the historical geography of England. The text-books chiefly used are, Latham's small Grammar, Arnold's Exercises, Sullivan's Geography Generalized," Gleig's "School History," and Mrs. Markham's" History and Conversations."

Mr. Tate, the mathematical master of the Battersea Training College, gives instruction twice a-week in arithmetic. His course consists of easy questions, demonstrating the four elementary operations of arithmetic, notation, and numeration, with questions and demonstrations in all the essential rules, including Bills, Fractions, Practice, and Rule of Three. The text-book used is Tate's First Principles of Arithmetic.

Lessons in vocal music are given three times in the week by Mr. Hullah, or by his assistant, Mr. May. The former of these gentlemen kindly undertook to examine the pupils for me in their knowledge of music.

Industrial Instruction.-With regard to the industrial employment of the pupils, I learn from Mrs. Field that "they are carefully instructed in the art of plain needlework, knitting, marking, darning, &c. To give them practice and experience in this department, they are expected to cut out and make up the various articles of clothing secured to the poor children of the schools by their clothing clubs. The pupils are also required to cut out and make up their own clothes, as well as to undertake all other plain needlework which may be sent to the Institution. The teachers are practised in the art of setting needlework for children, by preparing the work for the different classes in the school. The pupils have also been in the habit of making themselves useful in the laundry; but, owing to the crowded state of the Institution, it has been found impracticable, during the last few months, to enforce this regulation." It seems very desirable that, in an institution like this, the students should devote a greater portion of their time to industrial employments, and that better economical arrangements should be made for those objects. In the printed Regulations for the Admission of Pupils, it is well said, "Their attention will not be confined to the studies of the school-room. Whatever skill or knowledge may be of use in a poor man's family, either to increase the comforts of his fireside, to assist in bringing up his children, or to prepare his daughters to gain, in whatever capacity, a respectable livelihood, this will be diligently imparted."

But this cannot, I think, fairly be required under the present circumstances and with the existing means of the Institution; it cannot certainly be done fully. I have before stated my conviction, that the present superintendent, Mrs. Field, has made the best use of the means in her power; but it must be confessed that these means are deficient. I need not, however, say more on this point.

Practising Schools.-Three practising schools, called the Upper,

the Lower, and the Infants', are attached to the Institution; the numbers of children attending them at present are severally 80, 61, and 60. In each room the children are instructed by a certain number of the pupils in training, under the superintendence of the teachers. I do not consider any of the school-rooms to be sufficiently ventilated. That occupied by the infants seems to want light and cheerfulness. I was struck with the unhealthy look of the girls in the Lower or National school. The upper class of the Upper (or Commercial) school, and, in one or two instances, the second class of the same department, were the objects on which the settled schoolmistresses and the pupils in training showed their skill as teachers. These children seemed to have been intelligently instructed and carefully watched. Their answers were generally correct, and their manners pleasing. I did not examine either of the other schools.

Daily Routine.-I annex to this Report a table of the daily routine and occupations of the Institution.

Efficiency of the Institution.-In conclusion, I must state my conviction, that this Institution, in as far as it has the opportunity, is fulfilling the great purpose for which it was called into existence -of forming good schoolmistresses, able not merely to teach, but to guide and control the children committed to their care, and, as well by example as by precept, to influence them permanently for good. I have stated what I believe to be its weak points-the insufficient time during which the pupils remain in training, and the state of ignorance in which they often enter its walls. I have spoken of its deficient means for practising industrial employments, and for teaching the economies of the poor man's home. But I believe the other branches of instruction, religious and secular, to be intelligently handled by the teachers, and rightly received by the pupils. I observe the behaviour of the young women to be respectful, yet cheerful, towards those placed in authority over them, and frank and kind towards each other; and I hear, from all quarters, of the good conduct, if not of the high attainments, of those who have gone out from this training school into the world, and have taken upon them the duties of their profession. During the six years that it has been in operation, the standard of attaininents of the schoolmistress has been much raised, and her position in society proportionally elevated. It must, I think, be admitted that the Institution at Whitelands has had a great share in producing this result; and that the character which it has impressed on its daughters is one that will always ensure sympathy, while it commands respect. I have the honor to be, &c.,

To the Right Honorable the Lords of the
Committee of Council on Education.

FREDERICK WATKINS,

Report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, the Rev. F. C. Cook, M.A., on the Salisbury Diocesan Institution for the Training of Schoolmistresses.

November 27, 1847.

SIR, In accordance with the instructions which I received from you, I proceeded to Salisbury on the 8th of November, in order to inspect the Institution for the training of Schoolmistresses in that city; and to examine those young women, who, having remained one year or more in this Institution, were candidates for a certificate of merit.

Persons to be examined.—On my arrival I found 19 young women, who were formerly pupils, and are now engaged as mistresses in schools connected with the Diocesan Board of Education, and 10, who are still pupils in the Institution, waiting to be examined. As most of the former had come from a considerable distance, and were remaining not without great inconvenience to themselves and the schools of which they have charge, I resolved, in accordance with the wish of the Bishop, to complete their examination without delay.

Time passed in examining.-The first six days of my visit were occupied in conducting an examination on paper, and in attempting to ascertain their abilities severally as teachers. Four days were afterwards spent in completing my inquiries into the management of the Institution, and the proficiency of the younger pupils under training.

Contents of Report.-Before I give an account of the result of that inquiry, it will be advisable to consider, 1st, what were the objects originally contemplated by the founders of this establishment; 2nd, what means have been at the disposal of the managers; and 3rd, what measures they have adopted in order to attain those objects.

Views of the Originators of the Institution.-The Diocesan Board of Salisbury was instituted in October, 1839. In the Report presented on that occasion, the necessity of an establishment for training schoolmasters was strongly asserted, in these words,— "As the want of efficient masters is immediate and urgent, they (the Committee) consider that a large proportion of the annual subscriptions should, as soon as possible, be applied to the best mode of training masters open to the Board." But in the course of the following year, "the views of the Board on training received a new direction, in consequence of a communication from the Winchester Diocesan Board. A most satisfactory conference was held at Romsey, the result of which was, a determination that a training-school for masters should be established at Winchester, and a training-school for mistresses at Salisbury, to be common to the two dioceses."

In confining their efforts to the training of schoolmistresses,

the Board was undoubtedly guided by a sound discretion; and it is evident from the Report on the mode of education in a training seminary, presented by four members of the Salisbury Board, that very just views were entertained of the requisites for the successful conduct of such an establishment.

On Course of Studies.-It was their opinion (vide Second Report, p. 29), that "The subjects of study would obviously comprise, primarily, all those which should constitute the course of instruction in the middle and parochial schools; but it was manifest that in the training seminary all these should be pursued to an extent far beyond the limits to which they would be carried in a school; that in the mind's map of a well-trained master (and, as adopted by the Committee, of a mistress) there should be extensive tracts which would be terra incognita' to his best scholar. The easy and unembarrassed confidence required on the part of a teacher, to give full effect to his instructions, demands this."

"It would also be necessary, with respect to every subject of instruction in the schools, that the pupils in the training-school should not only possess a more extensive knowledge, but a more intimate acquaintance with its principles. The clearness and certainty required on the part of a teacher demand this."

Equally luminous and judicious are the remarks upon the art and practice of tuition, the mode of instruction, and the peculiarities of discipline required in such an Institution. Comparing this paper with the observations made in various passages of the Reports annually published by the Committee of the Board, we may conclude that it was their object to establish and maintain an Institution which would provide a sufficient supply of well-educated, rightminded, and thoroughly trained young women for the schools of the diocese. The original classification of the pupils, though not expressly referred to, appears also to have been kept in mind by the managers, who considered that the objects of the Board would be best effected by contributing towards the maintenance of two orders of pupils; the first designed for masters (or mistresses) of a higher description of National schools, such as are required for towns or large villages, who should be trained in a central Institution; and the second class designed for masters of an humbler description of schools in rural districts, who might be instructed in certain schools designed for that purpose.

Pecuniary Resources.-The pecuniary resources of the Board have never been sufficient to permit them to carry out these objects to the extent which they considered desirable. The first year's statement of accounts shows that the donations amounted to 18261. 2s., and the annual subscriptions to 2831. 4s. 6d., and the average income of the Board since that time is about 500/.