The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-19 00:00:00

TIIE EDUCATION BILL.

The Globe says of the Education Bill that it fears there
will be difficulty in harmonising the new system it intro-
duces with tho old which has already its position. Our
contemporary quite credits Mr. Forster with a sincere
wish to bring this harmony about ; but does not think
that he fully realises the great premium which, so to
speak, this bill offers to the school boards and the
consequent damper it throws upon voluntary efforts.
This voluntary exertion is too important and useful an
ingredient in the national welfare to be wisely disouraged
by the Legislature, much less for it to be extinguished
gradually. It is to be greatly feared that it would be.
The supporters of a school—there would of course be no
" managers " in the sense appropriated to that word by the
bill—are to have no power of compelling attendance, and
consequently cannot ensure the numerical success
of their elementary school in comparison with their neigh-
bours. This also involves the possibility of the receipts
by school fees being smaller than in the compulsory
scheme, while there is no power of coming upon
the rates. "We greatly doubt " (the Globe goes
on), "if it is possible that the two systems can
co-exist side by side, if the system of compulsion
is introduced into rate-supported schools while excluded
from the voluntary. We think that it would be more in
accordance with the spirit even of this measure that we
should first give a fair trial to the non-compulsory
system supplemented and expanded as it will
be by this bill. Mr. Forster acknowledges
that in his belief the majority of English parents are in
favour of some religious teaching for their children. We
think lie will also acknowledge by-and-bye that, when a
really sound elementary education is offered, the parents
will be tempted to ensure their children's attendance, and
that no compulsory clauses are needed."
The Echo thinks Mr. Forster's bill a distinct triumph
for the League. That organization has so far gained a
momentous and fruitful victory that it has brought Mr.
Forster to admit and to consider in his legislation the
paramount importance of the ends at which the Birming-
ham organisation aims. Moreover, it has advanced by a
large stride towards the adoption of the methods it has
deliberately chosen, in procuring from a Minister of the
Crown the concession of the compulsory principle. And,
lastly, the League has reason to rejoice that the Minis-
terial measure, although falling short of the logical im-
pregnability of an unsectarian system, has take's
useful precautions against intolerance by enforcing
universally an undenominational inspection, and by
exacting from every school receiving State assistance
a conscience clause equal in its application to all religious
bodies, and stringent in its operation. With these con-
siderable achievements the Echo does not ask the League
to be content, since the plan expounded by Mr. Forster is
in parts based upon reasonings the cogency of
which it cannot acknowledge and cannot accept.
But we entirely agree with Mr. Dixon's appeal
to the ccimtry to back the Government in passing the bill
—if it be possible, with amendments improving its work-
ing machinery, which Mr. Forster declared himself
willing and anxious to receive, but at any rate in enacting
as law during the present session a bold and comprehen-
sive scheme for the elementary education of the English
people.

The trial of Peter Barrett for murder has com-
menced in Dublin. Captain Lambert was examined,
and adhered to his positive identification of the prisoner.

The consecration of Archdeacon Parry, the
snffra,gan-Bishop of Dover, is f,xed for the 25th of next
m.)nth. The ceremony will take place at Lambeth
Palace. The Dean of PaiaterlAiry lylW Keachtli.gli_ermon,