Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1872.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1284, 27 March 1872, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1872.

The advocates of the denominational system of education object against the secular system that it is a matter of extreme difficulty to carry it out in its integrity, inasmuch as every class book must be to some extent tinged with the distinctive views of the writer or compiler. For instance, it is argued, history cannot be taught apart from the denominational bias of the historian. This appears to be the strongest form in which the argument can be put, because the same can hardly be said to hold good of other branches of popular education. Allowing, however, that to some extent the best-written school histories have such a bias, it appears to us that much more is made of the fact than the circumstances warrant: a priori, it is certainly possible to write history—that is, to give a true and faithful record of facts—without introducing the writer's opinions of those facts; and if the examples quoted in support of the argument be candidly examined, it will generally appear that it is the record of the facts themselves, more than opinions expressed about them, that the objectors disapprove of. As an instance in point, we may refer to a letter written by Bishop Oroke, of Auckland, to the Daily Southern Cross a short time ago, in which the writer complains that a class book used in the Auckland Grammar School—Collier's British History--contains much that readers it unfit for use iu a school

where the children of lioman Catholics, as well as those of Protestants, are taught. Some of the most objectionable of these passages are given as examples, and though it afterwards appeared that the Bishop had by some mistake got hold of an old edition of the work which contained the passages objected to, and that the objectionable portions had been expunged from the edition actually used, we will give him the benefit of the mistake, and argue as if it were correot. The first instance given is as follows :—" An event much more important was the rise of the Lollards, They were the followers of John WyclifFe, who in the latter years of Edward 111. began to attack the corruptions of the Romish Church." We suppose the Bishop objects to the idea that any corruption ever attached to the doctrines of the Church indicated ; but whether that be true or not, the facts remain that the Lollards were the followers of the person mentioned, and that the distinguishing characteristic of WyclifFe was the attacking of what at least himself and his followers believed to be the corruptions mentioned , and a- a matter of history we think the young members of that Church, as well as others, should know it. We have next references to the Gunpowder Plot, arid cireumstances attending English affairs from the time of Henry VIII. down to Cromwell. The history of those times was that of combined religious and political parties—certainly of sufficient importance to necessitate their being recorded in history for the information of the rising generation ; and the question is not so much whether the facts recorded reflect discredit upon any particular party, as whether they are given in a fair and truthful way. The facts of history should be stated without favor to this or that party, and we know of no party, political or religious, that can expect to escape the ordeal of such a history without a more or less clouded escutcheon.

The religious aspect of history, apart from a bare record of fact-?, becomes, like dogmatic theology, the department of the religious teacher —a distinct department from that of the teacher of the common school. It will be quite safe to trust such matters in the proper band?. The rivaliv of the .several denominations, and their tendency to proselytism, will always act as sufficient stimulus to the biasing of the young mind in particular directions, without employing aid from the public funds in furtherance of the object.

In order that the staff of this journal may have the usual Easter holidays, there will be no of the Times on Good BYidav and Easter Monday.

The steamers Napier and Star of the South, from the North, may both be considered due here.

It is stated that excellent preparations have been made for the Colonial Prize Firing at Christchurch. The Wanganui Chronicle announces that it will appear as a daily morning journal on the Ist of April.

The French Government has given orders tor surveys to be made lor the construction of large steamers for the service between Calais and Dover. Those steamers are to carry thirty railrailway carriages, and the transit is to be made in one hour and ten minutes. M. Dupuy de Lome is entrusted with the preparation of the plans of a waterstation, which will be situated two kilometres out of Calais harbor. The depth of water here will be sufficient to receive vessels of the largest tonnage and the enormous transport steamers. A branch of the Northern Railway, at [.resent terminating in the maritime station, will be prolonged to (he new water station, and thus the railway carriages will be placed on the deck of the steamers.