The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-29 00:00:00

for Lambeth, who bad been taking note, that everritg-,
did not rise to speak on the subject, ho must as a matter
of duty do so, for he could not understand why they
should vote away public money for a school actually of no
public benefit. It had been said by the Ilon. Gentleman
opposite that it :could be an encouragement of insubor
dination if they granted this Committee. But was an
inquiry into evils, an encouragement of insubordination?
and many young men—young men rising in the wofld—
whose prospects possibly would be destroyed, were ex-
pelled from this school, and would the House then c,41
this a factious mez.sure—a measure likely to encourage'
insubordination ? The students complained that their
teacher was an incompetent man, and could it be sup-
posed that the young men would have risked this asser-
tion if they had not believed it ? But what was the
course pursued ? The council, instead of iequiring into
the qualifications of Mr. Wilson, suspended the com-
plaining scholars. That was the reward which the
students received for the discharge of their duties to one
another, and their zeal for their own improvement. They
discovered that the person who was appointed to the
task was wholly incapable of instructing them. But the
council concealed from the House ail the facts of the
case as related to Mr. Herbert. No doubt the
council would say that they abstained from
stating the facts, through delicacy to Mr. Roberts. who
asked no delicacy at their hands. He hoped the First
Lord of the Treasury would inquire into the case him-
self.—(Hear, hear.) There was no public institution
that could have a more beneficial effect upon the promo-
tion of the fine arts and the interests of commerce thaw
the School of Design, if properly worked.—(Hear, hear.)
It was well known that the manufacturers of this coun-
try sent annually upwards of 30,0001. a year to France
fI. designs. If the Right lion. Gentleman would inter-
fere, to see that the school was properly conducted,
it would be a great benefit to the country. It
was right to place at the head of such an institu-
tion a director who was a clever, active man of busi-
ness; but he ought not to be a teacher, or to be
allowed to interfere with the teachers.—(Hear, hear.)
He did not wish to say anything painful to the feelings
of Mr. Wilson, but he hoped the Government would
take some steps before the next session of Parliament
to place the school upon a proper foundation.—(Hear.)
Mr. HAWES objected to the assertion made by his
lion. Friend the Member for Coventry, that the council
consisted of jebbere.—(Hear, hear.) His Hon. Friend's
statement was made upon facts which were reported by
persons not well informed.—(Hear, hear.) The facts of
the case were simply these:—A quarrel arose between
the two masters, in the course of which Mr. Herbert
appealed to the pupils, who responded by loud cheers.
The cotn:cil took great pains to investigate
the circumstances, and having behaved with
great consideration to Mr. Herbert were obliged
to come to the resolution of discontinuing his
services. The details were not of that important
nature to be embodied in a report to Parliament, and be
(Mr. Hawes) and his colleagues thought that no more
was necessary than to state the principal facts. But he
would pledge his honour to the House, that he and every
other member of the council had the highest respect for
Mr. rbert, and were actuated only by a sincere desire
for the advancement of the school.—(Hear, hear.) It
had been said by his Hon. Friend that the school had
declined, but the fact was to the contrary. The school
had greatly advanced, and the manufacturers had shown
their sense of its value by their extended employment
of the students male and female.—(Hear.) He would
venture to say for every member of the council
from the highest to the lowest, that they had no objec-
tion to see the school remodeled, if it could be done on a
better basis. He would not object to the motion for in-
quiry, if it were made on the simple ground of improve-
ment to the institute. But he would resist it, if it
were brought forward upon a charge that the council
was composed of jobbers.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WYSE defended the reputation of the school and
the conduct of the council. He appreciated the talents
and acquirements of Mr. Herbert, but after all the con-
sideration which he, as a member of the council, could
give to the subject, he thought that no other course
could have been taken than to dispense with the services
of that gentleman, and to mark with disapprobation the
insubordination of the students. He could not give his
vote for a motion which implied censure upon the
council. But he would support any inquiry which might
have for its object the improvement of the school itself,
and the extension of its utility.
After a few words from Mr. lIAWES,
Mr. -WILLIAMS declined to divide the House, and
the motion was negatived without a division.