The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-20 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

"'Morley's Hotel, 5 mo. 19, 1841.
"Respected Friend, Sir Robert Peel, Bart.—lt was with the
greatest surprise that in the House .of-Commons' last night, I
heard thee attach to W. R. Greg's pamphlet, on the slavery
question, the observations made to thee by the deputation from
the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, in regard to the
" Report of the Directors," which shovis so triumphantly the
success of Mr. Huskisson's free-trade policy.
" It will not have escaped thy recollection when I recall
what took place between that deputation 'and thyself—that
after its members had urged upon thy attention the approach-
ing renewal of our treaties with America and the Brazils, and
dwelt upon the necessity of a more liberal commercial policy,
they requested of thee the favour to read the Report alluded
to, of which they handed thee a copy, together with a
string of Resolutions' repudiating all protection.'
" It was thy judgment upon these documents by which the
deputation expressed their willingness to abide—documents in
which thou wilt find the following statements, showing that by
the adoption of Mr. Huskisson's policy our exports to India
have been increased from 1,874,6901., m 1814 to 5,600;5761.,
in 1839 ; that our foreign shipping trade has been increased
from 1,398,688 tons in 1815 to 3,096,611 tons in 1839 ;
that our silk trade had also been increased from
1,940,9021b5. in 1824 to 5,020,0341b5. in 1839 ; and that
our linen and woollen manufactures had also been amazingly
increased, by throwing off the ' protection' they had previ-
ously enjoyed ; and showing, also, at pages 12 and 13, that
they deemed it desirable to withdraw protection' from our
colonies.

" The tax imposed on the consumers, by being obliged to
give double the prices for sugar and coffee to our colonies, that
these articles can be purchased at from other countries, amounts
to upwards of six millions per annum, levied for.the exclusive
benefit of the colonies to whom a few years ago the British peo
ple paid 20 millions for the abolition of slavery."
Pursuing some allusions to the slavery question made by
thyself near the close of our interview, and feeling ardently on
the subject, I undertook, when the members of the deputation
were on their legs to depart, to inquire whether thou hast seen
the pamphlet of W. R. Greg, touching Sir F. Buxton's
scheme, and when thou said thou had not, and expressed a de-
sire to see it, 1 undertook to send thee a copy, which I did,
simply in my own name, with the note, which thou was
pleased to read, in the House last night on the occasion of
Lord Sandon's motion, the terms of which were announced
only upon the day after our interview, although to thyself,
they were then, even then,, most probably well known.
" As the other gentlemen stated that they had not seen the
work alluded to, they are not answerable for my recommenda-
tion of some of the views contained in that pamphlet and
whetter the impression intended to be conveyed to the House
is just or not, in regard to myself, may be judged from the
facts, that I took my part m the advice of the deputation when
waiting upon thyself as upon other Members, and that I have
since defended, in Exeter Hall, the proposals of the Ministry
—a proof that my opinions are at variance with my quotations
from Mr. Gregg's work.
" I am, respectfully, thy friend,
" H. ASHWORTH,"

DR. REID'S LECTURES.;
On Monday Dr. Reid gave the introductory lecture to
his course on the chemistry of the atmosphere, at
Willis's Rooms. The principal object for which Dr.
Reid contends is the institution of elementary lessons in
practical chemistry in all schools and academies, as an in-
troduction to the study of ,physical science, and insists
strongly upon the pupils being called upon to per-
form experiments themselves. The accompanying ex-
tracts from a printed statement which he has circulated
embrace the principal points to which he more particu-
larly refers :
Chemistry stands on grounds altogether peculiar, when con-
sidered as a branch of general education, from its practical
relation to the materials that affect man every moment
during the whole period of his existence. No one can study
the phenomena of respiration,—the nature and varieties of
atmosphere to which the human frame is exposed,—the
theory of combustion—the communication of heat—the pro-
duction of artificial light—the purification of water—the evo-
lution of poisonous gases, and other deleterious impurities—
or any portion of the infinite variety of facts which this
science has pointed out or explained, without seeing the im-
portant position which it bears to the general economy and
management of the means provided by the Author of Nature
for the existence and *the comfort of man.
Every one in reality is more or less a practical chemist, whe-
ther he shall study chemistry systematically or not ; and the
question therefore is, how far in the preEent state of society it
may be proper to introduce, as a general branch of education,
a course of such select illustrations as may enable all to be-
come familiar with those facts connected with this science that
influence the comfort and eemenny of daily life.
Such courses would have the advantage of awakening the
mind of the young pupil to a more precise understanding of
the nature of the material world in which he is placed ; and
thus he would be led to connect with the explanations given in
the school-room, a large share of the phenomena of nature
and of art, of which, under ordinary circumstances, he is corn-
parativel unobservant from the want of a proper key.
They have net been recommended without a fair trial of
their practicability. Several years ago courses were given to
upwards of a thousand persons, from different schools and aca-
demies, with a view of determining details, and it is submitted
that were arrangements made for their general introduction, an
expenditure of a very trifling sum each school would be suffi-
cient to provide apparatus for illustrating the more important
and essential points in chemistry connected with the general
preservation of health, the economy and management of fuel,
and the various departments of this science that are contin;
ually forced upon the attention in every class of society.
It is not contemplated to engage his attention with compli •
cated instruments, but to render him familiar with the use
of more simple apparatus, such as he will have no difficulty in
experimenting with after a little practice, while, at the same
time, it would be sufficient for all the illustrations required, and
be provided by the manufacturer within the sum that has been
mentioned.
In all the schools where such trials have hitherto been made
the pupils entered eagerly into the prescribed exercises. They
were evidently, when properly arranged, congenial to their in-
clinations and adapted to their capacities. One hour a
week, for one session, would be sufficient to lay a good
foundation, were no more time granted. And when the illustra-
tions shown by the teacher are conjoined with a system of
practical lessons in testing with flat glass apparatus, the ope-
-1 rations in which the pupils engage individually afford a mental
I exercise of great practical importance, while they train, in
early life, those that perform them to habits of precise and
accurate observation.
The union of a certain amount of 'practice with the theory
of the subjects taught, however simple the arrangements by
which all the pupils are enabled to join in this department,
has been found of great importance in carrying these views
into effect.. The pupil then, as Chaptal has well observed
of those who engage in experiments, " sees in his practice
the confirmation of all that is told him ; he refers all that
is said to all that he does ; he compares the theory with his
own operations, and, in a manner, identifies it with them."
Again, such courses would not only be important in eCono-
mixing the means and increasing the comforts of the poor,
but would prove equally advantageoua to other classes of society.
Further, they have become essential for young persons in-
tended for professions where a knowledge of physical science is
necessary, as from the great progress mov made in all its
branches without some previous training in elementary schools,
it would be as impossible to expect the medical man, the engi-
neer, the architect, the manufacturer, and all who are profes-
tionally interested in science, to obtain that amount of informa-
tion from the usual course of education which is now required, as
it would be for any ono to attain a proper rank as a scholar, or a
mathematician, were he never to enter upon the study of
classics or mathematics till he should join a University. Even
new, in some professions, it is observed that the period of pro-
fessional education is not adapted to the present state of science,
and if elementary instruction, in some
_branches at least, be not
provided systematically in schools and academies, an extended
period must be allotted to it at a future time, which would
bear heavily en the means and resources of the advanced stu-
dent, or College and University courses must be kept at a low
par compared with the ground they would take were professors
not compelled, as they too often are at present, to begin their
courses with the most simple and elementary facts, which might
I be taught more advantageously before the pupils come to them.
Chemistry, accordingly, may be affirmed to have claims upon
general attention which no other branch of physical science
presents; and it is also to be considered, from the cognisance
valid, it takes of the composition of matter, as the basis of
Other branches which can be associated with it afterwards in
each peculiar institution as local circumstances may de-
termine.
Were the above suggestions carried into effect, a great mass
of information in reference to health, confined among a com-
paratively small number at present, would in the course of a
very few years be much more generally diffused throughout
the country, and then perhaps additional and more willing as-
sistance night be calculated upon in carrying out the details of
all public measures for the improvement of health, particularly
in that class of society whose want of means and of informa-
-001) relidtr,them most obnoxious to those causes of diseas!
,Tthieh on be, alleviated or removed by care and attention:

Nor ought it to be forgotten that these means would establish,
at the same time, opportunities which might enable emigrants
to a.cguire a knowl.dg-e of nutherotis facts that must be highly
valuable to them after they leave their native country, though
perhaps the establishment of a few local schools for this pur-
pose, in the principal ports from which they embark, would
also be desirable.

Toe Lecture was illustrated, by a number of experi-
ments. The lecture-table is raised upon an extensive
platform about thirty feet in length, with a large flue or
tube extending all its length, through which, by nume
rous communications, air can be drawn from any part of
the table. At the extreme end of the table, on the right
of the Lecturer, there is a large glass model of the pre-
sent House of Commons, and on the left hand another
model is placed, in which ascending and descending
movements in the air are made palpable by communica-
ting various vapours to them. In the centre is placed
the principal apparatus for producing movements in the
air, more especially a powerful furnace, such as is used
at the Houses of Parliament, and a fanner similar to
those employed in the Niger steam-ships ; these are used
alternately in conducting the experimental illustrations.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
YORK SPRING MEETING.-TUESDAY.

The York Derby Stakes of 50 soya. each, h. ft., for three yrs
old colts, Bst 71b ; and fillies, Bst 21b. One mile and a half.
(4 subs.)
Mr. Ga3coigne's b c Jack Sheppard..... (Templeman) 1
Major Yarburgh's b c Heslington
Duke of Cleveland's b c Middleham, by Aluley Moloch 3
Duke of Cleveland's ch o Giaeur, by Sultan
Wen by three quarters of a length.
The Two yr old Stakes of 30 soya. each, 10 ft., for colts, Bst
71b; fillies, Bst 41b. (10 subs. )
Mr. J. Osborne's b c Skipton, by Stockport (Day) 1
Air. Brook's br f Idolatry, by Aluley Moloch 2
Duke of Cleveland's b c Fozberry, by Voltaire
Air. Osbaldeston's br cby The Saddler, out of Fickle • 4
Mr. G. S. Folja.mbe's b t by Bay Middleton
Air. Jaques's b c Playfellow, by Tomboy, Out of Galeno
Won by a head.
The New Stakes of 15 sous. each, for three yr old colts, Bst 71b;
and fillies, Sat 21b, One mile and a half. (2t3 subs.)
Lord Chesterfield's ch c Knight of the Whistle ( Scott) 1
Mr. S. King's b c .Zattonian, by Muley Moloch
Air. Bell's b c Thirsk, .by Voltaire
Air. Gascoigne's ch c Quilt Arnold, by Langer 4
Lord Eglinton's ch c Zamiel, by Aluley Moloch
Major Yarburgh's bl f Brandy Snap, by Muley Moloch
Sir C. H. Ibbetson's f Whartdale Maid, by Voltaire... 7
Mr. Kirby's b e MUsician, by Muley Moloch..
Won by a head.