The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-24
EDUCATION IN ENGLAND.

During last year, petitions, signed by eighty
individuals, were sent to parliament, praying
for the objects herein mentioned-up TO the
present time, in this year, similar petitions
have been received, bearing more than thirty
six thousand signatures. In his remarks, the
mover Of the resolution stated, that in Eng
land and Wales, there are no less than one
million ninety seven thousand six hundred and
ninety-two children between the ages Of seven
and fourteen, and one million two hundred
thousand between the ages of three and Sc
ven, rho receive no instruction DhateUer IN
schools. The number, between seven and
fourteen years of age, who are instructed, Is
one million one hundred and ffty-four thou
sand, one hundred and four
1t was asserted by another gentleman, who
engaged in the discussion, that in the metro
politan district, not one In twenty of the popu-
lation receives "any education" and in the
manufacturing districts, affairs are still worse.
In region including Manchester, Stafford,
Bolton, and Liverpool, where there is popu-
lation Of 1000 children, only $4,000, or
about one in thirty-one 60 to school
For the purpose Of exhibiting the effect Of
education upon the amount Of crime the fol-
lowing statistics were given. OF 23,097
committals, during the year 1897, there were
6,664 males, and 1880 females, making
total OF s467, or more than one third Of the
whole number, who could neither read nor
,orite; lO,l47 males, and 2,l5l females,
total of 1925, who could read and write i'm
perfectly, and had no further education 2,OS7
males, and 1T females, a total Of 2,l94, who
could read and write well, but with little
further education; and only 90 males and
females who were possessed Of accomplish
ments Of higher order.
After debate of considerable length, in
which the general voice appeared to be in
favor of the resolution, Lord John Russell,
uhe organ of the ministry in the House
of Commons,) who er-o6icio, always bids God
speed to subject, or else gives it its quietus,
rose and delivered long speech. He cal
lowed that the State ought to afford the means
for every person to have his choice, whether
he would be educated or not"
but \ "was obliged to admit, and had
still to regret, that he not prepared 10 state
any means by which parliament could be call
ed upon to aid the work Of education, beyond
what it had already done for, although he did
not think that the objections which had been
made by many parties, were altogether rea-
sonable, yet, such numerous objections were
made, as to interfere with any good general
system Of education being carried on; that
he thought it would be better to wait till there
was somewhat of greater agreement among
the chief promoters of education, than to con-
sent to the present address," The motion was
lost by majority Of four.
The following remarks of Lord Russell
will meet with response in the heart Of every
one, who has the rights of teachers or the in
terests of the people truly at heart. He said
he " knew that the best men educated at the
British and Foreign School Society, and he
had no doubt it was the same in others, who
were the best fitted for the conducting Of
school education, found that there was some
other profession, in which their talents could
procure larger income, and it was not worth
while to continue in that profession which,
though it was not now well paid, was one Of
the noblest (cheers) and the most honest
(cheers) professions which any man in the
state could undertakes (cheers) and nothing
would, in his opinion, be better, than to raise
for the profession an adequate income, and
to make its pursuit passage to future reward,
(cheers) and instead Of allowing man with
forty or fifty pounds year, to pine away in the
drudgery of teaching, they ought to give him
aprospect of an honorable retreat, or chance
OF other advancement, CHEERS.
A Horses T0npue f0r, ont by the yoof -