THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 232, 1 October 1870, Page 2

THE WEEK.

We were prepared for startling news by the Suez mail, but it was hardly anticipated that tidings of such importance would be conveyed to us. Louis Napoleon a prisoner ; thousands upon thousands of men slaughtered on tbe field of battle ; men. women, and children starving by hundreds in the beleaguered town of Strasbourg ; MacMabon's division almost annihilated ; and an entire army of 90,000 Frenchmen made prisoners by the Prussians. Such is a summary of the European news, aud I venture to say that there is not oue amongst us who does not feel startled and astonished at the sudden collapse of the Napoleonic dynasty, and the unvaried success that has attended the G-ermau arms in their contest against their ancient enemies the French. I confess that I am a little sceptical with regard to that portion of the news relating to the surrender of the huge mass of 90,000 Frenchmen, for I cau hardly briug myself to belieye that so large a body of men belonging to that martial nation could have been prevailed upon to suirender even to the most overpowering numbers. But I am judging the Freuch by an English standard, and it would be impossible to convince me that such an event could ever have occurred to a similar body of our fellowcountrymen. Perhaps, however, such a comparison will not hold good. The fuller details to arrive by the Tararua, due about the end of next week, will now be looked for more anxiously than ever, as the very curt telegraphic summary to hand has only served to sharpen our appetites for the more substantial items of news that she will convey to our shores. Now to matters that more immediately concern us. The news received from Wellington in the early part of the week

to the effect that a great part of the labors of tbe session have been entirely thrown away has taken by surprise the supporters, and even the opponents, of the Fox- Vogel Ministry. It was thought that, whatever might be their shortcomings in other respects, they were, at all events, tolerably reliable business men, but even in this capacity they appear to have failed most lamentably, and when we hear that, no sooner is the session over, than it is discovered that three of the Government measures have proved utterly abortive, owiug to the want of a little ordinary care in their preparation, people are not unnaturally tempted to ask, are those men to be entrusted with the handling of the millions that the Parliament has been willing to place at their disposal ? The Diocesan Synod has now been in session for a week, and the close attention paid to business by the members, over 30 iv number, plainly shows that they have the interests of their church at heart and are williug to devote their time to her service. Mauy subjects of grave importance have come before them and been treated in a liberal and able manner, not the least of these being the subject of religious education iv our schools, a question to which the Bishop has, as appears from his two last opening addresses, devoted much thought and attention. It seems to be geuerally agreed that the youth of the colony should not be suffered to grow up in a state of heathenism, but the great difficulty is, how is religious instruction to be imparted in such a way that it shall not give offence to some one or another of the numerous sects. Our Government schools are attended by members of the Church of England, Wesleyans, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Jews, and he will be an able man, and one who will honestly earn the thanks of the whole commuuity, who shall devise some means whereby the element of religion shall be iutroduced into the school teaching in such a form as shall meet the approbation of all these various bodies. But the mere fact of objections being raised to this innovation upon our educational system, as at present administered, seems to be to afford an additional incentive to parents to take care that religious instruction should occupy a prominent place in the home teaching of their childreu. We profess to be a christian nation, and it is incumbent upon us to take care that the generation which follows shall not, from want of careful and sufficient training, be degraded to the level of the Maori, in so far as religion and morality are concerned. Mining matters have been exceedingly slack during the week ; the Doran Company have showed sigus of vitality, and the Culliford machinery has arrived, but beyond this there is little to relate. I fear it will be some time before we are in receipt of any large returns of gold from Wangapeka. Our amusements have consisted of an entertainment by the Gourlays, one, last night, by Mr. George Cotterell assisted by Nelson Amateurs, aud a performance by the Christy Minstrels ; and in speaking of pleasures I think, I may justly conclude with a reference to the weather, with regard to which Nelson has within the last week fairly outshone herself in a succession of the most glorious days that could possibly be wished for by invalids, farmers, or pleasure seekers. F. For remainder of News see Fourth page.