allowed to attend school upon the half-time system, very soon exhibited an improvement in their personal appearance and social conduct. Also, that boys who had been in attendance at school, and who were now sent to work on the farm upon the above-mentioned plan, improved physically in a degree beyond any thing anticipated. By a careful pre arrangement of home-tasks and school-work, these farm-boys were found to keep pretty closely in acquirements to those in regular school-attendIt was shown that the boys engaged liked the system, and that the men with whom they work think it far in advance of the usual plan; the work being done more cheerfully and orderly. Also, that the parents were favourable to the scheme, since it does away with that anxiety and hesitancy endured by many when they find that a dire necessity is about to force them to discontinue, perhaps for ever, the school-life of their children at too early an age.

ance.

A discussion was held on the scheme, which closed by the following resolutions being entered on the minutes:

"That the thanks of the Association be given to Charles Paget, Esq., and Mr. Spencer, of the Free School, Ruddington, for the trouble they have taken in trying a variety of educational experiments having for their object the rendering of education more convenient to the agricultural poor. Further, that it is the opinion of the members of this Association that the scheme is desirable and practicable; but that nothing short of a legal enactment will bring about its accomplishment."

In the afternoon there was a conversation on the harvest gathering of schoolmasters under an organising master, which is to be held at Southwell; but no steps will be taken in the matter till the annual meeting in June. Some time was occupied in a discussion on "common things." A resolution was passed, by which schoolmistresses may become members of the Association on payment of the usual subscription.

[We should feel obliged if our correspondent would kindly send us a copy of the paper read by Mr. Spencer. The subject is important at the present time.-ED. M.P.]

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND ASSOCIATION.-It appears from the report of this Association that "its state is one of continued prosperity;" and that during the year seven teachers and five honorary members have joined the Association.

At the quarterly meetings four papers have been read, and discussions have taken place upon the following subjects: on "Teaching reading," by Mr. Trinder; on The cultivation of taste," by the Rev. E. J. Rose; on "Early rising," by Mr. H. Towers; on "Chemistry," by Mr. W. Taylor. The Association accepted an invitation to Old-Dalby, by the Rev. W. G. Sawyer, and to Melton, by the Rev. W. M. Colles, and the members again express to those gentlemen their thanks for a pleasant day and most liberal entertainment. The Association has had to decide upon certain important resolutions adopted at Northampton, and advised to be incorporated with the rules of the "General Associated Body of Church Schoolmasters." While agreeing with the principle embodied in those resolutions, the Association declined to co-operate with the Associated Body" on the grounds that their rules did not agree with those of the Leicestershire Association.

A memorial from the Durham Association to the Committee of Council on Education on certain points of educational interest having been sent for the signatures of the members of this Association, it was determined to draw up a similar memorial for presentation to government, which should represent more especially the Leicestershire and Rutland Association. The report concludes with the following remarks:

"Education is, no doubt-setting aside war-the great question of the day, and the one most difficult for solution in a manner satisfactory to all parties: as an Association of teachers, we would impress upon members the necessity of watching carefully those plans of education which are constantly coming before us, and the duty of being prepared individually and collectively to express the opinions which experience may suggest. in order that, if possible, the v ice of those who really educate the people may be heard in the senate of the land. We feel it a duty not to close our annual report without an expression of thankfulness to Him from whom comes every good and every perfect gift,' and who alone can make any work in which we engage successful. The progress and success of our Association during the past year is surely a cause for gratitude. 'The silver and the gold are His.' No bitter root has sprung up to trouble us; no death's arrow has shot within the circle of our members; and we trust no one regrets having joined his brethren who are engaged in the work of training up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.""

BANBURY CLERGY AND SCHOOLMASTERS' ASSOCIATION. This Society continues to prosper, and does good service to the cause of Education in the neig bourhood. It is of especial value in encouraging and refreshing the teacher in his arduous and somewhat monotonous work. by the interchange of thought and the consciousness of sympathy which it affords. The usu 1 quarterly meetings have been held during the past year (after Morning prayer and the Holy Communion in the parish church) as follows: March 27th, at Cropredy; June 5th, annual meeting at Swalcliffe; October 2d, at Sibford; and December 18th, at Bloxham. Papers have been read at the different meetings, on Infant schools," by the Rev. W. S. Sanders, curate of Adderbury; "Secular education," and on "The importance of leaving as little as possible to monitors," by the Rev. W. S. Miller, incumbent of Sibford; Development of individual character," by the Rev. W. Wilson, vicar of Banbury; Importance of principles above knowledge," by the Rev. A. W. Noel, vicar of Cropredy; on "Home-lessons," by Mr. J. Akers, schoolmaster of Banbury; "Securing greater regularity of attendance at school " by Mr. G. Goldby, schoolmaster of Wroxton; and "Fixing the attention during lessons," by Mr. G. Bennett, schoolmaster of Sibford. From these papers some ver lively conversations and discussions have ensued. Several useful educational works have been added to the library, which has been placed under the care of the Rev. B. Spelle, curate of Banbury, where the volumes not in circulation are kept for reference or exchange. From the offertory-fund relief has been furnished twice to a superannuated schoolmistress at Cropredy; and one to a paralysed Sunday-school teacher at Adderbury, leaving a good balance in the Banbury savings-bank for any future emergencies. The subscriptions have been applied to the extension of the library, which is open to the schoolmistresses also of the deanery on payment of half the subscription, i.e. 2s. 6d. per annum.

The officers of the Association were unanimously re-elected for another year, after receiving the grateful thanks of the members for their past services.

METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION.-The monthly meeting was held at the Sanctuary on Saturday, March 1st. Mr. John Martin in the chair. Several new members were elected, and others proposed. Mr. Garrod, of Greenwich, read a paper on "Dictation," which was followed by some discussion on the means adopted and adapted for teaching the subject. There seems to be no settled plan at present, while all are agreed as to the importance of teaching dictation. One difficulty appears to be, the time consumed in the examination of what is written.

On Saturday, the 15th March, there was a very large assembly of teachers to hear a lecture on the

"Feudal System," by the Rev. Professor Christmas, F.R.S. The lecture was delivered in a masterly style, and was listened to with marked attention by upwards of 120 persons. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried by acclamation.

THE NORTHERN DISTRICT ASSOCIATION held its spring meeting on Friday, March 14th. The morning was spent in the Blue-coat School, Durham: and the members then adjourned to the training institution, where the afternoon was devoted to the business of the Association. Four new members were admitted. Amongst the subjects discussed at this meeting were those of grammar and geography. The benefits to be derived from a study of geography were referred to, and masters were urged to keep in view its practical application rather than its incidental advantages. In discussing the best means of teaching grammar also, the necessity of applying what was taught to speaking and writing was strongly enforced by some of the members, and generally admitted.

The subjects fixed for discussion at the next meeting are: The best system of teaching Reading; The best means of teaching Arithmetic; and, The necessity of cultivating the Memory.

WORCESTERSHIRE ASSOCIATION.-The meetings of this Association, which have hitherto been generally held at Worcester on the last Saturday in the month, are in future to be at the county-town only once a quarter; in the two intervening months they are to be held at different towns in the county, such as Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, and Pershore. Another alteration which has been made in the arrangements of the Association consists in the addition of a lesson on some practical subject, given by one of the masters to a class of boys in the school where the meeting takes place. The proceedings on the 1st instant at Bromsgrove commenced with a lesson by Mr. F. Marcus, master of the Bromsgrove National School, and honorary secretary of the Association, to his first class. About thirty boys formed the class; the lesson was on "The Causes of the Seasons." At two o'clock a lecture was delivered by the Rev. W. Gover, Principal of the Diocesan College at Saltley, on "The Present and Future State of Elementary Education." The subject, which was ably treated, was divided into three parts: 1. What has been already done? 2. Our present position; 3. How we shall proceed in education? Between the lesson and the lecture the gentlemen attending the meeting, consisting of nearly fifty clergymen and schoolmasters, were entertained with a substantial lunch at the Vicarage, by the Rev. W. Villers. There were about a dozen ladies present. The next meeting will be held on the 5th of April, at St. George's Schools, Kidderminster, when the Rev. G. D. Boyle will read the paper, and Mr. James Simpson will give the lesson.

TESTIMONIALS.-To Mr. E. G. MUSGRAVE, of Silverdale, an Easy Chair, with Silver Inscriptionplate, and a Purse of Money, by the Trustees, Parents of Children, and Friends, of Milwich Schools. Also a Writing-desk, with suitable Inscription, by the Scholars.

To Miss MILLER, sundry Gifts, by the Teachers and Children, on her leaving the Crowan National School, after Eleven Years' Service.

To Miss SELINA Cox, on the day of her Marriage, a Silver Tea and Coffee-service, by the Committee of St. Thomas's School, Ardwick, Manchester.

To Mr. JAMES EVANS, a Gift, on leaving Llanarmon School, for Llanfairis Gaer, near Carnarvon. To Mr. ROBERT JACKSON, a copy of Bagster's Polyglot Bible, together with the Book of Common Prayer and Psalms, by the Children of Blockley National School.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. CHARLES J. GEE, from Wonston, Andover Road, Hants, to the National School, Golden Hill, Stoke-upon-Trent.

Mr. COOMBES, from the Lower School, to the Junior Mastership of the Upper Grammar School, Stockport.

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.

"R. N." 1. Determine on the college you would like to enter, and write to the Principal to know what facilities would be given you to secure training. Some of the colleges have exhibitions, see Church Education Directory. 2. Write for a Paper of Instructions to "The Secretary, War Office." 3. We cannot advise for or against, having no particulars to form an opinion on the subject.

"N. B." A certificate may be obtained; but we fear you would not be allowed to retain your extra employments.

"F. H. V." Your information is an advertisement; and not being an answer to an inquiry, cannot be inserted.

"G. S.," "R. C.," " C. R.," and "W. E.," declined with thanks.

"Saladin." Your inquiry, we think, would be better made without allusion to the particular case noticed in your letter.

"T. H. M." Most of the volumes of the Monthly Paper are to be obtained at the Society's dépôt, but some of the volumes want a number or two, the stock of those numbers being exhausted. The price of each volume is 2s. 3d., or 2s 6d. in boards.

"T. Wilkins" is thanked; but his letter is an advertisement.

"M. H." Thanks for the notes. We may possibly find room for them in a future number. The Hereford Board Report has been received, and shall be noticed in our next.

"A Subscriber." The cards you refer to are White's Arithmetical Cards, sold at the Society's depository.

"J. W. H." You will find the Tripartite System described at some length in several numbers of this Paper for the year 1851.

"D. D." is referred to page 417 (No. LXXXV., December 1853) for a good method of giving a Dictation Lesson.

"G. F. Crawford." You should procure a copy of the Church Education Directory, which gives the terms of all the Church Training Institutions.

"A. Y. Z." Yes; provided they are in charge of a school under Government Inspection, or about to be so placed.

"Torquay Natural History Society." The heads of the Lecture received with thanks. Our limited space precludes our giving extracts.

"J. E. H." Thanks; music under consideration.

Want of space compels us to postpone the insertion of a continuation of the Examination Papers, a Prize Essay, and other contributions in type; also numerous communications received on and after the 20th, too late to receive attention this month.

THE Meetings of this Society have been attended during the past month by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earls of Carnarvon and Romney, the Bishops of Bangor, Worcester, Lichfield, and St. Asaph; Lord Dynevor, Right Hon. Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.; Rev. Lord John Thynne, Right Hon. J. W. Henley, M.P.; Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart.; Sir Thomas Phillips, the Ven. Archdeacons Sinclair and Harrison, Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, and Rev. John Jennings.

The Welsh Education Committee has been attended by the Bishops of St. David's, St. Asaph, and Llandaff, Lord Dynevor, Sir Thomas Phillips, R. Goring Thomas, Esq., and Alexander Wood, Esq.

Queen's Letter.

A letter was read to the Committee from the Secretary of the Home Department, in answer to the application made by his Grace the President for a Queen's Letter in behalf of the Society, declining to advise her Majesty to accede to such application. The Petition, and the Right Hon. Sir George Grey's reply to it, will be found at p. 111 of this Number.

Festival at Westminster Abbey.

In consequence of the refusal to grant the Society a Royal Letter, the Rev. Lord John Thynne made an offer to the Committee, on behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, that a Festival should be holden and a Sermon preached, on some week-day afternoon during the course of the Spring, in the Abbey, in aid of the Funds of the Society.

It was agreed that this offer be accepted, with the best thanks of the Com-mittee, and that Tuesday, the 3d June, be the day for such Festival; the service to commence at three o'clock. As soon as the arrangements have been made, further particulars will be announced.

Secretaries' Meeting.

The hour of Meeting will be eleven o'clock instead of twelve, as usual, at the Sanctuary, Westminster, on Tuesday, June 3d, to enable the Secretaries to attend the Festival at the Abbey on the same day.

Secretaries are requested to receive this notice as an invitation to attend the Meeting; and to give notice to the Secretary of the Society as early as possible of any subjects or proposals they may wish to submit to the Meeting.

VOL. X.

F

Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the Society is fixed to take place on Wednesday, the 4th June, in the Central Schoolrooms, Sanctuary, Westminster. Tickets will be issued to Members of the Society on and after the 12th May. Application may be made personally at the Office, or by letter to the Secretary.

Petition to the House of Commons.

The following Petition, agreed on at a Special Meeting of the Committee, was presented on the 10th of April by the Right Hon. J. W. Henley, M.P., on the occasion of Lord John Russell moving the series of resolutions given in our last Number:

Unto the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, the humble Petition of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Committee of the Incorporated National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church throughout England and Wales:

Showeth,

That the National Society has long been the chief organ of the Church in the work of elementary education; and that your petitioners, to whom its management has been intrusted, having considered the various propositions recently submitted to your Honourable House on that important subject, desire to lay before the House some of the general conclusions which the experience of the Society during nearly half a century has suggested.

That the present system of providing elementary education by means of endowments, voluntary contributions, the payments of scholars, and grants from the National Treasury, has, during the last sixteen years, made rapid and continual progress towards supplying the wants of the people; the number of scholars receiving daily instruction in schools of all religious denominations throughout England and Wales being, in 1833, 1,276,947, or one in 11-27, and in 1851, 2,144,378, or one in 8.36 of the population, whereof 76 per cent were instructed in schools of the Church of England.

That this Society and other Church Societies have largely contributed towards making suitable provision for educating the children of the poor; that at the formation of the Society in 1811 the number of scholars in Day and Sunday-schools connected with the Church in England and Wales is believed to have been less than half a million. And that by means of returns, carefully obtained by this Society in the year 1846, it was found that 955,865 children received week-day instruction, and 27,826 paid teachers were employed in 22,245 Schools connected with the Church in England and Wales, at a yearly expense of 874,9471., chiefly contributed by voluntary subscriptions and children's pay

ments.

That the means of improving elementary education have been multiplied in full proportion to its increased extension; that all the existing Training Institutions have been formed within the last sixteen years; that accommodation has been thus provided for training no less than 1650 teachers of either sex; and that the use of the best books and school-apparatus, and the most effective methods of instruction, has from year to year been more widely diffused.

That this progress has been made notwithstanding the discouragement which has arisen from the continual efforts in various quarters to supersede the existing system by some general measure grounded upon the example of foreign countries, in which a system dependent on voluntary contributions has not been attempted.

That although no child should be suffered to grow up in ignorance in consequence

of the poverty of its parents, it is neither necessary nor desirable to make the education of the people generally gratuitous; but that, on the contrary, it is the duty of the parents to contribute according to their means to the education of their children; and that where this duty is felt and acted upon, the interest taken by the parents in the work, and the attendance and proficiency of the scholars, are constantly found to increase.

That an education-rate, if only permissive, is not likely to be made, inasmuch as those persons who have made no voluntary efforts for the erection or maintenance of Schools cannot be reasonably expected to tax themselves for that object; and that the enactment would of itself endanger the existing system, inasmuch as it would be regarded as an experiment preparatory to more stringent legislation.

That a compulsory rate, besides being open to the objections already stated, would bring upon the ratable property of England and Wales an annual burden of several millions; that if this burden, in consequence of its heavy and unequal pressure, its indefinite increase, or other objections, became unpopular, there would be no alternative, no remedy; for in the mean time the existing system would have been irreparably destroyed.

That if a school-committee, elected by ratepayers of different religious persuasions, should have the power of appointing the schoolmaster and schoolmistress, and making regulations for the management of the schools, and provision for the religious instruction of the scholars, the consequence must be unseemly and mischievous contentions, only to be appeased by the exclusion of religious instruction.

That the greatest difficulties with which the promoters of Education have to contend are, that children are not sent to school at all, or are sent irregularly, or withdrawn at an early age; that these difficulties would be increased by any measure tending to lessen the interest of religious persons in the work of Education, the desire of such persons to instil divine truth into the minds of the rising generation having been hitherto the great means of counteracting parental apathy and negligence.

That the Committee of Council are far from having yet exhausted all the means by which they might extend the education of the poor, without discouraging local efforts or interfering with the distinctive teaching of religion; that, although in wealthy places the widest course of study may be insisted on which the age and circumstances of the children may admit of, encouragement might very beneficially be given in poor and thinly-peopled parishes to humbler schools, for which a lower standard of instruction would be sufficient; and that the rules of the Committee of Council relating to freehold tenures, playgrounds, and other requirements, which often present serious impediments to the erection of school-buildings in towns and populous districts, might advantageously be relaxed.

That the benefits of inspection might with great advantage be more widely extended, provided the new inspectors, or assistant inspectors, of Church-schools are appointed conformably to the order in Council now in force,— -an order which during sixteen years has given general satisfaction to the managers of Church-schools throughout the country. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honourable House not to adopt any measure tending to supersede or impair the existing system of Education, but rather to consider by what means that system may be most effectually extended and improved.

Petition for a Queen's Letter, and Reply.

The following is a copy of the Petition presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury for a Royal Letter on behalf of the Society, in conformity with the usage of past years. The answer of the Secretary of State is subjoined, declining to advise her Majesty to accede to the petition: