Notwithstanding the ample means of education provided for the population of the three north-eastern counties, 681 persons above ten years of age are returned as unable to read, and 3922 as unable to write. From these figures, however, have to be deducted immigrants from the Highlands, and children of ten or eleven years of age, who are at present at school, and will learn to write before leaving it. Had the query been limited to persons above twelve years of age the number returned as unable to write would certainly not have exceeded 1000.

CHAPTER XIII.

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS IN CONNEXION WITH

THE BEQUEST.

Or the 154 parochial schools admissible in the 124 civil parishes, 134 only are connected with the Dick Bequest. The reason of the non-participation of these 20 schools is, that they have not complied with the conditions of the Trustees, as these have been explained in the chapter on the Administration of the Trust.

The population of the three counties, and of those portions to which Mr. Dick's Bequest is applicable, is shown in the following statement :

Population by census of 1861 of the counties of

The following figures show the statistical state of the parochial schools benefiting by the Bequest :

Attendance. The average number enrolled at each of the parochial schools, taking the average of the last ten years, is 1127 (the average for 1862, was 113·1). Of this number 49.8 are returned as having attended 140 days or upwards. The number of school-days averaged 246 annually, taking the average of the ten years. In consequence of the recent but already nearly universal custom of closing schools on Saturday, the number of school-days is now reduced

to 235.

1 The parish of Cromdale contains a population of 566 in Moray and 3376 in Inverness, together 3942. There are two schools in the parish now admissible to the Bequest, which would embrace say one-half the population, or 1971, whereof 1405 in Inverness-shire might with propriety be added to the above.

Subjects taught.--Of the average number enrolled

(1127) there are returned as learning

In some sca-coast schools Navigation is taught. Singing from notation is now introduced into about 20 per cent. of the schools. Drawing is only occasionally met with.

CHAPTER XIV.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT, HAVING REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS REPORTS.

Fees. THE fees have not materially altered since the date of the last Report, 1854. But whereas only 24 schools received their fees quarterly at that date the great majority now do so.

Attendance. The regularity of attendance has improved very considerably. The proportion attending for 140 days and upwards was in

1837. 32.6

1852.

42.2

1862.

57.1

This is a very gratifying feature of the most recent

returns.

Subjects taught.-For 123 schools, the number studying Mathematics is 603, as against 700 in 1852. The number learning Latin is at present 860; the number learning Latin in 1852 was 803. The number learning Greek is 196, as against 186 in 1852. The number learning French is 88, as against 48 in 1852.

The following Table exhibits the numbers learning