"I would next suggest the preparation of a number of simple experiments. Do not, however, mistake my use of the word experiment, or identify it exclusively with philosophical apparatus. Any simple change of any simple substance may be truly termed an experiment, and the most simple one is often the most suggestive. Take, for example, the tearing of a piece of paper; full of most excellent philosophy. Again, how simple, yet how suggestive, Lord Ashburton's pertinent illustration of the burning of a piece of paper! Why the paper ignited very easily-why the flame ascended-why it increased so rapidly when held under the other portion of the paper-why it burnt very slowly in a horizontal position-why it would probably go out if held above the paper, &c., &c. These questions, simple as they were, would open a pretty extensive range of facts; and good practical lessons would manifestly follow,-as the lying down and avoiding the natural tendency to run into the open air when the clothes caught fire; the smothering, covering, preventing access of air to fire, to procure its cessation. "I regard it as a duty for the schoolmaster to make himself acquainted with the history, resources, and other characteristics of the place in which he labours. This association of knowledge with home subjects and common duties will do much to invest other knowledge with a practical character, as well as produce the most desirable result of throwing a person's mind in his work. This, without disregarding the refinements of the ideal, is the great cause of progress, of national as of individual greatness. Seest thou a man diligent in his business,' says the wise man, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.' This I believe to be true in every condition, and in almost every case." MATHEMATICAL QUESTIONS. The following were the questions proposed to the students of the first year class, in the Borough-road Normal College, at the monthly examination in September last:-(Two questions to be answered in each section.) 1. Find the cost of 7183 articles at £1 6fl. 2cts. 3mils. each, and express the result in present money. 2. What is the difference between the sum of the squares and the square of the sum of and 47? 3. A composition contains 17 parts of nitre, 3 of sulphur, and 8 of charcoal; how much of each would be necessary to fill 7 rockets, each of which contains 18lbs. of the composition? 4. A French kilogramme, tained in a pound avoirdupois. 5. Reduce 019679 of a cwt., find how many grammes are con to the form of a continued fraction, and explain the process. 6. Show what vulgar fractions are incapable of being expressed decimally, and what decimals cannot be expressed as vulgar fractions; and give the reason. 7. Define ratio and proportion, and enunciate, in their logical order, the five principal truths respecting the latter, with an example of each. 2+ 2 √ x 1. 11. If 19 lbs. of gold weigh 18 lbs. in water, and 10 lbs. of silver weigh 9 lbs. in water, find the quantity of gold and silver in a mass weighing 106 in air and 99 in water. 12. Required the difference between the solidity of a cone, whose slant height is 25.7 feet and diameter of base 10.9, and that of a sphere whose base is 19.25 feet. 13. Write an expression for tan (A — B) or for cos 3 A. 14. Show how to obtain a numerical equivalent for sin 105° or cos 18°. ELEMENTARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, GIRLS' SCHOOL ROOM, HARP-ALLEY, FARRINGDON-STREET. The following is the programme of the arrangements of this Association for the ensuing six months : Sept. 8th-Object Lesson, "Coal," Mr. Baines. Essay, "Physical Geography," Mr. Tarrant. Oct. 13th.-Analysis of Poetry,--Page 178, No. 3 Book, Mr. Bird. Nov. 10th.-Object Lesson, "Bees," Mr. Drew. Essay, "Reviews of Books," Mr. Gover. Dec. 8th.-Analysis, Prose,-Page 178, No. 3 Book, Mr. Hardy. Jan. 12th.-Object Lesson," Chemistry," Mr. Matheson. Essay, " Chemistry," Mr. Matheson. Feb. 9th.-Object Lesson, "Human Skeleton," Mr. Lawrence. Essay, "The School, its relation to after Life," Mr. Kearley. The Analysis and Object Lesson will commence at 3, and the Essay at 4 o'clock. Each teacher is expected not to occupy more than half-an-hour. There will be half-an-hour devoted for discussion upon the Lessons, at the end of the Object Lesson, and half-an-hour at the end of the Essay. Teachers desirous of becoming members may obtain particulars from the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Gover, Mitre School, Limehouse. Monthly meetings are held on the second Saturday in every month, and are open to all teachers, whether male or female. Subscription-One Shilling per quarter, payable at the monthly meetings held in January, April, July, and October. SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY, BOROUGH ROAD. The Depository is open daily from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., (on Saturdays from 9 till 3,) and is constantly supplied with the Publications of the Society, and other Articles suitable for Schools and Domestic Instruction. The following Articles have either been added to the Stock, or altered in price, since our last number was issued : - Former New or altered 0 17 0 1 9 0 3 6 0 3 0 0 2 6 0 3 0 0 4 3 A variety of Desk and other Inkstands are also kept at the Depository. *** It is particularly requested that when books or school materials are ordered, which are not found in the Society's Catalogue, an exact description of such should be given, with the price and publisher's name. By observing this rule, the execution of orders will be greatly facilitated, and mistakes generally be prevented. GEORGE A. BURBIDGE, Depositary. N.B. All remittances should be enclosed to Mr. SAMUEL BRADFORD, Accountant, and Post Office Orders made payable to him, at the Borough Post Office, London. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. LEGACIES, DONATIONS, AND NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Foster, Joseph T., Esq., Upper Thames Street, 2nd half of £100 50 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 30 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 Remittances from Auxiliary Societies and Corresponding Committees, &c., from Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by SAMUEL GURNEY, ESQ., Treasurer, 65, Lombard-street; Messrs. HANBURYS and Co., Bankers to the Society, 60, Lombard-street; and at the Society's House, Borough-road. Printed by JACOB UNWIN, of No. 8, Grove Place, in the Parish of St. John, Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, at his Printing Office, 31, Bucklersbury, in the Parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, in the City of London; and Published by THE SOCIETY, at the Depository, Borough Road.-MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1855. THE EDUCATIONAL RECORD. . RETIREMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORMAL COLLEGE. At a meeting of the General Committee of the British and Foreign School Society, held on Friday, December 21st, 1855, Robert Forster, Esq., in the chair; the secretary having reported that Dr. Cornwell was in attendance to take leave of the Committee; it was resolved, on the motion of Thomas Rose Auldjo, Esq., seconded by Adolphus Bach, Esq. : "That the Committee, in taking leave of Dr. Cornwell, are desirous of expressing the high sense they entertain of the value of the services he has rendered to the Institution, and also of offering to him their best wishes for his future usefulness and happiness. "The labours of Dr. Cornwell, in connexion with the Society, have extended through upwards of twenty years. During the whole of that time he has been engaged in educating and training teachers, and has consequently been the instructor of by far the greater number of those who are now engaged in the various schools of the Society. Under his care the Training Institution has developed new power, and taken a high position among the Normal Colleges of the country. "As principal of the College, Dr. Cornwell's lectures have always been marked by perspicuity, accuracy, and singular adaptation to the object in view, while the distinguished ability he has long displayed, both as a practical teacher and as the author of some of the best school books in the language, has secured for him the attachment of his pupils, and the respect of the friends of education throughout the country. 'The Committee, while gladly bearing testimony to the extent and worth of the work Dr. Cornwell has accomplished for the Institution, desire also sincerely to congratulate him on the great success which his works have both merited and achieved; and would express the hope that freedom from the more laborious duties to which he has been devoted, will enable him still further to promote the best interests of education by the publication of other books, equally adapted to the improved condition and advancing claims of public instruction." It was further agreed, on the motion of John Corderoy, Esq., seconded by William Harvey, Esq., "That a cheque for fifty guineas be presented to Dr. Cornwell, in order that he may make his own selection as to the purchase of a memorial to represent the esteem and regard felt towards him by the Committee. "ROBERT FORSTER, Chairman." Testimonial from the Students.-Dr. Cornwell's intended retirement having become known among the students, it was determined to present him with some token of the regard which they entertained for him. Accordingly, on the evening of the annual examination by the Committee of the Institution, the senior student, Mr. Pope, rose, and in the name of his fellow-pupils expressed to Dr. Cornwell the high sense they had of the value of his instructions, and offered him an affectionate and respectful farewell. He concluded by placing in the Doctor's hands a magnificently bound copy of Flaxman's "Classical Compositions," as a slight memorial of his connexion with the Institution, and to the purchase of which every one of the students of the year 1855 had contributed. Dr. Cornwell replied to this manifestation of goodwill with much feeling, and gave the students some practical advice respecting the duties and requirements of their future profession. Dr. Cornwell is succeeded in his office by the late vice-principal, Mr. Joshua G. Fitch, M.A., of University College, London. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS FROM SEPT. 1, 1855, TO DEC. 1, 1855. One hundred and thirty-eight students have been in training at the Normal College. Eleven have been appointed to take charge of schools. Two have withdrawn, as unsuitable or unwilling to engage in teaching, and one student has been removed by death. One hundred and twenty-four remain in the Institution. Ten students have taken the temporary charge of schools during the illness or unavoidable absence of the teachers. The August Examination for Certificates commenced in the large room of the Society, on Tuesday, December 11th, at four o'clock. It was conducted by Matthew Arnold and James Laurie, Esqrs., Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools. The total number of candidates who presented themselves was 164. Of these, 48 were students in the male department of the Training College; 43 were masters of schools; 47 were female students; and 26 mistresses of schools. The Examination for Queen's Scholarships was held under the same superintendence, on Tuesday the 18th, and following days. Sixtythree young men, and thirty-eight young women were candidates. We propose to publish the results of both examinations in our next. |