The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-07-11 00:00:00

I

should be eaforcod.--(Hear, bear.)—The Dissenters, on
the contrary, objected to these conditions, and wished
that nothing but reading, writing, and accounts should
be taught. Now io the Bill which he bad introduced
into the House, the Dissenterrhad gained their object;
for in conformity to the recommendation of the Commis-
sioners in their Report, all these concessions were
granted to them. He must once more state that the
great national good to be derived from educating the
poor could only be attained by both parties giving op
something. Unless this were done, the Legislature
could do nothing.; and all attempts at establishing a ge-
neral system of education would be perfectly nugatory.
This led him to his last remark. It was said by
souse that there was no necessity for taking any further
means than those already in action, to accelerate the
progress of education. Upon this question he had only
to refer to the Parochial Hewes which he introduced
to the House in the last Session, clearly abetting that
sub necessity did exist. Now he was aware that it had
been said that those Returns, so far from being correct,
contained a mass of errors, and could not at all be re-
lied on. His answer to that was a very short one. lie
would delay the measure—he would put off its further
consideration ;—he would not call upon those who de-
nied the accuracy of the reterus to advance one step
until they bad made every inquiry, so as to be able to
substantiate their charge, if it eau substantial. The
accuracy of their details had been impeached, and he
was willing to stop on that account. All he
asked was, that inquiry should be made during the pre-
sent summer, and lie would put them in a way bow to
Obtain a test for their accuracy. They had been col-
lected by 12.0110 respectable Clergymen : and from the
manner in which they had been collected it was almost
impossible but that they must be accurate. He (lid not
mean to apply this to large parishes, such as some of
those contained in the metropolis; hut it was upon the
returns from the country places on which he most
relied; and there it was that education was most neces-
sary, as being least provided. These places amounted
to nine thousand out of the twelve throughout England
and Wales. There was a test fur the correctness of the
returns if they looked to those concerning the endowed
schools. The number of common day schools and their
echolars fluctuated in every year, and even in every
month. But if they lookid to the endowments they
would find that there was the most perfect accuracy.—
lt was therefore fair to presume that the returns for
the other schools were accurate in a like degree. They
were enabled to prove the returns of the endowments by
the Digests which had been made from the Reports of the
Commissioneis for the various districts. These digests
were authentic as to the number of endowed schoolsand
their scholars, and between them and the parochial re-
turns, there would be found the difference of an unit.—
The Commissioners with whom he bad conversed upon !
this subject, only expressed their wonder they had found
the returns so accurate as they were. Unqiuestionably
some omissions might have occurred in them, and must
likely those omissions would be found connected with
large towns and Sunday Schools. There was one dis-
trict in the north which had been examined by a Com-
mittee entrusted with the management of a Sunday
school, under the belief that the parochial returns were
inaccurate. They found thirty-eight Sunday Schools in
existence, whereas the returns mentioned but twenty.
Now it so happened that the Committee upon enquiring
further, ascertained that twenty of the existing schools'
had been establi.hed subsequent to time time at which the
returns were made. So, supposing that two schools bad
been dropped, while the twenty were added, the two ac-
counts would tally to an unit. Fur all these reasons, he
confidently believed in the accuracy of the parochial
returns. But their accuracy bad been impeached, and
be would therefore wait until another season in order
that inquiry should be made. He had said that he
would supply a test by which their accuracy might
be tried. It could be done by making fresh eounpa-
risons with the Digests which bad been printed. And
if ant person would send to him front any county,
he would forward thous by return of post if possible,
and free of postage, as they were Government papers, one
or two copies of the Digest for that county. Of course
it was unnecessary to say that he made this offer to per-
sons of all religions. No one. he should expect, would
make request from mere idle motives, and without the
intention of entering into an examination of the subject.
It utmost be borne in mind in making the comparisons,
that the returns were made in 181 S, and the variations
should he noted, both of the numbers of schools fallen
off, amid as he confidently trusted, of the much larger
proportion which had been added since that time. This
was certainly an unusual means of giving such a notice,
but it was the best u hich he could employ, and would
avoid a considerable expense. lie wished that all par-
ties should meet each other with a spirit of toleration
and concession. He should be ready to concede any
modifications which he should be convinced would be
for the general good. Nay, if he were to be convinced
that the whole measure would not be productive of be-
nefit, he would be ready to give it up altogether. He'
was nut so wedded to it, but that he was still more
wedded to religious liberty, and the free exercise of con-
science in this country. And he would much rather
give up the measures altogether, than that those mighty
causes should suffer by their introduction. From the
most patient attention, however, to all that had been
said, amid all Hort had been written upon the subject, he
lead never entertained the least doubt of the soundness of
his general principles.
Mr. lialtiHT contended that the Education Bill was
an attack upon religions liberty, and he hoped it would
be manfully resisted by those who were interested. 'rise
Dissenters were to be taxed for the support of Schools,
the Teachers of which were to be chosen by the Estab-
lished I.l.ergy, and oho would teach in a manner which
would be agreeable to that Clergy. The accuracy of the
Returns in the Digest had been dispntecl, and as it ap-
peared, with reason, for the Sunday Schools were almost
entirely overlooked. Ile should oppose the measure of
the Honourable Member for Winclielsea, as its ten-
dency and effect would obviously be to throw the whole
education of the country into the hands of the Estab-
lished Church, to the exclusion and injury of the Dis-
senting interests.
Mr. BRGUGHANI said that there was no wish
on the part of those who supported the measures
which bail been introduced into Parliament, to injure in
the slightest degree, the feelings of the Dissenters. It
was necessary to state this in order to prevent the dispas-
sionate remarks which his Hon. Friend had uttered from
producing that belief in the country.
Mr. BRIGHT explained.
Mr. BECHER was glad that the 'objector Irish Edu-
cation badfallen into such able bands. The printing of
the Report, and its circulation, would be productive of
the greatest good.
Colonel FRENCH was ready to support any plan fur
e ineating the poor in Ireland,. because it would lead to
the extinction of the Catholic Religion, by the introduc-
tion of reason and common sense.

Mr. WILLIAM SMITH spoke ts few words expressive
qd his favourable opiuion towards the promotion of Edu-
cation. lie deprecated every thing which might tend to
create ill-temper between religions Persuasions.
Mr. WALLACE brought in the (foods Warehousing
Bill, which was read a first time and ordered to be read
a second time that day three months, and to be printed
in the interim.
Mr. WALLACE brought', the Report of the Foreign
Trade Committee. lie was glad to say that it was highly
probable a mode might be suggested for giving British
blerchanto a participation in the advantages of the In-
dian Trade. lie trusted the Best India Company would

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TH.

cement .to the arrangement, and that, show that they
were not forgetful of the claims of British Merchants in
general.
Mr. MONEY said a few words in defence of the East
India Company.
Mr. WALLACE explained.
Mr. HUME said. the East India Company had often
shown a spirit of liberality; but they generally viewed
their exclusive advantages with great strictness. He
thought Ministers deserved the thanks of the coantry for
showing a disposition to open the trade.
Mr. JOHN SMITH approved the principle of a free
trade.

The Report was then ordered to be printed.
Sir F. OMMANEY brought op the Report of the
Committee cm Highways.—Ordered to be printed.
CORONATION.
Sir F. 01I'MANEY moved, " That the Howie do now
adjourn."
Mr. HL'ME said, he had to give notice of a motion
for an Address to his Majesty, for the purpose of in-
suring the peace of the Capital on the approaching Co-
ronation. After the accusation which had been brought
against him—
, The SPEAKER Isere begged to remind the Hon.
Member, that he was merely giving notice of a motion.
Mr. HUME submitted lie wits in order, as be was
speaking on the question of adjournment. As he had
been accused on a former occasion of a desire to risk tbc
peace of the country, respecting the questions affecting
her Majesty, he was anxious to such steps as would
Mt an end to the risk altogether. He thought her
ajesty's Advocates bad, on her claim before the Coun-
cil, made out a case, which, in ordinary tribunals, would
command success: but as he could not look for a fa-
vourable decision on that sabject, lie wished to know
whether Ministers intended to continue their system of
persecution against her, by refusing her, on the ap-
proaching solemnization, those accommodations which
were afforded to the other branches of the Royal Family.
Ile was satisfied her Majesty wished to attend the so-
!moil. Ile therefore gave notice, that he should to-
morrow move an Address to his Majecry, praying that
he would be graciously pleased to give directions for
the adoption of such measures as were rendered neces-
sary, by her Majesty's rights, the wishes of a people,
and a regard to the peace of the Metropolis, upon the
approaching Coronation.
Mr. BUTTE RWORTH regretted that notice of such
a motion should be given just as the House was about to
rise. Ile thought her Majesty had already had many
1 ill advisers; but he trusted, for the sake of the little
credit she had left, that she would abstain on the ap-
-1
proaching occasion (ruin interference in any shape what-
ever.

Mr. Ald. WOOD sail! he was sure her Majesty's con•
duct would be regulated by her own spirit; and he believ-
ed 99 of every 100 inhabitants of the country were in her
favour. It certainly was her 3lajesty's intention to at-
tend the Coronation. _ _ _

Sir F. ONDIANEY deprecated the agitation in so
thin a House, of a question under the discussion of the
Privy Council. lie thought nothing could be more ill
adviird • and if the present conrersAtion were continued,
he should more that the House he counted.

merely wished to explain, in answer to a
remark of the Hon. Member (Mr. Ltutterworth, we be-
lieve.) He (Mr. H.) had never been adviser of her Ma-
i jesty, and he believed never should be one.
The House then adjourned until this day.