ii.] THE SCHOOL BOARDS. 41 



explanation that * their lordships' ' letter was intended to convey to 

 me that no general rule, beyond that stated in the first paragraph of 

 their letter, could at present be laid down by them ; and that their 

 decision in each particular case must depend on the special circum- 

 stances accompanying it. 



*' I think it would appear from this that it may yet be in many 

 cases both lawful and expedient to teach religious formularies in rate 

 schools. H. I. 



"STEYNING, November 5, 1870." 



Of course I do not mean to suggest that the editor of 

 the Guardian is bound by the opinions of his corre- 

 spondent ; but I cannot help thinking that I do not 

 misrepresent him, when I say that he also thinks " that 

 it may yet be, in many cases, both lawful and expedient 

 to teach religious formularies in rate schools under these 

 circumstances." 



It is not uncharitable, therefore, to assume that, the 

 express words of the Act of Parliament notwithstand- 

 ing, all the sectaries who are toiling so hard for seats in 

 the London School Board have the lively hope of the 

 gentleman from Steyning, that it may be " both lawful 

 and expedient to teach religious formularies in rate 

 schools ; " and that they mean to do their utmost to bring 

 this happy consummation about. 1 



Now the pathetic emotion to which I have referred, 

 as accompanying my contemplations of the violent 

 struggles of so many excellent persons, is caused by the 



1 A passage in an article on the " Working of the Education Act," in the 

 Saturday Review for Nov. 19, 1870, completely justifies this anticipation of 

 the line of action which the sectaries mean to take. After commending 

 the Liverpool compromise, the writer goes on to say : 



" If this plan is fairly adopted in Liverpool, the fourteenth clause of the Act 

 will in effect be restored to its original form, and the majority of the ratepayers 

 in each district be permitted to decide to what denomination the school shall 

 belong." 



In a previous paragraph the writer speaks of a possible " mistrust " of one 

 another by the members of the Board, and seems to anticipate " accusations of 

 dishonesty." If any of the members of the Board adopt his views, I think it 

 highly probable that lie may turn out to be a true prophet. 



