3igrt1launnuf.

The Premier has again been oftener closeted with the Queen this week than the Court Circular fully explains. It duly informed the public that Lord John Russell left his residence in Richmond Park on Monday, for Windsor Castle ; but said nothing about his arrival at the Castle : yet, no doubt, the Premier crossed Berke in safety, found the Queen at Windsor, transacted his political business with her, and got back safe to town. For on Thursday he was present at a full Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, which deliberated for two hours and a half. "After the breaking up of the Council" on that day, he again "proceeded to Windsor, and had an interview with tho Queen."

A deputation from the National Public School Association waited on Lord John Russell on Tuesday, at his official residence in Downing Street, to present the draught of a bill for establishing free schools in England and Wales for secular education, and to explain the views of the Associa- tion. Mr. Milner Gibson introduced the gentlemen ; who included Mr. W. J. Fox, M.P., Mr. Bazley, President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hoyland, as representing the Society of Friends in Man- chester, the Reverend W. F. Walker, incumbent of St. James's, Oldham, the Reverend Dr. Davidson, Professor of Biblical Criticism in the Lan- caster Independent College, Mr. E. Swayne of London, and Mr. J. A. Picton of Liverpool. Mr. Milner Gibson pointed out, that the principle of the National plan is already acted upon with regard to museums and other institutions which are supported by the public rates. Mr. Bazley, who had the task of explaining the details of the plan, informed the Premier, that, most fortunately, those who would have to contribute the largest amounts under the general rate arc the most willing to pay for the instruction of the rising generation ; in Lancashire, particularly, the largest ratepayers are approvers of the National scheme. Dr. M'Kerrow observed, that already in a large majority of the schools of this country—ho alluded to private [day] schools—no religious instruction is given, and no complaints are made on the subject. The Reverend W. F. Walker felt sure that the machinery of the Na- tional plan will afford to religious teachers opportunities of coming at the minds of the young which they at present do not enjoy. A certain portion of every day is to be devoted to religious instruction, to be supplied by the various religious bodies. It has been said that they may not be able to obtain the attendance of the children at a particular period of the day in order to receive religious instruction : but they have no diffi- culty in obtaining the attendance of children at Sunday schools ; and if the parents who send their children to the free schools direct them to attend at certain hours, because their ministers would be there to give them religious instruction, the teachers will have as many young persons attending on week-days as they have at the Sunday schools. For these reasons, he united with gentlemen of other religious denominations in pressing the adoption of the National scheme on the Government.

Mr. Lucas gave his approval of the measure, as a professor of the Jew- ish faith.

The Jews of Manchester have established a school open to children of all denominations. They have a Christian master, and in a week or two they will have a Christian schoolmistress for the girls' school. The Jewish children receive religious instruction from the Rabbi and from a Hebrew teacher at stated times. He hoped the success which has attended that school would induce Lord John to regard with favour the bill which had been placed in his hands. Mr. Hoyland stated, that, after mature consideration of a subject in which the Society of Friends take a deep interest, the Society of Friends in Manchester declare that they do not observe in the National scheme, or in the clauses of the measure to carry it out, anything adverse to re- ligious liberty, or that will interfere with the rights of conscience. But against the Local scheme they still entertain objections, which they have recently published. Dr. Davidson, as a minister of the Congregational body, stated his be- lief, that an increasingly large number of persons connected with the Congregational body are desirous that Government should take the matter up and carry into effect some such measure as that proposed by the Na- tional Public School Association.

Lord John Russell invited Mr. Fox to say anything he wished on the subject. Mr. Fox pointed out the identity of the National plan with that already in successful operation under the direction of the Government in Ireland.

The projectors of this scheme believe that the result here will be the same as the result so happily achieved there—the elevation of education itself. So long as the schoolmaster is merely a sort of journeyman minister or clergy- man, we can scarcely expect that the secular instruction will attain the same high character as when the secular and religious instruction are communi- cated by different persons. The differences between this scheme and the Irish system are chiefly, if not exclusively, those which relate to the rates and the mode of management; but as to the schools themselves, we might adopt the very regulations contained in the report of the Cammissioners of National Education in Ireland. The great object of the National Public School Association is to ask the Government to raise English education to the standard of Irish education ; there being this difference between the two countries—that the criminal returns of Ireland show the efficiency of the scheme of education in repressing criminality, in the continually decreasing percentage of criminals who have received instruction, while no such result IS obtained in this country. Lord John Russell said, he had but few remarks to trouble the deputa- tion with.

"In the first place, let me say, that I think the country is indebted to you, gentlemen, for making an effort in behalf of education. I have very long felt that the state of education in this country is not such as we can be proud of; indeed, it is such as we ought almost to be ashamed of; and therefore I think any gentlemen who combine for the purpose of improving the educa- tion of the country, whether they succeed or fail in the attempt, deserve credit for their exertions. Of course there is no private object to be attained by such attempts, but simply advantage to the country. With regard to anything further, I may observe, that I must not be understood as express- ing the opinions of the Government, who have not come to any decision upon this subject at the present moment ; and indeed, I must say that any remarks I may make are sub,ject to further consideration and reflection by myself.

"The question which has been alluded to, of the proposal, on the part of the Government, of a great scheme of national education, is one that requires. to be very deeply considered before it is adopted. The Government of Lerd Melbourne proposed what they thought might be attempted as an improve- ment upon the existing system of education ; and their proposal was only carried in the House of Commons, in Comniittee of the whole House, by a , majority of two. Sir James Graham, 'under the Government of Sir Robert Peel, proposed a scheme of education which was founded upon much con- sideration, with regard to which he had a great deal of communication '

with various parties, and in which he made concessions—large concessions— to different objectors; but he was at last obliged to abandon the scheme alio- gether. These are circumstances which show the difficulties which stand in

the way. of a Government proposing any scheme of this nature. My. own opinion "is that the question is advancing to a solution ; but I know it is the opinion ofLord Lansdowne—and it is my ripe 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 we should be more likely to mar the 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 coun- try is, and what the opinion of the country is. When there were only Sunday schools existing in the country for the poorer classes, the Bri- tish and Foreign School Society attempted a more general system of daily schools. They made it necessary, by their 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 reading 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 re- ligious 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 Cong,regation- alists 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 sys- tem 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 gene- ral opinion of the country is for a combination of religious 'with secular in- struction. 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 have very much adopted their views upon this question. That may be a prejudice on my part. Mr. Fox says, and truly, that there is a great resemblance be- tween this scheme and that adopted by the Government and enforced in Ire- land, and enforced 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 , case 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 me with respect to that bill, that the ratepayers 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; I think that a very encouraging circumstance. Men do not generally say

they would rather pay more rates than they now pay ; and their being wil- ling 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 say, 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 scheme, 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 James Graham—

though he failed in his most laudable object, and produced for the moment a great deal of clamour and dissension, yet the result was that great efforts. were made to promote education, andgreat 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, so far from being hostile to religion, will prepare the minds of those so instructed for the reception of religious in- struction—will make them better capable of understanding that which the ministers of religion teach them ; and that there cannot fail to be in good secular instruction, give it as you may, the inculcation of great truths—love to God, admiration of the creation of the world, love to their neighbours, and those general moral doctrines which, 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 them—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." Dr. Beard briefly explained that there is nothing in the National scheme to exclude the Bible from the schools proposed to be established- " The power of choosing school-books is given to the School Committees ; and if they resolve on introducing the Bible the Bible will be introduced." He added the statement, that the Association has thought those who are to receive education, as well as those who are to pay for it, ought to be con- sulted ; therefore they have gone beyond the ratepayers ; and while the largest of the ratepayers are among the 65,000 signers of the Manchester peti- tion, there are also a large number of signatures by persons not ratepayers.

The deputation then retired, no doubt strongly ' encouraged " by their reception. An address has been presented by "the clergy and laity of the parish of From" to the Marchioness of Bath, expressing grief and alarm at her intention to appoint Mr. W. J. E. Bennett,- late incumbent of Knights- bridge, to the vicarage of From; and beseeching her to reconsider her in- tention. The prayer was enforced by reference to the most recent of Mr. Bennett's works, in which, among other things, he declares that if the decision of the Judicial Committee in the Gorham case be not reversed, the faithful pastors of the Church of England will, within ten years, be ejected from her communion by the law, " and although not loving the peculiarities of Rome, compelled to seek salvation within her bosom" ; "when Protestantism will sink into its proper place and die, and what- ever is Catholic in the Church of England will become Roman." The Marchioness of Bath made this answer- " Lonfleat, Jan. S.

" Rev. Sir—I have received with sincere regret a communication signed by yourself and others, relating to the appointment of the Reverend W. J. E. Bennett to the vicarage of Frome, in my gift. In reply, I beg to inform you that the appointment is already made, and cannot be revoked.

" I remain, Rev. Sir, yours faithfully, H. BATH. " The Rev. W. Calvert, Vicarage, Frome." A correspondent of the Times, signing " R.," affirms that the appoint- ment is in the gift of the young Marquis of Bath, who will be of age this year. " His mother, as his guardian, exercises thus, a few months before he has the power of doing so, a right adverse, I believe, to her son's views of the doctrine of Mr. Bennett." It appears from the Clergy List, adds " R.," that there are three livings in Frome in the gift of the Vicar of Frome.

There is no appearance of reconciliation between the master engineers of London and Manchester and the Amalgamated Society. All the Manchester firms, who are bound by the terms of existing engagements with their men to give a weeks notice of dismissal, posted the necessary notice on Saturday last, of their intention to close this day. A number of London firms have done the same ; and it is understood that those in each district who are not under obligation to give the week's notice will notify their intention today, of acting on the general arrangement for re- sisting the demands of the men. Meetings of the London workmen have been held at Stepney and Greenwich. At the Greenwich meeting, Mr. Newton stated that the men hid assembled out of respect for Mr. Penn, one of the most liberal of employers, in consequence of his having suggested that the Executive Committee of the Employers' Association were desirous to receive a de- pUtation from the executive of the Amalgamated Society. The meeting was unanimous in answering, that if the employers wished to receive a deputation, a deputation should attend them, but the men ought not to take the initiative. It does not appear that any steps have been taken in London to follow up the course said to have been suggested by Mr. Penn; and so far.as-the Manchester executive is concerned, it is said they have expressly resolved, that the statement of Mr. Newton is not deserving of credit, that they repudiate the idea of inviting any deputation, and that they will take nothing into consideration but a " written communica- tion "- from the leaders or officers of the Amalgamated Society. It is said that the managers of the Amalgamated Society have had an offer, by a " responsible capitalist," that if they will invest 10,0001. of their funds in tools, " any amount of capital will be forthcoming to enable the men to undertake any amount of work on their own account." Such a statement looks very like a fabrication : the capitalist must be "respon- sible" indeed, who could extemporize and advance at one swoop not only the wages and the material of work, but the buildings, shops, work-yards, &e. The men may be as sure as the masters, that if a great revolution oc- cur in their trade, throwing employment and capital out of its customary channels, it will be a slow matter to restore the old state of things. We learn that some contracts have already been transferred to Belgium for completion ; and there are more instances in which contracts have been refused here, and taken to foreign factories for performance from beginning to end.

At the end of the year 1845, the length of railway opened in the United Kingdom was 2023 miles. The total expenditure on railways at that date was 71,647,0001.—about 35,0701. per mile ; and the gross traffic receipts from the railways for that year were 6,669,2301.—about 34691. per mile per annum. At the end of the year 1851, the length of railway opened in the United Kingdom had increased to 6928 miles. The total expenditure on railways had swelled to 236,841,4201.—about 35,0581. per mile ; and the gross re- ceipts of the year were 14,987,3101.—not more than 2281/. per mile per annum.

In 1842, the average cost per mile of the railways in existence had been 34,6901.; in 1845 it had been 35,0701. ; in 1848 it had been 34,2341.; and in 1851 it was again 35,0581. So that the practical cost per mile had increased, instead of diminished with the cost of material and the increase of skill.

The gross traffic receipts per mile since 1842 have been—In 1842, 31131., or 8.291. per cent on the capital then expended ; in '43, 30831., or 8.82/. per cent on the capital; in '44, 32781., or 8.84/. per cent ; in '45, 34691., or 9.301. per cent ; in'46, 3305/4 or 9.251. per cent ; in '47, 28701., or 8.20/. per cent ; in '48, 25561., or 6.78/. per cent ; in '49, 23021., or 6.13/. per cent ; in '50, 2227/., or 5.80/. per cent ; in '51, 2281/., or 6.35/. per cent. Therefore the increased receipts fell behind their due propor- tion to the increased length opened, every year since 1842 down to 1850; and only last year, when the increased length opened fell below the in- creased length opened in the preceding year by more than half, (from about 590 additional miles, to about 240 additional miles,) showed signs of a healthy reaction.

If from the 6.351. per cent of gross traffic receipts yielded last year you deduct 45.0/. per cent for working expenses, you have for the past year an average dividend of 31. 10s. per cent on the whole of the capital expended on railways in the United Kingdom. One easily understands this state of things, on recollecting that such lines as the Liverpool and Manchester, which paid its 10 per cent yearly for fifteen years, the Grand Junction, which formerly paid from 10 to 12 per cent, and the London and Bir- mingham about 9 per cent, are now reduced to 51 per cent ; the Lanca- shire and Yorkshire from .8 per cent to 2 per cent ; the South-western from 8 per cent to 31 per cent ; the Great Western from 8 per cent to 4 per cent ; and other lines in proportion.

Results of the Registrar-General's return of mortality kit the week ending on Saturday last—

of Ten

jbeli.:Vicr • .r.2•.;

1841-60,- e'425321.„

Zymode Diseases 2,323 .... 231 Dropsy, Cancer, and other diseases of uncertain or variable seat. , 370 .... 47 Tubercular Diseases 1,806 .... 193 Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses 1,973 .... 141 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 416 .... 59 Diseases of the Lungs, and of the other Organs of Resphation 2,414 .... 233 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion 650 .... 58 Diseases of the Kidneys, fic 98 .... 13 Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, Cc 102 .... 7 Rheumatism, diseases of the Bones, Joints, @c 83 .... 10 Diseases of the Skip, Cellular Tissue, Cc 17

Malformations 27

Premature Birth ass

Atrophy 156

Age

708

33

Sudden 233 .... 27 Violence, Privation, Cold, andLatemperance 516 .... Ill

— — Total (Including unspecified causes) 11,830 1,197

Prince Albert has intimated to the Government School of Mines the in- tention of the Prince of Wales to grant two annual exhibitions, (to be named the " Duke of Cornwall's Exhibitions,") the amount of each being sufficient to defray the expenses of the course of instruction at that insti- tution.

On a plot of barren ground contiguous to the Shadwell station of tho Blackwell Railway, which was formerly occupied by some miserable hovels, a range of dwellings, exactly similar in size and architecture to Prince Al- bert's model lodging-house in Hyde Park, have been erected. They are two stories in height, each floor having three rooms. At present the range is confined to twelve dwellings, but it is proposed to increase them to as many again.—Shipping Gazette.

A notice was issued from the Customhouse last week, that no vessel would be cleared for sea, whether steam or sailing vessel, unless furnished with boats and signal-lights, regulated according to tonnage ; and, for the greater safety of passengers, any vessel taking more than ten passengers will, in addition to their boats, be required to carry a life-boat, under a penalty of 1001. upon the owners and 501. upon the master.