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We are undoubtedly justified to require, if only for the sake of self-preservation, as a kind of guarantee for the stability of our social existence, that the younger members of our community become acquainted with those general moral and religious principles upon which society rests, and that they, as far as public education can contribute to that object, be trained and brought up in the esteem and practice of such principles, besides cultivating their minds and acquiring such elementary knowledge as may be most proficient to their own happiness. For it must not be forgotten that the aim of public education, and this refers particularly to National Schools established by Government, is not only to impart to children some primary knowledge and abilities, but to influence their feelings and form their character, keeping them from idleness, bad company and consequent evils, by occupying them suitably for a considerable portion of their time, accustoming them to good morals, and even if we would exclude any reference to a special religious creed, by infusing into their hearts an esteem and love for all that is to be respected and valuable in the private person as well as in social relations. This view of the question renders it necessary once more distinctly to mention what has several times already been hinted at. The request, that a certain proficiency in knowledge be acquired, and a moral and religious training be submitted to, supposes that means thereto be made available for everyone without inadequate inconvenience, or in other words: compulsory measures must be considered not as an isolated regulation, but as the natural result of a whole system of national education. To bring up the rising generation according to the wants of the age ought to be matter of general interest: provisions to that effect ought to be made by Government. Their efficiency controlled, care taken that improvements in the system and its working keep pace with the progress of time. The whole question thus placed is only of comparatively modern date, and owes its origin to the advanced state of national development and social intercourse, or as it is generally termed, to the progress of civilization. The more we go back in the history of a nation the more simple we find the features of common life, as well as the relations and reciprocal duties between individuals and governments; but the development of a nation brings with it more complicated intercourse and new obligations on both sides; at first no establishments like public schools are necessary; they gradually become so for the different classes, and at last for the whole people. Even at a period not very distant the life of an individual presented a far simpler aspect than in our days; the different classes of society were more strictly separated like so many castes, everyone moved in a limited sphere, with comparatively little prospect of extending the bounds of his native position, the respective acquirements and duties were circumscribed into a narrower compass, the mind and will received less excitement to stir and exert themselves. All these things have undergone an essential change, and one of the consequences is that a degree of instruction and education which was sufficient under the previous circumstances, is no more so at present. The fact is acknowledged, the question remains how to supply for the increasing want. The higher schools seem less subject to the influence exercised by the spirit of the age, or their institutions more sheltered by that attachment to existing forms for which this country is so distinguished. The middle classes of society felt the necessity of more suitable preparation for their respective station in life and an altered system, first and most, being as far as pecuni

ary means are concerned able to provide for their own wants, but left to themselves in doing so, they have mostly fallen into the hands of persons who make a speculation of education; the respective establishments are only too often managed like a tradesman's business, and fall short of that standard to which they ought to be raised. For the lower classes the same necessity of improved teaching and training is generally felt; private exertions are everywhere made, their insufficiency is acknowledged, Government has to a certain degree stepped in by granting pecuniary assistance, but as yet there is no national system established. In the meanwhile the causes which call for interference and assistance go on rapidly increasing. To remain any longer silent or inactive must sooner or later lead to a reaction, and prove prejudicial to the common interest. On the Continent the instruction of the people has far outdone us, and the people at large enjoy the advantages of a superior general instruction, the benefits derived therefrom and the constant progress in that line are clearly visible. It is therefore surely time to ask-Is not the social position of this country so far developed that elementary instruction and education have become undeniable requisites for each individual even of the lowest class; and does not this on the one hand impose upon Government the obligation to make adequate provisions, and on the other upon the people that to avail themselves of the same? Is not the welfare of the individual as well as of the state closely connected with such institutions? Finally, is England to remain behind other nations in civilization? But here the more special question about compulsory measures must rest.*

H. D.

EXERCISE OF IDEAS.-The ideas which we convey to a child are of little importance compared with the benefits arising from the vigorous exercise of his powers, in re-producing, arranging, or combining these ideas. The knowledge which we convey to our pupils is the ore thrown into the crucible; but the knowledge which we draw from them is the gold after it has been elaborated and refined. Children should be accustomed to relate, in their own language, whatever they may have seen, read, or heard this will also induce habits of attention and reflection, and will show them how the ideas of others may really become their own.-From Miss Crampton's excellent Notes of a Plan to combine Education with Instruction.

BOYS' MANNERS.-It is too much the fashion among boys to scorn gentle, loving manners, or leave their sisters to learn such ways, while they try to be what they call men. A boy who wishes to be a true man, "the noblest work of God," must begin while he is young to be honest and honourable, and "do as he would be done by," for he will be the same person when he grows up that he is now, only stronger, larger, in mind and body, and better able to do good or evil. Let us by all means have "honour among boys."-N. Y. Independent.

The views here advocated by a learned foreigner are adverse in some respects to our own.-Ed. J. E.

THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS NATIONAL EDUCATION.

AUR demur to any local rate Bill for schools, does by no means extend to a satisfaction with the present state of things. We

agree with Sir John Pakington in toto as to the extent of ignorance. We differ only in the remedy. He has just sent us his Manchester speech. Here are some strong hits, well aimed, which strike home, and cannot be parried. He wrestles thus with the fallacies of Messrs. Baines and Unwin :—

We

"Mr. Baines says, "Objection 6: The measure is perfectly unnecessary. possess, on official evidence, the great fact of the rapid and steady progress of Education during the whole of the present century.' Mr. Unwin does not lay down this proposition in terms quite so dogmatical; but in common with many other men of ability, who have spoken and written upon the subject, he holds, in substance, the same views.

These speakers and writers

rely upon this single fact that by the census of 1851, the proportion of children at school had risen to one in eight, and two-thirds of the population, whereas the proportion was much lower twenty years before. It is upon this increase of numbers that they mainly rely. But mark what these gentlemen omit from their consideration. I believe I am right in saying that, throughout their speeches and pamphlets, there is not to be found anywhere a reference to the quality of the Schools. I deny altogether that the question is solely, or even mainly one of numbers-their boasted one in eight and two-thirds is a proportion inferior to that of other countries-it is insufficient and unsatisfactory: but numbers become comparatively immaterial, if the schools to which the children go are not worth having.

"Now I wish to challenge this issue-I do it broadly and I do it fairly-if I am wrong, let me be convinced; but let me be convinced by good and legitimate evidence. I say that the question is only evaded when it is stated that our condition is satisfactory, because a certain number of children attend school. The question I ask is this-From the Tweed to the Land's End, are the schools of England such as they ought to be? Where they are good-and no doubt there are many very good-have we any security for their permanent continuance as good schools? And what prospect is there of their progressive improvement?"

Sir John gives to the statistics by which the "peace, peace" cry is supported, this conclusive answer :—

"A table in one of the last reports of the Committee of Council on Education, shows that out of 500,000 children attending inspected schools, 75 per cent. did not pay more than 2d. per week for their education; there were 35 per cent. paying only 1d.; 40 per cent. paying 2d.; and the remaining 25 per cent. paying 3d. 4d. or perhaps more. And we all know that the cost of anything like good education in this country is 5d, or 6d. a week."

Here is another hard fact for the digestion of the statistic-mongers :

"I have already touched upon the quality of our schools, and the first fact to which I ask your attention is to be found in the minutes of the Privy Council on Education for the year 1854-5. There is a tabular and an official statement of the number of schools, the number of scholars attending them, and the quality of the education given. From this I learn that the number of schools under Government inspection is 4,800, and the number of scholars attending them about 500,000; and you are probably aware that, speaking of the kingdom at large, these inspected schools are, beyond all doubt, the very best we have. I admit that here and there, you will find a very good school, which, for some reason or other, its supporters will not submit to Government inspection: still such schools are exceptions to the general rule. And if you examine the table to which I refer, you will perceive that the inspectors state that, of these 4,800 schools, and these the best in England, only fifty per cent.-one half-are satisfactory. This, then, I call a great fact. How do Mr. Baines and our opponents get rid of it? How, with such a state of things, can we wonder that the results are bad?

"Mr. Baines tells us that Education is advancing very, very rapidly. But, who is the best judge of the state of education in the county of Somerset-Mr. Vaughan, who lives there, and visits the schools, or Mr. Baines, who lives at Leeds, and writes 'irresistible' pamphlets?

"Again, who is the best judge of the state of education in the county of Hereford-the Dean of Hereford, who resides there, and examines the state of things with his own eyes, or Mr. Unwin, whose time is occupied with his college duties, and who thinks he can settle this question by telling us that it is the duty of parents to educate their children? I tell you again that I feel no disrespect towards Mr. Unwin; but as regards the settlement of this question, he might just as well have told us that it is the duty of mothers to suckle their babes."

There is no doubt of the truth of all this. The ignorance and growing vice of the people is frightfully great. The very fact that there is more of the superficial beginning of light, is the reason why it is doubly essential to perfect it. The transition state is always one of peril, in which halting is fatal. We have just gone the length of empowering bad passions, sharpening the intellect, giving mental strength to moral evil and educating vice. It may be, and it has been, that we have trained some aright; and infused the power of knowledge for good as well as for evil. But this is not, and cannot be the general effect of imperfect education on human nature. We must go on; and make instruction education. To go back is impossible: to stand still, in addition to being impossible, is to aggravate the mischief: our only course is to go forward with speed, vigour and effect.

Now as to the means. Sir John Pakington says that we want more money. We do. He well censures a foolish regard to economy in

education thus:-
:-

"And what is the state of public affairs while this argument is raised? Not to weary you with statistics, I will in a few words place before you pregnant facts, which will at once dispose of this part of the subject. We are now paying an income tax of 6 per cent.; in 1815 we paid ten per cent.; but it is a fact of which perhaps you may not be aware, that the income tax in 1855 produced more money than in 1815, by about £100,000; the ten per cent. yielding £13,614,000 in 1815, and the 6 per cent. £13,718,000 last year. I turn to another criterion-to that element of national wealth which is derived from trade and manufacture; and what do I find here? Why, that the declared value of our exports in 1815 was £51,898,000, while in 1855 it was £95,669,000, or very nearly double. Then how stand our rates in the two periods? The money raised for the relief of the poor in 1855, after all this vast increase of wealth and every element of national prosperity, was £200,000 less than it was in 1815. Well then, are we to be told that, when the temporal and eternal welfare of our fellowcountrymen is at stake, it is too expensive and costly to have national education? There is also great wisdom in this remark :

"I believe that whatever we now do, we cannot, as wise men, lose sight of the existing state of things, nor of the efforts which have been made and I believe that the wisest and most prudent plan in any changes we may now make, would be, not to supersede, but to assist, to complete, to supplement' the existing state of things; and further, that that ought to be done with the utmost possible regard to existing feelings and existing facts."

6

But this does not lead us to a local rate. England does not like local rates. Education by means thereof is not "the existing state of things." The existing state of things is that of grants in aid of voluntary effort. Now voluntary effort is no wise remiss to the work: all that Sir John shews, is that it is in need of strength: that needed strength is money and until it has this supplement to its will, it is premature to dethrone it, and raise another system on its ruins. Rates we repeat it, fall on a mere fraction of the property and people of this country, and therefore we prefer the plan

set forth in Mr. Symons' letter to Lord John Russell, of largely increasing the present grants which are paid by the body of tax-payers, who are the whole people with this important adjustment of the principle of distribution, namely to parishes according to their poverty. It will not do to leave this to the Central Board as a matter of discretion. Grants must not be apportioned to necessities measured by guess, or ceded to strength of importunity. There must be a fixed and tangible public and patent standard, such as the three facts, viz., populousness, poor rates, and rateable property afford. The plan is well spoken of by many educational authorities, and will obviate, if adopted, many insuperable difficulties, impediments, and prejudices. Anyhow, the Government should be prepared with some course, they will be besieged by the advocates of each great party, and will be sorely puzzled to hold their own, at best.

Should a good Vice-President be appointed, and a bold stand taken in any definite plan for enlarging grants from the Consolidated Fund, we feel confident that the great bulk of the intelligent opinion of the country will back the Government. But if they once embark on any plan for empowering local Boards, who must have sectarian tendencies, to deal with the money of local payers, and tax fragmentary portions of property, they will assuredly fail, and not improbably shipwreck their Ministry!

GOOD MANNERS IN SCHOOL Boys.-There are many faults and vices which have been but too prevalent among school-boys, which a proper gentlemanly feeling (even as this world considers a gentlemanly feeling) will tend to correct. For instance, to speak the truth uniformly and without any regard to the personal consequences to ourselves, is a thing absolutely necessary to any one who would be considered a gentleman. Such a one would scorn a lie as being not only a sin in the sight of God, but also a thing mean and dishonourable in the sight of man, and tending plainly to the injury and disorganization of society. A lie is a thing unworthy not only of a christian, but even of a gentleman; and hence we see that the philosophy of the heathen blames it as much as the laws of Christ.-Canadian Journal of Education.

KINDNESS versus SEVERITY.-Severity either begets defiance, or it begets terror. If defiance, the whole discipline fails, unless you can pass from ropes to scorpions and from scorpions to thumb-screws. If it begets terror, terror will take its coward refuge in cunning or falsehood; and as all the blossoms of nobility of character drop off one by one, instead of a man, you have made a very slave of a boy. We have tried the rod long enough and if a voice from our prisons-if a voice from our reformatories-tell us that the words of human kindness alone can touch a string, the only string left that will vibrate within the broken instrument of an outcast's heart, surely we are doing a crying injustice to our comparatively innocent children whose natures are not utterly unstrung.-Canadian Journal of Education.

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