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Leader (1850-1860), 10th January 1852, Edition Town of 1, Page 32, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      of management ; but he believed as to the schools themselves they might adopt the very regulations contained in the report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland . The great object of the National Public School Association was to ask the noble lord to raise English education to the standard of Irish education , there being this difference between the two countries —<• that the criminal returns of Ireland showed the efficiency of the scheme of education in repressing criminality * » m the continually decreasing per centage pf criminals who had received instruction , while no such result was obtained in this country . "

      Lord John Russell had long felt that the state of education in England was not such as we could be proud of ; indeed it was such as we ought almost to be ashamed of . He must not in anything he said be understood to express the opinions of the Government . Lord Melbourne only carried bis scheme by a majority of two . Sir James Graham was obliged to withdraw the measure he had prepared . The facts showed the great difficulties of the question . " My awn opinion is that the question is advancing to a solution ; but I know it is the opinion of Lord Lansdowne— -and it is my own opinion also—that the ^ question is not at present in such a state as to be ripe for the Government to undertake it , and that by undertaking

      it prematurely they would be more likely to mar me object than to promote it . With regard to your particular scheme , I do not wish to say much about it ; but I wish gentlemen to consider- —and I think the Government would be obliged to consider—what the state of the country is , and what the opinion of the country is . When there were only Sunday schools existing in the country for the poorer classes , the British and Foreign School Society attempted a more general Sstem of daily schools . They made it necessary , by eir scheme , that instruction in the Bible should be given . They refused any creed or catechism , or anything that would exclude those who would agree to the readme of the Bible , That system inevitably and

      obviously included religious instruction . When the National School Society was set up , they required not only that the Bible should be read , but that instruction should be given in the liturgy and catechism of the Church of England . That system , of course , included religious instruction . There have been a great many schools established by the Wesleyans . They require that the whole of the Bible should , be used in those schools , and are not only against excluding religious instruction , but even against reading only portions of the Scriptures . They wish the whole of the Bible to be included in school education . These facts show that in all these different bodies — and I believe I may add among the Congregationalists and other religious bodies

      as well—the tendency of the societies has been to combine religious with secular instruction , and the funds they have collected have been employed for that purpose . I think , though this is a system that may be changed , you must not omit to recollect , as a great element Of consideration , that these schools exist . It is proposed by the bill which has been placed in my hands to combine the existing schools with the proposed scheme . That would be dependent upon whether these societies would agree to it ; but I think that at present , certainly , the general opinion of the country is for a combination of religious ' with secular instruction . I have , perhaps , some prejudice on this subject . I have for a very long period belonged to the British and Foreign School Society , and I their views this

      have very much adopted upon question . That may be a prejudice on my part . Mr * Fox says , and truly , that there is agreatresemblancebetween this scheme and that adopted by the Government and enforced in Ireland , and enforced , too , very successfully ; but I think it hardly follows that , though that is the best scheme for Ireland , it would be the best scheme for this country . That , I think , is a position that might be disputed . I do not wish to say anything further with regard to this particular scheme . One thing , I may observe , I have seen with great satisfaction in the oaee of Manchester . Though I hold in my hand a protest from the Society of Friends against the local education bill for Manchester , yet I think it has been ascertained from facts laid before local education billthat the rate

      me with respect to that , - payers not only approve the principle of the bill , but that they do not object to a local rate for the purpose of carrying out its objects . I believe that a great majority of those who in Manchester pay the rates , are willing to concur in paying an additional rate for the promotion of education , and 1 think that a very encouraging circumstance . Men do not generally say they would rather pay more rates than th ey now pay , and their being willing to pay a rate for education proves the estimation in which education is held , and the great benefits to be derived from it . I wish only further to nay that I hope you will go on with your scheme , without , of course , pledging myself to take any course with respect to it . I hope , however , you will go on with your soheme , because I think that even failure in schemes of this kind produces very great good .

      With regard to the measure to which I have already alluded—that of ( Sir J . Graham—though ho failed in his most laudable object , and produced for the mqment a great deal of clamour and dissension , yet the result was that great efforts were made to promote education , and great advantages followed from those endeavours . I must certainly say I do not share the opinions of those who think there is any hostility between secular and religious instruction . I am convinced that secular instruction , bo fur from being hostile to religion , will prepare the minds of those ao instructed for the reception of religious instruction , will make them bettor capable of understanding that which the ministers of religion teach them , and that there cannot fall to bo in good secular instruction , give it as you may , the inculcation of great truths—lovo to God , admiration of the oroation of the world , love to their neighbours , and those general moral doctrines whioh , though not the Christian religion itself ,

      prepare the minds of those instructed for the reception of the truths of Christianity . Therefore , in making objections—if I do make then *—to this plan , I beg to say I do not share in the objection that there is anything in secular instruction hostile to religious instruction . The Reverend Dr . Beard said in reply to the above remarks on ' the use of the Bible in schools , that there was nothing in the bill to prevent the use of the Bible , if the majority of the local school committee though , proper to use the Bible . The deputation then retired .

      Untitled Article

      THE GRIEVANCES OF THE OMNIBUS SERVANTS . Haying much to complain of , the drivers and conductors of the omnibuses of the metropolis are making efforts to obtain from their employers a remedy for the grievances they endure , and for this purpose an appeal is made to public opinion . It will be seen that the agitation of the subject has got into clerical hands ; but the justice of the case of the men remains

      substantially the same , whatever the motives which lead influential persons to assist them . A meeting was held in the Infant School-room , Paddington-green , on Monday night , the -Reverend ¦¦ Mr , Campbell , the vicar , presiding . Mr . Campbell regarded the question of the omnibus servants as part of a much greater question—the better observance of the Sabbath . To effect this and establish a provident fund was the object of the agitation . He was followed by the Honourable Arthur Kinnaird , who moved : —

      " That this meeting believes it to be in accordance with the acknowledged principles of the Christian religion , no less than of justice and humanity , that no class of men should be employed in ordinary labour to such an extent as to be deprived of the opportunity of religious instruction and rest for body and mind . ' * Mr . Kinnaird said : — " At present the omnibus servants were employed for thirteen or fourteen hours a day , with but fifteen or twenty minutes for dinner , subject to reduction for loss of time in their journeys . One man stated that he had driven seven years on the Paddington line , and never had more than one Sunday to himself in the course of a

      twelvemonth . He had forty-five minutes for his meals , but could not get them at home . He commenced work at eight in the morning , and left-off at elevens night . He would gladly go to a place of worship if he could . Another stated— ' I have been a driver for fourteen years . Seldom ^ an get to a place of worship . I have sometimes asked master for a day ' s rest on a Sunday , but his reply has always been , " Reet when you are dead . " My wife is a religious woman , and it is a sad trouble to her that I can never go with her to church . ' A third' —* I leave home for the stables at half-past seven , and I never see my own door again until twelve at night . Week days and Sundays are all alike to me . I get two or three

      Sundays in the course of a year , but I have to sacrifice my wages and employ a substitute . ' A fourth— 'I am time-keeper at My day ' s work commences at nine in the morning , and finishes at ten at night . I have no leisure for meals , but have to get them as I stand in the street . I never have a Sunday ' s rest . ' A fifth— ' I am oa the Islington-road . I have One Sunday in every five , but am generally so worn out that I ana glad to spend most of that day in bed . I should rejoice to have every Sunday to myself , and would willingly sacrifice my day ' s wages for this purpose . I was once a Sabbath school scholar , and know that I ought not to work on the Sabbath , but what am I to do ? I have no other employment to go to , and my wife and family must not starve . '"

      Mr . Edmunds , a proprietor , denied the truth of the statements made by the men , and said they did not work more than twelve hours a day . The proprietors had been very anxious to assist the provident society , and had subscribed about £ 100 towards it ; but they were much dissatisfied with the way in which it was conducted . As regarded the Sabbath , there was no doubt some arrangement might be made ; but he doubted whether it was possible to get the men to rest on the Sunday . The wages were paid out of the driving money , and varied from 2 a . 3 d . to 2 s . 6 d . per day .

      Mr . Gray , another proprietor , denied that the men were ill-paid or ill-used , though they might be hard worked . No class of men had less to do with their masters than the omnibus drivers . Their wages were high in comparison with those , of the servants of other tradesmen ; and they could afford to take a day ' s rest at the coat of a day ' s wages . He himself had never had an entire day ' s rest since he was fifteen years of age ; but he knew how essential it was , and let the men take it- [ A Voice : " They must pay for it"J . Yes , they could afford it well enough ; he know that on one road they had been making throe guineas a week in the summer .

      Tho resolution was subsequently seconded and spoken to by the Reverend Mr . FiBk , and the Reverend Dr . Burns , and was agreed to . Sir Harry Goring , Baronet , expressed a hope that not only all the . omnibuses , but gentlemen ' s carriages , would be stopped from running on the Sunday , fCheers . ) The Reverend Mr . Molineux and other speakers followed , and the proceedings closed with a vote of thunks to tho reverend Chairman .

      Untitled Article

      MILITARY CAMPS ROUND LONDON . The Morning Poat publishes th « following « from i » Correspondent" : —

      •* Field-Msnhal the Duke of Wellington , Commanderin-Chiftf of her Majesty ' s Land Forces , has been for some time past in almost daily communication with Lieutenant-General Sir John F . Burgoyne , K . C . B ., Inspector-General of Fortifications , and ; their deliberations have been directed to the best means of protecting the metropolis in case of invasion by a foreign enemy- ; and it . is understood the result has been that several military camps will be formed'round London , and eligible situations will be selected , particularly on the Kent and Essex banks of the Thames , and on the banks of the Medway , with the ultimate view of rendering them permanently fortified camps . Orders have already been given to place Sheerness in a proper state of defence , and to have ample supplies of

      ammunition and warlike stores kept in a constant state of readiness at the fortifications already constructed at that naval port . Seniority lists of the non-commissioned officers of the Royal Artillery have been called for to be sent into the Adjutant-General's office within the last few days , preparatory , it is said , to an augmentation of th , at branch of the service . It was at first contemplated to add three battalions to the twelve battalions already formed , but it is now understood that the augmentation will be made by adding two companies to each of the twelve battalions . This arrangement will add twenty-four companies , or about 2400 men , equal in number of non-commissioned officers and men to three additional battalions of the strength of the present battalions , but saving the expense of the staff

      which would have been required for new battalions . It is also stated that the Line regiments will have an addition of 10 , 000 made to them over the numbers in the estimates of last year . The Royal Marines are also to be increased , both in the Royal Marine Artillery and divisional companies' departments ; and recruits enlisted for every branch of the land forces are ordered to be sent to the head quarters or de * p 6 ts of their regiments with the least possible delay , that they may be at once instructed in a knowledge of their profession . The Commanaer-in-Chief has , it is reported , been opposed in certain quarters in some of his plans . His Grace ' s patience has been severely tried . But the means must be found to keep the British army in a state of efficiency for the protection and interest of the country at home , and for service in her Majesty ' s colonial possessions . "

      "We cannot guarantee the worth of this account , but it is probably true in the main . The rumour of an increased military force has prevailed some time .

      Untitled Article

      THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION . [ EXTRACTS FROM A PRIVATE JOURNAL KEPT BY AN OFFICER ON BOARD THE EREBUS . ] To the Editor of the Leader . Sir , — -The following interesting document is a private journal , kept for the amusement of an intimate friend by one of the most distinguished officers of her Majesty ' s ship Erebus , one of the vessels engaged in the Polar expedition . The journal commences on the 5 th of June , and terminates on the 11 th of July , 1845 . Yours obediently , C .

      Untitled Article

      Her Majesty ' s ship Erebus , at sea , June 8 , 1845 , Ten P . M . My dearest , —^ You appeared very anxious that I should keep a journal for your especial perusal . Now , I do keep a journal , such as it is , which will be given to the Admiralty ; but , to please you , I shall note down from time to time such things as may strike me , either in the form of a letter , or in any other form that may at the time suit my fancy . I shall probably never read over what I may have written , bo you will excuse inaccuracies .

      I commence to-night because I am in a good humour . . , Every one is shaking hands with himself . We have a fair wind—actually going seven knotssea tolerably smooth , though we do roll a little ; but this ship has the happy facility of being verjr steadybelow , while on deck she appears , to be plunging and rolling greatly . Our latitude is now about 60 . 0 , longitude 9 . 30 , so you will find oucour " whereabouts . " The steamers Ratler and Blazer left us at noon yesterday near the Island of Rona , seventy or eighty miles from Stromness . Their captains came on board and took our letters ; one from me will have told you of our doings up to that time . There was a heavy Jl ta ¦ \ - 4 4 % 4 fc Bwell irom west it

      _^ W — . . _» - J | ^^» ,-, M » .- ^^ ii - ^ A u arm * «* A * * B ^«« A > ^ »^* % « M *« wb ««« fe ^* ana wma norm- ; put Degan wearing to west and south-west , whioh is fair . The steamers then ranged alongside us , one on each side , an close as possible without touching , and , with the whole force of lungs of officers and men , gave us ( not three , but ) a prolongation of cheers , to which , of course , we responded . Having done the same to the Terror , away they went , and in an hour or two were out of sight , leaving us with an old gull or two and the rooky Rona to look at ; and then was the time to see if any one flinched from tho undertaking . Every one ' s cry was , " Now wo are off at last 1 " No lingering look was cast

      behind . Wo drank Lady Franklin « health at the old gentleman ' s table , and , it being his daughter ' s birthday , hers too . But the wind , which had become fair as the steamers left ( as if to give tho latest , best news of us ) , in the evening became foul from N . W ., and we were going northward instead of westward . The sky was clear , the air bracing and exhilarating . I baa a slight attack of aguish headache the evening before , out am now clear headed , and I went to bed thinking of you and dear —— , whose portrait is now looking at me ; for I am writing at the little table you will see in the Iltwtrated , New *

      Untitled Article

      32 « F f > * ft ****** [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 10, 1852, page 32, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1917/page/8/