remain unaccomplished. It is to be feared that some parents are themselves so ignorant and de based, that they cannot appreciate the advantages of education to their offspring; while the rest cannot resist the very strong temptations of high wages offered to children in mining and manufacturing districts. The reports of her Majesty's Inspectors are full of complaints in these points, and almost all concur in this, that the evil can be cured by legislative interference alone. (Vid. Min. 1854-5, pages 303, 4, 339, and 460.) In the manufacturing districts the mischief is somewhat checked by the operation of the Factory and Printworks' Acts; but the legislature has hitherto neglected to afford the same amount of protection to children of the mining districts, though there appears no reason why children employed in coal-pits, &c., should not receive as much attention from the laws as the children in factories. Indeed, they demand even more attention and care, for certain obvious reasons. The special report of Mr. Tremenheere, in 1858, on the state of the population in the mining districts, showed that the majority of coal-owners and managers would receive with satisfaction some legislative enactment. (Report on the Mining Districts, 1853, pages 7, 8.) And he also showed, that the colliers themselves petitioned Parliament in 1847 for the extension of education to their children. (Same Report, page 5.) Your memorialists, therefore, earnestly hope that Government will heartily exert itself to pass an Act that shall prohibit the employment of any child under twelve years of age in any trade, manufacture, or calling whatever, and that shall also compel every child between the ages of twelve and fourteen years to attend school for a stated number of hours-say 150-in each half-year (same Report, p. 8, for the number of hours); and that shall further make it illegal for any master or employer, after the year 1855, to take into his or her service any person born in or after the year 1847 who cannot read, spell, and write, and also work the four simple rules of arithmetic-addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Such an Act would effect the education of all children now under eight years of age, and would provide for the instruction of future generations." NOTTINGHAM AND EAST LINCOLNSHIRE ASSOCIATION: GRANTHAM BRANCH.-The quarterly meeting was held at Grantham on Saturday, October 20th. The use of the lecture-room of the Philosophical Institution was kindly given for the occasion. Mr. Ryder, of All Saints' School, Derby, delivered a highly instructive experimental lecture on "Galvanism;" and explained the working of the electric telegraph. Mr. Thurlow, of Trinity Schools, Nottingham, also read a most valuable paper on "Notes of lessons.' The attendance was unusually large, including, besides members, some of the clergy, and other friends of Education. GLANDFORD BRIGG ASSOCIATION.-The quarterly meeting was held on the 7th instant, in the National Schoolroom, Brigg. Rev. J. R. West in the chair. After the usual forms of opening the meeting, reading the minutes of last meeting, &c., Mr. Fyles, Master of Scotter and Scotton National School, read a paper, on "The Instruction best adapted to Village-Schools," the purport of which was, that it was essential to the welfare of such schools that there should be a small farm or garden attached to each school, in which the larger boys should be taught to work, and remunerated for their labours either by a money-payment or a share of the produce. The subject was discussed by the members present; but as it was not tried by any of the schools in the district, nothing could be shown to prove the practicability of such a scheme. The rev. chairman read a letter from the Rev. W. H. Flowers, Vicar of Ulceby, inviting the members to hold a friendly inspection or examination of his school, the object of which is toe the meetings of the society more of a practical tone than the reading of papers on educational ss has been found by experience to do. The rev. gentleman kindly proposed to provide a dinner for those members who attend or who take part in the proceedings. TESTIMONIAL.-To Mr. HART, a China Tea Service, by the Parents and Children of Golden Hill School, Tunstall. APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. THOMAS ROBERTS, from Highnam, to Bolton Percy School, Tadcaster. Mr. EDWIN G. MUSGRAVE, from Milwich, to Silverdale School, Newcastle. Mr. R. H. ADAMS, from Hornsey, to the Agricultural School, Milwich, Stone. Mr. JOHN DUNGATE, from Pennington, to Budbrooke School, Warwickshire. Mr. MACFARLAND, from Andover, to Alverstoke School, Gosport. Mr. HART, from Golden Hill, Tunstall, to Wem School, Salop. Mr. COFFIE CHERINGTON, to be Under-Master in the Model School, Highbury College. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. We cannot undertake to notice anonymous communications, nor to insert letters or information received after the 20th. The name and address of our correspondents should always be sent, though not necessarily for publication. "J. M." The paper cannot be sent to Cape Colony without extra postage. "Veritas" is thanked; we think enough has been said on the subject. "Veritas, Herts," is thanked. We may find room for his Notes in our next. "W. E. P." We presume the author would have given his name if he had wished it to be known. "W. J." The catechisms, we believe, will go through the post for 1d. each. Messrs. Groombridge, the publishers, would answer the question positively. Johnson's Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry would be likely to suit you; it is sold at 9d. in the Society's Depository, where also suitable chemicals may be obtained. "F. R. C.," declined with thanks. "J. I. G." We have already given you as much space as we can spare for the subject. "G. L." The tone of your letter is such that we cannot print it. "E. H.," "T. W. J.," and "M. G. F." Your cases seem to call for legal advice; but before taking any step of that kind it would be well to press for an amicable arrangement. "An Inquirer" should address his inquiry to the Secretary of the Committee of Council on Education, Downing Street, London. "W." is thanked. We already give the result of such discussions as far as our space will permit. "H. D." We do not see any useful end to be gained by such a discussion as you invite. Several papers not noticed above are in type, and we hope will appear in our next. |
