The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-15 00:00:00

THE HANDEL FESTIVAL.

THIS AFTERNOON.

The commencement of the Great Handel Fes-
tival to-day, at the Crystal Palace, was the occa-
sion of a most remarkable attendance of visitors.
The appearance of the interior of the building, with
every one of the thousands of seats occupied, pre-
sented a scene of the utmost grandeur. The oratorio,
"The Messiah," at the time of our report leaving was
being performed with the most wonderful success,
" the Hallelujah Chorus" actually electrifying the
entire audience. All the magnificent effects we
mentioned on Saturday were again repeated
with, if that be possible, iticre is xd gran-
deur, and the applause elicite I was extraor-
dinary. We have only time to announce that
the first day's festival bids f lir to be a most
wonderful success, a result that will for czrtain be
the case on both the two next performances, viz.,
on Wednesday and Friday next.
Toe attendance of the public exceadei all expec-
tation.

IHPERIAL PARLIAYIENZ

Ii'JUK: OF LORDS—(Tars EvENENG.)
Th 3 Loito Ca INC:ZUNI tOJ!s: lid S 3 It oa Woo:s.tok
at fire o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Chichester Cattl3 arket, London awl S nith
Western li„ailway, awl Maryport District and Hirbour
Bills were read a third time and passed.
THE 0111011ESTEH AND 3IIDEIURST RAILWA.Y

BILL
This bill was read a second time.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS' BILL.
Earl STANHOPE said that in bringing before them
soma points with reference to the question of public
schools, and asking for some papers, he had nothing
to say about the ' bill now before the House of
Commons. This bill was precisely the same as that
which had been pointed out by the commission two years
ago, and he sincerely trusted that the bill woul I be re-
turned to them. But ho would point out that this bill
gave no power to the commission with regard to the course
of study to b 3 pursued at public schools; yet
this subject was one of those most discussed
in the commission. Ho did not, however, wish that the
bill should lay down any course to be pursued, but that it
should be left to the discretion of the governiug body of the
school, and he would give them power so to direct them. He
personally considered that the study of classical lan-
guages ought to be retained, and in certain reports from
the adult schools it was found most advantageous, but
he did not think that it should be as it was 5d years ago,
when no other subjects were studied. Mathematics was
not thought of in some public schools until 1851,
but now they had become a most important feature.
Since the subject was last discussed in that house French
had become a most important study. The system at Eton
underwent a m)st important part in the change, and
no doubt would b 3 the school to take the
lead in this reform. Tho study of modern
history and natural science had made important strides.
He felt the great advantage of the encouragement
of natural science. If possible, he would ask their
retaining all the ancient branches of study, that
as many as possible of the now ones should be introduced
but he was afraid, having regard to health and the labour
of the brain, that all could be so employed. lie
could not. but think that Gr,ek composition, both in
prose and verse, should be omitted, and that it
should only be submitted to a certain class of stu-
dents. The noble earl then diverged into various topics
connected with the course of study at public schools, and
concluded with moving for the educ ttional papers of which
he had given notice, and also suggested that there should be
a now commission appointed, consisting of the governing
and teaching bodies of universities, and also the g worn-
ing and teaching bodios of the public schools, who should
decide upon the course of study to be pursued.
(LEFT SITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS-THIS EVENING.
Tho SPEAXER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
CHEAP PUBLICATIONS, &c.
Mr. HUBBARD asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether his attention had been directed
to the lamentable amount of juvenile criminality, largely at-
tributable to the spread of cheap publications and theatrical
representations of an exciting and immoral character, which
corrupt the children of the lower classes, and stimulate
them into courses of dishonesty and vice ; and, whether
the Government proposed any remedy for these growing
and most serious evils ? •

Mr. HARDY said his attention had been directed to the
publications referred to, but he found that, although bed,
they were not of such a nature as to warrent a criminal
prosecution. They were sensational, no doubt, but not so
bad as had been represented. With respect to the theatrical
representations he must say there was a great deal of exig-
geration,and in all the places visited by the police nc immora-
lity had been discovered. There was, however, room for
great improvement, and if the hon. member could suggest
anything that would be likely to check the objectionable stele
of things, he sliculd be most happy to consult with him.
LAW COURTS IN EGY2 r.
Mr. L AYA RD asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether he had received any proposal from the
Egyptian Government on the subj pct of a modification
of the Capitulations, and the in reduction of improved
Law Courts in E...upt, to which all fotiligners should be
amenable ; and whether he would lay upon th table of the
house copies of the despatches received on the subject.
LorJ STANLEY said commun:eatietas had been re-
ceived on the subject, and it was a, present under the se-
rious consideration of le-r Majesty's Government. as well
as other European Powers. lie should have no objection
to give the deepitches received in October last.
THE INDIAN ROUTE.
Mr. GOLDSMID asked the Secret try to the Trevetry
whether, in consequence of the op min ; of the Fell Rea-
wily over Mout Weis, her Majesty's Givertetieut inteaded
to nd ,pt the Brindisi e for the In lieu meils ; and,
whether they lied made any applicati m t 143 French
Government to put an end to the twel-ec hours' detention
in Paris of letters posted for Italy by the evening melts ?
Mr. BOOTH said the opening of the railway had not
been lost sight of in the contract entered into with the
Peninsular and Oriental Compeny a short time ago. With
respect to the detention of Lon lon letters fn. Italy in
Paris, it was quite true they were unavoidably deteined
for a few hours, but such was not the case with letters go-
ing through Paris from the English provinces. The de-
lay was at present unavoilable.
THE NEW LAW COURTS.
Mr. WA LDEGRAVE-LESLIE asked the First Com-
missioner of Works whether the statement in the Builder
of the 13th of June, that Mr. E. M. Barry, A.R.A., had
protested against the appoiettneut of Mr. Street as archi-
tect of the New Law Courts, on the ground that such ap-
pointment was at variance with the letter an 1 spirit of the
conditions of the competition entered into by the architects,
was a correct statement ?

Mr. BOOTH said it certainly was true that a protest had
boon given in by the gentleman named against the ap-
pointment of Mr. Street. It had not been received until
after the appointment had been made public.
ABYSSINIA.
Mr. L AYARD asked the cause of the delay in bringing
forward the vote of thanks to Sir R. Napier.
Mr. DISRAELI said unfortunately the whole of the
despatches had not yet been received. The information
required was the names of the persons the Commander-in-
Chief wished to bring to the attention of the Government.
It was most desirable that such should be in the possession
of the Government previous to tha vote being moved, and he
had every reason to hope that the despatches would be iu the
hands of the Government in a few days. Colonel Milward
and Colonel Fraser had arrival from Magdala, but neither
of those officers brought the information required. He
would give ample notice of the day ou which the vote
would be proposed. (Hear, hear.)
THE REVIEW AT WINDSOR.
• Lord ELCIIO said it was generally known that Her
Majesty proposed to review the metropolitan volunteers
in Wiudsor Great Park on Saturday next. Now, it
would be a very great facility if a holiday was
given to the volunteers in the public offices on that day.
He thought if the Government gave leave of absence to
all volunteers in the public offices on Saturday the ex-
ample would be followed by private firms, and the result
would bo that a groat many volunteers would be enabled
to attend. He therefore wished to know whether the
volunteers in the Government offices would on Saturday
next be excused attending to their official duties?
Mr. DISRAELI said ha had great pleastiro in informing
the noble lord that notice had been already given to the
public, offices that Volunteers would be at liberty to attend
the review at Windsor on Saturday next. (Hear.) if in
any department of the public service the notice had not yet
been received, lie would seo that it was transmitted thereto
immediately. He hoped the example would be follow() Iby
the private firms, and that the review would go off with
the best possible effect. (Hear, hear.)
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS BILL.

In reply to an HoN. MEMBER,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said this
bill would bo taken the first thing on Thursday.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.
Mr. DISRAELI moved that on Tuesday, the 7th day of
July next, and every succeeding Tuesday during the pre-
sent session, orders of the day have precedence of notices
of motions. the right being reserved to her Majesty's
Ministers of placing Government orders at the head of the
list. He thought that if the proposal of the Government
were adopted, they would be enabled to facilitate matters
to allow of dissolution without the inconvenience of a
number of morning sittings.
Mr. GLADSTONE approved of the arrangement, and
the motion was agreed to.