The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-10
TOPICS.

other Cnan200, mas W4K8Q upstu9 BCnOOIM19Jor.
There is ut last q chance Of superoeding the mo-
notonous narrow routine Of monkish instruction
with something like real knowledge. A convex
ton OF two thousand school teachers recsntly as
sembled in q spacious hall in the Imperial palace
at Viena to deliberate upon the means Of improv-
ing the system Of education. The resolutions
show the immense progress Of hbela al ideas in the
old crumbaing monarchy. They are, Of course,
far behind the American standard, but they are
immense for Austria. Among other changes it is
demanded that the schools shall be omancipated
from the influence Of the priests; that teachers
shall be protected by law both in regard to their
appointment and dismissal, that the FREQ choice Of
books shall beleft TO teachers, and that fixed school
rates shall sdpercede the present system Of school
payments by individuals. 1t was also demanded
that the teachers should be secured sufficient sala-
ries for their support. These propositions, accord
ing to our American experience, are admirably
calculated 10 improve the school system Of any
country, and if they can be carried out in Austria
they will exercise an important influence in ele-
vatiug tho condition OF the rising generation.
A project Of law has been prepared, and is now
under consideration, which embodies most Of the
suggestions of the school teachers. The central
idea is that the State shall guarantee each school
a degree Of local independence. Schools may be
sectarian; mixed OF entirely sectarian, according
to the wishes Of the majority Of the inhabitants
in each ''school circle" The School Committees
are to have control Of the schools, and shall con-
sist Of the burgomaster, o clergyman, q teacher,
and elected members The election Of members
is, perhaps, tho greatest innovation in the new
law, and enables the inhabitants Of each circle at
liberty to control the school. The religious opin-
ions OF tho teachers Of the secular schools shall
not be inquired into, and clergymen Of any de-
nomination are prohibited from visiting or inter-
fering with them. The only doubtful feature OF
the new Law ia the clause providing for the local
election Of members OF the School Committee. It
is not quite certain whether the Austrian peasan-
try are sufficiently intelligent to appreciate the
Importance Of the educational trusts conferred
upon them. But it would seem that any change
from the presents narrow-spirited, thought-crush-
ing system Of the priesthood, must be On improve
ment; and in this, as in other things, tho people
may be safely trusted to find out their true inter-
ests, and to act according to their increasing
knowledge.
ALLUsIoN has already been made to the diff
culties which the British expedition to Abyssinia
will have to encounter. There is q great deal of
croaking in England upon this subject but the
most ominious raven has just appeared in Paris,
in the person Of NJ. du Bisson, who has lust
given in the Patrie two columns Of doleful fore
bodings about the difficulties to be encountered.
he says eve will not speak Of the Guedaref
worm or Of the tonia one is safe from them If
one never drinks water. We will say nothing Of
the gigantic defles, of the absence of roads over
mountains inaccessible to Europeans. Of the rains
that in April, a frightful deluge that
breaks down che strongest tents, changes rivu-
lets into torrents and rivers into oceans, drown
ing the plains for two months, and leaving them
during the three succeeding months rayaged BY
tvphus and by the pernicious .fevers engendered
by mountains Of detritus in fermentation. OF car
casses OF animals in putrefaction, under q sun
heat OF S5 degrees centigrade. We will not point
out the desperate position Of an invading army
IN Q county which has already been methodi-
cally ruined, sacked and burnt, surrounded on
all sides by pestilential marshes, hemmed in by
~fanatical free corps, iihplaosbie in their hatred,
memorable in their vengeance, indefatigsble in
their attacks; Of an army cut off from its base
OF operations by muddy and mephitic oceans.
without communications, without the possibility
during one-third of the year OF obtaining sup
plies, and consequently obliged to take with it
provisions, stores, medicines, ammunition for four
months. We will not dwell upon the absurdity or
employing in endless de6les, strewed everywhere
with rocks fallen from the mountains, q cavalry
~ VhO PA1Aun VI Auul6, Or6uRlC AMI
mails accustomed to the sandy, easy paths of the
desert, in provinces where often man alone servea
as beast of burden, helping himself with his feet
and hands. All that concerns the skilfnl English
generals and their SO we'll organized commits
sarlat." M. du Bison, after thus directing atten-
ton to all that he does not point out, goes ON TO
predict that neither 10, 900 nor 20, 600 soldiers. In
dian or English, will suffice to rescue the prison
ers, whom he maintains to be still in the power
of Theodore, who will pitilessly out their throats.
However. it is possible, it must be granted in
reply, that they may be able to take a revenge on
the barbarous monarch.
TIE New YORK TIMES says /: "Mr. p. 7. Barnum
has become the happy possessor Of a gorilla, the
only one ever brought alive to this country. It
was captured In Equatorial Africa, Drought down
to the coast by the natives, and shipped on board
the Harding, which brought it to this port. Du-
ring the voyage the animal became much attached
TO the Captain Of the Harding, allowed him to en-
tor bis cage and lead him about the decks. and
would also jump on the captains shoulders when
ordered. All this amiabiity Of temper, However.
soon changed when the vessel arrived in mort
and the animal was separated from his friend the
captain. On shipboSrd he had been placed in a
strong cage, and had been further secured nv n
chain. This cage was placed in a wagon, and
conveyed to the museum on Tuesday last. The
1oitlng OF the vehicle irritated the animal, and
when the cage was carried up into the Museum
It was found difficult to get the animal out and
secure him. As soon % his chain was loosened
he seized 1t and dragged it into his Gage in snite
OF the best eforts Of three strong men. who had
hold Of the other end Of it. A scraper. with a
strong iron handle, with which they endeavored
to reobtain the end of the chain, was seized bv the
animal and bent double. During all this time the
animal roared and grunted f~uriously. FINALLY he |
was got into his new cage, and secured by q strong /
chain placed around his neck attached to A beam (
beneath his cage. Yesterday he was exhibited /
publicly, and appeared to have recovered some OF
his good humor. His keeper, Mr.. Davidson. i
thinks that ia q week or two he will be az tame and
playful as o kitten. He does not much resemble
one at present. He lie scarcely az formidable, an /
animal 90 Professor Du !Chaillu's dissertations |
would lead one to expect. He lis probably abont
nye feet In height, is covered with dark shseey !
hair, has large dark but not fierce eyes, and is eyi- |
IDENTIFY very agile and muscular, leapln9 Rson end /
70 end OF his cage at Q single bound. He Ia feay on /
vegetables, and exhibits o strong prediction for !
spices Of all kinds. The gorilla was secured bv /
Mr. Barpum's agent at o cost Of eight thorsana
dollars in gold. ffs is sa;;a 10 bs = very dns s 1u;
men; he 10 o young male, appears to be healthy. :
and will doubtless soon learn to be, contented. i AZ
present his Asvofite position Is sitting on. hiis
hsunohes, with his back against the rear part Of
his cage. a#s. Ee1ff