The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-18 00:00:00

RIGA WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

TIIIS DAY.—Morning, 9h. 13m.—Afternoon, 911. 55m.
To-Muunow.-Morning, 10h. 37m.--Afternoon, 11b. 17m.

751. ml
r
ji4) '

LONDON, TVEDNE.SI).IY,

M.IRC// 18, 18C8

It must have been a relief for the House of
Commons to turn from the contemplation of the
Irish debate, with its impressive speeches and se-
rious consequences, to the more calm and elevated
sphere of elementary education. Mr. BRUCE
yesterday introduced his bill on the sub-
ject with great moderation, declaring that
he had no wish to interfere with the
Government plan, provided that it was acceptable to
the House. The measure which he yesterday ad-

vocated differs from that of last year which was
brought forward under his auspices. So far as we
can judge as yet the present cne seems to possess
advantages over the other, and the hon. member has
shown his discretion in complying with the requests
that have been made to him in some quarters in-
stead of rigidly: adhering to his own previous
determination. The object of this second bill is to
effect the carrying out of the chief principles and
provisions of the one of last year, while
at the same time it has the addition of " ma-
chinery for its compulsory enforcement, when
the existence of educational destitution has, after
formal inquiry, been proved." This will not be
likely to answer ; but, at the same time, it is quite
worth while to consider what is said in defence of
the plan by those who have given their minds
to it. It is not proposed, in the first
place, to interfere with those districts which
are properly supplied under the present voluntary
system. Perhaps the best way of solving the
difficulty of this complicated question will be to
provide schools at any rate, and then to trust to time
and the exercise of right influences to get them
filled. This is going as far as can be expected or
desired, and the verdict of all who are intimately
acquainted with the lower classes will decidedly be
given against any system of compulsion. Mr.
BRUCE'S Bill, in fact, is most likely to be useful so
far as it makes suggestions to the house and can be
considered in comparison with the Government
scheme, which the Duke of MARLBOROUGH will lay
before the House of Lords on Monday night. It
cannot be said that the Ministry has
been idle, for with one thing and another there is
a constant succession of schemes before it. There
is little reason to fear that the Government mea-
sure will be inadequate to the occasion, for the
subject has for so long a time engrossed public atten-
tion that all experienced politicians have recognised
its immense importance, and a poor or inefficient
plan would only entail loss and defeat to its origi-
nators. It is an admirable arrangement to have
the rival measures laid before the two Houses
before the period of the Easter recess, and an
opportunity will thus be afforded of considering the
different points calmly and dispassionately. Mr.
BRUCE'S Bill has had the start; but then some people
think that those who have the last word have the
advantage, so that on the whole the balance is
pretty equal.

It is indeed high time that the serious attention
of the Legislature was drawn to this question, for
education, as it at present stands in England, is
by no means in a satisfactory state. Passing over
the details of this or that plan, and its probable
success or likely failure, we may shortly observe
that the result is not good, and that, taking into
account the wealth, the prosperity, and the in-
fluence of this country, we are below par in the
average standard of excellence in this department.
One great evil of the Reform question being so long
in abeyance was that many other important sub-
jects were totally put aside, or, at best, partially
considered, and so with this 'one of deep and vital
interest to the community at large, National
Education. A vast deal has been said, written, and
suggested, but very little of a practical spirit has
been done. We may confidently hope that this ses-
sion will see something of a definite nature accom-
plished. This can only be done, however, by the
combined influences of the leading men on both
sides of the House ; and here, again, party
spirit must not obtrude itself, or else
all is lost. Mr. DISRAELI, in his well-timed re-
marks to the deputation the other day which
waited upon him on the subject of education gene-
rally, declared that this was a national question and
not a party one, and the same feeling must now
animate others if we are to see the hopes and wishes
of all lovers of knowledge and improvement
realised. Let the doubts that arise be entirely con-
fined to the character of the measure before the
House, in so far as they concern the welfare of the
people and promote the spread of instruc-
tion, bat let there be no suspicions
lurking in the minds of noble lords or
hon. members as to whether this or that scheme if
adopted will strengthen the Government and do
credit to the Opposition.
In all probability the Government Bill will meet
with more favour than that which will be accorded
to its rival when both are fairly put before the
House and the public. It will most likely be mor e
national in its character, and not be so exclusive in
its objects. Mr. BRUCE'S Bill does too much in
the abstract, and leaves room for too little that can
be practically worked out, and the compulsory fea-
ture in it will certainly militate against its success.
It is one thing for the Committee of Council to de-
termine that such and such a thing is desirable, and
must become law, in order that instruction may be
properly diffused, and another for their decrees
to pass into law, or, if they did, that they
should become popular enough for the authorities
to carry them out. Anything that interferes too
much with our free, independent habits is to be de-
precated, and the idea of regulating our
lower classes by the rules that may accord
with Prussian regulations is quite prepos-
terous. All the teaching in the world cannot
give public spirit a compensation for the want of it,
and where it exists, as it does in this country, it
will not submit to dictation in certain matters. We
shall be curious to see the Government Bill and
compare it with this elaborate proposition now be-
fore us; but we feel sure beforehand that if not so
abstruse it will be more acceptable in its character,
and if it do not come up to this scheme in point of
finish of detail, it will be more likely to gain the
great object in view, the spread of instruction through
the country by all available means without offend
rei udices.

ing pl

The Festival of St. PATRICK is always an interest-
ing event for Irishmen, but yesterday the anniver-
sary was kept up with more than ordinary bril-
liancy. The Levee, indeed, which enlivened the
vicinity of St. James's, early in the afternoon, had
no special reference to Hibernians, but the pre-
sence of the Prince of WALES at the annual dinner
of the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick. This
anniversary festival has been for many years re-
garded not only as an opportunity of benefiting a
charity iu which all Irishmen are more or less
interested, but as a recognised occasion for the
gathering together of Irishmen living in the
metropolis and its environs. During the last year
or two loyal and patriotic Irishmen have met under
painful and cheerless auspices. With the Habeas
Corpus Act in suspension, with the misdeeds of
certain Irishmen on every tongue, and general
alarm and uneasiness existing owing to the unsettled
condition in Ireland, there was much which could not
tail to occasion anxiety and regret. They could not
(help perceiving how great an obstacle Fenianisin
put in the way of their country's progress and
atnendinent, and the prevailing depression through-
out the whole kingdom did not assist in removing
the painful impression. Now, however, everything
presents a more hopeful appearance. Fenianism is
wellnigh extinct, and confidence is restored, and a
happier day is dawning for Ireland and her people.beg
Übe necessity of a large and liberal policy in
adopted is confessed on all hands. The grievances of
the Irish people are in a fair way of removal, their
complaints are being inquired into, and there is a