The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-24 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, JAN. 24, 1868.

Yesterday a Conference was held in the rooms of
the Society of Arts to consider the subject of Tech-
nical Education. There was a numerous attend-
ance of distinguished persons, among whom was
Earl RUSSELL. The noble lord made an interesting
speech in seconding the resolution moved by Dr.
PLAYFAIR, to the effect that there educational re-
forms were needed. He took a sanguine view of
the matter, and congratulated his hearers upon the
improved state of things, which, indeed, reminded
one of what GOBBET once said, " The straw moves."
The first change deemed nece,sary was, that in the
universities and grammar schools the instruction in
science and art should be placed on the same footing
as other schools, but Lord ItussELL truly observed
that great caution must be exercised in this impor-
tant respect, for the alteration must be a work of
time. In some places a change is taking place. It
is certain that, without any detriment to classical
instruction, more care might be taken in other cul-
ture. The noble lord looks forward to the time
when the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
may become really national institutions, where the
education imparted may be in every respect worthy
of the citizens of this glorious country. " They
should be acquainted with THUCYDIDES and
XENOPHON, with CIO and TACITUS, but they
should also be familiar with CLARENDON and
HumE, with HALLAM and MACAULAY ; they should
all be specially acquainted with what their an-
cestors have done for the freedom and reputation
of their country, and not be contented with remem-
bering what were the laurels won by PERICLES or
C-ESXR. There is a great deal worthy of attention

in these remarks of the noble lord, and it is espe-
cially true what he says about the desirability of those
persons who may not hereafter becalledupon to lead
bard lives being rendered competent to understand
and appreciate what others have to pursue with
ardour. They will thus be more useful to their
country in the station in which they are placed, and
lead more happy and more honourable lives.
Respecting the desirability of efficieot means of
primary instruction being brought within the reach
of the working classes, the noble lord remarked
that every child had a moral right to education.
The principles of " compulsory education" finds
favour with Earl RUSSELL, and he is glad that it
has been recognised at Manchester ; but he seems
to doubt the probability of the Legislature giving
its sanction to it. No wonder so experienced a
politician and so excellent a judge of such matters
should hesitate upon this point, for there is no
likelihood of it for the present at any rate.
JOHN MILTON declared that this country
ought to have the precedence in teaching
the nations how to live. This is, indeed, an object

worthy of his genius and his fame, but we of this
generation are not following the precepts in the
great subject of education so lamentably observable

among us.
Lord RUSSELL anticipates great difficulties for
those who endeavour to get au education bill
through the Legislature. "I am glad I am not to
undertake it. I struggled for a long while in the
House of Commons, and I shall not have to take

my part in the buffetting of the waves and the
roaring of the winds which, no doubt, will soon
shake the walls of Parliament." Of course great
obstacles will arise in the task of settling what is
to be done and how it is to be done, but to wait any
longer to solve the problem will not do
for many reasons. One thing is very much
wanted in this country, and that was
referred to in the last part of the resolution.
Technical Schools should be established in order to
improve the position of the people of England in
relation to foreign cpmpetition ; and the experience
gathered at the French Exhibition fully confirms
the necessity for such an undertaking. Education
is, as Lord RUSSELL emphatically remarked, in
conclusion, the great subject of the day. IL requires
for its settlement the best faculties and the general
concurrence of the nation, and " I hope that both
these things—the highest faculties of the best in-
structed men, and the general consent of the na-
tion—will be given." Lord GRANVILE, in making
some remark; in the course of which he appro-
priately referred to the speech of Lord STANLEY,
delivered on the previous evening, when the noble
lord had expressed the readiness of the Government
to bring forward " a wise, a large, and a well con-
sidered measure for the education of the people."

The arrival of the Suva Scotian from New York
on the 11th shows us that the Fenians are endea-
vouring to stir up an angry feeling in America with
respect to our political prisoners. The House of
Representatives, always ready for any mischief
making, has been passing a resolution requesting
the intercession of the PRESIDENT with the QUEEN
ou behalf of Father M.MAnos, the Fenian pri-
soner in Canada, and also for other prominent
Fenians now in custody. The Irish vote has
probably a good deal to do with this affectionate in-
terest in Fenianistn, and the leaders of the move-
ment take good care to avail themselves of the
favourable opportunity. A mass meeting has been
held at Washington in favour of "securing the
rights of American citizens abroad." This meet-
ing, as also those held in other cities, was under the
auspices of Fenians as their avowed supporters, and,
therefore, we need not attach much im-
portance to their censures on Mr. ADAMS, their
denunciations of British cruelty towards Americans,
or their appeals to Congress for immediate legisla-
tion. A significant sign of the times is to be found
in the sympathising letters read at the Washington
meeting from Mr. COLFAX, General BANKS, and
other members of Congress. The Canadians wisely,
no doubt, are resolved to be on their guard, and '
are apparently apprehensive of some specimens of
the dastardly and malicious tricks which have been
tried in this country being attempted against their
public buildings. They have taken the precaution of
increasing the Guards in all such localities, and
are vigilantly watching for any evidence of such
designs.
Of American politics the Nova Scotian tells us
very little. There has been a riot at Marshall, in
Texas, where a Republican meeting was dispersed
by the mob. The rioters were arrested and order
restored without serious mischief. General MEADE
has addressed the Georgia Convention, informing
them that their ordinances were not valid until ra-
tified by the people, but that he would exercise his
discretionary power in enforcing some of their
measures. The Conventions have- hitherto been
failures, and the measures which they have approved
do not give very great promise of th • theirlegislative
powers. Cousideriug their Constitution we need
not be surprised at this ; it would rather be matter
of astonishment if they had shown more statesman-
ship and more enlightened moderation than the expe-
rienced politicians of the day. Of the great dispute
between CongreEs and PRESLDENT we hear