The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-09-06


per cent. are ignorant Of The alphabet. In
the German provinces OF the. austrian
Empire there is one pupil in every seven
England is not far advanced
in the education of her lower classes. OF
100 prisoners, from various charges,
two fifths were ignorant of the name Of
Christ, and three ffths of the name of
the Queen OF 100 scamen only 20
could write their names. In Ireland 81
per cent. of males and 40 per cent. of e.
males are unable to read or write. In
Belgium ! Of the conscrpts at the age
Of 20 can neither read or write. At
Client 40 per cent. were unable to write
their own names in the registry at their
marriage. In France, from 80 in some
departments to 70 per cent. in others are
ignorant of the alphabet In Prussia, in
II years the Minister of War discovered
only 3 soldiers in the land who could
either read nor write. In Denmark and
Sweden only l in 1000 are ignorant Of
the alphabet. In Holland l in 40. In
Saxony it is not easy to find a man ig-
norant of his letters. Three years ago an
order of the day was issued calling for
an army educational return. 1t was
found that soldiers were unable to read,
and to spare them public contempt, their
names were concealed Russia spends
annually for each pupil about 6 cents.
Switzerland "a cents. Spain and Italy
8 cents. France 10 cents. Great Brit
ain "a cents.
Thus we see that while most of the
European nations spend large sums for
war, little is spent in giving education,
and ignorance is the inevitable result
The Free Press man with serene
complacency says that he shall continue
to exercise his dictatorship over the First
Congressional District as he has attempt
ed heretofore, whether the Middlebury
REGISTER likes it or not.
Very well since he is memorable, we
suppose he must have his own way, as
fault finding and meddling seems to have
become chronic with him. We believe
there was certain animal who inhexi.
bly,, and with unbounded confidence con-
tinued barking at the moon
Our dictator" with simulated as.
constituent at the portrait we made Of
him, wonders why, if it be correct. the
people of the Third District do not rise
and rid themselves Of his presence.
We presume with good reason, that o
large majority of them would do so il
they legally and reasonably could. Per-
haps the Third District is in the condi.
ton of poor Sinbad, who out of sympa.
thy, permitted that other individual to
get upon his back Poor Sinbad, he like
others, received ingratitude for Kindness
The War.
The Franco Prussian War seems to be
just comming to a close. a great battle
was fought last week near Sedan lasting
through several days, between McMahon's
forces and the Prussians, in which the
latter were victorious McMahon's forces
surrendered to King William and with
them Napoleon himself The dispatches
first came from Prussian sources but soor
was confirmed from French sources which
we give below.
PARIS. Sept. 3.
The Council of Ministers have issued
the following proclamation:
To the French people,
A great misfortune has come upon the
country after three days heroic struggles
sustained by the army of Marshal Mac
Mahon against three hundred thousand
of the enemy, forty thousand men have
been made prisoners. General De Whit
fen who took command of the army il
place of Marshal MacMahon who was bad
ly wounded has signed capitulation.
This cruel reverse will not shake oul
courage. Paris is to-day in a complct,
state of defence.
Military forces of the country will b.
organized and in few days, new army
will be under the walls of Paris, anc
another army is forming on the banks o
LEONE.
Your patriotism, your union, your en-
ergy, will save France.
The Emperor has been made prisone
in the struggle.
The government in accord with publi
forces, will take al measui es required b,
the gravity of events.
In the senate yesterday, the Ministe
of War said:
ave have learned through various un
official channels that Marshal Bazain
failed in his recent attempt to free himsel
from the hostile armies which held hin
shut up around Metz. His efforts wer
heroic.
The King of Prussia could not hel
rendering justice to the valor of our sol
diers.
Marshal MacMahon, after endeavorin
to reach hand to Bazaine in the diret
tion of the north, was obliged to retir
into the environs of Sedan, where ther
was several days hard fighting, with a
tentative success and reverses but W
contended against an army numerical
our superiors, and in spite Of the most CT
ergetic efforts, the attempt seems to hav
terminated in an unfortunate manner fo
our army.
Other advices of Prussian origin al
still more unfavorable but do not appea
to us worthy of credit in all cases, an
the government is not willing to Civ
them the appearance of authenticity b
communicating them to the public,
Our reverses afflict u.s.
1t is impossible for us to witness with
out deep emotion so much courage and S
much devotion rendered unavailing.
New. York, Sept. 4-ll.30 A NJ.
A despatch from King William stat,
that the French army at Sedan has SUI
rendered. Napoleon is prisoner an
MacMahon is wounded. There is grea
excitement here. Gold which opened I