(6.) Which of the parts of speech have the effect of abbreviating language? Give examples. (7.) What means have we of determining the relations of words to each other in the English language? (8.) Give an account of the origin of the English tongue, and state at what epochs the principal changes which it has undergone took place. (9.) Name the most eminent English authors between the accession of Elizabeth and the revolution. What are the characteristics of the literature of the above period, as contrasted with that of the 18th century? (10.) Give an account of the life, writings, and character of one of the following ladies-Mrs. Hannah More, Mrs. Felicia Hemans, Mrs. Opie, Mrs. Sherwood, Madame D'Arblay. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. LEGACIES, DONATIONS, NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS, &c. Remittances from Auxiliary Societies and Corresponding Committees, &c., from December 1st, 1857, to February 28th, 1858. Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by 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. THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1858. THE EDUCATIONAL RECORD. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. FIFTY THIRD ANNIVERSARY. THE Fifty-third Anniversary of the Society was held on Monday, the 10th of May, at the School-rooms, Borough-road. The proceedings commenced by the usual examination of the Boys in the Practising School, at which, until the arrival of Lord John Russell, the Right Hon. the Earl Ducie presided. The examination comprised the usual subjects of elementary instruction, and, in addition, those of experimental science and drawing, to which much attention has been directed. At the conclusion of the meeting, both of the Noble Chairmen expressed the satisfaction with which they had witnessed the proceedings, and their sense of the practical value of the instruction which had been imparted. The Annual Meeting of the Society took place at twelve o'clock, in the Girls' School-room, the Right Hon. Lord John Russell, M.P., in the Chair. On the platform were the Right Hon. Earl Granville; Earl Ducie; Viscount Ebrington, M.P.; Sir J. Boileau, Bart.; Sir Walter Stirling, Bart.; Professor Pillans; Rev. W. Cadman, Rector of St. George's, Southwark; Rev. Dr. Angus; W. Tooke, Esq., F.R.S.; J. Yates, Esq., F.R.S.; Rev. J. P. Cooke (from Paris); Rev. S. Martin; Robert Forster, Esq.; J. Corderoy, Esq.; S. Fox, Esq.; Rev. E. Taggart; Rev. J. Russell; and W. Janson, Esq. The Chairman commenced the proceedings by calling on the Secretary to read the Report, which contained the following statements : Two hundred and fifty-two young persons have attended the classes of the Normal College during the year; of these, 102 have been appointed to schools, twentysix are at present under training, of which number 115 are Queen's Scholars. At the Christmas examination for certificates of merit, 113 of the students presented themselves, of whom ninety-five were successful, fifty-five obtained prizes for drawing, and five certificates of full competency. In the model schools, the average daily attendance of boys is 603; of girls, 350. The total admitted since these schools were opened is 62,102. Seven gentlemen are engaged in the inspection of schools, the holding of meetings, and other methods of awakening and guiding public interest. During the year, 119 grants of money and school materials have been made to schools at home and in the colonies. Ten ragged-schools have been thus assisted. total receipts for the year were £10,169 9s. 8d., and the expenditure amounted to £10,228 16s. 3d. The The Noble CHAIRMAN, who said that he should be compelled to withdraw shortly, then made the following observations: This Society has been established more than half-a century, and has seen no reason to alter or to modify its original basis. On the contrary, I think the flux of time has only confirmed those who are carrying on the business of the Society and those who contribute to it, in the belief that the original basis was the sound one, and the best calculated for the education of the people of this country. When I say the original basis, I may use the words employed in one of the resolutions which will be moved, "the Scriptural and comprehensive basis of the Society." If we had not taught the Scriptures, we should have thought we were falling short of what was necessary; if we had gone beyond the Scriptures, and taught the formularies of any denomination, we should have thought we were going beyond what we ought to have taught. I believe you will find that this basis having been thus acted upon, there is no need that we should reconsider or make any change in it whatever. The Report has said, and said very truly, that we have no jealousy, and no feeling of envy certainly, with regard to any other institutions which carry on education. On the contrary, we are delighted to see, that although the progress has been slow, and although in fifty years we have not reached a point at which we can say that the people of this country are generally educated as they ought to be, yet that great progress has been made, and that, owing to these various institutions, there is a greater desire for education now than there has been at any former period; and I do trust that progress will be made at an accelerated pace, because the more the people generally are educated the more parents will feel that if their children have not the benefit of instruction they will fall below their neighbours, that they will not obtain employment on the same terms, and that thereby a positive and temporal injury will be done to the prospects of their children; and the more this is felt, the more will parents be inclined to give their children education. I should say, likewise, what is a very encouraging statement, that I hear in all parts of the country, that where there is a good school, children from other parishes, sometimes distant parishes, flock to that school in preference to an inferior school, which is nearer their own homes. That shows that it is not merely a desire for something which is called education that has been excited, but that parents really value instruction which is given with intelligence, and which produces an effect on the hearts and minds of the scholars. The Report has alluded, but merely in a few words, to the appointment of a commission on education. We do not yet know who are to be the members of the commission, and I confess I look with great anxiety to see their names; because I am convinced that if, on the one hand, men of Christian tempers, of enlarged understanding, and a comprehensive charity towards all, are appointed on that commission, their labours will be exceedingly valuable, and that they may tend very greatly to promote the general diffusion of education; yet, on the other hand, if there are men of narrow prejudices among them, and who are not equal to the great task which is set before them-one of the most important tasks which can be committed to any members of this community-I should not expect good, and we should rather have to defend ourselves against the evils they might produce. I will only say further, however, that I do not mean by these observations to imply any suspicion, because happily the present love of education, with the present desire that education should be diffused, does not belong to any political party, or to any religious sect. It is general. May we trust, therefore, that, carrying on this work in harmony-we acting on our principles, others acting upon theirs-this great cause may be promoted, and we may at length see this country vying, which it does not now, with the most advanced States in Europe and the world. The Chair was, on the retirement of Lord John Russell, taken by Earl Granville. The Right Hon. the Earl DUCIE, in moving the adoption of the Report, said He was the manager of two British Schools, and had experienced too often the advantages of the Society, in regard to the gift of school materials and other assistance, not to respond readily to the invitation of the Committee to be present at the meeting, and bear his testimony to the value of their labours. The principles of the Society were worthy of universal adoption, and he hoped the Committee would not be induced by specious arguments, or pressure from whatever quarter, to alter them in one iota. Lord EBRINGTON seconded the resolution. He said He could not refuse to bear his testimony to the blessings which he believed the Society was conferring upon the people of this country; and he expressed his belief that those who were constantly putting difficulties in its way dreaded the education of the classes below them. The resolution was unanimously adopted. On the motion for the re-election of the Committee, the Rev. Mr. TAGART proposed, and Mr. PRESTON seconded, an amendment suggesting two additional names to be substituted for two of the retiring members of the Committee, but after a brief discussion the amendment was withdrawn. The original motion was then put to the meeting, and unanimously carried. Earl GRANVILLE, after apologising for being also obliged to leave the meeting in a few moments, said There are some points connected with this institution, which, as a friend to edu-' cation, and particularly one who has had some official connexion with the Government department placed over the education of the country, it would have been impossible that I should not know. I know the great principle on which this institution has been founded, that principle which has been so eloquently alluded to by some of those who have spoken before, although I am sorry to see that some little discussion has arisen, on which, of course, it would not be becoming in me to speak, as to the application of the principle on certain points. I know, however, that the general policy of the Society is this,-to convey a comprehensive Scriptural education to the poorer classes, at the same time avoiding any sectarian or denominational instruction. I know also, from the position I have held, the actual good you are doing. I know the practical good is of a very great and a very striking character. Several points were touched upon in the Report which I believe are of the greatest value; I mean, with regard to the duties of those whom you train to be teachers in your schools. I believe there is no principle more important, than, while it is necessary that a ́ teacher should thoroughly possess that knowledge of which he is to convey the elementary parts, at the same time he should remember, and his instructors should not forget, that the personal attainments of the teacher are not the principal and important part of his education, but that it is his power of conveying that instruction to other and younger minds. I believe that all Englishmen like to grumble a little, and I believe that most Englishmen even like to hear others grumble--and, I believe, one reason of the popularity of Lord John Russell, who has just left this chair, is, that for years, with admirable energy and eloquence, he has been able to grumble in the cause of civil and religious liberty, and at everything that has contributed to the (6.) Which of the parts of speech have the effect of abbreviating language? Give examples. (7.) What means have we of determining the relations of words to each other in the English language? (8.) Give an account of the origin of the English tongue, and state at what epochs the principal changes which it has undergone took place. (9.) Name the most eminent English authors between the accession of Elizabeth and the revolu tion. What are the characteristics of the literature of the above period, as contrasted with that of the 18th century? (10.) Give an account of the life, writings, and character of one of the following ladies-Mrs. Hannah More, Mrs. Felicia Hemans, Mrs. Opie, Mrs. Sherwood, Madame D'Arblay. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. LEGACIES, DONATIONS, NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS, &c. Remittances from Auxiliary Societies and_Corresponding_Committees, &c., from December 1st, 1857, to February 28th, 1858. £ s. d. 3 3 0 Bury 4 4 0 Colchester Manchester 16 5 6 (additional) 11 10 0 .................. 720 1 10 0 Nottingham...... Plymouth............ Rastrick, &c. 812 6 211 0 Rawtenstall. 100 880 916 2 2 0 Spalding 0 10 0 Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by 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,THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1858. |