The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-13 00:00:00

issue.

The 'increasing interest which is felt in the cause
of pope Jar education has encouraged the Govern-
ment to, lend their aid and countenance to a project
of some-. importance. The East of London, popu-
lous enough in all conscience, and inhabited first
by those classes who are more easily reached
through the eye than through the reason, has long
stood in need of a Public Museum. The western
parts of the metropolis have their rendezvous at
South Kensington, the northern and central dis-
tricts have the British Museum itself, but the
workmen of Bethnal-green or of Spitalfields must
spend half a day in getting to and fro. The expe-
rience of every day shows how necessary it is for
the English working man to cultivate his mind a
little more, to improve his taste, to extend his
opportunities of observation if he is to com-
pete successfully in the struggle with his more
vivacious and quicker witted, if less solid, rivals of
the Continent. Industrial Exhibitions have done
a great deal in this way, but more remains to be
accomplished. Museums have always been found
most valuable means of instructing the populace.
The curiosity of the sight-seer is mingled with the
desire to obtain information, and the former feel-
ing attracts a good many whom the latter would
seldom influence. We want more of such channels

of improvement for our people, and at least it

should not be said that this means of improvement
has been totally neglected with regard to a very
large section of our citizens. We have reason to
hone that there will not long be room to complain
of the omission, for a bill has already passed the
House of Commons with the object of securing
a site. A deputation yesterday waited upon the
Duke of -MARLBOROUGH on the subject, and
was very favourably received. The deputa-
tion complained that the bill had been
stopped in its progress through the Upper House
through some objections raised by Lord REDES-
DALE. The Duke of MARLBOROUGH, however, was
of opinion that the difficulties could be easily dis-
posed of, and declared that the Government was
very favourable to the scheme. It seems that a
site has been secured, on very favourable terms, at
Bethnal-green, and the iron buildings from South
Kensington, which have been recently taken down,
are already upon it. The work is, therefore, in a
forward state, and it was hoped that the passing of
the bill last November would have enabled the
Trustees to proceed actively with the work of re-
construction, so that it might afford employment
through the winter. Lord REDESDALE'S objections,
however, stood in the way. He held that sufficient
notice had not been given to the public, and that
the bill should have contained provisions binding
the Government not to erect any other building on
the land than a Museum. The first objection is now
answered by the lapse of time, the second by the
fact that the land will be in the hands of the De-
partment of science and art. The land originally
belonged to a charitable gift, but being let to
butchers only produced £4 a year for the benefit of
the poor, whereas they will now receive the interest
of £2,000. This part of the affair is in the hands of
the Charity Commissioners, and provision is made
for the compensation of any interests omitted to be
purchased. The scheme appears to be a most appro-
priate and reasonable one, and we cannot but hope
that no technical objections will be allowed to stand
in the way. Mr. THOMAS CONALLY, a mason,
spoke ably and forcibly as the representative of the
working men, who he said were beyond the reach
of primary education, but could learn much by ob-
i servation and comparison. Mr. AYRTON, M P
who introduced the deputation, remarked on 'th'
e
wouldoe 0 part
site i
rt
tebo ef
while a t
London,
comparatively Ii
Ie Bethnal-green. al lar green. In
aattniclidi ;eathniltstaeal
egyi
ro:sstits populatedeolfip2llot h,
:lel'll'o thee
useless.sdiids-,
Within a radius of a mile and a half of Bethnal-
green there were probably more working people
than in any equal area in London. Under these
circumstances we trust that before long the East
London Museum will become an established fact.

Rumours reach us from Washington of a pro-
posed renewal of the demand for the Alabama
claims, but it is necessary to accept all such reports
with very great reserve. According to this account
the subject has been debated in the Washington
Cabinet, and Mr. JOHNSON is resolved to make a
bold bid for popularity and the Presidency by pre-

senting an ultimatum to the British Govern-
ment. The alternative offered is to be the
immediate settlement of the Alabama claims
according to the demands of the American
Government, or theisuspension of diplomatic rela-

tions between the countries. Mr. JOHNSON is said
to reckon confidently on the support of the Ame-
rican people in this demand, and to believe that in
the present internal condition of England the Bri-
tish Government will be obliged to yield. Such
a report, however circumstantial and inge-

nious, carries its own contradiction on i
face. Mr. JOHNSON is too shrewd a po

tician to believe that the British Government
is likely to be intimidated into a compliance which
would bring upon them the indignant repudiation
of the people. He knows better whit the " inter-
nal condition" of England is than to suppose that
it could influence the matter. The internal con-
dition of the United States is a question much m)re
to the point ; and the talk of another war, more
gigantic than the last, might well fright not

Wall-street alone, but all America, from its
propriety. The American public generally
have common sense enough to perceive the absur-
dity of prosecuting demands for compensation in
the Alabama case when they have been kind
enough to give shelter and encouragement to Feni.
anistu for the last year or two, and when so many
of their disorderly spirits have found a congenial
safety-valve in its ranks. Without their American
head-quarters, their American leaders, their
American money through Irish channels, the Fe-
nians would very soon have collapsed into their
original insignificance. The fact is that the Ala-
bama claims are very useful as a stock in trade to
American orators, and whenever they wish to make
an impression on the crowd they afford an excellent
opportunity for a little bombast. Anything more
serious would be however very different from the
flourishes of the platform or the denunciations of
the Press. Mr. JOHNSON, for his part, has never
shown so much anxiety for re-election that he
should so far forget prudence and patriotism
in his endeavours to secure votes. If he had been
the man to bid for popularity at any cost he would
have acted very differently with regard to the
Radicals. When Radicalism was the order of the
day he resolutely opposed it, and his interference in
suppression of the Fenian raid elicited. cordial
thanks from the British Government. Lie has often
expressed Lis confidence in the support of the
people, but that has been rather with a view
to the underlying feelings and convictions of the
nation than to the temporary ascendancy of any
political party. The strength which he has lately
gained has been from the results of his adversaries'
policy rather than from any change in his own con-