The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-09 00:00:00

111 R. FORSTER; M.P., ON EDUCATION.

SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC- 3017RNALS.

• 1
'Apropos to the disclosures contained in the Caledonian Mr. Goldwin Smith and Mr. W. E. Forster,M.P., were
Railway report, the Times contends that no real good can the chairman and principal speaker at the third of a series
ever be accomplished until railway proprietors have of meetings now being held in St. James's Hall, under the
thoroughly convinced themselves that "capital" is only auspices of the Reform League, for the political education
the " revenue "of years to come, and that what is " car- . of the people. Nothwithstanding the extreme inclemency
ried to capital " is, in point of fact, left to be paid out of of the weather, there was a large and respectable audience.
their future dividends. Hitherto they have proceeded, Amongst those present were Mr. C. Gilpin, M.P., Mr.
and have encouraged their directors to proceed, on the Beales, Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., &c.
assumption that " capital" meant some independent Mr. FOESTER was inclined to agree with the opinions
fund distinct from revenue, which ought in all fairness expressed by Mr. Bruce last year, that half the children
and propriety to bear its proportion of the expenses of the of the working classes in England were uneducated. (Hear,
line. The idea, indeed, has refined into a system, hear.) Mr. Munclella had shewn that the contrast between
and a species of arithmetical casuistry has been de- the working men in the lace and hosiery trades of Saxony
vised for the settlement of such cases of financial and those of Nottingham in point of education, is
conscience. Revenue ought to pay for repairs, but capi- most humiliating to England, although the Englishmen
tal ought to pay for ren6wals, or, if not merely for re. have a natural intellect higher than the others. Of 8,000
reveals, at any rate for the difference between the new children employed in cotton factsxies in the North of
work and the original. If, for instance, a railway bridge England it was fennel that only sixty-three per cent. can
had b'en built of wood, and when rebuilt had been Lila read. Thanks to the Factory ! 'srgcr proportion can
of iron, it was right and fair to carry to capital the dif. read ;,her.; than elsewhere. Out e. more than 2,000 chil-
feresce of value between a new wooden bridge and a new dren in the ironworks and pottery districts of Stafford-
iron
bridge. Similarly, if in the material of rails iron had saira, who have no Factory Act, though they ought to
been replaced by steel, the cost of steel over iron should be have, only 22 per cent. can read. (Murmurs.) Taking
charged to capital ; and the Caledonian accountants older persons :In Manchester, out of 16,000 young per-
actually excuse as undoubtedly harsh and unprecedented sons, from 12 to 20 years of age, rather more than half could
their resolution of placing such expel-alit= to the charge not read. The time had therefore come in which, as Mr.
of revenue. These are but specimens of the discrimina- Samuelson in his excellent paper said, we must try and
tions which have been introduced, yet they will, perhaps, fasten upon the parish the responsibility of seeing that
sea° to give the public an insight into the nature the inhabitants of that parish are educated. The district
of railway accounts, and of the proposals which have oughtnot altogether to pay for it ; but there is this to be said,
been made in the way of reform. It is urged that ' that an education rate would save poor rate and county
some "uniform system" should be adopted, and that rate. It would be assisted by a grant out of the central
a Government audit should give security for its fund. Speaking of London, however, there is an unfair
observance. This, it is conceived, would place all corn- . system of rating altogether. (Applause.) The Londoner
panies upon a level ; and no doubt it might do so, but should be made to understand that he cannot escape the
who would the result be worth ?It would prevent one burdens of London because he-lives in a particular part of
company from getting advantage over another by declaring the town. While a purely central system would be
a larger dividend when such dividend had not been . dangerous because it would be so cumbrous that it could
earned, but it would leave the true dividends of all corn- not be carried out, a purely local system vreuld in some
panies as uncertain as before. So long as expenses are cases be such that it would be of no use ; but for the local
carried to capital instead of being charged to revenue, so rate to receive central aid and inspection would be most
long will railway dividends represent partly borrowed consistent with English traditions and English principles.
money, aria partly only real earnings. It is absurd to As to the religious part of the question, he would give
produce as 'general profits available for distribution a sum freedom to a parent to withdraw his child from any secta-
of money which, more or less, has been raised by loan. rian teaching ; and while he would not forbid secular
It is so absurd that, sooner or later, such a system must schools, he certainly would not forbid theology. He, in
destroy itself, as it has actually done in the case of more fact, would allow a conscience clause, such as is at present
than one company. There comes a time when capital can in operationin a.school at Hoxton. As to whether theparent
carry no more—that is, when no more money can be should pay or the schools be free he had only half made up
borrowed on the security of future revenue—and then the Ihis mind, and would rather leave the question open ; but
system must needs end, but, unfortunately, dividends end f he believed that as the middle and higher classes would Pay
with it. If more rates than the poor, the schools would not remain
The Poet, after mature consideration, is convinced that elementary, but would have to include all branches, as in
a great deal too much has always been claimed by its ad- America. (Applause.) He trusted also that with regard
rnirers for constitutional government in France. But the 1i
to endowments the clever child of a poor man would be
truth is, it was by no means a happy or well-conducted eaa I allowed to have his abilities fully developed. There is
periment. It is doubtful whether a government of the only one case out of a thousand where a man is fitted to
middle classes could ever become popular among French• spring out of his class ; but when that does occur be should
men ; but, if this should be the case at some future period, have the opportunity of doing it through our endowed
it must be administered upon very different principles to schools, and he would also say through our universities.
those which guided the Cabinets of the Citizen King. (Applause.) He admitted that there are some parents
It is quite painful to remember the widely spread who would rather not send their children to school at all,
political corruption which existed in French Minis- but would have them to beg or to steal. While he would
terial circles between the years 18.30 and Has, so enlarge the Factories Act as to sweep up the children
and the scandals which were constantly coming of the manufacturing and agricultural classes, he would
out in the most unexpected quarters. All ideas so increase the stringency of Vagrant Acts and the num-
of liberty, except so far as the press was concerned, was ber of ragged schools as to take in those outcasts also.
the merest imposture. The Chambers were pacleed, and What hope was there of getting this ? Much more
the electoral system unsound throughout. The machinery than there was some time ago. (Hear, hear.) If he has
of government was an overgrown bureaucracy. The anything to do with an education bill this year, he will
material prosperity of the kingdom, upon which so much not propose so extremely moderate a measure as that of
stress has been laid by the Orleanists, will net bear close Mr. Bruce last year, permitting a district to educate, but
examination, and France has advanced infinitely farther will go so far as to say the district ought to do it, and must
in civilisation, enlightenment, and solid wealth under the be made to educate. (Hear, hear.) Radical as lam (said
Empire than ever she did under the Monarchy. Mr. Forster, amid loud applause), I am in some measure
hopeful, because we have a Tory Government. One or
The Davy News trusts its American friends will nos,
think it prejudiced if it points out that the Prussian and
two members have shewn they understand education,
the Irish grievances are of a character wholly distinct. and do not participate in the ordinary prejudices
In the former case the emigrant desires to cast off his against it. Sir John Pakington and Lord Stanley
original citizenship at once and for ever. The ties of blood have shewn, though it must have been a sacrifice to
or of business or the purposes of recreation or pleasure, them to do it, that they are in advance not only of
,
may, indeed, lead him to revisit his native land, but he their own, but of some other parties. We want the school-
does so as one having no longer a personal interest in i• master everywhere ; but we have got a schoolmaster in
He does not seek to vote in the election of its legislature : Downing-street now. We have got a gentleman who is edu-
he does not agitate for a change of policy or of govern- eating his party. (Laughter.) Well, Heaven knows they
ment ;heis by his own choice, and in actual fact, in the wanted educating, and it may be expected that he will
position of a foreigner to all its domestic concerns rich teach them something in this matter. It is quite true
institutions. But the Irish emigrant does not in the least there have been men in the Tory party who have given
desire thus to discard his nationality in Ireland. lie great assistance in popular education ; but, generally
comes back to revindicate it. His object is to share
speaking, they have been exceedingly fearful and exceed-
in all the rights of Irish citizenship, and to extend them ingly jealous of any change that should make education
complete. If Mr. Disraeli succeeds in teaching them
still further, and his means are the levying of war
the necessity for that, there will be no Opposa
against the Government of Ireland in order to substitute
tion to deal with. There will be indirect aid from
a Government of his own choosing. It is plain that here
Mr. Lowe and his friends, because, although no one class
the most essential element in considering the justice and
is master over the other, it might be well that Mr. Lowe
the reason of the claim made is diametrically opposed in
should think so, in order to gain his great talents to the
the case cf the German one of the Irish-American citizen
spread of their cause. It was a great mistake of his to
If the position of each were to be adjusted by his own in-
misC the working classes and the dangerous classes to-
tention and desire, the former must be declared a trite
gether. By the dangerous classes is meant men who
American, the latter as decisively a true Irishman. For
endeavour to get their living by begging or stealing.
it need not be observed that there is no such thins; known
There is no part of the population to whom this class is so
among nations as a hypothetical or conditional nation-
dangerous as to the honest working man. There have been
ality. Whoever desires to establish his nationality for one
in this city lately attempts against law and order. Who
purpose must be taken as desiring to establish it for all.
have stepped forward to denounce those attempts ? Why,
Nothing but ute er confusion and anarchy would result
the working men themselves. Without law and order
from any departure from this rule. If, therefore, the
they could not live. Surely, then, they would help to root
Irishman in the United States seeks to renounce all con the dangerous classes out. How? By getting hold of
cern in Ireland, let him do so. But if he continues to
their children and not letting them become dangerous
assert that Ireland is his country, and if he moves heaven
classes. (Loud applause.)
and earth to mould her institutions to his own ideas, he
Mr. BEAI,ES moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Forster
cannot justly complain if, on failure, he is taken at his
which a-as seconded by Mn. GILPIN, M.P.
word, and condemned by those institutions which lie has
Mr. Fors ER replied, and proposed a vote of thanks to
tried to overturn.
the chairman, who, he was glad to hear, was not about to
The Standard would look upon it as a great calamity cease to be an Englishman, and who
would be very useful
an educational rate, once adopted, were to supersede the in Parliament if he were not most useful in aiding that
voluntary subscription. It continues : Mr. Forster prefers
public opinion which in the approaching fusion of classesa
a local rate to a system of schools supported by the State, must rule the country.
because lie desires to secure the benefits of local manage- Mr. STANSFELD seconded the motion, saying that what
ment. But is he not here using the same phrase in two was wanted in the House of Commons was of letters
sympathy
different senses? The local management of which we have and culture who had
in
with the people's cause,
hitherto experienced the benefits has been the manage- and such a man they
found the chairman. The motion
ment of volunteers, who have proved their zeal in the was adopted with applause.
work by pecuniary aid, and who are generally the culti• Mr. s, r± OLDIVIN SMITH believed the greati work in which
vated and educated men and women of the place. Tile Mr. Forster and others were c to be nothing less
local management which a rate-supported system of schools than a reconstruction of our institutions.'nga
would enjoy, would be that of a committee elected by the would also take this opportunity ofexpressing(Chec7.) his
ratepayers ; and what that committee would be, the ex- humble tribute of gratitude to Mr. Beales,as resident
Perience of the poor-law administration has shown us. of the Reform League. The Reform League had donep great
We are not sure that even a central department at White- work already, and should go on ondsccure a final and
hall would not be a better government for our parish complete triumph of national government‘' over the govern-
schools than a parochial board of guardians. Asuredlv meat of class. Education would prevent intimidation,
the substitution of such boards for the present voluatee'r :id.. would guard. against corruption ; because, however
committees would be an unmixed misfortune to the sordid a man might be, he would see what at a really popular
parishes and places which are at present provided with enct
bribe. He
him, and would have the prudence
schools ; and we cannot help thinking that some better tooss.ernran a m.convinced they ouela to give
course might be devised, even in the case of those which s+repnugtrh. to local. institutions,was and that, while religious
are at present neglected, both by the local men of pro- feeling in education should be encouraged as the highest
perty and the State. We judge, from his speech, that motives of duty, sectarianism, that great obstacle to united
Mr. Forster has given no great consideration to this part education, should be avoided. (Cheers.)
of his subject ; we would entreat him to think twice be-
fore he commits himself to the advocacy of a plan which
would hand over the schooling of the people to the same
class of men who now administer the law for the relief of
the

An attempt was made on Saturday night to blow
up the house of Captain Otway, of Castle Otway, Temple-
derry. A quantity of gunpowder was placed beside one
of the walls, and an explosion took place which caused
considerable damage. Mr. 02,;way is at present from home.
No cause can been assigned for the attempt, as Mr. Otway
is a popular landlord.

)oor.

ME NORTH-EASTERN RAILWAY. —This company
has tired of the ten hours' system. On the occasion of the
strike last sp:ing one of the points conceded to the engine.
drivers and firemen was ten hours per day and two hours
the quarter day overtime. This has been found not to
work, and this month the old system of 12 hours per day
and 24 the quarter over has been re-eitablished. The
money paid to the men per day will be the same, but some
of the menwho struck, and were afterwards re-employed at
reduced wages, will be a little better paid. It is saidthe re-
turn to the old system is by way of experiment for a month.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TELEGRAPH.—The Star
says :—" One of the greatest achievements in the art of
telegraphy was the report of Mr. Gladstone's speeches at
Southport and Ormskirk on the 19th of December last.
It is stated to have been the longest express sent through
the wires in this or any other country since the introduc-
tion of the telegraphic system. It contained 16,882
words. The total number transmitted on the 18th
(when Mr. Gladstone was at 01 lham) and 19th was 30,745
words."

A curious medal will be sold in Paris in a few
days. The lead of which it is composed was a portion of
that used to rivet the chains of the prisoners of the Bas-
tille. On one side is a somewhat confused representation
of the taking of the Bastille, and the date 14th of July,
1789. On the obverse, the following inscription :—" This
lead sealed the chains which chained the victims of des-
potism, and recalls the period cf liberty conquered in the
year ler."

FENIA.N AUDACITY.—On Sunday the following
placard, shewing the audacity of the Fenians, was exten-
sively posted in Dublin, but was immediately removed by
the police :—" To the Citizens. —Whereas, it has been the
policy of England to murder those three Irishmen in Man-
chester for doing the duty of every true-hearted and true-
born Irishman, namely, the rescue of the popular leaders
of the people, the brave and patriotic Colonel Kelly and
Deasy, we therefore call on you to be prepared when
' Galled on to avenge them. God save Ireland."
THE ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS. —A correspondent,
who has recently made the ascent of Vesuvius while on
fire, states that the scene was grand beyond description.
" From the summit of the mountain and from three sepa-
rate outlets five continuous torrents of molten rock, glowing
with a brilliance the like of which I have never beheld,
were sweeping down. These rivers of fire lighted up t'e
ice-crowned rocks to our left with a lurid glare that was
almost terrible to look at, while the whole atmosphere was
impregnated with the hot sulphurous fumes that were given
off in clouds of thick white vapour. Showers of stones, some
as big as a man's head, were shot out of the crater to an
immense height, at intervals of a few seconds, but they
fell as lightly, to all seeming, as though they were mere
sparks of fire. The mountain groaned with the hoarse
wailing of a long Atlantic wave that dashes on a broken
shore, while the very ground beneath our feet shook sr)
tnswer to the roar. We seemed to be encompassed Ly
every conceivable earthly horror. Lava cools very quickly,
tnd it thus forms of itself a strong impediment to its own
?rogress. The stream we examined was about six feet
sigh, and, as far as we could see, about nine feet broad.
Continually fed from the crater, it is constantly advancing
and as constantly widening. Our guide, who seemed to he
as fireproof as a salamander, actually ran up the burning
pank with no greater injury than the total destruction of
Ya WO."

THE LATEST METHOD OF SW' ND LINO. - The
Letter Despatch Office, which has a shifting habitation in
the Strand, appears to be a thriving concern, if we may
judge by the number of its victims. The proprietors of
the establishment would seem to fix upon the moment of
their visits with singular appropriateness, and the mode
in which the business of the Despatch Office is conducted
betrays a good deal of ingenuity. A man presents himself
at the house of the intended victim, and hands in a direc,.ed
letter, with " Foreign Despatch, Overland Route "
written thereon in red ink, demanding at the same
time a charge varying from four shillings t. seven s' 1-
lings. If the servant, struck with the importance o
words, " Overland Route," satisfies the claim and asks
fur a receipt, the man hands him a document something
after the fashion of the following : .- '" Dawson's Despatch
Conveyance, 392, Strand, W.C. Received from
the sum of 4s. Od., charges upon despatch B 84, per Over-
land Route, from Rouen to London." The envelope when
opened contains nothing beyond a blank sheet of foolscap
paper. As the document is duly signed and is well written,
it hears an appce.rance of authenticity which is well calcu-
lated to impose on the unwary, while the care with which
Mr. " Gordon Osborne," who acts for the firm, selects his
victims, may be gathered from the following extract from
a letter which we have received :—" I suppose the fel-
lows saw that my house was temporarily uninhabited,
aid justly presumed on the greenness of the man in posses.