The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-26 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING', JULY 26, 1867.

men took part, it was resolved on the motion of Dr.
Tripe, seconded by J. Ford, Esq., that a communi-
cation be made to Mr. Morley asking whether at an
early day he would receive a deputation to solicit
him to become a candidate.

In anticipation of a favourable reply to that com-
munication, a deputation which included the names
of nearly every gentleman present, was appointed
on the motion of Mr. Tanner.

The proceedings terminated with the usual coin
pliment to the chairman.

THE MEHBERS FOR 31 ARYLE BONE AND

TIIEIR CONS 7 ITUENTS.

-,,-

Yesterday Mr. H. Lewis, M.P., and Mr. Thomas
Chambers, M.P., presented themselves before the
Marylebone vestry to make a statement relative to
their votes and action in the house during the pre-
sent session on matters more particularly affecting
the local interests of the parish.
Mr. 11. LEWIS, after referring to the annual cus-
tom of the representatives of Marylebone of waiting
upon the vestry to explain their action in Parlia-
mentary matters, and to the confidence which had
hitherto on such occasions been expressed in them,
said the first bill introduced into the house to which
ho would refer was the bill for 'subverting the
whole of the arrangements and machinery of
the poor law. His colleague and himself, aided
by deputations from Marylebone and ,St.
Pancras, resisted that bill as much as possible,
but to no effect, and a bill was passed which he
believed struck a great blow at local self-govern-
ment. The Poor Law Board, &c., Bill was a mea-
sure to which that and most other vestries were
opposed, and he was happy to say they had been
successful in eliminating the objectionable clauses,
which were very similar to those which his late col-
league and himself had defeated two years ago. The
clause, however, relating to the permanence of the
board was persisted in, and a division would be
taken upon it. They had, agreeably with the wish
of the vestry, opposed the Artisans and Labourers'
Dwellings Bill, on the ground that the subject was
one to be dealt with by private enterprise, and not
to be made a means of increasing the already heavy
taxation of the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) The re-
quiem of the compound householder had been sung
with great delight by the House of Commons, and
although the greatest efforts had been made to
obtain the adoption of some scheme for obviating.
the loss of rates to the parishes expected to result
the attempt had failed. If, however, the inconve-
nience was found to be very great something might
be done next session. In conclusion, Mr. Lewis
referred to the arduous nature of the Parliamentary
duties during the session, but added that he hoped
his attention to the interests of the borough had
been such as to merit the approbation of the vestry
and the ratepayers at large. (Cheers.)
Mr. THOS. CHAMBERS, M.P., endorsed the state-
ment of Mr. Lewis, and, in remarking upon the
Artisans and Labourers' Dwellings Bill, said he
thought its adoption would, by taking away from
the people the necessity of facing and conquering
their own difficulties, lower their social and political
character. (Hear, hear.)
Upon the motion of the Rev. C. J. P. EYRE
(rector), seconded by Mr. KYNASTON, a vote of
thanks was passed to the members for their cour-
tesy, diligence, and zeal in attending to the business
of the parish during the past session.

11I1DDLE CLASS SCHOOLS CORPORATION

The first public distribution of prizes in connec-
tion with this corporation took place yesterday on
the school playground, Bath-street, City-road.
The parents and friends of the scholars assembled
in immense numbers, and as the yard and platform
at the end were gaily decorated with flags, the nar-
row street outside was crowded with the general
public. The ichool house in Bath-street is tempo-
rary, and although it was opened only in October
last, there are now over 700 pupils, with 300 more
waiting for the completion of the new building on
the Finsbury estate. The general character of the
school and its success may be learnt from the follow-
ing extract from a report of Professor Hirst, the
; examiner, which is particularly valuable as being
I the first recorded testimony of the success of the ex-
periment :—" In judging of the efficiency of a school
it is necessary, of course, to bear in mind its professed
objects. These objects, in the case of the Bath-
street school, I find described in the following terms :
—‘ To provide for boys who are destined for com-
mercial life such liberal course of instruction as shall
be most useful to them hereafter, as well as to edu-
cate them in those habits of thought and discipline
which will best ensure their future success.' After
due consideration and inquiry, I have no hesitation
in saying that the general arrangements of your
school are well adapted to the end in view. The
curriculum appears to me to have been well and
carefully chosen ; lessons on the natural and expe-
rimental sciences, the importance of which is now
fwulhliyis
trecognised,
studiesli a vleesbs een judiciously
adapted
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introduced
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s
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ing;
in the higher forms due attention is paid to subjects
such as geography, history, and the natural sci-
ences, which serve to exercise the memory and to
secure a desirable amount of general information
and culture, whilst due prominence is given through-
out to those severest studies which tend more di-
rectly to strengthen the reasoning powers and to
engender habits of accurate thought—I allude more
especially to mathematics, including arithmetic, and
to physics. Exercise of a more healthful and re-
creative character, too, are not forgotten. All the
boys are taught drilling; and music, instrumental
as well as vocal, constitute a good feature in the
school occupations. I had the pleasure of seeing
the whole school drawn up in columns, march very
spirited past their head master, to the music of their
own little baud. Such exercises are not only
healthy, they likewise generate an esprit de corps,
which is well worth fo,,tering. In the general tone
and discipline of the school the personal influ-
ence of the masters is all-important ; they cannot
merely teach their respective subjects; the way in
which they do so—in short, every act of theirs in
the classroom—has its moral effect upon their pupils.
With respect to the relations between masters and
boys, I can only say that the boys appeared to me to
be happy, and exceedingly well-behaved. Their
head master evidently governs with firmness and
great kindness. His sympathy with the boys—in
their games, as well as in their studies—cannot fail
to win their affection and esteem. I had, indeed,
occasion to notice more than once that the enjoy-
ment derived from their sports was heightened by
his presence, and I could not but feel convinced that
the moral effect of such government must be invalu-
able. The average proficiency of the boys in the
several forms would, I believe, have been higher,
but for the fact that the classes have, from week to
week, been increased, and to some extent inter-
rupted by the constant introduction of new boys
during the half year. The premises in Bath-street
are in many respects inconvenient for the accommo-
dation of 700, the present number of pupils, but in
the new building, which, I have been told, is to ac-
commodate 1,000 boys, of course the defect to which
I have alluded need not exist. It will also be found
desirable to have a lecture theatre, so constructed
that 500 boys may witness the experiments of the
teacher of physics. The drawing classes of the
school appear to he in good order. Every pupil, I
believe, learns this useful accomplishment. They
draw from copies, from models, and from memory ;
and some of the specimens I saw
were very promis-
ing ones indeed. In conclusion, I wish to draw at-
tention to one or two changes in the cours 3 of studies
which might, perhaps, be made with advantage. It
is generally admitted that elementary geometry, by
which I mean the systematic study and demonstra-
tion of the properties of the simpler geometrical figures
is one of the best subjects for training the mind gra-
dually to habits of thought and accurate reasoning.
It is not generally known, however, or if known, not
admitted, that this training might commence at a
much earlier period. This is due in a great measure
to the fact that the one text-book to which we still
adhere is ill adapted to young students ; having, in
fact, been written by Euclid more than 2,000 years
ago, and that for a very different object. The French, ,

and with them every other nation except our own
recognised long ago the necessity of employing a
text-book in geometry more suited to the require-
ments of our day. I have every reason to believe
that before long we also shall have an elementary
treatise of geometry, adapted to the wants of boys
in English schools. The prevalent practice in most
schools, and to some extent in your own, of studying
especial subjects prematurely, is done, I know, at
the instance of parents whose motives, though ex-
cusable, aro unwisely utilitarian. The council of the
Middle-Class Schools Corporation may venture to do
what a private schoolmaster dare not risk ; they may
insist upon a perfectly uniform and general school
training. Parents should be taught that by far the
most important object of school education is to teach
boys how to learn special subjects when the proper
thee for doing so has arrived ; in short, so to train
them in habits of thought and study as to enable
them to make the ruostof the abilities they naturally
possesS. A boy well trained in arithmetic, geometry,
and algebra would far sooner become a competent
land surveyor than one who had spent the same
amount of time in learning mensuration, &c., by
rules which he did not understand. Book-keeping,
again, would be far more quickly and thoroughly
learnt in a merchant's office than in a school, where
the debtors and creditors are all imaginary, and the
time can be so much better employed in rendering
the future clerk a well-informed, intelligent boy."
(the treasurer), took the chair;
the audience that the general
andA I
congratulatedr . TIIE, Al. r.
prosperity of the institution had been far greater
than any of its friends expected and the conamu-
nity at large upon the establishment of a common-
sense system of education that was the most
important movement of the age. A few remarks
were made, by the Rev. W. Jowitt (the
head master), and the list of prizes was read. The
prizes themselves, consisting of handsome books,
were delivered to the lads by Mrs. Jowitt. The
brass band of the school then struck up, and the
whole of the, scholars marched by, saluting as they
passed the platform. Thanks were given to the
distinguished visitors, including Mr. Adair, M.P.,
Mr. Stone, M.P., and Mr. Freshfield, M.P., and
the compliment was acknowledged by Mr. Craw-
ford, M.P. Mr. Grant Duff, M.P., was also called
upon to speak, and he congratulated the promoters
of the institution upon their courage in defying that
ancient public opinion which had made it necessary
to teach the classes as a part of English education,
and upon their resolve to produce high cultivation
through a sound English training. On the proposi-
tion of Mr. Adair, M.P., seconded by Alderman
Lawrence, and supported by Mr. Stone, M.P., a
hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Tite, not
only for his presidency during the meeting, but
for the unceasing efforts he had made iu the affairs
of the corporation. Thanks and cheers were also
given to the head master and his sixteen assistants.
The formal meeting was then concluded, but the
friends of the children remained to hear them recite
and to witness their sports. •

Volunteer Artillery Competition at Shoe-

bury 'less:

The National Artillery Association—the young
SHOEBURYNESS, Thursday.
brother of the great and successful association which
has just closed its meeting at Wimbledon—this
morning opened its competitions in great gun prac-
tice among volunteer artillery corps from all parts
of England and Scotland, in delightful weather—a
most pleasant change from the weather which the
artillery volunteers hitherto encamped here met with,
for.in all the years before this the meetings of the
association have been carried ou amid most decided
stormy seasons. The change is most opportune
in many ways, for the smiles of the public
often go with the sunshine, and hitherto this
association has not had that substantial recog-
nition either from the public or the Government
which its importance deserves, and at the present
time it stands in urgent need of both.
The object of the National Artillery Association
is to encourage great gun practice, just as the ob-
ject of the National Rifle Association is to encou-
rage small arms practice ; but the manner of carry-
ing out these objects in the two associations is very
different. The volunteers of the artillery, however,
have to shoot in detachments, and it is all a matter
of drill, for one man's bad drill will spoil a detach-
ment; therefore, attendance at the Shoeburyness
contests means so many days' hard drill at the
guns alone, in place of the " free and easy" camp-
ing at Wimbledon, and in addition the volunteers
here have to mount guard and do much of the duty
of soldiers in camp. One example will suffice. Last
night detachments from Midlothian marched in,
having travelled straight from the north, and, tired
as they were, on finding their names down for camp-
guard, 11 out of their 16 at once entered on guard,
and this without a murmur. The fact is, the spirit
among the artillery volunteers here is to excel as
soldiers ; and in smartness of dress, in silence when
pay
yrothers of the
their officers
point
nadgionocti ieex
aru sppleec
to
t they
rp
othney duty,poi
other branches of the volunteer service.

The camp is formed on the Government ground,
on a picturesque spot near the seaside, and close
under the barrack-walls. Col. Wilmot, R.A., the
commandant of the station ; Col. Fisher, R.A.., the
instructor of gunnery; and Major Curtis, the
brigade-major of the station, have given the as-
sociation
every assistance. The fact that a Royal
Artilleryofficer
(Colonel Gordon) commands the
camp is a guarantee that all the
regulations will
be of a strictly military character. The pro-
ceedings of the association are carried on
under Colonel Harcourt, the president of the
council, with whom are associated Col. Clemenson
and Capt. Rutley, the secretary. The camp itself
is divided into two brigades; one under Col. Darn-
is camp adju-
tant.
ford, of the Ist Surrey ; the second under Major
Horne, of the Midlothian. Capt. Beveridge, of the
t e a most
this; 12th Kent, is in charge of the commissariat,
a s
ande
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Lisle
t.
sa; da ok
feoro
Allen,ut
the
e c
Ihsat
ofrge a
Surrey,
the Ist Middlesex, is
the medical officer of the camp, and with him is
associated Dr. Ticchurst, of the 4th Cinque Ports.
Every to provide against
sieknesrse,gaunladtiaolni htahsabee
that
isn made
needed
to ensure free-
dom from such disorders as result from such
change of habits as camp life is to civilians, is,
that the men themselves should abstain from
the huge shell fish which are temptingly placed
before them outside the Government ground. The
regulations of the camp are, that volunteers
are allowed to join the camp only on their undertak-
ing to obey all the orders ; that all on arrival and
before departure shall report themselves ; that all
officers and men forming the camp wiil be liable for
duty ; that reveille will sound at six in the morning,
retreat at sunset, and " out lights" at 10.45.
The competition of this day has been for prizes
value £5O, given by the National Rifle Association.
Each man of the winning detachment receives a silver
cup, while the "No. 1," the man who "lays" the gun,
and directs the action of the detachment, and upon
whom, indeed, the whole responsibility rests, is
rewarded with a larger cup than the others. The
members of the detachment have the right to select
their own " No. 1," and they select, without fear or
favour, the man whom they judge and they are
—to h
tell able to judge udge—e
the best drill, irrespec-
tive of rank. Thus, a private may command
a detachment iu which an officer, non-commissioned
officer, or, as was the case once, the honorary sur-
geon may work.
The competition was with smooth-
bore guns ; the o mipetitions with the Armstrong
guns being delayed in order that the detachments
may be " passed" by the Royal Artillery in the spe-
cial drill, and detachments may choose the calibre
of gun with which they will fire, the lighter pieces
being handicapped in
point of time against the
heavy guns. The pieces under 32-pounders have
to fire the five rounds in 7 minutes, the 32-pounders
are allowed 8 minutes and 68-pounders are
allowed 10 minutes. The firing
,
"Lee Wall Battery" and the commenced
shortly after nine o'clock in what are known as the
" Old Battery," and
continued without intermission until the close in
the afternoon. The first shot is fired at 1,250 yards,
that is at a target stationed out seaward at that dis-
tance, and the second at 1,500 yards, and so on alter-
nately during the five shots, the alteration of dis=