The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-08 00:00:00

ty a TOWN and COUNTRY CIRCULATION, at ONE CHARGE.

NATIONAL EDUCATION IN

IttELAND.

The Eighth Report of the Board of Commissioners
of National Education in Ireland, contains various
papers and documents explanatory of the present state
of the schools in that portion of her Majesty's
.King-
dom, both as regards the instructive and statistical
departments. _—
Ulm the former point a copy of a letter addressed
to the Duke of Leinster from the Chief Secretary of
Ireland, gives a view of the various methods which
have been proposed for aioption in these schools for
the purposes of harmoniously combining the educa-
tion o' Catholics and Protestants. Two plans have
been tried—those two were in turn found Insufficient
and objectionable, rind a third has finally been found
to meet, and con.;iliEte interests in apparently a satis-
factory manner. We draw up a succinct notice of
the three : •

I. First in 1812, the children of these schools,
Catholic and Protestant, were all educated together,
and the Ho'y Scriptures, without note or comment,
used for the common instruction of all. But in this
method it was overlooked that the principles of the
Roman Catholic Church were totally hostile to this
system, since it permits not even to adults, and far
less to\children, indiscriminate reading or unaided
private interpret &on of the sacred volume. Notes
and comments of its own creed it inseparably appends.
The opposition, therefore, of the Roman Catholic
clergy caused this system to be withdrawn.
H. The next plan was brought into operation in
1824.5. The new scheme caused two teachers to be
appointed in every school, one Protestant and one
Roman Catholic, and a selection from the Scriptures
drawn up, and so framed as it was supposed they
would be generally acquiesced in by both persuasions.
On trial, however, this system was found to be im-
practicable, and it went the way of its predecessor.
111. Finally, In 1828, a Committee of the House
of Commons, to which were referred the various Re-
ports of the Commissioners of Education, recom-
mended a system to be Adopted which should afford a
combined literary, and a separate religious education.
This was adopted. The school hours for ordinary in-
struction of the collective pupils were ordered to be
five days out of the week, and the remaining two to
be entirely devoted to religion. Spiritual and moral
instruction was also not to be neglected on the other
five, but after the appointed " school times" clergy-
men and parishioners were to be permitted and en-
couraged to attend the pupils, and instruct them ac-
cording to their creeds.
This last plan has been found efficacious, approv-
able, and good, and the number of schools and pupils
over which the system holds sway, will be understood
•
by reference to the subjoined statement.

On the 31st of December, 1841, there were in the
province of Ulster 1,005 schools in operation, con-
taining on their rolls, according to the latest census
taken of them, which was in the preceding September,
a total of 90,531 males and females, with an additional
number of 103 schools in process of building, deduct-
ing, however, 44 struck off.
In Munster, 482 schools, containing 75,191 males
and females, with 113 schools forming ; 30 struck off.
In Leinster, 642 schools, containing 88,092 males
and females, with 81 schools building, and 30 struck off.
In Connaught, 208 schools, having a total of 25,897
males and females, with 85 schools building, and 10
struck off.

From this it appears summarily, that there at pre-
sent exist in Ireland throughout the four provinces
above given, a total of 2,337 schools, educating within
their walls he number of 279,711 male and female
children of mingled Catholic and Protestant persua-
sion, while an additional number of 382 schools are
now in active construction, in which it is calculated,
upon their completion, that the further number of at
least 48,356 children will receive the benefits of en-
lightenment and instruction.
By drawing a comparison between the state
of this vast body of schools at the commence-
ment of the year 1841 and its conclusion,
progress will be reported as follows : The
Commissioners had, according to their own showing,
1,978 schools in operation at the year's beginning, at-
tended by 232,560 children. At the close of it, 2,337
schools, which were attended by 281,849 children ;
having also at the same time undertaken to make
grants to 382 schools, which had not then opened,
and the attendance upon which it was expected would
amount to about 48,000.

The Board finally calculate that they may look for-
ward to having between 300,000 and 400,000 poor chil-
dren receiving education under their superintendence
in the course of the present year, and such an educa-
tion as it may be hoped will make them recruits to
the cause of public order and peace.
With regard to teachers, it may shortly be stated,
that since the date of the last Report hereon the Board
have caused to be trained 136 during the last year, in
addition to the 645 before then in employ, making a
total of 781.

We cannot dismiss the subject, however, one preg-
nant with so much good to the rising population in
Ireland, without alluding to the inconsiderable sala-
ries allowed to the masters and mistresses, the highest
class-man of the former receiving no more than an
annual sum of 201., and the females 151., while,under
ones range as low as 101., and even 61. It is true that
the Commissioners enforce that a further incpme be
secured to the teachers, either by local subscriptions
or school fees ; but in such a case fluctuative or pre-
carious stipend in any shape ought to be put out of
the question. The instructor of youth fills an honour-
able and responsible post, and ought, therefore, in all
situations to be honourably and liberally dealt with.

the meetings. The common expression was,
they would not attend to be borne down by
" mere boys," who were furious, and knew no t
what they were about. The predominance of a
young and violent majority was general.
In the metropolis the experience is similar.
The mobs against which the police have to
guard come from the most depressed distriCts ;
and the constant report of the superintendents is,
that scarcely any old men are to be seen
amongst them. In general, they appear to con-
sist of persons between sixteen to twenty-five
years of age. The mobs from such districts as ,
Bethnal-green are proportionately conspicuous'
for a. deficiency of bodily strength, without,
however, being froM that cause proportionately
the less dangerously mischievous. I was informed
by peace officers that the great havoc at Bristol
was committed .by mere boys.
The experience of the Metropolitan Police is
also similar as to the comparatively small pro-
portion of force available for public service from
such depressed districts. It is corroborative also
of the evidence as to the physical deterioration
of their population, as well as the disproportion
in respect to age. Two out of every three of the
candidates for admission to the police force itself
are found defective in the physical qualifications.
It is rare that any one of the candidates from
Spitalfields, Whitechapel, or the districts where
the mean duration of life is low, is found to pos-
ess the requisite physical qualifications fur the
force, which is chiefly recruited from the open
districts at the outskirts of the town, or from
Norfolk and Suffolk, and other agricultural
Counties.

In general the juvenile delinquents, who come
from the inferior districts of the towns, are con-
spicuously under size. In a recent examination
of juvenile delinquents at Parkhurst by Mr. Kay
Shuttleworth, the great majority were found to
be deficient in physical organization. An im-
pression is often prevalent that the criminal po-
pulation consists of persons of the greatest phy-
sical strength. Instances of criminals of great
strength certainly do occur; but speaking from
observations of the adult prisoners from the towns
and the convicts in the hulks, they are in.gene-
ral below the average standard of height.
The facts indicated will suffice to show the
importance of the moral and political considera-
tions, viz., that the noxious physical agencies
depress the health and condition of the popula-
tion, and act as .obstacles to education and to
moral culture; that in abridging the duration of
the adult life of the working classes they check
the growth of productive skill, and abridge the
amount of social experience and steady moral
habits in the community; that they substitute
for a population that accumulates and preserves
instruction and is steadily progressive, a popula-
tion that is young, inexperienced, ignorant, cre-
dulous, irritable, passionate, and dangerous,
having a perpetual tendency to moral as well as
physical deterioration.

HYDROPHOBIA.
AIR. EDIToa,--The case of hydrophobia reported
in the papers a few days since, induces me, with your
permission, to offer for the good of the public the fol-
lowing observations on the disease, and the only
means we are acquainted with to prevent it.
In the human being it is called hydrophobia, in the
dog and other animals rabies. We are unacquainted
with the nature of the poison, but it differs from all
other poisons by remaining apparently in a dormant
state for weeks, or even for months, and it is not ab-
sorbed into the system for some time after the bite.
No remedy is known for the disease when once it is
developed. None of the nostrums which are said to
be cures can be relied upon. • The cause
of the disease is equally unknown. Some
have attributed it to the heat of the
weather—the " dog-days;" others to want of water,
or ill usage, but we have no proof of it. The present.
summer is the hottest we have known for many
years, and I have not heard of any case in the
metropolis until the one above alluded to. In many
hot climates the disease is unknown, and it has raged
among us in the coldest weather. In 1838 I had no
less than forty-eight cases under treatment; this year
I have not had one.
My predecessors, Messrs. Blaine and Youatt, as well
as myself, have been bitten by rabid dogs, and we are
still alive ; and we have operated on some hundreds of
human beings who have been bitten by rabid animals,
and in no case has there been loss of life. The pre-
ventive is as follows :—The person bitten should as
soon as possible thoroughly wash and cleanse the
bitten part; not suck the poison from the wound as
is too commonly done, for inoculation may take place
by an abrasion on the lip. If the wound be super&
cud and ragged, let the edges be removed with a pair
of scissors, and then apply freely to . every part
the nitrate of silver, commonly called lunar
caustic, and which may be had in any drug-
gist's shop. If the wound be a punctured one,
as in some cases it is from the tusk of the animal
going deep into the flesh, the stick of caustic
must be carefully pointed that it may reach the
bottom ; if necessary, the wound should be enlarged,
care being taken in the use of the knife, or th
poison may be carried by it over the fresh surface.
The nitrate of silver completely destroys the surface
of the wound, and neutralises the poison, which comes
away with the destroyed surface without the absorb-
ents acting upon it, and if freely applied to the part
affected, the patient may feel himself perfectly safe.
I do not recommend the application of a poultice after
the operation, but let the wound be exposed to the
atmosphere, and should any inflammaiion ensue, it
may be relieved by dressings of olive oil. Believing
that some lives may be saved by communicating this
information through your valuable columns, I remain
your obedient servant,
J. A. AINSLIE, Veterinary Surgeon.
1 Nassau-street, Middlesex Hospital.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
WARWICK RACES—WEDNESDAY.
A Sweepstakes of 25 sovs. each, 5 ft., with 50 added, for
two-year-olds. T.Y.C. (6 Subs.) •
Mr. Bristow's Pharaoh, Bst 61b (Chapple) 1
Mr. E. Peel's Cane, by Dr. Faustus, Bst 61b 2
Mr. E. Walters's Wordsley, by The Tulip, Bst 61b 3
Mr. Moss's Mephistopheles, by Dr. Faustus, Bst 61b 4
Betting-2 to lon Pharaoh, who won easy, by two
lengths.
The Avon Stakes, of 50 soya. each, h ft. Once round
and a distance. (8 Subs.)
Mr. Wreford's Wiseacre, Bst 31b (J. Howlett) 1
Lord G. Bentinck's Peloponnesus, Bst
7 to 4 on Peloponnesus'; won by twenty lengths
The Warwick Cup Stakes of 10 sovs. each. Feur miles.

(17 Subs.)
Mr. Holmes's Vulcan, 5 yrs, Bst 13Ib ... (Darling) 1
Lord G. Bentinck's Yorkshire Lady, 3 yrs, sst 81b... 2
Mr. T. Charlton's b f Nix my Dolly, 3 yrs, sst 81b ... 3
5 to 2 on Vulcan ; won easy by a length.
A Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 Sovs. each, with 50
added; heats, two miles. (7 Subs.)
Mr. M. Jones's Portrait, 4 yrs, ist 101 b
Mr. Isaac Day's Busk filly, 5 yrs, fist 71b....
Mr. Copeland's King Cole, aged 7st 91b
The stakes divided by Portrait and the Busk filly.
ST LEGER BETTING.-6 to'4 agst Attila (5 to 2 laid
in the morning) ; Bto 1 agst Cabrera ; 11 to 1 agst
Policy ; 14 to 1 agst Seahorse (t) ; 12 to 1 agst Fire-
away (t) ; 15 to 1 agst Agreeable colt (t) ; 15 to 1 agst
Eboracum ; 18 to 1 agst Rosalind (t) ; 20 to 1 agst
Balliukeele (t) ; 40 to 1 agst Scalteen (t).

CAPTAIN MARRYAT'S NEW NOVEL, " PERCIVAL
KEENE."—This amusing novel promises to rival in
popularity Captain Marryat's chef d'oeuvre, " Peter
Simple." The Literary Gazette says, " 'Percival Keene,'
by the author of Peter Simple,' indicates the intent of
a contrast ; and the writer of Jacob Faithful has
faithfully wrought it out. The hero's family and intro-
duction to life are described with a rich satirical humour,
and the whole of the early pages are lively and spirited.
They are, at the same time, very like the truth, and real
life. When Percival goes to sea his midshipman's
frolics are marked by all the talent and experience of
one conversant with the subject, and well able to paint
it cleverly. After this, his adventures become still more
interesting, and the whole of them are told in a vigorous
manner—never flagging, nor allowing the reader to
itocu first
obue-
come ennuyed with the progress of the story.
to last it is easy and amusing, and will add a
ti
feather to the Gallant Captain's literary plume, though
already waving with so popular a breeze overhis brow."
lIER MAJESTY S VISIT TO SCOTLAND.—We are
happy to observe, says the Edinburgh Witness, that our
townsman, Mr. Locke, of 119, Regent-street, London,
Scotch has opened premises here for the sale of goods dur-
ing the Queen's visit. We cannot help expressing a hope
that he will be successful in thus promoting a branch of
trade that he has already done so much to increase, by
introducing Scotch goods in such
variety for ladies and
gentleinen's dresses in the Southern Metropolis. Her
Majesty and Prince Albert have honoured Mr. Locke with
their orders.
The Lancashire turn-out ,still continues. The
very natural consequence is the announcement of a series
of depredations, and a practice of plunder by night,
which must lead to still further irritation between the
middle and lower clusses,—,Hafffax Guardian.