30 a THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
[Jan. 14, 
pon so important a subject. I remain, yours respect- 
fully, E. Norwics.’ 
iverpool.—On Saturday last the Collegiate Institu- 
tion in this town, of which the foundation-stone was 
laid by Lord Stanley about two years since, was opened 
with unusual ceremonies, This building, which is of 
great extent, and one of the finest specimens of archi- 
tecture in Liverpool, has been erected by the private 
bseript! of the inhabi at a cost of 24,000/. 
The great hall was crowded with visitors, among whom 
were the Bishop of Chester, the Right Hon. W. E. Glad- 
stone, several Members of Parliament, and a large num- 
ber of the local clergy. In the absence of Lord Stanley, 
Mr. Gladstone, Vice-President of the Board of Trade, 
delivered the inaugural address. He said—‘‘At the 
opening of an institution intended mainly for the benefit 
of the middle classes of society, he, who was himself 
sprung from that middle class, and with his family still 
claimed to belong to that middle class—felt that he might 
be expected to entertain some sympathy with the prin- 
cipal object of this institution; that he might desire to 
open and smooth the way for those who might be inclined 
to enter in the path of honourable advancement, and 
that upon this account, if not upon personal qualifi- 
cations, he might with sincerity and earnestness address 
them on the question which had assembled them together. 
He said that there was no class of men who ought to 
take a livelier interest in the progress of all schemes 
connected with public education than that class which 
was connected with political office. What was the con- 
dition of the institutions of this country? He should 
now speak of facts not open to dispute. He rejoiced 
they were here removed from the arena of party discus~ 
sion; but it was admitted on all hands that we had 
arrived ata state in the progress of society in which we 
must give a broad basis to public institutions, in which 
we must feel interest in them, and challenge for them the 
approbation and support of the mass of the intelligent 
community. It was his opinion, that those who were 
appointed to watch over the laws and institutions of the 
country ought to know best of all men—that inasmuch 
as we must look to the great masses of the intelligent 
community for the means of upholding our institutions— 
of supporting the throne and the aristocracy—of support- 
ing the church—of supporting all which some men 
deemed to be relics of dark ages, but which others be. 
lieved to be sound in their principles and deeply rooted in 
the affections of the people—they ought, he said, to know 
best the necessity of training the minds of the popula- 
tion in sound and useful knowledge—in knowledge which 
would bear the criterion of a searching examination, and 
not in that which too often passed for sound and useful 
knowledge—with pretensions to the substance, and not to 
the reality. It was, therefore, acting on those convic- 
tions that, so far from desiring to see education restricted 
in the country, he trusted that every year that passed 
over our heads might, on the contrary, witness its 
freer and freer diffusion on sound and true principles. 
Did we not live in an age when everything was made sub- 
ject to question and doubt? when men’s minds were sti- 
mulated into an activity which was salutary, no doubt, in 
many respects, but which required the guide both of 
sound Scriptural principles and enlarged habits of thought ? 
Tt was a critical period in the history of nations when 
men began to question themselves with respect to things 
about them—when doubts were suggested before the 
means of solving those doubts were at hand—when there 
was a great disposition to question the merits of this and 
that institution, and when there was not the same power 
to examine the merits on which such institutions might 
depend. This was eminently an age of criticism, and, in 
that sense, of scepticism. Did we hold it desirable to 
check that spirit of inquiry? No such thing. It was a 
certain state which belonged to our condition and circum- 
stances—it came upon us as a dispensation of Providence 
that everything should be subjected to discussion. Let 
that discussion be continued ; but let it be fairly and fully 
felt as approaches to aright understanding, not under delay 
or haste, not. under prejudices and party feelings, but with 
all those aids and appli ledge and of 
right habits, and, above all, with all those reliances on a 
higher power, which Christianity alone could give. With 
those advantages let us meet discussion, and we need not 
fear for its issue. And here he came to that great ques- 
tion, that question of questions—what was an education? 
What was an education, if it was indeed to vindicate for 
itself that title for a being like man, who had faculties, 
who had hopes, who had temptations, and who had 
dangers? There were two systems which were irre- 
concilably divided, and the audience were the adherents 
of one of them, They did not come to disparage the ef- 
forts of those who thought differently on the subject of 
education, and the ends to which it should be directed ; 
but they were ready, he trusted, to do justice to their be- 
nevolence and their zeal ; ready to acknowledge that in 
many cases we might take a lesson from that zeal; and 
that men of sounder views might profit in practice 
by , the example of persons who, though they possessed 
less light, yet seemed to make a more sincere and 
earnest use of the light which they possessed. He paid 
great respect, then, to the persons and motives of those 
who took other views on this vital question; still he 
felt that there were two systems irreconcilably divided. 
There were those who thought—and he admitted the 
opinion to be a plausible one to men at first sight, and 
that many would say it was the true one—there were those 
who thought that the first object of education was to give 
to @ man such information as should serve the purposes 
of his temporal advancement—as should enable him to 
pursue with efficiency and success the calling to which he 
might be about to devote himself; and if they had that 
view of the nature of education—if they felt that educa- 
tion was merely designed to put tools into the hands of a 
man, which tools he might employ in order to shape all 
the materials which earth afforded—if they held such a 
belief as this, the natural consequence was, that they 
could not see the necessity of founding education on the 
definite basis of religion. They said we were unhappily 
perplexed by religious divisions, and they were led to add, 
‘Let us avoid all those difficulties, let us found our pub- 
lic education upon the communication of a description of 
knowledge about the utility of which there is no doubt, 
and let us leave religion to be dealt with by other men 
according to their will and pleasure.’ He hoped this 
was not an unfair view of the question, He hoped this 
was not an unfair version of the view which many were 
led to take, and he was bound to say, under the influence, 
as he thought, of a most unfortunate delusion ; but still 
from motives which we were bound to respect, and by no 
means implying an indifference on the part of such indi- 
viduals to the importance and value of religion itself. He 
firmly believed that religion should be included in the 
matter of education, and not only that religion should be 
one item among many, one head in the long catalogue of 
accomplishments, but that it should be the ruling and 
pervading principle, the principle to which all others 
were to be subordinate, and with respect to which all the 
foundations of an institution were to be regulated, and all 
its ends directed and arranged. It was a great truth, that 
education to be valuable and to deserve the name, must 
be a religious education, and to be religious must be 
founded on the definite revelation of God. He believed 
that if they could erect a system which should present to 
mankind all branches of knowledge save the one that 
was essential, they would only be building up a 
Tower of Babel, which, when they had completed, 
would be the more signal in its fall, and which would 
bury those who raised it in its ruins. He believed 
that if they could take a human being in his youth, and 
make him an accomplished man in natural philosophy, in 
mathematics, or in the knowledge necessary for the pro- 
fession of a merchant, a lawyer, or a physician, —that if 
with any or all of those endowments they could store his 
mind,—if they could endow him with the science and 
power of a Newton, and if they had concealed from him, 
or rather if they had not given him a knowledge and love 
of the Christian faith, he would go forth into the world 
destitute of everything that constituted the true ,and 
sovereign purpose of our existence.” The Rev. J. Cony- 
beare, the Principal of the Institution, here briefly 
explained the principles upon which it would be con- 
ducted; after which the bishop closed the proceedings by 
} ing the apostolical t dicti n the evening 
the Mayor entertained a large party of the principal sup- 
porters of the undertaking at dinner in the Town-hall.— 
The Liverpool Chronicle mentions as a remarkable fact, 
that Capt. Nye, of the packet-ship Independence, which 
arrived at that port on Sunday-week, in 16 days from New 
York, states, that though he has crossed the Atlantic 
above ahundred times, the last was the only voyage he did 
not see a solitary sail the whole distance from New York 
to Liverpool. 
Manchester.—The weekly meeting of the League was 
held on Friday, and was attended by an unusually large 
number of members. The chairman, Mr. Geo. Wilson, 
stated, that large subscriptions had been received during 
the week from several important towns ; that on the pre- 
vious night meetings had been held at Warrington and 
Bolton ; that 300/. was subscribed at the former place, and 
upwards of 700/. in the latter, before they quitted the room. 
He also stated, that the town-council of Glasgow and 
Edinburgh had confered the freedom of those cities on 
Mr. Cobden, for his exertions in promoting the cause of 
the Anti-Corn-law League. The secretary then read a long 
list of places from which contributions had been received, 
after which the meeting was addressed at great length by 
the Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P., Mr. M. Philips, Mr. Cob- 
den, Mr. Brotherton, the Rev. Dr. Hewlett of Coventry, 
and other gentlemen. It was announced that arrangé- 
ments had been entered into for holding a meeting on 
every evening up to the 30th inst. all of which would be 
attended and addressed by deputations of the council of 
the League, including the most influential members. 
Plymouth.—We learn by the Plymouth Journal that 
the arrangements and surveys for the formation of a line 
of telegraphs along the coast, from the Lizard to Ports- 
mouth, are in a forward state, and it is expected that the 
signal stations will be completed and in operation in the 
spring. The stations, as far as practicable, will be along 
the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Hants, to 
Portsmouth, whence the telegraphic communications will 
be made to the Admiralty as heretofore. In consequence 
of the stations of the preventive service being generally so 
situate that each commands a view of an extensive line of 
coast, and being under the superi d f li t 
in the navy, it is intended to have a number of them fitted 
with telegraphs, as was the case on the coast of Kent and 
Sussex, when Admiral Sir H. Pigot commanded the coast 
blockade. By this mode the expense of the line will be 
comparatively trifling, as an addition of only one man to 
each station will be required. 
Reading.—We learn by the Reading papers that Alder- 
maston House, the fine old mansion of Mr. W. Congreve, 
was totally destroyed by fire on Saturday morning last. 
The fire broke out in the morning between 4 and 5, in an 
attic over the drawing-room, and though soon discovered 
it had gained such head that it was impossible to suppress 
it. The plate, however, and a large portion of the furni- 
ture, were saved. At 7 o’clock the whole building was 
enveloped in flames, which were seen at Newbury and 
other places for many miles round; the roof fell soon 
afterwards, and for some minutes completely smothered 
the flames. The engines from Reading reached the Hall 
soon after 8, and before noon the flames were in some 
measure subdued ; but the principal rooms, the hall, and 
by far the greater part of the building, were totally destroyed. 
Wigan.—Intelligence arrived in this town on Wednes- 
day week that Whitley-hall, the residence of Mr. A. F. 
Halliburton, was on fire. The report caused a great sen- 
sation, as the hall is one of the finest mansions in the 
neighbourhood of Wigan. The fire was occasioned by 
some lighted coals falling from the grate in the study down 
a back flue constructed for the purpose of increasing the 
draught in the chimney from the cellar, Some straw in 
the cellar underneath the study caught fire, and, had a 
timely discovery not been made, it is more than probable 
that the mansion would soon have been destroyed from its 
elevated situation and the strong breeze which was blowing 
at the time. The flames were soon subdued, and very 
little damage was sustained. 
Windsor.—A military funeral took place in this town 
last week, when the body of Lieut. De Winton of the 2d 
Life Guards, who died at the cavalry barracks on the 31st 
ult., was buried in St. George’s Chapel with the usual 
military honours. The aisles of the chapel were lined 
with troops, and a large number of officers of high rank 
took part in the imposing ceremony.—The daily papers 
announce that forms of proposals for a contract have just 
been issued from the Office of Woods and Forests, for 
the immediate erection, in that portion of the Home-park, 
near Adelaide-lodge, situate between her Majesty’s private 
dog-kennel and the dairy, opposite Frogmore-lodge, of a 
small picturesque brick-building, to be appropriated ex- 
clusively for keeping the varied and peculiar breeds of do- 
mestic poultry belonging to her Majesty. 
Wrexham.—A case of embezzlement, somewhat similar 
to that which occurred at Richmond a few weeks since, 
has been made public in this town, Mr. B. Dillon, the 
actuary of the Savings-Bank, having been found to be a 
defaulter to the amount of above 570/. A meeting of the 
trustees has been held, at which all the particulars were 
disclosed; and the result has been the apprehension of 
the delinquent. It appears that Mr. Dillon was formerly 
a wine merchant in Wrexham, and failed for a large 
amount. Being a good accountant he has filled several 
offices of trust, and was actuary to the Savings-Bank and 
auditor to the Union. His occupation of accountant 
brought him a considerable income, sufficient to place 
him above the reach of temptation. The depositors will 
sustain no loss by the defalcation, as he gave a bond, 
signed by two sureties, for a part of his liabilities, and the 
remainder will fall upon the trustees. 
York.—The Yorkshire Papers still dwell on the recent 
failure of the Agricultural aad Commercial Joint Stock 
bank, of which we gave the particulars in our last, and 
state that the effects will be severely felt in York and in the 
surrounding districts. Not only has the paid-up capital 
of 211,0002. been totally lost, but the shareholders have 
now to meet a call of 3d. per share, in order to wind up 
the concern, which will make another loss of 162,000/. 
It appears also that litigation in a business of this sort is 
hardly to be avoided, so that the ultimate loss of the 
shareholders has yet to be determined, nor is it pretended 
that the affairs can be wound up in less than a year and a 
half. The list privately distributed of the proprietary 
who are, during this long interval, to be kept in suspense, 
contains the names of 562 shareholders, a large propor- 
tion of whom, exclusive of those resident in York, are land- 
owners and farmers. 
Railways.—The following are the returns of the prin- 
cipal railways for the past week :—London and Birming- 
ham, 11,5592. ; Great Western, 10,081/.; Northern and 
Eastern, 1,155/.; South-Western, 4,803/.; Birmingham 
and Derby, 1,248/. ; Hull and Selby, 6717. ; Grand Junc- 
tion, 5,546/.; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 1,6047. ; Midland 
Counties, 2,212/, ; Blackwall, 5517. ; Great North of Eng- 
land, 9952. ; Sheffield and Manchester, 3797. ; North 
Midland, 3,400/.; Brighton, 3,662/.; Greenwich, 8303. 5 
Eastern Counties, 8767. It is stated in the Railway 
Magazine that the Great Western Company have de- 
termined to make the Box tunnel an open cutting, and 
that the contract for carrying this important improvement 
into effect has been already taken. A meeting of the in« 
habitants of Carlisle, in aid of the proposed railway from 
that city to Lancaster, was held last week, Mr. Erring- 
ton, one of the engineers of the line, stated that there are 
no engineering difficulties; and that with respect to 
gradients, the obstacles were not so great as had been 
overcome upon the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, and 
upon several others now in successful operation. From 
Carlisle to Penrith, and from Lancaster to Kendal, it is 
proposed to make the line double; but the middle dis- 
tance, that is, from Penrith to Kendal, a single line only 
will be laid down in the first instance, The distance from 
Carlisle to Lancaster will be 69 miles ; and Mr. Errington 
stated that he had no doubt that the railway could be laid 
down, stations built, carriages supplied, and the whole put 
in working order for one million sterling, The plan pro- 
posed for raising this sum is this :—The different railway 
Companies, that is, the London and Birmingham, the 
rand Junction, the North Union, and the Preston and 
Lancaster, will take shares at once to the amount of half 
a million. The value of the land required is calculated at 
90,000/,, and it is stipulated that the landowners shall 
take shares to this amount. It is then proposed to raise, 
in 50/, shares, among the inhabitants along the line, the 
sum of 160,000. A capital of 750,000/. will thus be pro- 
vided, and this being three-fourths of the whole estimated 
cost, it is believed that Parliament will at once grant & 
bill.” ‘The remaining portion of the money will be raised 
