A public dinner was given at Manchester, on the 25th
of May, to Mr. James Simpson, of Edinburgh, the distinguished advocate of enlightened general education ; who had just finished a course of highly-interesting lectures on that subject, delivered in Mu:idles ee and Liverpool alternately. The chair was filled by Mr. Wyse, M.P., who came from London on purpose to pay this unirk of respect to Mr. Simpson. In proposing the health of that gentleman, mi.. wyte mentioned what be had witnessed as Chairman of the Education Com- mittee, when Mr. Simpson was examined before them— He had placed before the Committee of the Howe of Commons a volume if evidence which was one of the best woofs that could be afforded of the value ef his labours. lie was no ade,ntuter in benevolence—no Don Quixote against ignorarce a I vice ; what he stated ruts now the result of experience ; and if he was bold in his theories, he showed that he had wisely calculated. The nature of his system was such that it was practical on a large and general scale; no sect • Or party it as favoured by it above another, and nu class of men elevated in pre- ference to another; all grades and distinctions were treated alike; the name of men stood supreme not to do harm, but good ; and the rich fruits of the sj s. tern would be shown in the mow ess of the child to the youth, and from the youth to the perfect man. Ile had to satisfy tile conviction of his own mind in taking the part he had done in bearing testimony to the merits of his friend ; . and wbat be bad done respecting him It( private he had wished to do in priblie. Englishmen hail done justice and bottom to a Scotchman, anti they had en- - hence(' the honour of their choice by selecting an Irishman for their Chairman. There was in a meeting of this kind good augury of the future. In the bustle and turmoil of polities the " still small voice" of education was not heard ; but that "still tquall voice" would rule the destinies of empires, and it would be for the people of England to attend to its influence and power.
Mr. Simpson, in returning thanks, remarked that there were circum- stances which took this dinner out of the ordinary course of dinners— Dinners were given to men when they came to reside in a certain place; dinners were given when they were going out. Dinners were given both when men gained office and when they lost ; and in the latter case dinners, per- haps, were necessary. (Laughter.) What could he say in return to all tirat had been so Said, so delightfully to Iris feelings, and so enthu-iastically re-Tondo I to by the meeting? It' by writing, anal teeth: log, and testifying, he had in any degree advanced the rause of education, he had been only spreading the truths which profounder minds had brought forth. It was only as the pupil of ot' era that be appeared before them ; proud, however, to be the instrument of popularizing the philosophy of e ucation. But for the statesman who had delighted them with his presence on this occasion, he should have had no oppor- tunity of spreading his views. To hitn he owed the advantage of the most favourable stage that could be offered—a C lllll mittee of the House of Commons. That honourable and enlightened gentleman was the skilful architect—he on!), offered the humble materials. 1•Ie considered it rinse of the proudest elevaloos to be droned a fellow-labourer with their enlightened Chairman, and was happy to take the humblest share in sowing that seed which was soon to bLoataid fructify over the land.
The other speakers were Mr. Prentice, Mr. Watkin, and Mr. Rath- bone of Liverpool.
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