The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-31 00:00:00

N 7 OCTOBER 31, 1848.

vices, on personal integrity of the highest order, and
on those qualities of prudence and resolution which
have procured a short breathing time of tranquillity
to France. These opposite qualifications may, how-
ever, be summed up in one consideration which pro-
bably outweighs them altogether. General Cavaignac
offers to the French people the best means of consoli-
dating, or at least prolonging the republican form of
government ; Louis Napoleon is in reality a transition
to something else. A patriotic confidence in the power
and duration of the Republic could hardly hesitate
to name Cavaignac ; an eager desire to exchange it
for some other form of personal sovereignty may
even tolerate a Louis Bonaparte. The election of
the nephew of the Emperor is not so much a vote of
confidence in him as a popular vote of censure on
the men who have been acting for months in the
name of the people ; and, as one of the French
journals has observed, a parody of the Consulate may
not unaptly follow a parody of the revolution. The
vote of Friday last, which fixed the 10th of De-
' cember for the day of election, occasioned great
surprise not only in Paris but in the Assembly. It
was well known that the leading Parliamentary
Clubs had come to a resolution on the previous
evening to support the adjournment of the election,
under the impression that this delay would prolong
the power and strengthen the influence of Cavaignac,
whilst any accident might dissipate the prestige
of his principal competitor. But, to the astonish-
ment of the House and of his own supporters,
General Cavaignac himself insisted with the
greatest resolution and authority on a more prompt
election. His ostensible motive was the danger of a
more protracted suspense to the interests of the
Republic ; but the real cause of this determination
is said to be a decided
Interior,opinion in which M. Dnfaure,
the Minister of thAalso participates, that the
iooner the election takes place the better it will be for
General Cavaignac's prospect of success. He therefore
acted as if this delay were adverse, not favourable, to
him ; and as the wish and intention of the majority
of the Assembly was to promote his election, they
naturally gave him credit for knowing his own inte-
rests better than the public did, and they accordingly
voted for the earlier day. According to the terms of
the Constitution, it is necessary that the President
should be elected by not less than two million votes—
failing this number, the choice devolves on the Na-
tional Assembly. The adversaries of Louis Napoleon
have little hope of placing any name above his on the
poll ; but they flatter themselves that the votes may be
so divided that no one will have the required number
of votes, and that the election will consequently
be male by the Assembly. In :that case we should
have the singular spectacle of the Assembly chosen
by universal suffrage six months ago vigorously op-
posed to the prevailing choice of that same universal
constituency at the present moment. In the Assembly
Louis Bonaparte would probably not obtain thirty
votes for the Presidency; in the country he may have
millions. Amonst the principal organs of the Pari-
sian press the Bonapartes had hitherto met with no
support, but within the last few days an important
change has taken place in this respect. La Presse
has openly hoisted the colours of the Pretender of
Boulogne, and M. de Girardin's unsparing hostility
to Cavaignac assigns to him an appropriate place in
a cabal of malignant antipathies and disappointed
ambition. The course adopted by the organ of M.
Thiers is less explicit, for no open rupture has
taken place between that politician and the present
Ministry, and though the breach is daily widening
between him and those in power, he is not yet pre-
pared to p ace his abilities and influence at the ser-
vice of aidoubtful speculation. The opposition of
the extreme Republicans to the Bonapartes is open
and violent. Prince Louis has failed, if indeed he
has attempted, to conciliate them, and he is doubtless
aware that the first claim to the suffrages of the
French nation is a positive resistance to the doctrines
and designs of that party. If any portion of the re-
volutionary associations give him their votes, it will
be from the notion that his power over them will be
less formidable than that of Cavaignac. So too, as a
matter of policy, the Royalists, having no candidate
of their own, may vote for Louis Bonaparte as a step
to the downfal of another impracticable Government.
It might to matter of endless speculation to trace
the innumerable motives by which these drops of
popular sovereignty are collected into larger rills and
channels until they are all united in what has some-
times been called the majestic stream of popular
power. But it may be said of them all that they origi-
nate in a delusion and end in a lie. These votes,
abOut to be distributed by the most frivolous miscon-
ceptions, or lavished on imaginary qualities, are all
parts of that great fiction which suddenly thrust on
France a form of government which few desired, and
f;wer still believe in. Can it hereafter be related of
that keen and sagacious people, that after having
aspired to frame a commonwealth worthy to be
ranked with those of Pericles and Washington, the
French Republic fell to the level of Louis Bonaparte?
l'hat to vest an undeserved power in those contempt-
ible hands France has been ruined, Europe dis-
tracted, and the barriers of civilization and peace
wellnigh broken up ? " These be thy gods, 0
Israel ;" and there is no idolatry so base and de-
grading that it may not obtain a superstitious
hold on a people which has abandoned its es-
tablished principles and lost its faith. We
still hope, however, for the honour of France,
and for the welfare of a Government which offers,
under the direction of its present Ministers, some
guarantees for the tranquillity of the world, that this
mania will turn out to be as shortlived as it is base-
less, and that a man of General Cavaignac's stamp
and eminence will not have lived only to become
another memorable example of the ignorance and in-
gratitude of Democratic States. From the enormous
magnitude of the constituency, it is impossible to form
any accurate prognostication of the result, and the
future condition of the French people aid a large
portion of Europe might as well depend on the dice-
box as the ballot-box, but the Government will em-
ploy all its influence to support Cavaignac, the reports
trom the provinces are less unfavourable than they
were supposed to be, and the minor candidates who
are likely to appear will tend rather to diminish the
votes given to his own principal antagonist than to
subtract from his own.

DEPARTURES OFTHE FOREIGN
MAILS FOR NOVEMBER.
The following notice was issued yesterday at the
General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, giving the
dates on which the foreign mails will be made up in
London during the ensuing month, and the dates
when the return packets will be due at Southampton,
Liverpool, and Falmouth :
Wan &c.—The mails for the British and
Foreign Colonies in the West Indies (except Honduras,
Nassau, Bermuda, and the Havana), Venezuela, and
Jacmel, on the mornings of the 2d and 17th. New
Orleans, Mexico, Honduras, and Havana, on the
morning of the 2d only. Madeira, San Juan de
Nicaragua, New Grenada, Chilli, and Peru, on the
morning of the 17th only. The mails of the morning
of the 2d will be conveyed by the Teriot steamer
from Southampton. Next packets due on the 7th and
22d at Southampton.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, &C.—The mails for
British North America and the United States will be
made up on the evening of the 3d, to be forwarded by
the Acadia steamer, via Liverpool, Halifax, and Bos-
ton ; on the evening of the 10th by the Cambria
steamer to New York; on the evening of the ltth,
by the Britannia steamer to Boston; and on the
evening of the 24th from Liverpool to New York, by
the Niagara steamer. Next packets due—The Cam-
bria, on the Ist November (to-morrow) • on the 9th
by the Britannia; on the 17th by the Niagara ; and
on the 25th by the Europa steamer, at Liverpool
MADEIRA, &c.—The mails of the evening of the
4th, for Madeira, Brazil, and Buenos Ayres, by her,
Majesty's brig Peterel, from Falmouth.:Next packet
due, her Majesty's steamer Express, on the 24th at
Falmouth.

&c.—The mails from the Mediterranean,
Malta, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, Hong-Kong,
and China on the evenings of the 7th and 24th, to be
forwarded by the fortnightly inland closed mails sia
Marseilles; due 2il and 22d. Gibraltar, Malta,
Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, India, &c., on the
morning of the 20th by steam-packet from Southamp-
ton • due the 28th.
&c.—The mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lis-
bon, Madeira via Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, on
the mornings of the 7th, 17th, and 27th, by steam-
packets from Southampton. Next packets due on the
sth, 16th, and 25th, at Southampton.
The snails for Sydney, New South Wales, Aus-
tralia, Van Diemen 's Land, and New Zealand, will
be made up this evening, the 31st instant, to be for-
warded by the Columbus, via Gravesend. Mails for
Madeira, St. Nicholas (Cape de Verds), Sierra
Leone, and the Island of Ascension, will also be made
up this evening, to be forwarded by her Majesty's
sloop Kingfisher.

THE UNION BANK.—The general business of the
North and South Shield branches of the Union Bank was
resumed on Monday last, and arrangements are made
tor carrying out a similar proceeding at the branch at
Berwick-upon-Tweed, on Saturday, the 4th of Novem-
ber next. These measures have atlortled much satisfac-
tion to the shareholders and the public at large, and
already the result at North and South Shields has ex-
ceeded the expectations of the directors.—Newcastle
Journal.

[ ASHFORD MECHANICS' INSTI.
TUTE.
(From the Kentish Observer.)
The introductory lecture for the season was de-
livered on Wednesday evening by the Rer. J. Dufton,
rector of Warehorne. The meeting was highly re-
spectable, and more numerous than could have been
expected from the state of the evening, the rain pour-
ing down in torrents. Among those in the room we
noticed the Revs. T. Alcock, J. Pugh, and T. Clark;
H. Whitfield, Esq., T. Thurston, Esq., &c , &c.
From the deep solicitude, as we have shown on
various occasions, that the Rev. Gentleman takes in
the subject of educating the people, greater interest
than ordinary was felt at this meeting, and his dis-
course was listened to with eager attention. It is not
often that we can venture upon commendation of
lectures delivered before mechanics' institutes. But
of this, we think we may express a warm approval.
The bearings of such societies on the varied branches
of knowledge, were traced in a most clear and explicit
form ; and the tone of the lecture was that truly of
the enlightened liberal Christian, the fervid philan-
thropist, and eloquent, forcible, and captirating
public minister and teacher. The Rev. Lecturer
commenced with soma remarks on the needfulness,
policy, and beneficial tendency of such an institution
as this, which provides facilities for intellectual re-
creation, self-improvement, and the diffusion of
scientific, literary and general knowledge—observing
that

" The diffusion of usefui knowledge generally, without
specification of any particielar sort or system of informa-
tion, is of itself sufficiently important to justify a com-
bination of efforts for tho sake of its more effective ac-
complishment. Nee:L.4lom more likely to admit the
truth of this 0300', nhaban they who have most closely
frb., eilereese we htrees Ot cirilizatiote sarong dif-
ferent tribes of this result's population. In the intellec-
tual as well as in t impcvil history of nations, it is
observable that therl of Cliieriods of advancement and
retrogression. One nation, which in one age extorted
the undivided homage of the world for its superior posi-
tion in the scale of civilization and refinement, is found,
at a subsequent epoch, destitute of all claims to its for-
mer right of priority; whilst others whom, in its period
of intellectual glory, it designated and treated as bar-
barians, have gained in the world's eye every title to
that reseed of intellectual homage which, in the course of
time and under the influence of circumstances, had been
altogether lost through a nation's degeneracy. So vast,
indeed, are the differences unequivocally resulting from
different degrees of mental culture, that on the negative
side of the question are to be found names of the very
first rank among philosophical thinkers. Without, how-
ever, embracing an opinion sanctioned by a name so il-
lustrious as Sir William Jones, who was justly styled by
the celebrated Dr. Johnson,' the most enlightened of
men,' we may feel on sure ground in advocating the vast
importance of educating, to the highest possible point,
all ranks of the human race."
The lecturer then descanted on the more specific
objects of the institution
,in affording to those prac-
tising the mechanical arts facilities for acquiring a
knowledge of the principles on which their practical
operations were foundded, and by which they ought
always to be regulated :
"It is to provide adequate means, and to present suffi-
cient inducements, for leading them to au acquaintance
with science as well as well as with art. It is to furnish
them with opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of the
theory at the time they are busy with the every-day
practice of their various occupatious.
" In stating the immediate object of the institution in
these terms, it will be seen that the superiority of theo-
retical knowledge over practical is implied. But as this
is an assumption which many well-meaning but ill-in-
formed minds may not be inclined, all at once, to allow,
it is of consequence to set the institution right with a
portion of the public on this head.
" Nothing is more common than to hear from the lips
of seemingly sensible men, the announcement that some
certain proposition may be right in theory, but is un-
doubtedly wrong in practice.' Theory can be opposed
to practice only by those whose interests are, somehow
or other, involved in the opposition, or by those who use
the term in ignorance of its appropriate meaning. The
relation which exists between theory and practice is not
that of opposition or contrast at all. It is a relation of
comparison. The term theory, applied to that which is
not altogether practical, is a misnomer: and they who
use the word otherwise than as meaning it to describe
the best possible practice, use it unpbilosophically, and
in so using it are chargeable with ignorance or inconsis-
tency. The material distinction between the meaning of
the terms theory and practice is, that practice describes
a set of operations or experiments not necessarily
methodised: theory is the name under which any clam
of philosophically at ranged experiments may be
comprehended. Practice indicates a certain method of
acting, in relation to which the corresponding theory
points out the most excellent wsy. And hence to work
theoretically is to act in obedience to a conception which
cannot be otherwise than correct—lnasmuch as the very
conception is the true model of the work to be done.
The perfection of practice, it will be thus readily
allowed, is merely to do equally well what is held up us
having been done before. Beyond the degree of imita-
tion necessary to accomplish this, practice properly so
called cannot go. All beyond this is the result of
theory ; so that the practical man himself, if he har-
bour tho slightest desire of improvement in the conduct
of any of his operations, must theorise, however uncon-
scious he may be of the process of thought implied.
The value of theoretical knowledge may be thus consi-
dered as co-extensive with that of the desire of improve-
ment. 'rite wish to be continually placed in circum-
stances which shall be, in some respect or other, more
favourable than those already experienced, is one of
those primary feelings which go to form the mental
constitution of man. It grows with our growth, and
strengthens with our strength.' It comes with us from
the cradle, and leaves us not till we have sunk into the
grave. Now, to the gratification of this feeling in the
breast of the mechanic, the acquisition of theoretical
knowledge directly conduces. This is the immediate
and obvious advantage. He has only to court its ac-
quisition, and the magnitude of the advantage will be in
proportion to the variety, amount, and quality, of the
knowledge consequently acquired. He becomes distin-
guished for greater ability and skill than his fellow-
operatives, and, consequently, soon shoots ahead of
them in the career of comfort and independence. He
is strengthened in following up that sleepless prin-
ciple of his nature which is at the foundation of all
progress in social as well as individual enjoyment, and
is rendered a better and more dignified being than
before."
The Rev. Gentleman then showed most forcibly
that not the mechanics themselves but the community
at large are benefited by the spread of theoretical in
alliance with practical knowledge; and the great im-
portance of the workman, no less than the master,
being thoroughly imbued with the science of their
various occupations. Having illustrated the evils
arising from the reverse—the prejudice of ignorance
—the advance made in the past half century by the
breaking down of that prejudice, chiefly through the
operation of Mechanics' Institutes, and the value thus
given to the general cultivation of literature and of
taste in the arts, he said :
"Most powerful is the sway exercised by those mighty
agents over the morals of the community. It has been
felt among England's merchants, her tradesmen, and her
mechanics. Theirs is the potent mastery :
' O'er the mind's sea in calm and storm,
O'er the heart's sunshine and its showers,
O'er passion's moments, bright and warm,
O'er reason's dark, cold hours.'
Whether or no you choose to belong to it, they will
form a public for themselves, and they will influence
and govern it. Of that public your friends and neigh-
bears, your wives and sisters, and children, will be a
part. This influence is everywhere. It pervades the
myriads of books which the prolific press pours forth—
the daily sheet, the light periodical, the popular exhi-
bition, the ornaments of our houses, the conversation of
our firesides."
Having shown how general knowledge makes man
more respectable,
more useful, and more happy, and
that it cannot fail, unless in minds singularly ill-
constituted, to produce that national humility, so
finely called by Burke " the deep and broad founda-
tion of every virtue," the lecturer observed, as to the
effects of a sound and pure literature—
., Thus it is with a sound, an undefiled, and wholesome
literature. Of a literature thus guarded, thus directed,
and thus purified, how excellent, how elevatingP the P
in-
fluence. Not by barren precept,
but by example b illustration, by constant association with the U.—reit
sources of pleasure, it teaches the noblest morals of the
heart;' for in directing the mind to whatever is wise.
just, pure, or lovely, it exalts and unsensualises the
thoughts. It emancipates the soul from the bondage of
the world, lifting it above the desires, the cares, the
meanness, and the follies of the present, and teaching it
to reach after, and, in part, to know and feel the power
and the joy of its future and better being."
Next as to the acquisition of varied knowledge—
" The acquisition of varied, though it be not profound
knowledge, is precisely the most efficient mode of pre-
senting to the ardent and stirring mind of the artisan and
mechanic, the subject best fitted to its powers and tastes.
There it is that natural talent feels its strength. The
attention is roused, the curiosity vividly excited, the fa-
culties sharpened. The duties of life need riot be ne-
glected, for that would be unworthy a mind capable of
such energies. It tries its strength in solitude and si-
lence, but society, perhaps the civilized world, at last
gathers the fruits of its efforts."

He pointed out Franklin, Watt, Arkwright, Cart-
wright, Davy, Herschell, and Hunter, as having given
proof of this, remarking that there was scarcely a
single science among those to be explained by the lec-
turers who were to succeed him that would not fur-
nish some striking example of the fact.
The Rev. Gentleman then referred to the oppor-
tunities afforded in our own times, in all or most
branches of science, for the acquisition of knowledge,
by those who would devote their spare hours to the
purpose.