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in the success of the children, that the present depression of trade scarcely affects the numbers present. One of the managers states,-"In spite of the bad trade that still prevails in the town, Mr. Simms keeps up his school well, and last week his attendance averaged 150 boys."

PENSNETT.-A meeting was held here to welcome the new master, and to give the Society's Agent an opportunity to address the parents of the children. A very good gathering responded to the invitation, and the proceedings were marked by much right feeling and proper spirit, which warrants high hopes of success in the future. Mr. Baxter, in his address, observed that the school-room was without a clock, and suggested that the children's parents might derive as much pleasure as the school would find advantage, if they contributed a good time-keeper at their own cost. Within a fortnight a letter was received from the master, containing the following:-"I feel great pleasure in informing you that we have in our school a beautiful eight-day clock. The boys entered into their work with such zeal that in less than a fortnight they gathered more than three pounds." School managers might often get considerable help from the parents if they appealed to them for assistance toward some definite object.

KEYNSHAM NEW SCHOOL.-An excellent meeting was held here, preparatory to the opening of a new school, to hear an address from the Agent of the Society on the distinctive principles of schools founded on the Society's basis; and to receive from him some directions how to proceed, in order to raise and sustain a thoroughly effective school. The chair was occupied by William Somerville, Esq., of Bilton, near Bristol; and the meeting was. addressed by the chairman, Rev. W. C. Pratt, E. Saunders, Esq., of Bath, Mr. Baxter, and other gentlemen. The room was crowded by an attentive and very interested audience. The prospects of the school are highly encouraging.

ABERTILLERY.-The public examination of this school was quite a marked event here. The school-room, it was well known, would prove quite inadequate to the accommodation required for the audience, and the largest chapel in the neighbourhood was procured, and its fittings partially removed for the occasion. But even this proved too small; and it would be no exaggeration to say, perhaps, that hundreds went away, unable to obtain even a look into the place. The examination proved very successful, and highly satisfactory to all present. A large number of prizes were afterwards distributed to the children whose attendance had been most regular during the year. A school savings' bank is also in very successful operation here. The excitement of the occasion, in spite of a very wet and tempestuous night, is one among many indications of the increasing interest taken by the inhabitants of the Monmouthshire Hills in the means of education for their children.

KIDWELLY. A new room of ample dimensions, with class-room, play-ground, and master's residence, has just been erected for the British School in this place, and forms, as a building, an ornamental addition to this small but ancient corporate town. The Society was represented by its Inspectors in the West. A public examination took place in the afternoon which proved very successful. An address was delivered by Mr. Baxter, and a lecture in the evening by Titus Lewis, Esq., F.A.S. The most unsuitable accommodation which this school has hitherto had will help to make the new room a real boon; and the results attained, amid so much to discourage, warrant high expectations under more eligible circumstances.

SHEPTON MALLET.-The new school which has been just opened here is succeeding very satisfactorily, though at present conducted in a temporary room,-it being the intention of the managers to build a good school-house with as little delay as possible. The parents of the children attending this school were invited to take tea with the committee in the Argyle Room, and to meet Mr. Baxter. The invitation was numerously responded to, and others came after tca, until the room became

densely filled. An address was then delivered by the Society's Inspector, which was listened to with intense interest and evident approval. The meeting was also addressed by the chairman, Wm. Clarke, Esq., and by the Rev. John Webb, and James Allen, Esq. It was a most important meeting, and one that will long remain in the memory of the people present.

WELLINGTON.-A meeting of parents of children attending the several schools supported by Messrs. Fox and the Misses Fox was convened by circular, at which Thomas Fox, Esq., jun., presided, and Mr. Baxter addressed the assembly. The meeting was well attended by the right class of people, whose attention was sustained throughout with manifest interest in the address. The group of schools here have many marks of efficiency, and the boys' school, in particular, is accomplishing an invaluable work among the rising race of men.

HOTWELLS.-A public examination of these schools was conducted by the Inspector and the teachers, in the presence of the committee and the children's parents, to whom the results were highly satisfactory. Several prizes were afterwards distributed to the children, two of whom gained additional and special prizes for their proficiency in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.

BRISTOL: REDCROSS STREET.-The annual meeting of this school has recently taken place, on which occasion a general examination of the boys was held in the presence of the managers and the public. The examination was conducted chiefly by the teachers and the Society's Agent, and the results were of a highly satisfactory character, especially as no previous preparation for the occasion had been made. The business of the annual meeting necessarily caused some hurry and confusion in the examination, which might have been easily extended, in both time and subjects, and with even more pleasing results. The parents and the public derive as much good from a spirited and effective school-examination as either the children or the teachers,—perhaps even more of its kind.

BALTONSBOROUGH, SOMERSET.-A new and very neat building has just been erected in this village for the accommodation of a school on the principles of the Society. The opening celebration was an occasion of great interest in the neighbourhood, and drew together a large number of friends of liberal education, many of whom came from great distances, although the weather was most unfavourable. After a public tea in the school-room, a meeting was held in the Moravian Chapel, which was filled in every part. Addresses of a very effective kind were delivered by several ministers present, and some practical suggestions were made to the supporters and managers of the school by Mr. Baxter. The effort is a very interesting and worthy one, and will, no doubt, prove successful.

Ross.-A public examination of the Boys' School has just been conducted by the Society's Inspector with very happy results. The intelligence of the children proved equal to that on any former occasion, and the reading showed a very decided improvement, the result of much painstaking by Mr. Parker, the master. Referring to a parents' meeting held here in January last, and addressed by Mr. Baxter, the master states, “I am glad to inform you that since the parents' tea-meeting my school has been fuller than it has been for the last ten years,-ever since I came."

CHATHAM.--The public examination of the Boys' School took place March 1st, in the Lecture-hall, before a crowded audience, presided over by the Rev. Sydney Hall. The subjects embraced were geography in general, England in particular, English history, Scripture history and chronology, grammar, mensuration, and mental arithmetic, interspersed with appropriate school pieces, which were admirably sung and elicited great applause.

LEAMINGTON.-The annual public examination of the boys of Spencer-street School was conducted by Messrs. Baxter and Vardy in the public hall, Windsorstreet, which was densely crowded in every part with the parents of the children, their friends, and those interested in the spread and progress of education, hundreds

of others having been disappointed in obtaining admission. The Rev. W. Wyld presided. The subjects included reading, Scripture, geography, grammar, history, and arithmetic, interspersed with singing; in all which branches the children acquitted themselves in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner. In the course of the evening the drawings-home work-which on entering decorated the walls of the ante-room, were handed round for inspection. At the close, on the motion of J. Hordern, Esq., seconded by Colonel Willoughby, a vote of thanks was given to the examiners. The boys having been anticipated by two of their parents in moving and seconding a vote of thanks to their teacher, Mr. Coles, took upon themselves to discharge that duty towards the chairman, who having gracefully acknowledged the same, the meeting separated, evidently delighted with the proceedings of the evening. FOLKESTONE.-A public meeting of the parents of the children and the friends of education was held, on the evening of May 4th, in the Boys' School-room, R. W. Lower, Esq. in the chair, when Mr. Vardy gave an address on "The Educational Advantages of the Age." At the close, a vote of thanks was presented to the lecturer for the very forcible, practical, and interesting address he had delivered.

DOWNTON.-The annual educational meeting was held on May 30th, in the Boys' School-room, which was densely crowded, it being estimated that there were upwards of four hundred persons present. After tea, the chair was taken by J. Coote, Esq., of Fenstanton, who having opened the meeting in an excellent address to the parents, was followed by the Rev. J. O. Jackson of Ringwood, the Rev. P. Ward of Andover, Mr. Vardy, M. R. Welch, Esq. of Poole, and Dr. E. R. Welch, the long-tried friends of the schools, who stated that they were in every respect in a prosperous state. Referring to the career of those who had passed through them since their establishment, twenty years ago, the chairman congratulated the devoted and efficient teacher, Mr. Read, upon the great success that had attended his labours, and concluded by expressing the hope that those labours would be continued to a very distant day.

WINCHESTER.-The annual public examination was conducted by Mr. Vardy, Charles Wright, Esq., city magistrate, presiding. Reading, Scripture history, English history, grammar, geography, and arithmetic, interspersed with vocal music, were the subjects taken to test the knowledge of the children, whose responses were highly creditable and satisfactory. At the close of the examination, the chairman presented the teacher, Mr. Burroughs, with a bronze double-inkstand and motherof-pearl paper-knife, which, the chairman stated, the children had subscribed for among themselves, and requested him to purchase. Rewards were then distributed to the best scholars, and addresses having been given by Mr. Vardy and the chairman, the usual vote of thanks concluded the proceedings.

INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS.

WESTERN DISTRICT.-Mr. Baxter's time has been considerably occupied in canvassing for aid toward the erection of the Society's New Training College for Mistresses. In this, and in other duties, he has visited forty-four towns and villages. He has also visited fifty schools, addressed eighteen public meetings, and assisted at nine public school examinations. He has also attended five meetings of teachers, at four of which his special design was to stimulate increased attention to a systematic study of the Holy Scriptures by the pupilteachers, and otherwise to promote the moral and religious improvement of those young persons.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT.-Mr. Vardy's duties during the past quarter have extended to twelve counties, in which he has visited fifty-seven

places, inspected sixty-three schools, met for consultation nine committees, and conducted public examinations, or addressed public meetings, at Ashford, Chatham, Coventry, Downton, Folkestone, Leamington, Lewisham Road, St. Alban's, and Winchester.

COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION.

The following documents have been issued since the publication of our last number :— Circular to Training Schools and to Her Majesty's Inspectors. (EFFECT ON HEALTH OF CONTINUOUS STANDING.)

SIR, I am directed by their lordships to request your attention to the subjoined copy of a letter from Her Majesty's Assistant Inspector, the Rev. R. Temple, in which he records his opinion of the ill effects produced on teachers and pupil-teachers from the habit of constantly maintaining a standing posture during school hours, in order that attention may be given to the subject, which is one upon which my lords cannot undertake to prescribe any specific rule.

(Copy)

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,
R. R. W. LINGEN
April 28, 1860.

SIR,As the question of the health of teachers and pupil-teachers is most properly considered by their lordships to be very important, I beg leave to bring under their notice an opinion which I have formed, from careful observation, and from conversations. with school managers, teachers, and medical men, viz., that the teachers and pupil-teachers suffer much from the habit of constantly maintaining a standing posture during school hours.

It may be that during gallery lessons, given to large numbers in parallel rows, it is necessary that the teacher should stand; but when the classes are drawn out into circular or square draughts for reading or other lessons, a sitting position is in all respects as suitable for purposes of teaching.

Three hours continuous standing daily, I am convinced, is much more than the health of boys and girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can bear, and, indeed, is too much for any person. The teachers frequently-indeed, generally— stand for three hours in the morning, and at least for two hours in the afternoon. The practice begins at the training colleges, where the evils are not so apparent, as the students pass only a short time in the practising schools.

I have no doubt that if the attention both of inspectors and training college authorities were called to the point, one great cause of ill-health among teachers and pupil-teachers could easily be removed.

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SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT.

Examinations for Memoranda of Competency to teach Drawing, for Prize-Studentships in Schools of Art, and for Rewards.

My lords reconsider the question of the award of books, instruments, &c., given for success in the art examinations to pupil-teachers and teachers, or students in training for that office, who are candidates for certificates of competency to teach drawing, and to the students in schools of art.

Hitherto all persons whose papers have been marked "good" have received rewards. The success of pupil-teachers, teachers, and students in training has, in addition, been registered in their favour towards a memorandum of competency to teach drawing, and that of students in schools of art and others towards a certificate of proficiency in drawing.

My lords consider that the time has arrived when the standard for obtaining the rewards may be raised, and therefore resolve that after the examination in training colleges at Christmas, 1859, and the examinations in schools of art during the year ending April, 1860, those persons whose papers have been marked "good" shall continue to have their success registered in their favour, but that only those persons whose papers obtain the mark "excellent" shall be entitled to receive, in addition, the rewards hitherto given for success in these examinations.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAST YEAR.

We extract from the report presented to Her Majesty by the Committee of Privy Council on Education, the following summary of the.educational proceedings of that department of the State for the past year :

During the year 1859, as compared with 1858, the number of schools, or of departments of schools under separate teachers, which were actually inspected, was increased by 171, and the number of children by, 58,387; the number of pupilteachers by 1,200; of certificated teachers by 990; of students in training to become schoolmasters and schoolmistresses by 85. Capitation grants were paid on 52,199 more children; 247 new school-houses were built, comprising (besides class rooms) 393 principal school-rooms, and 178 dwellings for teachers; 230 other schools were enlarged, improved, or furnished afresh; accommodation was created for 58,070 children, exclusive of the schools improved or newly furnished, but not enlarged.

During 1859, fifty-seven inspectors, including twenty-two assistant inspectors, were employed in visiting schools and in holding examinations. They visited 9,555 daily schools, or departments of such schools under separate teachers. They found present in them 880,131 children, 6,222 certificated teachers, 14,176 apprentices. Of the schools or departments, 2,105 were for boys only; 2,134 for girls only; in 3,978 boys and girls were instrueted together; 1,338 were confined to infants (children under seven years of age). Of the children, 487,304 were males, and 392,827 were females. The preponderance in number of the schools for children of both sexes over separate schools, arises from the fact that this organization is almost universal among the Presbyterian schools in Scotland, and prevails largely among the schools of Protestant Dissenters in England and Wales; not to mention that it is necessarily adopted in many parts of the country, where the means to maintain two teachers are wanting. The inspectors also visited 38 separate training colleges, occupied by 2,794 students in preparation for the office of schoolmaster or schoolmistress. In December last, these students, and 2,768 other candidates, were simultaneously examined for the end of the first, second, or third years of their training, or for admission, or for certificates as acting teachers. The inspectors also visited 469 schools for pauper children, containing 34,911 inmates; and 102 reformatory, ragged, or industrial schools, containing 7,305 inmates.

The sum total of the direct grants made for the maintenance of elementary day schools in 1859, gives rather more than 9s. 6d. per head in Great Britain, and about 11s. 6d. per head in England and Wales (to which part of the United Kingdom the capitation grant is confined).

The direct annual cost, therefore, of educating a child in a school under the present system of aid, lies between 28s. and 30s. per annum. The direct cost of inspection and of administration, which is wholly borne by Government, gives a further sum of 1s. 7d. per scholar; and that of training teachers, 3s. 04d. per scholar, of which the Government provides 2s. 44d.; and if 5 per cent. be charged on

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