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he has devoted so much care and so much time. It has been a matter of the highest gratification to me to know how cordially and well your efforts have been seconded by so large a body of the clergy of this diocese. The Secretary will bear his testimony to the fact that not amongst the least useful and least talented of the lecturers who have gone forth from the seventy-six institutions in connection with this society have been the clergy of this diocese. To many of them I have listened with great delight, and I hope with great advantage, or, if not with advantage, the fault has been my own,--and I would take this opportunity of expressing my earnest belief that they cannot in any way employ their time more usefully-next to that always first and paramount duty of the clergyman, the spiritual care of his parish-than in giving the advantage of their information in that way to the classes connected with this society. (Cheers.) The sympathy thus shown by the clergy forms by itself, as it were, a key to the hearts of many-which hearts they could never reach by any more formal or didactic mode of operation; and there is this advantage in addition, that in this way we establish that neutral ground so much to be desired wherever the clergy and the laity, the more educated and the less educated, may meet together on the same platform. Politics may divide, but the Hants and Wilts Adult Education Society has nothing to do with politics. Religious differences may interpose to disturb that harmony which might else reign amongst those who are labouring in one common cause; but this society knows nothing of religious differences. (Hear, hear.) Here the clergy of different views upon questions of theology may meet and co-operate together without finding anything to interfere with the religious principles or prejudices and feelings of others. This I regard as a very great advantage. I am one of those who believe that by mutual intercourse and sympathetic benevolence more may be done in the way of ameliorating the condition of the masses of the people than by any other meaus; and whatever offers the opportunity for meetings and associations of this kind seems to me to be an object well worthy of the attention as well of the clergy as the laity. (Cheers.) I feel that it would be very unbecoming in me to occupy the time of this meeting with any general remarks, but I cannot avoid adding one or two words in reference to two points which have been touched upon in the Report. I wish to say in the first place how gladly I observe that competitive examination enters within the scope of the operations of the society. (Hear, hear.) I look upon these competitive examinations as likely to be productive of very great benefit. They bring men not only into contact with each other, but into trial with each other. They teach young men to know themselves, and to obtain that knowledge which they have not, but which others possess. Thus they become a useful stimulus to the mind to improve itself by comparison with other minds. (Hear.) I hope these competitive examinations will be continued, and that the members who compete at them for the prizes in future years will not be three but thirty. One other point-the half-time system-has been alluded to. I heard with great delight from the chairman the suggestion that it might be possible to introduce that system as it exists in the manufacturing districts, but with some modifications, into agricultural counties such as this. We must bear in mind, however, that there is a great difference between the circumstances of the agricultural counties and the manufacturing districts. Except in very urgent and exceptional cases, the productions of the factory may be postponed from one day to another. It is not of very much consequence, ordinarily speaking, that a given number of yards of cotton should be manufactured this day or the day following; but that is not the case with the products of the land. You cannot postpone your ploughing or your sowing from one time to another. You cannot take the ploughboy away from his plough in the middle of the day and leave the plough idle when ploughing can be done. (Hear, hear.) But you might adopt some other plan, and I think the suggestion of the Chairman would meet the difficulty. You might have alternate ploughboys, and allow the boy who ploughs to-day to go to school to-morrow, and thus have the boys at school and at work on alternate days. (Hear.) I must say that I am sanguine enough to hope that, amongst those who think the souls as well as the bodies of the people should be cared for, that some plan for carrying out the proposition will be devised, and that we shall shortly see something like an agricultural half-time system established in these agricultural counties. (Cheers.) I beg, in conclusion, to move that the Report be circulated, not only among the members of the society, but at large. (Hear.)

The prizes were then presented to Mr. G. F. Skinner, of Lymington; Mr. W. Blake, of Alton; and Mr. W. Rowden, of Abbott's Ann; each of whom had passed a rigorous examination, embracing the history and theory of the steam-engine, the physical geography of the British Isles, and English history during the reigns of James II. and William III. Mr. John Hams, of Romsey, also obtained a prize, and

was congratulated by the Chairman on being the first student from this agricultural district who has distinguished himself at the examinations of the Society of Arts. After the presentation of the prizes,

Mr. E. CHADWICK said that at the last annual meeting of the delegates of the chief Educational Institutions of the two counties, held at Southampton, he drew attention to the deep interest of these and other educational institutions, and of educators and families of every degree, in the question of the proposed open competitive examinations as tests for admission to the public service, and he then availed himself of the presence of the mayor and some of the corporators of Southampton, one of the class of boroughs to the electors of which such appointments were usually given in the greatest number, to appeal to them whether it would not be better for the social interests of the town that the uniform of the postman should denote that the wearer had won it as a prize scholar from their diocesan or their free-school; whether it would not be better that the dockyard appointments were given upon open competitive examinations for success in the practical sciences which might be taught in mechanics' institutes, or the numerous appointments to the care of the woods and forests in the county upon open competition of those who had been especially successful in the sciences conducive to arboriculture, than that they should continue to be given as patronage, that is to say, as bribes for proficiency in the arts of jobbery in local politics? And these questions then met with a response, which, if they could be put in all the other boroughs, would be of great educational and social, as well as of political importance, in changing the destination and influence of the vacancies occurring in the bulk of 1,600 appointments to the public service.

The following subjects were then proposed for discussion, and engaged for some time the attention of the conference :-The Encouragement of Classes in Institutes; Examinations, Certificates, and Prizes; Arrangements for Lectures and Classes; The Union of Libraries by Interchange of Books; The Book Catalogue published by the Society.

66

Mr. COLE dilated on the advantages resulting from a knowledge of drawing, and explained in detail the terms and conditions on which the Government were prepared to grant gratuities to such educational institutions as would undertake to give instruction in that useful and elegant art. He characterized drawing as an easier description of writing," and observed that it was practised with the greatest success in cathedral towns, where the constant contemplation of fine ecclesiastical architecture created a taste for it.

The Rev. C. KINGSLEY cordially concurred in these observations. In ten, fifteen, or twenty years hence, there would be for agricultural purposes a complicated steam machinery such as men had little notion of at present; when the skilled labourer was required to work that machinery, happy would it be for the agricultural labourer who knew something of the principles of scientific drawing.

A discussion followed on the best method of securing the right and interest of mechanics in the management of institutes. It was a matter of general complaint that these institutions had not realized the expectations that had been formed of them, and

The CHAIRMAN attributed it to the fact that in our schools primary education was neglected.

The Rev. F. TRENCH suggested that they should be made to partake more of the character of poor men's clubs, and that refreshments (not spirituous) should be served there. A vote of thanks was proposed to the Chairman, and the proceedings terminated.

BRISTOL CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLMASTERS' AND
SCHOOLMISTRESSES' ASSOCIATION.

THE members of this association held their annual meeting on Saturday, the 4th ult., at St. Mary Redcliffe's Boys' School. Mr. Ullathorne presided, and Mr. Woolcock gave a lesson for criticism, to a class of boys, on the Deluge. After tea, the lessons and essays were fixed for the ensuing year, the treasurer's accounts were audited, and the secretary's report of the last year's proceedings was read, from which the following is an extract:

The working of this association is characterized, not by that fitful and changeable policy which makes it easy to present a varied report, but by that quiet, unassuming, uniform, but practically useful operation which leaves little to say, except that the Bristol Church of England Schoolmasters' and Schoolmistresses' Association is both

year the

prosperous and efficient. The number of admissions during the period to which this report refers is 12; the number of withdrawals, occasioned chiefly by removals to other localities, 7; and the present number of members, 24. During the mode of circulating the periodicals has been revised, the city and vicinity being now divided into three districts, viz.: the Clifton, Central, and Eastern; and, from the absence of complaint, it is hoped that each member is satisfied with the arrangement, and that the periodicals answer their purpose of giving information and instruction on educational matters.

The meetings held in the last twelve months number 12, at which as many lessons, subject to criticism, have been given; and 10 essays, including Mr. Clarke's lecture on "Writing," have been read, viz. :

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In October, 1855, at St. James's, lesson by Mr. Serjent, on "Vapour."

In November, at Bread Street School, St. Philip's, lesson by Mrs. Davis, on "Italy." Essay by Miss Bodey, on "The Characteristics of Children."

In December, at Clifton Girls' School, lesson by Mrs. Bryant, on "The Raising of Lazarus." Lecture on "Writing," by Mr. Clarke.

In January, 1856, at Clifton Branch School, lesson by Mrs. Clay, on "Naaman the Syrian." Essay by Mr. Vernon, on "How and What to Criticize."

In February, at St. Michael's Boys' School, lesson by Mr. Wilson, on “The Steamengine." Essay by Miss Darwent, on "The Cultivation of the Moral Faculties." In March, at Fishponds (Dr. Bell's), lesson by Mr. Baker, on "Coal." Essay by Mr. Dainteth, on "The Study of Music."

In April, at St. Peter's Girls' School, lesson by Miss Westerman, on "The Raising of the Widow's Son." Essay by Mr. Ullathorne, on "Phonetic Spelling."

In May, at St. Michael's Girls' School, lesson by Mrs. Weston, on "The Death of Abel." Essay by Mr. Baker, on "The Duties of Parents and Society towards the Rising Generation."

In June, at the Trade School, lesson by Mr. Dainteth, on " The Chemistry of Bread-baking." Essay by Mr. Courtney, on "History, and how to teach it."

In July, at the Great Western Cotton Works' School, lesson by Mr. Green, on "Dew." Essay by Mr. Biggs, on "Absentees."

In August, at St. Mary Redcliffe's Girls' School, lesson by Miss Morgan, on "Cotton."

In September, at St. Mary Redcliffe's Infant School, lesson by Mrs. Jones, on "The Sheep." Essay by Mr. King, on "Cultivating the habit of Obedience in Children."

The average attendance at these meetings has been 19; and looking at the practical nature of the work accomplished at them, the result must have been advantageous to all who have taken part in them. With respect to the essays, it may be remarked that, considering they were voluntary and subject to discussion, their number has been good; and the writers of them have always manifested such taste and judgment as to elicit interesting and improving discussions on them. In conclusion, it is a matter for sincere thankfulness to Almighty God that we are again permitted to assemble at another annual meeting; and let it be our prayer that the Bristol Church of England Schoolmasters' and Schoolmistresses' Association may long exist to advance the objects for which it was originally established,-"The mutual improvement of its members, and the promotion of cordiality of feeling amongst them by friendly intercourse."

Mr. Serjent was elected chairman, and Messrs. Biggs and Wilson were respectively re-elected treasurer and secretary for the ensuing year.

UNITED ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLMASTERS.

The Third Anniversary Meeting will be held on the 29th and 30th of next December, at the House of the Society of Arts, London.

The Inaugural Address will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Booth, Treasurer of the Society of Arts.

The President will give a Lecture on the use of Philosophical Apparatus in Schools, with experimental illustrations.

Mr. George Kearley, Secretary to the Voluntary School Association, will deliver a Lecture on the subject of "The School in its Relation to After-life.”

Members are hereby requested to inform any Teachers of their acquaintance who may be intending to join the Association, that all new subscriptions received during the remaining part of the present year, while they will immediately constitute the subscribers members, will be counted as subscriptions for the year 1857.

The Committee have the satisfaction of being able to state that, when the subscriptions of the present members shall have been paid up, the Association will be entirely free from debt.

Mr. A. J. Braid, Master of the Upper Juvenile School, Parker Street, Little Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, has been appointed to the office of Minuting Secretary, vice Mr. W. H. Smith, resigned.

Mr. W. Hammond, Master of the St. Thomas Charterhouse Upper School, has been appointed to the office of Librarian, vice Mr. J. J. Hay, resigned.

JAMES TILLEARD, Corresponding Secretary.

Ar the usual monthly meeting of the Dorking Association on Saturday, November 1st, a paper was read by Mr. Howard of Mickleham, on the expediency of establishing a Teachers' Benevolent Institution. The paper, which was listened to with much attention, showed the necessity existing for such an institution; the insufficiency of Benefit Societies, Deferred Annuities, and Life Assurance, to meet the cases contemplated; the duty of teachers to provide for such necessity; the nature of the institution required, viz. a fund for the temporary relief of teachers' families in time of sickness or other urgent necessity, the providing a home for aged and infirm teachers of both sexes; and the establishment and support of an asylum for their orphans, and offering some suggestions and calculations, showing how these objects might be accomplished. It was shown, that if the teachers of this country, in connection with the Church of England, would unite in this good work, the first of these objects might be easily accomplished by a penny weekly subscription; while if a proportion, equal to threefifths of the whole body of teachers, would pay a monthly subscription of one shilling, the second object might be provided for in the space of three years; and the third, the orphan asylum, might also be accomplished by a perseverance in this course for a few years longer. The propriety of establishing a training college in connection with an orphan asylum, was strongly urged, it being deemed most appropriate that the orphan children of teachers should be trained to the same pursuits, and which would moreover entitle the institution to the patronage of the Government. Resolutions in favour of this object were unanimously passed by the members present. THOMAS SWINDELL, Honorary Secretary.

Ockley, Dorking.

*

Notices.

Owing to the great amount of interesting local Intelligence this month, we are compelled to defer the paper on the Practical Teaching of Fractions, and others, till the January number, together with several Book Notices and Letters.

Our Subscribers will observe that we have kept faith with them as to the increased size of this Volume.

REDUCED CHARGE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS.

Orders and Advertisements must be sent ONLY to MESSRS. GROOMBRIDGE, 5, Paternoster Row; the latter, from strangers, must be accompanied by a remittance, according to the following scale :-If under 40 words, 3s. 6d. ; for every additional ten words, 6d.; a whole page, £2. 2s.; a half-page, or one column, £1. 5s. Ten per cent. discount on all Advertisements inserted more than twice.

The JOURNAL will be sent, free of postage, for one year, on receipt of 6s. 6d. in advance.

INDEX.

A B C, Chapter on, 180, 280
A or An Usage Act, 282
American Schools, Reminiscences of, 390
Anglo-Saxon Language, Study of, 10, 112
Arithmetic, Mental, 92, 132, 159, 289
Arithmetical Notes and Queries, 21

Puzzles, Solution of, 5

BEST Way of Teaching the Catechism, 67
Boarding Schools, Sunday Readings for,
321

Brighton and Sussex Church School-
masters' Association, 426

CATECHISM, Best Way of Teaching, 67
Chaplaincies to Workhouses and Private
Pupils, 86

Chapter on A B C, 180, 280

Church Schoolmasters' Association, 426
Citizen, Education of, 71

FEMALE Education, 352, 395, 433
Fondness for Teaching, 393
Fractions, Mode of Teaching, 373, 415,
455

Furtherance of Education, Plan for, 479

GOVERNMENT of Pupil-teachers, 309

HINTS for Mechanics' Institutes, 179

on Scripture Lessons, 28, 59, 165,
277, 344, 386

How to make ordinary Education Na-
tional, 116

INDUSTRIAL Schools, 8

Inferiority of Education in England, 185
Intelligence, 51, 97, 155, 202, 247, 285,
369, 414, 442, 475, 496

Civil Service Examination Papers, 61, 99 LARDNER, Dr., on Lunar Motion, 333

Conference at Bristol, 401

Controversy on the Moon, 333

DAVIS, Rev. C. H., versus F. F. W., 214
Decimal Weights and Measures, New
System, 1

Disciplina Rediviva, 34, 123, 169, 205,
249

Literary Style and Composition, 87, 118
Local Words, 16, 63, 104, 178, 233, 304,
334

Lunar Motion, 253, 333, 340

Discoveries of Regnault as to Heat of Mathematicians, 435

Steam, 32

Document, 200

Defined, 337
Rotation, 324

MARTIAL, 17

Mechanics' Institutes, 179

Mental Arithmetic, 92, 132, 159, 289

Singing in Elementary

Does the Moon Rotate on its own Axis? Method of Teaching Fractions, 373, 415,

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Schools, 188, 227, 297, 358, 405, 445,
484

Minutes of Council, 96

Moon Controversy, 333

- Rotation on its own Axis, 216, 275
Motion of the Moon, 253, 343, 427
Music as a Branch of National Education,
53

NEW BOOKS, Notes of, 41, 139, 194, 244,
284, 336, 365, 410, 440, 471, 494

System of Decimal Weights and
Measures, 1
Nomenclature of Topography, 24
Notes and Queries on Arithmetic, 21

4 A

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