The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-31 00:00:00

to a certain degree you still enjoy, the advantage
of a system of national education, which after all,
whatever they may say of it, has prevailed two ceu-
tunics, and you would be the most ungrateful of
men if you did not recognise the advantages which
have resulted from it, and which have marked you
out among the nations of the world as men who have
been most favoured by that wise institution of your
country. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, so far as I can
form an opinion, the general principles upon which
your national system of education in Scotland is
founded are wise, and I think they are durable prin-
ciples ; but there is no doubt that as time has &Ill),
the course of two centuries has to altered the cir-
cumstances of your country that the application of
these principles is no longer satisfactory and ade-
quate, and in my opinion the time has.arrived when,
without confounding yourselves and complicating
your position by connecting your necessities and
claims with those of other people and other places,
you ought to receive some great improvement in that
respect. You are aware that the subject has engaged
the attention of a commission. The report of that
commission, distinguished by great ability, has now
for some time been under the consideration of the
Government—(cheers)—and I shall be disappointed,
and certainly most happy if that disappointment is
avoided, if it be not in the power of her Majesty's
Government, in the next session of Parliament, to
introduce a measure with respect to national educa-
tion in Scotland, which will render adequate and
complete that ancient and famous system to which
this country owes so many of its benefits. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, upon the subject of education there aro
one or two points that I have noticed perhaps in
other places, but I hardly think it is inappropriate -
that I should touch on them here, because they most
concern the claims of the men I address to-night.
(Cheers.) Now, all these great measures which are
somewhat cloudily brought forward with regard to
national education, all of them necessarily refer to
primary education. There is no doubt the difficulty
of national education is involved in that question of
primary or elementary education. (Cheers.) This is
a portion of public education in which the Govern-
ment can assist the British workmen, and to which
the Government have, to a certain degree, alreadY
assisted them, and towards which, in my opinion,
there ought to be a greater development of public
assistance. There is one subject to which I have
already alluded in another place, but which, in a
matter of education, I cannot pass unnoticed.
When I hear that the British people are not edu-
cated, that they are incapable of exercising what is
very natural to a Briton, whether he possessed it
before or now, namely, the suffrage, I say we forget
in this country that there is a source of education
perpetually going on—secular education of the
highest class, which affords a future mine for the
perforthance of public and political duties, and that
is the influence, thank God, of a free Press.
(Cheers.) When the education of a people is
brought forward by statistics, Continental nations
are adduced to prove the advantageous position
those countries hold, and the comparatively disad
vantageous position occupied by the people of the
United Kingdom. I always recollect that _those
philosophers and statisticians forget in their views
the influence of the great educating power to which
I have referred, and I remember with pride
and consolation that England and England aloe°
is the country in which a free Press practically
znd really exists. (Cheers.) That is an educa-
tional power of the highest influence, it is exercised
in this country under, I believe, the highest.
responsibilities ; but whether it be the Oa"
duct of those who exercise it, or the temPer,
of the people to whom it is addressed,
care not, the influence of the Press of England ceases
if it is not moral influence, and is not exercised 1113°_1/
those principles which you have been taught to look
upon as necessary, not merely for the preservation
of society, but for the highest considerations which
can influence man. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I have
too long trespassed upon you ; permit me to say, 3s
you have offered me this address, that this is not the
least gratifying circumstance that has attended all
visit to Edinburgh. lam happy, particularly after
the reports and rumours that reached me, to have
had an opportunity of addressing—l hope you will
acknowledge with frankness—so numerous and in-
telligent an assembly. I have referred to the origi-
nal cause of this address having been presented to
me, namely, that of your complete sympathy with
the Government of her Majesty in passing a great
measure of Parliamentary Reform, and your sYT:
pathy with the difficulties we had to encounter n'
carrying that important act. (Cheers.) Let Ine
say—not in advice or admonition, because I 311 i
...
free to admit that you are as capable of forming fluf
opinion for yourselves as I am, and better than
can for you ; do not, therefore, misinterpret
snY
statements, but take it as an expression of tn.
opinion of one who is really your friend—possess
ing those great privileges which will soon be yours;
as they are now those of the people of Englaet
exercise them in a manner becoming intelligent and
patriotic men. (Cheers.) Disappoint all the fore;
bodings of your foes as of your false friends. Prove
that you are Britons, influenced by the mine feel-
ings, the same passions, the same interests, the samef
high aspirations that influence all other classes eo
Britons ; prove that you love your country ; pro!
that you are proud to belong to an ancient county()
which possesses the noblest of Constitutions, andm,
not listen to those who pretend to you that society
is to be revolutionised because the people are trustee',"
(Cheers.) Do not listen to those who tell you thabi
you have been invested with democratic rights, an
e`
therefore you must effect great changes in the for
tunes and conditions of one of the most consider-
able nations and Governments that ever existed.
Be proud of the confidence which the constitute,
You
authorities of the country have reposed in 1%,
Show that you are about to be invested with PoP
lar privileges ; that you know the value of poPular
privileges ; and that you will exercise them to 501.12:
tain the institutions of your country, and to lu
crease its power, its glory, and its fame.
The right hon. gentleman resumed his seat amid
loud cheers.

REFUGE IN A LION'S DEN.—The Schmidt 11l for
genie has just left Lyons to pass the winter in Italy
the benefit of a warmer climate. During the removal 1330
of the keepers, having some words with a workman, ler,
to blows with him, and finding that he was the weak d
hurried away, and, opening
then very safely defied his antagonist to follow him' trees
LADVERTISEMENT.I Holloway's Pills. The rithl9
a lion's cage, jumped in, an
philosophical spirit of inquiry led to the discover:" ea,
priceless medicine, and the most unselfish labour and Ti to
penso have been incurred in bringing so great bVicted
the knowledge and within the reach of the ill
throughout the world. Every invalid who can read will
understand the plain directions, in his own langil`jtes
which are folded round the pills, which should be Breit',
in the doses and at the times distinctly specified 0-7,i
while greater attention should be paid to diet and
tot,
other minor matters, all of which, however, are imp
inasmuch as they augment the curative powers of ttlf rod
prevent them from disagreeing with the most delinslrn
spare time and suffering:

Births. , CO'
BROMLEY—On the 29th inst., at Baginton Hall, 1103'
ventry, Mrs. Davenpoit Bromley, of a son. terrace'
EnwAnDs— On the 29th inst at 13, Devonshire-{Gl. t ft'Hyde-park, the wife of Brigadier-General. Clel'ae°
Edwards, C
tho 28th i. 8., of a son. Wire
WoonlN—On ust., at Peldon, Richmond, the
of Mr. Daniel Woodin, of a son.

Marriages. st
GOODMAN—WORTHINGTON—Oa the 29th inst.!, Coed Luke's Church, Leek, Staffordshire, 'Thomasl)* ,eto
man, Esq., solicitor, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derhysbitol:oo,
Emily Jane, second daughter of Andrew J. I'Vorthili°
Esq., of Leek. iml's'
STRANGMAN —BAYLY—On the 29th inst , at St. iii;ster,
Hammersmith, Joseph Strongman Esq., of Nl3ncoifirleo
to Lydia Sophia Susannah, eldesti daughter 01
B. Bayly, Esq., Commander R.N.

NotiViel"