The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-14
COLUMBIA.
Saturday Morning, Dec. "a. 1857.
srnrage aualfaentlons.


that the elective franchise has been
largely extended in England. Since
this action of Parliament, great in
terest is being manifested in that
country, with regard to popular edu-
cation, even by those members who
were the most bitter opponents of
the measure. Among them is Mr..
Lowe, one Of the most prominent
champions of the aristocratic and
privileged classes Of English society,
as it now exists. Since the success of
the reform bill, however, against
which he spoke earnestly and elo-
quently, Mr.. Lowe, like true states
man, has adapted his policy TO the
change of circumstances and advo-
Gates universal and compulsory
system Of education, to be applied
Immediately in every part of Eng
land, in order that the large number
to whom the franchise has been ex-
tended may be trained to the intelli-
gent discharge of their new duties.
On this subject he has recently de-
livered remarkable speech before
ono of the Edinburg institutions Of
learning, on primary and university
education considered generally in
their relations to the State.
Some of MIR. loves views on the
subject are very striking, and brief
glance at them will prove interesting
to many of our readers. In regard
to the elementary education of the
poor, he considered it pretty well
established that their education
ought to be undertaken by the State;
that from this system religious secta-
rianism should be excluded, and that
the best way for carrying on an edu-
cation was not by centralized sys-
tenn, but by the calling forth of local
energy, making it homogeneous with
the feelings and habits of the people,
especially in tho country districts;
that the work should be superintend
ed by the Government, and not by
those who carried it on; and that
State aid ought to be given to schools,
not merely because they are in exist
enee, or showing certain attendance
70 their books, but for certain
amount of efficiency; that, in short.
it was the business of the State to
ascertain the results and pay in pro-
portion to them. He also pointed
out what he considered the superior
ity of the English to the American
system, where examin atoms, as prac-
ticed under the revised code in Eng
land, were totally unknown.
Mr.. loves idea of what education
ought to be, is also very striking, and
his suggestions, coming as they do,
from one of the best educated men in
the country, will receive the atten-
tion they deserve. The popular idea
of education-what it ought to be
is to teach pupil everything he
ought to know. Then arises the
question, what is it most important
that the people should know? All
knowledge is valuable; but the prior
ity is given by Mr.. Lowe to things
over aCo,llS, and he is very pungent
and witty at the folly of the opposite
view. To illustrate, he says: 'I
think it is more important to man
TO know where his liver is seated
than to know it is call jecur in Latin,
and eiper in Greek" Whilst he does
not disparage Latin or Greek, Mr..
Lowe thinks the English language
has prior claims; that too much of
the best years of youth are wasted
upon the classics; that we ought to
give the physical sciences, modern
history, modern languages, modern
geography, &C., at least an equal
start with those that pertain to anti