The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1858

ends, and to endeavour thus to re-establish intelli-
gible communication. Even looking at matters in
the worst light, and supposing the cable, as far as
practical working goes, a failure, not only has the
practicability of submerging it been demonstrated,
but also the practicability of working and signal-
ling through it. Therefore, it is not to be supposed
for one moment that the public, both on this and
the other side of the Atlantic, will ever allow the
grand scheme for connecting together the Old and
the -New World to fall to the ground, even if ten.
cables instead of one be sacrificed in its accomplish-
ment. At the same time, private enterprise, unless
adequately encouraged by .the two Governments,
cannot be expected to come forward and expend
vast sums of money in the manufacture and sub-
merging of another cable, with a fair chance against
them of losing-both capital and interest. The At-
lantic Telegraph Company have expended nearly
half-a-million in the manufacture and laying of the
present cable, for which the English and American
Government guarantee £28,000 a-year for a certain
period, contingent upon success. But should the pre-
sent prove a failure, both the capital and the Go-
vernment subsidy are lost, and the shareholders are
expected to subscribe another half-million for ano-
ther wire on the self-same basis as before, and with
the same chance of losing all before them. Under
these circumstances it is not surprising the difficul-
ties of raising the capital for a new cable are looked
upon as almost insurmountable. If the English and
American Governments are really anxious for an ef-
fective telegraphic communication between the two
countries, they have but to guarantee a certain
though small percentage on the total capital ex-
pended in the completion of the line, and money
will be forthcoming for new wires should five or
six be lost before one is successfully completed.

SIR GEORGE GREY ON THE MEANS OF
ADULT EDUCATION.

At the annual dinner of the Northern Union of
Literary and Scientific Institutes, at Alnwick, on
Tuesday, the. Right Hon. Sir G. Grey presided ; and
in proposing the toast of the evening—"Prosperity
to the Northern Association of Literary and
Mechanics' Institutes "—said : This is a toast
which I am sure, after the meeting we have had
this morning, after the valuable and interesting
report which we there heard read, and after the
interest which I believe all whom I address must
feel in the objects of this association, is one which
I need not recommend by any arguments of my own.
One thing, however, I think I cannot fail to men-
tion as a subject of congratulation—namely, that
in the age in which we live, it is useless and super-
fluous to dwell upon the advantages of the diffusion
of education and knowledge. (Hear.) The time
is happily gone by, when, to use the language of a
great writer, " The arrogance of learning can con-
demn to ignorance the great body of the people."
(Applause.) The time is happily gone by, too, I
may add, when the fears or apprehensions of one class
of society can stand in the way, or raise a barrier
against the enlightenment and education of the great
body of another. (Loud applause.) It is now univer-
sally admitted that knowledge is a blessing, and
the only question which is discussed, the only
thing upon which debates and differences of opinion
arise, is as to the best means of effecting an object,
the value of which all concur in, and of promoting
as widely as possible the blessings of education and
of knowledge. (Loud applause.) I believe there
is nothing more`true than a sentence which I find
in an appeal lately issued by the council of this
association, namely, that it is in vain to expect any
marked improvement in the moral and social con-
dition of the people, without affording them the
mesms. of intellectual culture and relaxation.. (Loud
applause.) This association does propose, does aim
to extend widely those means of intellectual cul-
ture and relaxation ; and therefore it is deserving
the support, the cordial support, of all who are
interested in the best interests of their fellow-
countrymen. (Loud applause.) The tavern and
the ale-house will be frequented, whatever prohi-
bitory laws you pass—(applause)—whatever re-
straints you attempt to impoSe—so long as the
tavern and the ale-house are the only resource
which the working man has where he finds social
relaxation and intercourse. It is truly said, there-
fore, I think, that the best mode of proceeding is to
establish a reading-room wherever a reading room
can be established, accessible to the working-man,
comfortably lighted, with a cheerful fire, and with
other requisites which are necessary in order to
make it attractive and by so doing you present to
him as a reasonable being, as a being accountable
not only to the laws of his country, but accountable
to God—you place before him enjoyments and
objects of interest which, when once appreciated,
will withdraw him from those debasing pleasures
in which so many in the absence of other objects of
interest are disposed to-indulge. I say that this
association appears to be one of the most useful in
adopting varied methods for effecting this object,
and for attracting people to higher and nobler pur-
suits than those to which they are naturally. inclined.
It has its reading-room, it has its itinerating libra-
ries—most useful in the way of extendin g that know-
ledge which can be procured through books, through
books of a valuable kind ; and placed within reach
of remote hamlets and villages ; it has its lectures—
admirable in their way ; it has its evening classes
and its evening schools to which such useful allu-
sion was made to-day, and which I think are the
most valuable efforts of this society ; it has its
system of examination, and it has also those prizes
which I have seen awarded to-day—which stimulate
rising genius, and which are sufficient to induce
men to devote their minds and faculties to the at-
tainment of high and useful ends. Speaking of
the evil effects of intemperance, I may just advert
here to some very excellent friends of my own in
this country, with whom I would have had much
intercourse on the subject, but who certainly go
further in some of their views than I can go with
them, because .I think it is not by prohibitory laws
so much as it is, I think, by presenting counter
attractions that you can successfully encounter and
defeat the monster evil of intemperance. (Loud
applause.) I was struck the other day, in reading
one of the works of that lamented man, Hugh
Miller, whose writings I have no doubt you are
acquainted with, with the passage in which he
records some of his earlier days, when he was
actually working as a mason, but when his mind
was also at work upon higher objects than those
on which his hands were engaged—when he had
learned to appreciate the maxims and philosophy of
Bacon, and to return from his day's work to his
lodging to enjoy the intellectual feasts which works
of that kind presented to him. He says that on
one occasion he was tempted, in his intercourse
with his fell Ow-countrymen, to trangress the bounds
of temperance, and to indulge with them in excessive
drinking. He returned to his lodging and opened
his Bacon ; his intellect was clouded, and he was
unable to appreciate and to enjoy it, and from that
day he made a resolve—a resolve which I believe
he uniformly maintained afterwards—never again
to cloud by intemperance that intellect which God
had given him ; because he felt that in doing so
he was depriving himself of the inestimable
pleasures and enjoyments provided for him
by a gracious and merciful Providence. Among
the attractions of these places, there are
requisites besides a comfortable fire, which are
essential in a good reading-room to make
it comfortable. I think the most important is a
useful and judicious selection of books, to be placed
there for the use of those who are invited to
frequent them. Now, I don't mean by a useful and
judicious selection of books that we should very
carefully weed our village or our town libraries of
everything which the fastidious might think ought
not to be there. It is by no means necessary that
this should be the mode of dealing with libraries.
Let there be books of all kinds in these libraries,
but let the selection be a wise and judicious selec-
tion, with the view to put in those libraries books
which, while they attract—and there are many of
this character—will also deeply interest, and will
excite men to higher motives of action, and will
supply them with examples to guide them in their
course, in whatever sphere of life they may be
placed. (Loud cheers.) Before, however, I advert
to the character of the books which I think it is
very desirable should be in these libraries, let me
say a word on what I see adverted to in many of
these reports with reference to newspapers. I see
rather a regret expressed that newspapers form the
principal attraction in those reading-rooms. In
some cases even it has been thought almost neces-
sary to separate the newspapers from the books,
and to have an apartment for the newspapers and
another for books, because newspapers diverted the
people's attention from what was most useful and
valuable. I think myself that, looking to the cha-
racter of the newspapers at the present day—look-
-14. at the variety of informatio which tliey con.

tain—looking at the ability with which they are
written, in their descriptions of facts occurring in
all parts of the world—looking at the reviews of
literary works which we find in them, even if news-
papers were the only literary food presented in
these reading-rooms, I would still advocate the
room being open, provided it was confined to news-
papers, which it is evidently not desirable it should
be ; but I would not withdraw the newspapers from
those reading-rooms, or attempt to divert men from
the perusal of newspapers by excluding them from
the room where other works are kept, because I
believe that even from newspapers much valuable
instruction and information may be gained—espe-
cially as they are conducted in the present day.
applause,) But again, let me j 11.4 for a mo-
ment advert to what I see alluded to in the report,
viz., works of fiction. I see that a prize was offered
for the best essay upon the expediency of admitting
or excluding works of fiction from those libraries
which are connected with mechanics' institutes,
Now, no essay has as yet been produced on this
subject, and I do not know what view may be
taken of it hereafter. I see the report rather invites
opinion on it, and expresses a hope that what has
been matter of such difference of opinion, and which
it is sorry to see has given rise to some ill-feeling,
may be set at rest by the free consideration of it.
First of all let me make the observation that I think
it most unfair to authors of works of fiction to class
them together as a whole and to draw a broad line
of distinction between works of fiction and those
works which are not works of fiction. Some works
of fiction contain admirable morals ; some works of
fiction contain instruction of the highest character,
and in a form in which perhaps no other works can
convey it; and I think it would be most injurious
to the interests of those connected with' those' read-
ing-rooms if works of this kind were excluded. I
should, therefore, tender my humble advice to the
council of this *association if they are called upon
to lay down any rule on the subject, not to:think
of excluding all works of fiction, because they
would thus exclude what were deeply interesting
to the great body of readers who frequent reading-
rooms, and which will also be calculated to con-
vey to them the highest moral instruction. Let
me just advert to one book as an example, be-
cause it is not written by a countryman of our
own—l mean " Uncle Tom's Cabin." (Ap-
plause.) Who here, however much he may ob-
ject to some works of fiction, will say that
" Uncle Tom's Cabin"—a work of fiction—ought
to be altogether withdrawn from the perusal of the
working classes, there being many of them who
have no opportunity of seeing works of this kind
except through these reading-rooms ? (Loud'
applause.) The wise rule will be to look at the
character of the work from its intrinsic merit rather
than to draw any arbitrary, rule, which I am sure
—speaking my own opinion—would be most in-
jurious to the interests of those for whose benefit
those institutions are intended, and would tend
very much to defeat the object which those have in
view who are zealous in the promotion of those
institutions. (Loud applause.) Passing by the
newspapers and those literary works the class of
which I think ought to find a place in those read-
ing-rooms, I see there is a subject of great congratu-
lation presented to-day—that we have a number of
books published from time to time which are not
ephemeral—which are not works of fiction, bit
which possess as deep an interest as can be pos-
sessed by any work of fiction, while they are cal-
culated in the highest degree to elevate the minds
of those who read them. Let me just refer to some
of those which have been published within the last
year. Take the life of a man we may almost call
our own, George Stephenson—(loud cheers)—a man
of whom the north of England may justly be proud.
Who is there that can read that life of George
Stephenson—looking at his early struggles for
knowledge, unaided by any of those advantages
which mechanics' institutes in the present
day afford to men similarly circumstanced, labour-
ing to make the best use of that intellect which
God had implanted in him—labouring with a
success which made him ono of the first men in
Europe—without feeling the deepest interest in the
narrative, and without feeling himself a better man
for the attentive perusal of that work ? (Applause.)
George Stephenson was a self- educated man ;
but while he laboured against all disadvantages
saccessfully in cultivating that intellect with
which God had endowed him he did not overlook
the immense advantages which the means a high
education afford, but he gave his son—the present
distinguished man who bears his name—the very
best education which it was in his power to
command, showing how much he appreciated the
means of obtaining that knowledge which is con-
ducive to the highest ends. Well, then, let us turn
from the life of George' Stephenson to the life of a
man who moved in a totally different sphere, and
whom, I am also proud to say, we may claim for
the north of England. Who is there that has read
any of those short and interesting memoirs that
have lately been published of that great and la-
mented soldier, General Havelock—(applause)—
who does not feel the deepest interest, and feel that
there is the highest instruction to be obtained in
the perusal of the life of such a man as that, mov-
ing in a different sphere, and setting an example
which some of us, from our different circumstances,
may think we might not be able to follow, but still
acting from a motive which must and ought to in-
fluence all—the highest motive which ought to
regulate the conduct of men. Then, again, who is
there that has read the narrative of the heroic
defence of the beleaguered city of Lucknow by the
garrison, cut off as they were from all intercourse
with their fellow-countrymen, that does not admire
the spirit which animated them, and feel himself
incited to the highest deeds by reading the matter-
of-fact commemoration of their daily trials and
their daily exertions ? (Loud applause.) I will
mention another book which has only been pub-
lished very recently, since the last meeting of the
association, and which will not, therefore, be gene-
rally known, viz., " English Hearts and English
Hands," written by an. English lady, and recording
in the most simple terms her experience among a
class of men whose rough exterior and demeanour
repels most men—l mean the men employed in
making railways—and showing that beneath that
rough exterior there is a soil well worthy of culti-
vation—a generous and noble feeling only requir-
ing to be called out by kindly intercourse with one
who has most nobly devoted herself to their wet
fare. (Applause.) This book speaks of English-
men in a way that is of thrilling interest, and con-
veys this important lesson. "Go thou and do like-
wise." We may not all be able to do what she
did, but let every one be animated by the same ex-
cellent feelings towards our fellow-creatures as she
was, and then there will not be wanting the means
by which they may benefit those around theme
whatever their sphere of influence may be. People
will not read because they are told to read, and be-
cause they are told a book is a good book ; but if
they find a book full of deep interest, full of nar-
rative and facts, and all the more interesting be-
cause they are facts, that is the way in which, I am
sure, we will get those reading-rooms frequented.
They should attract people to them, and thereby
carry on a successful competition against the tavern,
the ale-house, and the beer-shop. (Loud applause.)
In connexion with these reading-rooms, I certainly
think it is most important that means should be
found for extending the itinerating libraries. There
are some neighbourhoods, no doubt, in which books
may be procured, and in which good local libraries
may be established ; but even those libraries must
be fixed libraries • and the time may come, perhaps,
when they may be-read through, and there is. a
great advantage in having a change of books, and
if these itinerating libraries—such libraries I pre-
sume not always being of the same kind, but vary-
ing in the character and description of its books--
if these itinerating libraries are sent about to
re-
mote villages and hamlets, and are there detained
for three months, and then changed for others, you
keep the interest, which otherwise would flag ; and
I think it of the greatest importance that these
itinerating libraries should be as widely diffused as
possible. I trust, therefore, that the appeal lately
made by the council to the public liberality to
enable them to continue and extend this very use-
ful part of their agency will be responded to, as I
am sure it ought to be, most liberally. (Applause.)
I will just, then, advert for a moment or two now
before I sit down to allusions which have been
made towards the conclusion of the report to the
complaint which - has been made by some—they
aro termed ignorant people, and I believe,
generally speaking, that ignorant and perhaps not
very zealous friends of education do complain—
that these mechanics' institues have been failures.
We very often hear it said that they are failures.
In one respect, and to a limited extent, they cer-
tainly have not answered the reasonable—l don't
say sanguine—expectations of those by whom they
were first advocated, and by whom they have been
supported. I mean that there has been apathy
which was hardly expected among the great body
of the working people. They have not shown that
interest in mechanics' institutes, that desire to
avail themselves of the benefits which one hoped
and expected would have been the case—l mean to
the extent to which one hoped and expected it

Last night an inquest was taken at the Black
:orse, High-street, Poplar, on view of the body of
a person, whose name is supposed to be Brady,
Cork pilot, who, on Tuesday, the 7th of September,
jumped from the merchant ship the Sparkling Sea,
of Boston, into the sea off Dover.
Joseph Ryder, the captain, said that he engaged
the deceased at Cork to pilot the vessel to the
Downs. He then obtained the services of a pilot
lamed John Apps. Witness believes his naive was
Brady. About seven o'clock on the TueSday morn
ing he suddenly left the cabin, where he was at
breakfast with witness, and said he would not stop
there any longer. He ran up on the deck.
Richard Cater, one of the crew of the Sparkling
Sea, said that on the evening before the Deal pilot
came on board deceased entered the deck where the
men sleep, and said that he " wanted all hands to
be called together for him to speak to them." He
observed that " he knew his life was in danger, as
he had overheard men speaking about hum." All
tried to pacify him, thinking he was not in his
right mind. On the morning of the Tuesday there
was a steam tug in attendance upon the Sparkling
Sea to take her in tow down the river. The `de-
ceased, upon seeing it, suddenly hailed the tug, and
jumped overboard. The Deal pilot called to the
captain of the tug, who lowered a boat, when the
deceased was picked up and taken on board the
tug.
John Apps, the Deal pilot, said that when he
got on board on the Tuesday he met. deceased, who
said to him, " Good morning, pilot ; now I am re-
lieved I will wash and shave myself." He went
away about half-past 9 o'clock. He came back
again, and sat on the timber heads. He then ob-
served, "I claim your protection, pilot." Witness
said, " What for ?" He said, " I don't like the
mate." (The mate was 'present.) Witness Said,
" Not like the mate ! Why not P" He then re-
marked that there never was a better man, and
that all the crew were good. In a minute after he
ran forward to the mizen rigging and jumped
overboard, at the same tisne calling out, " Steam,
a-hoy" (meaning the steam-tug).
The jury returned a verdict " That the deceased
was drowned in the sea off Dover by precipitating •
himself from a vessel while in an unsound state of
mind; but whether to destroy himself, or to get
on board a steam tug which was in attendance, the
evidence is inconclusive."
At the conclusion of the inquiry,

The parish constable asked the captain of the
Sparkling Sea to deliver to him the, deceased's
watch, with the other property found upon him,
remarking that they -Would go towards paying the
funeral expenses of the deceased, which would be
paid for by the parish. (The captain refused to.
give them up.)
The coroner stated that by law, when a parish•
buries a person, what property was found upon him
was appropriated to the funeral expenses, and that,
after they were defrayed, the surplus was given to
the friends or relatives who were lawfully entitled .
to it.

The captain refused to give the, property nIN