* . « ; ‘THE HERAL ~~ lesen y meseurnyruesnesacunonaeny soe sae D, WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1868. a er nc — “- a i fo in nnn ; 8 Vale, Wellington, Inverness, (not plaster-| . During the summer circuit, I have visited one! The students and pupilsdo sitin the same apart! the Company's Agent, was in a difficulty, having passen- of) Kelen Grove, Grove. one _ | hundred and sixty sehools, and in the winter, up | ment. * gers to A aguante area age Brack Boarv.— Canoe Cove, (no lock,)| to this time, sixty-eight have been inspected,| There is spaceenough for the No, in attendance, oon eee coned to pay our hotel expenses till the Unger North River, Fermoy, Campbelton, Lot 21, | making two hundred and twenty-eight since March, | and as long as thére arg only two teachers, two | nr the boat, to which arrangements we consent- Mar ov rar Wortn.—Pleasant Valley, (new district, ) Johnson's Road, Brook Vale, Bloomficld, new t,) Great Miminegash, St. Peter’s & - Paul’s, (new district,) Ascension, IMorschead, Foxley River, Wellington, Carleton, Lot 6, (new +) Inverness, Kelvin Grove. No Trusrers’ eg Fit sat Vale, Cavendish Road, Ascension, Sea Cow Pond, Tignish, Fortune Gove, Canoe Cove, Webster's Creck, St. Cathe- ’s, Mount Pleasant. No Mar or P, E, L.—Lower North River, St. Mary’s, Johnson's Road, Brook Vale, Freciand, Bloomfield, (new district,) Great Miminegash, Hill’s River, Peter's & St. Paul’s,(new, ) Horse- head, N » Bea Cow Pond, Tignish, Campbel- ton, Lot 4, Mount Pleasant, Lot 8, Fortune Cove, ‘Cape Traverse, The Grove, Inverness, Carleton, K Capes, Foxley River, Hazel Grove, River, Johnson’s Road, Brook Vale, F + Bloomfield, Hill’s River, Horsehead, @ lton, Lot 4, Greenhill, Wellington, Inver- ness, (new, ) St. Patrick's, Pleasant Valley, (new, ) Ju Road, Irish Town, Greenwich, North Rustico, Cavendish Road, St. Augustine, To the Board of Education for the Island of Prince Ldward, ’ Gextiemey :— T have now to’report generally on the progress of Education, aud the state of the District and Grammar Schools in the Western Section of the Island, from the 16th April, 1867, the date of my last printed report, to the present tiie. In doing so, 1 will refer you epecially to my Auarterly report, dated the 26th June, the state- ments and recommendations in which I fully con- firm from the results of my more recent visits, T have subsequently made some suggestions with the view of producing a more regular attend- ance of the children’ at the schools, and thus re- moving the greatest obstacle to their progressive unprovement, One of these suggestions, my re- port of 26th Sept., is the establishment of County or District examinations of a number of pupils aclected from the several schools and asthenia by any of the Trustees and parents disposed to do so, and thereapon the award of prizes to the most deserving, cither by their progress in their studies, or their regular attendance. think some such measure, after the example of New Brunswick, would create a spirit of emu- lation, not only among the scholars, butalso with the teachers, and would have a favorable effect on the parentsy inducing them to make greater efforts to keep their children regular at school. Much, under any cireumstauce, depends on the parents, and they cannot be too strongly ex- horted to attend, as far as may be in their power, to the education of their children. There are many impediments to regular attendance in this «limate, but I have known instances of girls walk- ing bare-footed to school, two miles over the snow, and of others attending in very inclement weather with very thin clothing. Those who evince so much anxiety for improvement, should be encour- aged, but at the same time, every care should be taken that their health may not suffer, and on this account the 11th rule of the new regulation should b> strictly enforced. In the Schedule to my report, T have particular- ized the condition of the schoolhouses, many of which are cold and unfit tor winter use. To remedy this effectually, would require more power than is at present possessed by your Board, as the suspension of its school is the only penalty that ean be inflicted on any District that may allow its schoolhouse to become dilapidated, and I know of one instance at least, where this has produced no good effect. While I am on this subject, I may perhaps be allowed to quote the words of an eminent British statesman, who has recently ob- served that, “if a parent did not educate his child, he was committing not only asin against that child, but a positive offence against socicty.”’ Next to the parents of the children, we should look to the Trustees to promote Education in their respective Districts, and much more depends on them, than on any of the other authorities. The office is one of great importance, and its duties are too often neglected, or inefliciently performed. In many cases, however, all of which I have noted in the Schedule, some of the Trustees have taken a warm interest in their schools, and wherever this is the case, good effects are invariably pro- duced, both on the teacher and the children, With regard to the teachers, I ean safely report | that most, if not all of them, are well qualilied, as far as regards their own attainments in the several branches of instruction usually taught in the District Schools, If 1 might presume to make any suggestions, it would be, that previously to ting the certificate, some little time should Se devihed to the actual teaching, under superin- ndance of some school or large class, And e-ving that English composition should be made @ prominent subject for examination. If a third glass of teachers, consisting of such as should be willing to submit to a higher examination, to be regulated by your Board, weve instituted, with an inc salary, it would, | think, tend to raise sa general tone of Education throughout the Is- and. I must repeat what I have before said as to the deficiency in Black Boards and Maps, and also the frequent want of Trustees Books. It will be for your Board to enforce the orders you have made on these subjects, which do not appear in the printed regulations. New Schoolhouscs have been built at Platte Lot 17, and North Bedeque, Lot 25, These Ihave omg Moca as well adapted for their pur- pose. The new Schoolhouse at Cape Wolfe was gompleted when I last visited the District, but some differences had arisen with the contractor, which prevented its occupation, A Schoolhouse is also byilding in the District of Huntly, late South Kildare Tes comer Behoot at Summerside, of which Mr. A, McRae is master, on my first visit, con- tained a small number of scholars, but some of them were well advanced in their Classical and Mathematical studies. Two of the pupils were then receiving instruction in Greck, six in Latin, of whom construed an Ode in Horace, seven French, four in Algebra, and six in Mathematics, and I can speak very favorably of the pro these branches, 27th ult., the more advanced scholars had left school, but the number was increased to foyr, of whom two were learning Latin, : two G , four 1867. I have attempted, in the Schedules, to give an adequate report of the state of each school, but it should be remembered, that only a small pro- portion of the scholars present during the summer attend during the winter season, It will he seen that the senior classes generally read and spell well, and I have endeavoured to ascertain. by questioning them on the subject of their lessons, whether they understood their general meaning, and I have paid particular attention to their pro- greasion in Arithmetic, notes of which, as well as the results of the examination in other branches, will be found in the several columns of the sta- tistical Schedules, ae lL have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, W. ILENRY BUCKERFIELD, Visitor for the Western Section. Alberton, Feb, Ist, 1868. E To the Board of Education, Gextiewen -— 1 received, from your Seerctary, on the 3rd in- stant, ‘“‘ Notice, that at the regular meeting of the Board, on the 30th ultimo, a special meeting was ordered to be held on the 10th instant, at 10 A. M., and that the Visitors of Schools be notified, that unless the concluding portions of their re- ports for the last year be laid before the Board on that day, they will not be received thereafter.” I presume that, in asking reports from your sub- ordinates carlier than customary, it was not your intention to order the reiteration of the facts and suggestions detailed in the usual quarterly com- munications regularly submitted, as required by law. As I interpret your injunctions, you wish your officers to furnish at the time specified, the com- plement of statistics and a supplementary report stating succintly, observations bearing upon the improvements desirable in our school system, and in the present organization of the schools, that you may have time to revise their suggestions, and select such as you approve of, to be included in your report to the Government and the Legislature. In deference, therefore, to your supposed desire and expectations, as well as in accordance with my own conviction of duty, I respectfully comply witb the requirement of your resolution, The Schedule of statistics is similar in form to the authorized school registers, The aggregate of the boys and girls, and also of the pupils in the five reading classes, corresponds with the number enrolled, The accompanying synopsis exhibits a reliable summary of statistics. The entries on registers in schoolsare remarkably accurate, which ean be ascertained by inspection and comparison of the columns to which I have now referred. The recent amendments in the School Act in relation to the payment of salaries, has satisfied a large majority of teachers, especially the fathers in the profession, but the difference in the salaries of old and young teachers is considered, by those classified probationers, as an illiberal and unfair distinction. They maintain that they entered and attended the Normal School to be trained in the art of teaching, and have received license from the B, of E, without any invidious conditions. The necessary condition for the prosperity of schools is, the interest and sympathy of the people; but the immediate agents in effecting cfliciency must be good teachers, To supply these is the object of the Normal School. The theory of Normal Schools requires that they should be strictly professional, that those who en- ter them should be thoroughly acquainted with the several branches they propose to teach, and the instruction in them should be confined to the art of teaching. When our Normal School was estab- lished, however, nothing like this could be realized. But as all our teachers, except a few, have been trained ; the instruction in our schools should now be so exact and thorough as to make the pupils really know, as teachers should, the branches to be taught, so that the art of teaching alone would remain to be learned; consequently, the present work in the Normal School should be su- perseded, being a perversion of its legitimate func- tions. In this connection, I referto my communication of the 27th November ult., incase you wish to re- vert to the questions you then proposed. 1 now transcribe your Secretary's letter to me, and Mr. Webster's autograph answer: Jharlottetown, Noy. 16th, 1867. J, Anovckts, Esq., 8. or N.S. Dear Sir :— : I am directed to request you to furnish to the Board of Education, full statistical information on the state of the Normal School, including the fol- lowing heads :-— The No, of students or pupil teachers in atten- dance, The No, of ordinary scholars or pupils, The No. of cach sex, The No, in the female department, of both sexes all in the present term, The hours of instruction, summer and winter, The No, of pupils from the country. The No, of pupils resident in the city, The No. of teaching days in the year, The No, of teaching days in each week, The Books used. The portion of tine devoted by the students to teach, in the Model School, Whether there is a Model School, or classes properly so called ? Whether the instruction is conducted on Stowe’s system’? If not, on what system ? Whether the pupil teachers and the ordinary = sit in the same department, hether the accomodation is sufficient in regard to space and rooms for the largest No. in atten- dance, and any other information you can furnish on the subject. [Signed,| JOIN MeNEILL, See'y B. of E. Nov. 18th, 1867, Abstract from Register of Normal School term, commencing Sept. snd, 1867. No. of stadents—females, 19, males, 25; total 44. Pupils taught by master—females 3, males 11 ; total, 14. Totalin Mr, Webster's room—femalos 86, males On my last visit, on | 99..58 Total in Miss MeKinnon's room—girls 44, boys 13=<57, 58x57<115, Of these 115, 38, all students, are from the coun- try, The remaining 77 reside in the city. Hours are, in summer, from 9 to 124, winter, from 94 to 2. _ The No. of teaching days is about 215. The No. of pore Bae in each week, 5. hool. The students There is no Model take , | turns assisting Miss McKinnon, one being al Salvin er, ‘ The nystom is Stowe’s system, as it now exists = as our circum: in Stowe's Institution in Glasgow, so rooms are su Hee. A good Model School, with two or three depart- ments, is required to make the P. E. 1, Normal School worthy of the name, The foregoing are very concise answers to the questions submitted: I hope you will find them sutisfactory, ° #*™ [Signedy «' J. If. WEBSTER. To J. Arbuckle, Fst, } yr Ss He A3e In compliance with the order of the Board for my guidance in prescribing the course of study and discipline in the last term in the Normal School, the students have heen exercised in-prac- tical lessons without interruption, for the last month ofthe session, to qualify them for an ex- amination testing their ability to teach and their capacity for governing—essential acquirements— to be in future prominent features in the examin- ation of applicants for licence ty teach. : Although the days when teachers were few in number and poorly prepared for their work, have passed away ; yet, I regret thatit isa too prevalent usage to engage teachers without sufficient con- sideration of their aptness to teach, and of their zeal and love forthe work, without which the best intellectual attainments are worthless, A radical change in the organization of the city schools is absolutely necessary, and that change should comprise systematic grading, which 1 re- peatedly proposed: in former reports, and agsin respectfully recommend to your sorious consider- ation, Schoolhonses on improved principles be would previded, furnished and equipped in accordance with the requirements of the system, with regard to method and discipline. In our city, a system of three schools—giving two grades to a school, would be a practicable and suitable arrangement. The course of instruction prescribes an average period of “schooling,” each pupil advances from one grade to another at the end of cach term of the established course, and, when the highest class is transferred to the Grammar School, then cach class below is pro- moted one grade, leaving a room vacant for new recruits, Citizens complain that the school acoommoda- tion is not commenstirate with the requirements of the community.” The establishment of the districts has not affoyled the convenience and com- fort contemplated, Children residing in the Fifth Ward, attend school in the First,’ Several of the pupils in the | *Kent,’? come front other wards, Practically, the restrictive regulations prescribed in reference to districts are disregarded, and the limits defined transgressed, Tn all the schools, some of the children do not live in the district in which the school they attend is located, and many of them are of various ages and attainments, Tn the five reading classes in the city schools, there are from the Ist class to the 5th, in success- ion, 118, 102, 106, 9£ and 82 pupils, in the aggre- gate, 512, so that these data from the records in- dicate that the systematic classification proposed is porfectly feasible, and unquestionably Tealtalie, My conviction of the defects and deficiencies of our system urge me to recommend the establish- ment of a few special schools. An intermediate Seminary is much required for the instruction of pupils not qualified to enter the Grammar School, and who are too old and too large to be placed with the children in the primary schools, Thisschool should combine in itsscheme, classes for instruction in the English classics, (Coutinued on fourth page.) © orrespondencee, eT a een A meeting of the members of the Saint Peter's Bay Agricultural Society was held at the Head of St. Peter's Bay, on Wednesday, the 8th instant. Mr. Angus MeDonald was called to the chair. In amendment to the bye laws of the Society, the follow- ing resolutions were passed :— Resolved, That the Treasurer and Secretary be patd the sum of three coaprs out of the general fond, as compensation for his labor for the flest year, and that the commiltttee shall furnish the said Treasuer and: Seeretary with a journal and ledger for the use of the society. Resolved, That-any of thet committee not present at this mecting or any other meeting of the society, be ex- pelled and replaced Hy aarfajority of the meeting pre- sent, unless showing’ carkie Of absence. Resolved, ‘That an exibition, fair and cattle show, will take place at St. Peters Bay in the first week in October, A. 1D., 1868. Moved by Mr. Richard Dwan, seconded by Donald R. McKinnon, that the Right Rev. Dr. McIntyre, Bishop of Charlottetown, be Patron of the St. Peter's Bay Agri- cultural socicty. ; And the following gentlemen were placed in the room of the absent members of the committee: —Mr, Willlam Hooper in the room of John Hughes, not present, Mr. John D. McKinnon in the room of Jolin R. McKinnon, not present, Mr. Ilenry D, Anderson, Cardigan Road, in the room of Peter MeAulay, not present, It was slso agreed that Willlam If. MeEwen, Esq., be a member of the committee, ; Mr. Editor, I feel happy to announce to you that the above meeting described, was well attended by gentle- men from different parts of this locality, who intend to take a lively Interest in fostering the society. Although our society is only newly fledged, we promise by the encouragement received from its members and others, amd especially the support granted by the Legislature, that our society wi} at and be a benetit to the farming population of King’s County. Several mem- bers of the soclety gave most excellent observatioZ on the subject of their farming operations, &e., &c. Spoke highly on the use and the benefit resulting from agricultural societies, The Secretary of the society read a document from His Excelleney in Council, showing the appointment of the following gentlemen, who are empowered by His Exeellewey tn Council to expend the £100, granted the Legislature for the St, Peter's Bay Agrieultural, —; ‘on, Andrew McDonald, M. L. C. Anthony MeCormack, Esq., M, P. T. Willlam Whiteman, Esq., William Clements, Esq., Alexander J, McDonald, Esq., George Moore, Esq. John Stewart, Esq., Red Polut. Mr. Thomas Annear, Lot 59. Mr. Rowald MeCormack, Lot 45. The committee is desirous to knew from the above named gentlemen when intend to hold their meeting, in order to receive their report in dae time in regard to the exhibition, and the committee also re- p-cymene sage to be given to the Sceretary in ANTHONY McCORMACK, See'y. Soclety's Room, lead ter’s July sth, 1868, - } Other papers please copy. On boar the Heather Detle. Tharedas, 23rd July, 1868, To tue Evrron ov rie Tet anpen, Sir,—On arrival at Sammerside from Shediae, . onthe steamer Heather Relle, we found, to as Soe shenenae Wan on dotet to of Crk, on the 15th Inst. ed. We were, accordingly, conveyed to the ‘Clifton House,’ where we received every attention from Mrs. Mawlev, whose kindness and urbanity of manner, can- not fail to recommend her houge to the favorable notice of travellers and excursionlate, We. the undersigned, passengers of the Heather Belle. desire publicly to express onr admiration of the kind attention paid ue by Cpt.R. K, MeKenzie, the Pilot and Crew of the boat, as well as of the etraightforward and honorable conduct of the P. E. I, S. N. Co.. in thus amply providing for our comfort, under the pecoliar circumstances in which they found themselves placed, and feel assured that by their pursuing this praise- worthy line of conduct, they will ensure to themselves pablie patronage and confidence, Wishing the company every success, we hereunto cheerfully subscribe our names— (Signed) Rev. Alex, MeWilliam, M. A.: Henry J, Richards, Hamilton, Can. ; H. M. Churchill, T. G, Wad- man, John Wil'iams, Charles Pre, R. D. Stearns, George Kear, George Dodd, Thomas Pve, Miss A. t Pollard, Miss KE. Saunders, Mrs, II. Richards, Mrs. John Melnnis, Mrs. G. Kerr, Miss Margaret McCarter, Mra. Mclean, Mrs. C. W. Shaw, Mrs, J. EH. Churchill. RECIPROCITY WITH THE UNITED STATES. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the rooma of the Marine Insurance Company on Mon- day evening, the 21st inet. Tn the absence of the Hon, D. Brenan, President, the Hon, J. C. Pope was called to the chair, Mr. Pope stated that the object in ealling a special meeting of the Board was in conseqnence of certain re- solutions introduced ino the United Statea Congress, relating to a free trade between that ecoantry and Prince Edward Island. The question waa one of very great importance, and this Association, representing to some extent the commercial interests of the Colony, he thought, ongit to take some action on the subject. 1. C. Mall, Esq, laid upon the table a printed copy of the resolutions enbmitted to Congress by Mr. B. FP. Butler, relating to Free Trade with P. E. Tsland, which the chairman read. They are as followa: Resoleed, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to admit into the Several Ports of the United States, free of duty, the actnal productions of Prince kdward Island, including fish, accompanied by satis. factory vouchers of the place of production, under such regulations as he may deem necessary, whenever the Colonial Government of P. E, Island shall provide by law. First ; Free admission of all productions of the United States to that Island, Second: 'To adinit to its bays, ports and harbors, for shelter, to obtain supplies, and to refit, free of duty of Impost, all American Fishing vessels, Third: To give license to fish In the waters adjacent to said Island upon such terms that the Hense fee stall not exceed five dollars for any one vessel, or such less a per centage of, or excise on. licenses granted by the Colonial Government of said Island, Non. G. Coles. D. Laird, Beq., Hon. B. Davies. Hon. W. W. Lord, 1. C. Uall, W, Heard, E, Reilly. and others, severally addressed the Board, expressing themselves in favor of Free Trade with the United States, and after a lengthened discussion the following resolution was agreed to :— Wuerras it appears from certain printed resolutions submitted by Mr. B. F. Butler, cn the 6th of July, inst., that the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States have under their consideration the sub- ject of Free Trade between that country and Prince Edward Island; and this board being of opinion that such Trade would be most conducive to the financial interests of both countries, will use their best efforts to promote so desirable an object. Resolved therefore, That a Committee of five gentle- men be appointed from this Board, to correspond with Boards of Trade, and other persons Interested in Re- ciprocal Free Trade between the United States and British America, for the purpose of obtaining such In- formation as may lead to’so desirable a result, The following gentlemen were then named as a Com- mittee to carry ont the foregoing resolation :—Wm. Ueard, Feq.. Hon. B. Davies, I. C. Hall, L. C. Owen and 1). Laird, Eaqra. The meeting then adjourned until Monday evening next, when a general meeting of the Association will take place in the City Hall, for the election of office hearers, &c, July 22, 1868, A, H. Yares, Sec'y. Mr. A. IL. St. Genwats, Proprietor of the Canadian Advertising Agency, Toronto, Ont., 8 our Sous for U& paper. Ghe Herald. Wednesday, July 2D, 18GS8., eae ae oorenaaes NOVA SCOTIA, Dr. Tupper, delegate of the Dominion, and Messrs, Hlowe, Annand, Troop and Smith, delegates of Nova Scotia, arrived at Malifax together, in the Steamer City On stepping ashore, the Doctor was greeted with a storm of hisses from those assembled on the wharf. We cleared out of Nova Scotia to Ottawa the following day. his brother delegates, on presenting themselves on the deck of the steamer, received a very different weleome from their fellow-countrymen. says the Recorder, * vent the alr when Mr, Towe step- pet on the gangway to come on shore, and every one Mr. TWowe and “Cheer after cheer,” present, with the exception of some Dominion toadies, seemed eager to grasp the hand of the great patriot,— onee more among his countrymen, whom he has served so honestly and well.” Previous to their leaving England, the delegates put on record thelr protest against the manner in which the Imperial Government and Parlia- ment dealt with the petition for Repeal presented to them, The “Protest” possesses a bitterness of spirit which might have been expected from men who have heen defeated in obtaining through legal means a re- storation of constitutional rights treacherously taken away—and which they find themselves unable to ro- store by physical force. The tenor of the document may be gathered from the following paragraphs, with which It concludes :— “But what of the future? Tho question Is natural, but we have no answer to give. ith the publication of this paper our responsibilities end. We have pro- — our remedy, it has been rejected. His Grace the Solonial Secretary and Lord Monck have assumed the task of making things pleasant and harmonious. They will have had time to try their experiments before the Legislature of Nova Scotia meets in August, “ In the Interim, we presume the future of our coun- ‘ry will be anxloysly considered 7 ies * the A — guide them Having discha our duty to the empire, we go home to share the perils of our na- tive land, in whose service we consider it an honour to labor, w fortunes in this the darkest hour of her history it would be cowardice to desert.” Tt is diMcult to say what the people and the Local Government of Nova Scotia will attempt in the present orisis, or what course of action they will adopt. It in evident that they are feightfully exasperated, and will be inno mood to obey the behests of the Dominion Government. There are rumours of a secession ordl- nance being passed In August when the Legislature re- assembles. This might be all very well if the difficulty jyras simply between the Dominion and Local Govern- sum as may be demanded by the Canadian Dominion as | Agent for procuring American Advertisements, and | is authorized also to receive Canadian Advertisements | ments. Its solution would be short and simple. But as there are Imperial interests and rights involved jn the question, its satisfactory adjustment is not so easy, The Chronicle, which is the organ of the Local Gov. ernment, points to revolution, as the Inevitable goal to which the Province is hastening. ‘In their final pro. test,” says this paper, ‘ the delegates have temperately related that we are just nearing the narrow boundary which divides insulted allegiance from revolution. We yo slowly but surely to the goal, Before we reach it we trast that England will learn the truth and do us justice.” The Citizen, another Anti-paper, looks to the local legislature as the medium by which independence is to be gained. It says: A “Tn such a crisis as that which has arisen, it is rather for the legislature to speak than the press; but the action of the legislature must be largely influenced by the feclings to which we have referred. Nova Scotia is now exposed to the dangers which beset a Colony that the sit respect ofits peop no withia tho Penpite fa wrhio the self- e a she has been reared, and is driven to look abroad for * snecour, * * * * ° ‘Upon the wise discretion of our legislators, rests in a large measure our future destiny. The duty of the press is rather subordinate, because all the materials for action are ready at hand. Itis not necessary that the people should be wrought up to a state of indignation or that appeals should be made to secure the confidence of their countrymen for those who will guide the public counsels, However bold those counsels may be, the will be somewhat behind the popular feeling, and will leave no chance fr suspicion and mistrust to creep into our ranks,” Time will soon tell what all these mautterings mean; but we must express our conviction that the hope of obtaining ‘* suceour” from “ abroad” is a delusion and a snare which may lead many persons into positions of danger, If not to introduce them to the acquaintance of Caleraft, without the slightest chance of obtaining Re- peal, LIBERTY AND LICENSE. eee Wr are not of those who would deny to the press & large amount of liberty, We commenced jour- nalism with very extensive ideas on the subject, but we were not long in discovering to our cost that our views of the privileges and freedom of the press were alto- gether too magnificent for the eommanity in which we lived. Chief among those who Instructed us in the hard lesson, was the Editor of the Patriot, and if we now return him the compliment in part, he will admit at least that we have been an apt pupil. As a general rule, then, we admit that public men are amenable to acertain amount of censorship from the “ Fourth Es- tate.” ‘This liberty is conceded in all free countried, where the law recognises aud punishes under the name of libel any gross attacks, not founded on fact, upon the personal character and reputation of individuals. A press, however, may often descend into license, with- out strictly coming within the offence of libel, and the power of the Court. For example, whilst a journal might be perfectly justifiable In holding any public oficial responsible for his political views and opinions, it can claim no such privilege with respect to private individuals. It can never be Justified in bringing be- fore the bar of publle opinion, a private Individual, be- cause of certain opinions which he holds with respect to private Educational institutions, because of his con- victions In matters of either Church or State, or be- cause of his attendance or non-attendance at any public or private gathering. Were such a license allowed the press, no person in the community would be safe from , attack. Any Individual,against whom an Editor had an instinctive animosity, or upon whom, unjustly perhaps, he looked zs the light of a rival for popular favor, might be singled out and held up to opprobrium becattso** “ he attended certain conventions and not others,because he paid a visit to certain friends and not to others—or because he gave expression to certaln opinions on one subject and remained silent on others. Now, to make a personal application of these remarks. ~-It appears that the ITon. Col. Gray was Invited to at- tend the late examination at St. Dunstan's College, which invitation he was pleased to accept. In response to the request of the Rev. Rector of the College, the Ilon. Col, Gray offered a few congratulatory remarks to the students and thelr professors. His Lordship the Chief Jastice did the same. There is nothing in what the Colonel said which could offend anybody. He was at perfect liberty to act as he did. An trreparable family afliction had caused him to withdraw from pub- lic life long ago, and in attending the College and speaking as he did, he neither insulted nor compromis- ed any religious or political body In the Island. As a private gentlemen, he spoke his private opinions, and, therefore, we are at aloss to know why the Patriot blindly pounces upon him and imoutes to him all sorts of mo- tives for his actions and his words. The Chief Justices fvas quite as amenable to censure as Colonel Gray ; bat whilst the former is passed over in silence, the Jat- ter is made the subject of a three-column editorial. Why this invidious distinction? Is there any private grudge to satiate, in the person of the Colonel, which does not exist with regard to the Chief Justice; or is it presumed that the former may seck to re-enter public life through the Belfast District, to the prejudice of Mr. Laird’s prospects in that quarter? We do not know that Colonel Gray ever intends to mix In local politics again, nor do we think that Mr. Laird has any positive knowledge on the point. What excuse, therefore, can he give for his invidious and savage assault upon a pri- vate gentleman, who, so far from having political ends to serve, in attending lectures, examinations, rifle com- petitions and other non-political gatherings, may be simply seeking relief from the sorrow which naturally plerees the soul for the loss of a companion who waa the joy of her own houschold, and the comforter of the afflicted throughout the community, We have been as mach opposed to Colonel Gray upon political questions as any weiter in) the Colory, We are still opposed to his views upon confederation; but we must certainly say that we would be guilty of coarse brutality, now tiat he has retired from public life, If we allowed our opinions to pursue him into private life, aud attribute some sinster motive to his every action, Colonel Gray demands no defence at our hands, We offer none, We simply protest against the license of the Patriot, which would, even under the most afflicting circumstances, and contrary to the ordinary right to ated ncollege over whieh Gemmation odious your co-religionists for all time to