The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-23 00:00:00

NORTH LANCASHIRE.—The Marquis of Hartington (L.)
writes to a constituent that there is no truth whatever in
the report that he is about to retire from the representa-
tion of North Lancashire. His lordship adds that he has
very little doubt of success.

RiroN.—Captain Kearsley (L.) has issued an address to
the electors, intimating that it is not his intention again
to solicit their suffrages.

THE BORDER BURGIIS.—Mr. Trevelyan (L.) appears to
be the favourite candidate for these burghs.

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION OF THE
INDUSTRIAL CLASSES.

Tho select committee appointed to inquire into the pro-
visinn for giving instruction in theretical and applied science
to tho industrial classes, have considered the matters re-
ferrod to them, and have agreed to their report, which was
published for the information of Parliament yesterday
morning. After suggesting the importance of efficient ele-
mentary instruction being placed within the reach of every
child, and of such a re-organisation of secondary instruction as
would provide fora larger amount of scientific instruction, the
committee arrive at the following amongst other conclusions:
That certain endowed schools should be selected in favourable
situations for the purpose of being reconstituted as science
schools, having in view the special requirements of the dis-
trict, such schools being rendered available to the sur-
rouudiug districts by the establishment of exhibitions
open to public competition ; that superior colleges and
schools for special scientific instruction would require ex-
traneous aid for their eupp-irt, in addition to fees, and
that such institutions should be established in centres
of industry, which would tend to promote the
combination of science with practice on the par
both of professors and pupils, and make them available for a
larger number of persons. The committee are also c'
opinion that the provinces, and especially the agricul-
tural districts, are entitled to increased aid from the
State; that soma slight addition to the emolu-
ments of science- teachers would probably tend most
materially to promote the establishment and permanence
of elementary science classes, and that the provisions of the
Public Libraries and Museums Act should be altered so as
to enable public bodies to levy a slightly increased rate
for scientific purposes. The committee further suggest
that teachers in elementary schools should be paid on
results for teaching science to the older scholars, and that
the education of higher science teachers should be en-
couraged by the granting of degrees in science at Oxford
and Cambridge, as at other universities, and by the open-
ing of a greater number of fellowships to distinction in
natural science as well as in literature and mathematical
and moral science. The committee consisted of 19 mem-
bers of the House of Commons, and the witnesses examined
by them included the President of Queen's College, Cork,
schoolmasters, engineers, science teachers, an architect, a
"gunmaker, and manufacturers. The total expenses allowed
to the witnesses amounted to .£162 13s. 6d.

EXPERIMENTS OF POSTMEN.—The Postman has
the following :—Since our last issue experiments have been
tried on some of the postmen by compelling them to wear
uniform closely buttoned up to the throat, with belt round
the waist, giving the wearer something of an appearance
between a telegraph boy and a rifle volunteer. It was
almost universally detested by the men, and we are
happy to announce that, by order of the doctor, it has been
discontinued ; this the men consider an act of kindness on
his part, for which the thanks of the letter-carriers are
tendered.

MADAME RACHEL—A London correspondent
says : " If Madame Rachel's business transactions can be
got out, there will be some really astounding revelations,
but there are a great many persons of considerable in-
fluence who at this moment are in a state of trepidation.at
the bare idea. The names of some of her customers would
surprise the world not a little, if the private rumours on
the subject are anything like near the truth ; but the
opinion of the knowing ones is that the case will never
come to trial."

OVERDOSE OF LAUDANUM.—A very melancholy:l
event occurred on Tuesday at Congleton. Mr. Henry.
Schofield, surgeon, having a considerable practice in that.
town, being much afflicted with toothache, has been in the'
habit of taking laudanum to mitigate the pain. On Tues.'
day he took a larger dose than usual, and symptoms of
poisoning were immediately perceived. Medical aid was
obtained as quickly as possible, and every effort made to •
eject the liquid, but without success. Mr. Schofield died
in great agony. He was highly respected in Congleton.
He was married, but has left no family.

THE SALE OF LIQUORS ON SUNDAY.—Although
the decision of the select committee on the Sale of Liquors
on Sunday Bill was made known at least a month ago; the
report was not published until Wednesday. The com-
mittee held by a majority of votes that a great diminu-
tion of drunkenness had taken place under the exist-
ing law, and that it was not unreasonable to hope
that a continued improvement may take place in
the morals, habits, tastes, and manners of the people.
With the improved position and education of the working
classes the committee look forward to the gradual disap-
pearance of the vice of drunkenness. In short, they look
rather to the further development of moral influences than
to extended legislative interference with the sale of strong
drinks.

FEE FUNDS OF LAW COURTS. —The fees received
in the three superior courts of common law, and which
amounted to £122,446 in the financial year ending with
March 1867, were only £114,316 in the year ending with
March 1868 ; but the salaries, pensions, and other pay-
ments formerly charged on the fee fund account increased
from £95,802 to £98,070, and the surplus was reduced from
£26,644 to £16,246. In the Court of Probate and Divorce
the fees received in the year 1867.68-2127,330—fell short
of the payments by £73,996, or £9,990 more deficit than in
1866-67. In the Court of Admiralty the fees of 1867.68-
210,758—1eft a deficit of £3,877: In the Land Registry
Office the fees—£l,3B6—fell short of the payments by
£4,340, a deficit considerably larger than in 1866 67.
None of these statements *of expenditure include judges'
salaries. these not having been. charged upon the-fee fund
M ds
_
ol _ _ _ _