The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-28 00:00:00

rBRITISII PRESS.]

The Edinburgh Reviewers, in their article on
Mr. M'Culloch's discourse on " Political Econo-
my," after bringing forward various reasons
which should induce every one to acquaint him-
self—as far as he is able—with this comprehen-
sive science, add, that " in addition to all these
reasons for the general cultivation of this most im-
portantstudy,
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of the times, that is, probably, of greater weight
than any we have mentioned. We allude now to the
rapid and remarkable progress which the lower
orders are making in this and all other branches of
knowledge, as well as to the distinction and visible
predominance that attaches in public life to those
who can counsel on it with authority. Wall the
derangements that can well take place in a ci-
vilized community, one of the most embarrassing
and discreditable would be that of the working
classes becoming more intelligent than their em-
ployers. It would end, undoubtedly, as it ought
to end, in a mutual exchange of property and con-
dition ; but could not fail, in the mean time, to
give rise to great and unseemly disorders." We
consider this intimation as very full of meaning, al-
though conveyed in terms which %limp up much of
its true import. We have ourselves no objection to
any improvement that can be given to the lower
classes of society, because we consider that what-
ever tends to advance the intellectual condition
of mankind, tends likewise to their moral amend.
went. On this account we would withhold from
them no means of instruction which they are
fairly capable of receiving, because we should
say, the more enlightened they are, the more
pure, peaceable, and orderly will they be in that
relative situation in the community in which they
are ordained tO move. If, owing to the in-
crease of M.'canics' Institutions and of Ricardo
Lectures, the working classes should even
chance to become " more intelligent than
their employers," we had imagined that the
only consequence would be, that their conduct
would be so much the more rational and exem-
plary. But if—as we are here told—this un-
doubtedly will and ought to end " in a mutual
change of property and condition," we freely
confess that such a revolution as this is a result
bleb we did not at all contemplate, and which
the reflective part of the public, we are sure,
will not look forward to without alarm. The
" great and unseemly disorders," which are to
prepare the way for this " mutual exchange,"
will be—if we understand this language at all—
very much like a breaking up of the foundations
of social order. If the study of political eco.
nomy really tends to bring about such an over-
throw as is here glanced at, the less it makes a
part of popular education the better ; but, nc-
cording to the Edinburgh Reviewers, " the
lower orders will never be either contented,
quil, or comfortable, till they are generally im-
bued with some, at least, of its most important
doctrines." If the fact be so, we can only say
that the teachers of this science ought to take great
care what direction they give to the minds of the
multitude ; for othero is judging from the pre-
sent operation of their doctrines, the "unseemly
disorders" will be upon us before we are owttre.
Hitherto the lower orders have not apparently
benefited much by their instruction in this new
school of science. The course pursued by them
under the combination system is n melancholy
proof of the small price they set upon the rules of
justice, in settling what they may at any time
conceive to be their rightful claims. But, ac-
cording to the doctrines of the Edinburgh critic,
this does but speed forward the desirable
end without at all intercepting the blessings
it is to bring with it. " Combinations and
strikes of work," says he, Cl may he neces-
sary, upon any variation of circumstances, to
bring things sooner to their proper level—like
shakes given to a clogged engine, or the jerks of
a machine not working sweetly—but they never
can effect the grand results." When we look to
the spirit that is abroad, and to the aspiring body
of scholars that are to be imbued with such opi-
nions as these, we fear that to the commercial
part of the community, end to the manufacturing
history of the country, " the grand results" will
he perilous in the extreme.—We have drawn at-
tention to this article in the Edinburgh Review,
from a conviction that it is calculated to do harm
by bringing into odium the science which it is
manifestly most desirous to advocate. However
we may object to the application of the princi-
ples of the new school of Political Economists as
ill-timed, we still consider them as having
opened a field of valuable inquiry, and have no
wish to see their researches brought into disre-
pute. On the subject of free trade they carry
their system much further than we think it can
be safely followed, because its operation is un-
certain, and its result incalculable; but we still
have (10 objection to the endowment of Lecture.
ships or Professorships in this science, nor to any
courses of instruction delivered at the Mechanics'
Institutions, NVe have no fear, should even the
working classes become " more intelligent" than
their employers, that it will ever end as the
liAinburgh Reviewers think it ought. We are
willing to admit in candour that their language
on this head was unguarded, and that they would
be among the foremost to disavow the dangerous
consequences which they have given their oppo.
rents occasion to draw from it. Our only desire
is to caution them in these times against the re-
petition of it.

It is rumoured, that the heir-apparent of an
ancient and most respectable Roman Catholic
family, whose mansion is i►► the immediate vicinity
►►f a neighbouring watering-place, has recently
become a member of the Established Church.—
(Preston Pilot.)