,
that of educational reform was the greatest of
all. Many others like himaclf had done their best
for the reform of the criminal law, but they
always accompanied the Acts with the declaration that
such reform was not sufficient, and that instead ot giving
a horror of punishment, they should give a horror of
crime. There could be no greater or more cheering proF-
pect than to see the bright futurity, when those who
were to come after us should be wiser and better than
ourselves. By pursuing the coarse which he propose i,
he was convinced they would cultivate not only the a 1-
vanciment of intellect, but the great interests of re!if4-on
itself, and better than by any other method .....
Assert eternal nrovicl.:ueo,

And justify the ways of God, to InFlo."_....cife
Mr. S. O'BRIEN supported the motion. It WAS ma-

PRICE sd•

nifest they must exert themselves much more than they
had done if they wished to gain to the people of this
country the blessings of a good education. In the Mi-
nutes of the Council of Education, it appeared that in
Wales teens were 85,000 children and schools for only
3,305. It appeared also by a Report of Dr. Kay, that in
1827 there were 1,675 individuals in the workhouses of
Norfolk, of whom only 10 could read and write well. By
another Report, it appeared that of 181,000 who were
married, only 33 per cent. of the males, and 49 per cent.
of the females could sgn their names. By the Report of
the Inqp:enors of Prisons, it appeared that one-third of
the priionrrs ceuld not read. Taking the different abstracts
lad before Parliament, he found that the whole number of
children at school in the three kingdoms receiving daily
instruc;ion was 2,193,000: whereas, supposing one-fif:h of
the population to be under iestruction, the number would
he fi.e millions. From a statement of this comparative
amount of education in different countries of tire world. Eng-
land appeared to be the last on the scale. hi the state of
New York, there had been appropriated it this the last
two years one million to the purposes of education. The
Legislature of this country, reluctantly granted the sum
of 30,000!. With respect to the dispeicion of funds, he
objected to eetrusting them to private asaociations. The
Committee of tho Council in whose hands the Educational
grant hld been placed, were too much cc supied to act
with efficiency. The Hen. Member proposed to appoint
a Minister who should make an annual statement with re-
spect to the condition and prospects of education in
this country. He was extremely glad to hear the principle
of maintaining schools by public assistance advocated by
the leader of the Conservative party. There was that
fell from him the other night in the deloa-!.e on the Poor-
lawe, that was most gratifying to him (Mr. S. 013. ),
namely, that the poor ought to have their children edu•
sated at a small expente. He was sorry to have tres-
passed on the attention of the House for so long a
period, but he believed that the subject of education was
the most important that could be brought under discus-
sion, and he had felt it• to be his duty to submit the re-
masks that had occurred to bim on it. He trusted that
the House would not refuse to this subject the attention
which it deserved. It was a source of great gratification
to him to find that this was no subject of party, and he
trusted that the time was come when each pa.-ty would
strive to be foremost in the good work of giving to the
people a sound and rational eL:ucation.
The motion having been put from the Chair.
Sir GEORGE GREY said he would not enter at any
length into the subject befsre the House, seeing that he
could not do so with advantage in the present state of the
beaches of the House, arising no doubt from the late pe-
riod at which the motion was brought forward, and because,
as he believed, there had been no general expectation that
the subject would be brought under the consideration of
the House.—( Hear, hear.) He felt bound to state that
he had great objections to the motion of his lion. Friend,
founded not so much upon the proposal itself as upon the
difficulties which he foresaw would arise in carrying it iato
operati m. He agreed with his H an. Friend that this was
a most important subject. He agreed with him also in the
opinions he had expressed as to the thfieiency of education
which already existed in this country. He agreed with
him, also, that the remedy required was that of rasing the
character and improving the educatisn of those to whom
the instruction of the people wes entrus'ed. But he must
say he thought his Hon. Friend ha I overlooked what had
been done within tha last few years on this subject. Look-
ins; at the ditliculties—lo,king at the feeliega which iced
been excited by the discussions on the subject which had
taken place that House and out of it—he certainly
feared that if the proposal of his Honourable Friend
was seriously taken uft it would escite those feelings
and that discussion which gas now happily allayed.
Nevertheless great gaol had resulted from these
discussi ies. and from tire propositions that been sub-
mitted to the House with regard to national education.
Ile would not state at length what these results were, be-
cause the Hon. Member would shortly be enabled to
judge for himself; for the information which he antici-
pated would be the result of a Minister of Educaton, had
been already supplied by the labours of the Inspectors op-
pointed by the Privy Council. Tee lalmirs of those gentle-
, reen had not been confined to the mere objects of their
appointment, but they had attended, by the voluntary in-
vitation of many of the managers, schools throughout
the country, and especially in Seatland, from whence they
had derived much useful knossledge respecting the im-
provement of our present system of education. Under
tire circumstances hr hoped his Hoe. Friend would not
press his motion to a division, which, in the present state
of the House, could not express the deliberate opinion of
the House upon the subject. He hoped, therefore, he
would postpone all further general discussion on the ques-
tion until the information, which was ready to be produced,
was laid on the table of the House There would be ample
ooportuniv to renew the discussion of the subject on the
rote of the estimates for education. —( Hear, hear.)
Mr E WART said be had been anxious to do justice to
the efforts of the Inspectors and of the Government.—
( Hear, hear.) He at once frankly an fully acceded to the
proposi‘ion of the Hon. Gentleman, thinking that although
lie might have. a majority, it would not, under the circum-
stances, express the opinion of the House.—( Hear, hear.)
lie therefore gave notice that when the estimates were
brought forward he should move on addition to the paltry
grant of 30,0001. for educational purposes which had so
long disgraced the Civil list.—( Hear, hear.)
The motion was then withdrawn.
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS.

Mr. HUME rose to move for the aipointment if a
Sclee,. Committee, to inquire into the present state of the
national monuments and works of art in Westminster
Abbey, in St. Paul's Cathedral, and in other public edi-
flees; to consider the best means for their protection, and
fur affording facilities to the public fur their inspection, as
a me ins of moral and intellectual improvement fir the
people. The Hon. Gentleman said that he had the autho-
rity of the Magistra!ea, the Comrniss'oners of Police, and
others, to state that in their opinion the attainment cf the
object he proposed would be highly beneficial to the com-
munity at larg,.—( Hear.) Hitherto a system of exclusion
had existed, which, however, had b•en gradually withdrawn,
and his object was to :C:110Ve it altogether and to givo the
masses of the community an much as possible the benefits
to be de ived from the inspection of those valuable works
of art with which this country was enriched. No country
in Europe oossessed more v sluabie works of art than Eng-
land ; but hitherto they had be 2n lceted up to those who
were not sufficiently wealthy to purchase access to there.
The advantages that wculd thus accrue to the people were
incalculable. Every work of art would become a source
of feeling. reasoning., and thought to them.—(Herr,
hear.) The desire to visit these exhibitions was daily in•
creasing, in proof of which he would mention that every
day of the year thousands of the poorer classes in the me-
tropolis found their way to Hampton Court, and there en.
i)yed the pleasure afforded by the highest wcrks of art
without fee.—( Hear, hear.) He would also mention that
since the Palace hat been opened the people spent the
time they had formerly consumed in drinking in
the gardens in the examination of the trea-
sures of art which it contained. (Heat., hear.)
In one year the number th it passed through the Tower
at the fee of Gd. was 95 000. No dam-ge had been done
to any of those institutions which were open to the pub-
lic.—( Hear.) He had framed his motion so that it should
extend to other institutions, as well as Westminster Abbey
and St. Paul':a He would not name the Cemmittee
until after Easter, and would select it so as to [nett the
approbation of both sidea of the Bosse.—( Hear.)
Mr. MACKINNON seldom agreed with the Hon.
Member, and when he did so it was with some doubt and
reluctance.—( A laugh.) He was of opini)n that it would
greatly tend to promote the interests of art in this country,
if all the cathedrals were thrown open to the public
( Hear, hear.) He had visi:ed many foreign countries,
and he never met, except in this country. with any com-
munity whose churches were closed against the public, or
only opened upon the payment of fees. There were two
objections to the measure. The one was how were they
to guard against the desecration of the sacred edifices ?
The other, how were they to prevent the expense of open-
ing the building from failing upon the Deans and Chapters?
He thought, however, that these objections were easily
removed, and that the expense of keeping policemen
in attendance during the public hours, and an indemnity
to the Chapters, might very well be paid by the Govern-
ment. He supported the motion. It injured the ehataca
tcr of the sacred edifices, that payment should be taken
for admission to them for amusement, as if they were
theatres.—( Hear, hear. )

Mr. LABOUCIIERE did not rise to offer any objec-
tion to the motion, as he considered every facility ought
to be granted to the people of seeing these works of art;
and as the Committee was to be appointed, he thought the
present was not a fit opportunity fur discussing the ques-
tion, and as to-night was the last night before the holi-
days, he trusted that no lengthened discussion would be
entered into.—(Cheery.)

Sir R. INGLIS thought the address of the Right Hon.
Gentleman was one of the most extraordinary he had ever
heard. When the Committee should have reported, they
would have the same difficulties to contend with as if the
motion had been for an address in the first instance. They
had no power whatever over cathedral?. He did not think
that much improvement would take place in works of art,
from the study of the monuments in Westminster Ab-
bey. Some of the best of them were not lived
for a place of religioas worship, and if they
were to be removed, however objectionable such
a proposition might be, it would at least remove an appa-
rent incongruity. The fees had bean reduced by a volun-
tary sacrifice, on the part of the Dean and Chapter:, of,
1,400/. The same power that opened Westminster Abbey
could open every parish church ia England. It bung an
understanding that the Committee was to be granted,
was unwilling to datsin the House ; but he wished t°
call
the attentioc of the Government to the recent danger to
which the Cartoons had been expo ed. He did not wish
to remove the Cartoons, but he trusted that some of, the
Ministers would be able to saii,fy the House that tame
immortal works were not again likely to be exposed to a
aitniiar risk to the o:,e from which they had been so hap-
pily rescued.
Lord MORPETH said that the Chief Commissioner of
the Woods and Forests bad bcen to Hampton Court ves-
t !rday, and he trusted that the measures adopted Would
be sufficient to prevent the chance of such a deplorable ca-
larriv happening as that to which the Hon. Baronet had
alluded.
DESTRUCTION OF THE CAROLINE.
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of ,vl-I,n%nh.
bFeriehnadd
MLroridluP,pAc)L :I,l,Etiß:.SnTotOpNi..
stir
tuL.st:md
aivea notioefor evening,: for the productkn of p-pars
rel,tivn- to our relations wit 4 America. Ii the House
would pet bun to vxiicooi au opinion upon the subject,