INFORMATION WANTED.

INQUIRIES BY CORRESPONDENTS.

SIR,-Having seen in your valuable Periodical an article on School-registers, I should feel obliged if any of your correspondents could give me any information as to the best method of marking the progress of each child. I doubt not but many teachers, like myself, in rural districts find great difficulties as to the attendance of children at school. In most schools children are admitted about four years of age. They continue for two or three years in school very regularly, after which time they are taken into the fields to keep off the birds, or any other light work; so that we lose sight of them generally from March till the end of November, and I find they have then forgotten all they learnt before (for many of them never take a book in hand); and so they continue for two or three years longer, and then we lose them altogether. 1st. As to the admission-register: if they are crossed off and returned every time they leave the school, the managers consider you are doing wrong in filling up the register so quickly; if you leave it, you find yourself bewildered in your account to the inspector. 2dly. As to progress: it is impossible to mark that, as they are almost all obliged to begin again, as if they had never entered school; for many parents do not care about their children's learning, except they expect the master to teach them enough in three months to last them all their life after.-I remain, &c. A VILLAGE TEACHER.

SIR,-Will you, or some of your correspondents, state how far the gratuity "conditionally due" on a master's certificate would be endangered in a reformatory or farm-school for juvenile offenders; such schools not being thought of, so far as I am aware, when the Minutes regarding certificates were framed? I am anxious to know if such schools are open to her Majesty's Inspectors. There is a famous establishment of this kind in Belgium, where a farm of 256 acres is under cultivation, 45 milch cows are kept, with other stock, in value 7007.; where 83 boys are employed in agriculture, 340 in various handicrafts, and the remaining 80 in domestic occupations; the year's expenditure, 37107., or about 71. 10s. per head. Is there any thing of this kind in England?-Yours, &c. J. B. R. "A. K." asks for the name of the small work which contains a piece of poetry entitled "Meddlesome Matty."

"N. B." wants a book on Paraphrasing suitable to study for a certificate.

"W. H." will be glad if any teacher will kindly supply him with a copy of the music (a round) generally sung to the words, "Good night to you all,

Sweet be your sleep," &c.;

or inform him where it is to be obtained. Address, National Society's Office, Sanctuary, Westminster. "W. E. A. N. S." wants a suitable book for a gardener's son in his school, who wishes to be taught the derivations of the names of plants, such as polyanthus from poly, many, and anthos, a flower, &c.

"G. M." would feel thankful to any who could inform her as to how she could procure a copy of the Old English Alphabet, both small and large letters, for marking table-linen, &c.; also a good Geography that would do either as a reading-book, or to learn from as a silent lesson.

"T. M." asks for a list of good books on Method. The Training System, Principles of Teaching, Suggestive Hints, Manual of School Method, and Educational Tour, he already possesses.

"X. Y. Z." would be glad of answers to the following queries: 1. How are monitors generally obtained for infant-schools? 2. In an infant-school of about 200, how many monitors should compose a set? 3. Supposing the infant-school to be disconnected with any girls' school, can suitable monitors be raised from an infant-school? 4. In the case of a girls' and infants'-school existing in the same establishment, how far the girls'-school should be called upon to supply monitors for the infant-school, considering that the girls fit to be employed as monitors are few, and that their attendance (from the peculiar circumstances of their parents) is exceedingly short and irregular?

SIR,-Will you permit me to seek the advice of your correspondents on the subjects of a Schoolstove and School-ventilation? The last especially is such an important subject, and its object at present so imperfectly attained, that it is very far indeed from being exhausted. It is easy, I am well aware, to obtain plenty of fresh air, and to provide for the escape of impure air; but how to do this without unpleasant, not to say dangerous draughts, is the question. The Committee of Council, in one of their early reports, suggested a plan of drains under the floor communicating with the external air by means of gratings, and with the room by valvular openings in the floor, immediately over which were open gratings, also valvular, in the ceiling. This effectually provided change of air; but woe betide the unhappy child that stood near those floor-openings, unless, indeed, they were-as the masters and mistresses generally took good care-closely shut! What we want is, a simple system of ventilation without draughts, and fixed, i. e. not dependent on the varying tastes and judgment of masters and mistresses, who are by no means generally awake to the importance of this subject. As to a stove, I must honestly confess I am guilty of the English weakness of liking to see the fire.-I am, &c. PURE AIR.

SIR,-Will you permit me to ask, through the medium of your valuable Paper, whether any of its numerous readers, clerical or lay, can supply any suggestion on the following subject? In the school with which I am connected, and I presume it is so with schools generally,-boys, when of an age to go to work, have almost invariably continued to attend on Sundays for a considerable time after they have left the day-school, and thus a good influence was exercised over them; but it has happened, I may say without exception, that, however good and tractable they may have been previously to their leaving the school, they have unhappily finished their course by resisting the discipline to which they had before submitted, until forbearance on the master's part has ceased to be a virtue; and it has been thought advisable, for the sake of others, to dismiss them. Now, I would ask any supporters of education if they can tell how this evil may be obviated. It appears to me that something might be done by the clergy taking those lads who attend the schools on Sundays only, and teaching them either in the class-room or by public catechising in the church, and thus maintain a hold on them at least until they have been confirmed; for I think all will agree in considering it a thing much to be deplored, that we must either not admit to the Sunday-schools those who are unable to attend on working-days, or that those so admitted should be turned away in disgrace, and with the chance of a most unpleasant feeling existing in their minds as connected with the school-establishment.-I am, &c. G. L.

SIR,-There is a boys' school in my parish which is endowed with lands. The annual rent of these lands was found by a jury, on inquisition in the year 1726, to be 251. 6s., as appears by an old deed in the church-chest. Will any of your readers tell me what should be the present amount of rent, considering the increased value of land, and also the decreased value of money. I have some idea that we may have lost possession of some of our land, and the information I ask for will either confirm or weaken the impression.-I am, &c. CLERICUS.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.
PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN AND CO.

Contributions to the Cause of Education, by James Pillans, Esq., Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh. 591 pages, Svo, cloth boards. Part I., containing what pertains to the Education of the MANY; Part II. Discussions in reference to the Education of the FEW. These are reprints of articles written by the author from time to time during the last thirty years.

BY THE NATIONAL SOCIETY.

The Manual of School-Gardening, by the Rev. C. Johns. 53 pages, 16mo, cloth cover, price 6d. Contents: Digging, trenching, and cropping-Seed-saving-Seed-sowing-Transplanting-WateringFrost and snow-Cuttings and layers-Grafting and budding-Vermin-Calendar of gardening operations-Table of principal crops.

Spelling Exercises: being an Expansion of the Short Spelling Course, by the Rev. H. Stretton. 96 pages, 24mo, cloth cover, price 6d. Contents: Words up to five letters-Words with double vowels and diphthongs-Words of one syllable with silent letters-Words the spelling of which still less agrees with their sound-Affixes-Prefixes-Change of letters in words from terminations-Words often pronounced or spelt alike, but to be discriminated-Miscellaneous words Words derived from foreign sources-Abbreviations.

BY GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS.

The Seaside Lesson-Book, by H. G. Adams. 236 pages, 18mo, with woodcuts, cloth boards, price 2s. Contents: The mighty deep-Ships and boats-Sailors and fishermen-Fish and fishingCrustaceous and testaceous animals-Sea-weeds-Sea-birds, &c.

BY SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL.

First Steps in English Grammar for Little Children, by William Pinder. 34 pages, 24mo, stiff paper cover, price 3d.

A Text-Book, containing Rules for working Four First Rules in Arithmetic, by H. D. Brooke. Part I., 15 pages, 32mo, paper cover, price 1s. 4d. a dozen.

Books, &c. received.

Journal of Education, Upper Canada. Vol. I., No. 3, March 1856.

Annual Report of the Normal, Model, Grammar, and Common Schools in Upper Canada, for the year 1854. By the Chief Superintendent of Schools. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. The Massachusetts' Teacher, April 1856. Vol. IX., No. 4.

Eight Chants. By James Walters. T. E. Purday, 50 St. Paul's Churchyard. Price 1s, 2d.

Schoolmasters' and Schoolmistresses' Associations.

YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION.-The annual meeting of this Association was held last month at York. The Report stated, that since its establishment in 1852 it had been "the means of calling into existence many local societies throughout the county, and of uniting them and others previously organised;" that the Association "had been embarrassed with a debt of 107., incurred in printing a paper read at the annual meeting at Huddersfield, which they had not been able to liquidate;" that accounts of the proceedings of the Association had been widely distributed, in the hope that the interest taken in the Association might become more general among the schoolmasters; that the Wentworth Association had been received into union; that the number of members had, during the year, increased from 81 to 110, and comprised schoolmasters who were also members of other Associations, as well as masters from parts of the county where no local associations had been established. The Report adds some particulars of the progress of local associations in connection with it, the proceedings of which are from time to time noticed in this paper. It also states, that it successfully opposed the movement of the Northampton Association for the admission of the clergy as members of the Associated Body of Church Schoolmasters. In conclusion, a hope is expressed that the Association may be the means of uniting teachers in Yorkshire, and stimulating them to a faithful discharge of their duties.

The Report having been agreed to, a subscription was entered into to discharge the debt of 101. Officers having been elected for the ensuing year, the meeting proceeded to consider the following resolutions, which, after an interesting discussion, were agreed to unanimously.

"That it is the opinion of this meeting that the present allowance of one pupil-teacher to every forty scholars is not sufficient to enable the master to maintain the efficiency of his school; and believing that the Committee of Council on Education cannot with safety to the profession of the schoolmaster return to the original proportion of one to twenty-five, this meeting is also of opinion that the appointment of stipendiary monitors from eleven to fourteen years of age, at the rates of remuneration specified in the broad sheet (in addition to the present allowance of pupil-teachers, and also a large increase in the number of assistant teachers), would meet the existing requirements of the schools."

"That their lordships' minutes, by which the conditional payment of teachers for the instruction of their pupil-teachers during any fraction of a year, in the case of the master's removal from the school, operates unjustly, inasmuch as it withholds payment for services actually rendered."

"That the recent publication of many improved school-books renders it desirable that the schedule of her Majesty's Committee of Council on Education should be revised, or that school-managers should be left to their own discretion in choosing the books to be used in their schools."

"That the gratuitous distribution of the annual reports of the Committee of Council on Education has been a great advantage to the teachers and elementary schools, for which they are grateful to the liberality of their lordships; and that the perusal of them has tended much to the improvement of their schools; and that this meeting has learnt with much regret that their lordships intend to withdraw this boon for the future."

The following resolution was proposed, but negatived by a large majority:

"That their lordships' minute, restricting the employment of the teacher's leisure time, operates to the disadvantage of many teachers, inasmuch as it prevents them from extending their usefulness and promoting their interests without injuring their schools or their own health."

It was agreed to embody the three first resolutions in a memorial to the Committee of Council, and the fourth in a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury.

A paper on Schoolmasters' Associations, read by W. B. Simpson, concluded the business of the meeting.

The members and their friends, both lay and clerical, to the number of seventy, dined together at the Royal Station Hotel. Amongst the company present were the Rev. F. Watkins, her Majesty's Inspector of schools for Yorkshire; the Rev. R. Grant, Assistant-Inspector for this county; the Rev. Canon Trevor, York; the Rev. Canon Randolph, Dunnington; the Rev. Canon Yeoman, Moor Monkton; the Rev. H. G. Robinson, Principal of the Training Institution, Lord Mayor's Walk; the Rev. R. Row, geographical lecturer to the same institution; the City Sheriff; Dr. Shann; W. Whytehead, Esq.; G. L. Cressey, Esq.; J. Wilkinson, Esq.; Mr. W. Myers, master of the Yorkshire Society's School in London, &c.

Mr. Ward was chairman on the occasion, and Mr. Hullah, of Escrick, vice-chairman.

A series of toasts were proposed and responded to, which called forth a variety of suitable remarks, and concluded the day's proceedings.

VALE OF AYLESBURY ASSOCIATION.-A meeting of this Society was held in the National school, on Saturday, April 5th. The Rev. H. Rawson occupied the chair; and after reading prayers, acquainted the meeting that the Ven. Archdeacon Bickersteth deeply regretted that, in consequence of an unforeseen and lamentable circumstance, he was not able to attend. Mr. Worall, of Little Gaddesden, then read a paper on "Moral and religious influence." Having first begged the indulgence of those present, who could probably lay claim to great experience in school-keeping, he (Mr. Worall) went on to describe a system by means of which he had been enabled to establish an immense "moral influence" over the minds of those who had been placed under his care. This system consisted principally in dispensing as far as possible with corporal punishment, and instead thereof to take every favourable step to induce the children to love him as their teacher. Among the steps thus taken, he could mention the having acquired, first of all, a complete knowledge of the respective characters of his pupils, and then treating them accordingly; reasoning individually with offenders. Illustrative of these, he instanced a hardened offender whom he had mastered by taking him into his parlour and pouring out the urchin a glass of wine, followed by a severe lecture on the impropriety of his conduct; reasoning with parents on the faults of their children; reading tales on saints' and other days. So much importance did he attach to this plan, that he had spent upwards of 37. within the last twelvemonth in the purchase of suitable tale-books for children; making or assisting in making for the most deserving of his scholars toys, as kites, &c.; visiting sick scholars; and, in short, showing at all times an earnest solicitude for the general happiness of his school. Having carried out such a system for a number of years, he could point out as results, that in his school he had not had a boy late for the last six months; he could not remember a single instance of truant-playing; he could send any number of children of all ages to church, and guarantee that every one should sit perfectly still, keep his eyes on his book, "and not open his mouth during the whole service," and this even with boys who attended the Sunday-school only; and he could moreover point to numbers of sincere and pious Christians, many of whom had become devout communicants, who owed their inestimable privileges in a great degree to his humble endeavours. Mr. Worall having sat down, was thanked for the very able manner in which he had brought such an important subject under the notice of those present.

A short conversation then took place, and it was generally remarked that the results obtained by Mr. Worall were quite surprising; also, that in very replete systems for accomplishing our purposes care is required that the means be not mistaken for the end, and the hearts of those with whom we have to deal but imperfectly attended to. Prayers were then read, and the proceedings terminated. The meeting was well attended.

OSWESTRY SCHOOLMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.-The first meeting of this Association since Christmas was held in March, when Mr. Henry Toone, of Knockin, gave a lesson on "Silver" to a class of boys and girls. At the April meeting, the Rev. L. W. Jones, Curate of Oswestry, delivered an interesting lecture on the "Evidences of Christianity." The reverend lecturer showed (1) that the Evangelists were credible witnesses; and (2) that they were competent witnesses. Numerous arguments were adduced favourable to these statements, and the several objections of infidels were met and answered; and at the close, the portraiture of an infidel's uncertainty was brought forward as one of the strongest evidences of the truth of Christianity. After the lecture, the Rev. W. W. How, Rector of Whittington, explained the Pauper Education Bill." If the poor-law guardians of any district decide upon admitting the operations of the bill, the school-managers have simply to produce a certificate stating that the children of those persons who receive parish relief have attended school during two-thirds of the whole number of school-days in that quarter, and the guardians will authorise the payment of one shilling per quarter for each such child.

BARNSLEY.-The Church schoolmasters of this neighbourhood held their usual monthly meeting at Hoylandswaine, on Saturday, April 12th, on which occasion Mr. John Burland read a paper on "The four English rivers named Ouse," which was favourably received. The May meeting will be held at Worsborough.

METROPOLITAN.-The usual monthly meeting of this Association was held at the Sanctuary, Westminster, on Saturday, April 5th. Six new members were elected, and four proposed for election at the next meeting. Mr. Hay read a paper on "Inculcating kindness to animals," which was well received, and a formal resolution carried to the effect that the members present would endeavour in their several schools to inculcate the subject brought forward by Mr. Hay.

On Saturday, April 19th, the members assembled in large numbers to hear a lecture by the Rev. J. W. Reynolds, A.M. The subject, "Science in common things," was treated in a very pleasing manner, and elicited much applause from the teachers present. After the lecture, Mr. G. W. Martin, according to announcement, opened a singing-class; nearly one hundred members joined. It is but right to state that Mr. Martin's services are entirely gratuitous.

TESTIMONIALS.-To Mr. and Mrs. FOSTER, on retiring with a Government Pension of 501. a-year from the National Schools, Carnarvon, a Gold Watch, a Silver Tea-pot, and a Purse of Thirty-four Sovereigns, presented at a public meeting by the Mayor of the town; being the proceeds of a subscriptionlist amounting to.757., headed by the Bishops of Bangor and St. Asaph. The Tea-pot bore the following inscription: "Presented to Mr. and Mrs. Foster, from the Friends of Education in the Town of Carnarvon and neighbourhood, upon their retirement from the Carnarvon National Schools after Nineteen Years' devotion to their duties of Master and Mistress, during which period 6000, Children were educated by

them, besides the Normal Training of 140 National Schoolmasters by Mr. Foster, whose zealous and successful career gave a great impetus to education in North Wales. March 1856."

To Rev. HENRY WHITEHEAD, on leaving St. Luke's, Berwick Street, Soho, a Silver Pencil-case, by the Children of St. Luke's Free Schools.

To Mr. W. KNIGHT, a Bible and Prayer-book, by the Committee of the Walmer National Schools. To Mr. J. B. CLARKE, on leaving Alton, a Writing-desk with inscription, by the Clergyman and Parents of the School-children.

To Mr. AMBROSE WILLIAMS, on leaving St. Mark's College, Boswell's Life of Johnson, Coleridge's, Tennyson's, and Longfellow's Poems, by his Fellow-students.

To Miss M. HUDSON, on entering upon her First School, a Leathern Writing-case, and a copy of Eadie's Biblical Cyclopædia, by the Clergy, Teachers, and Scholars of the Hartfield National School. To Mr. JOHN D. TRIGG, on resigning the office of Treasurer, and leaving Brighton for Oxford University, an Imperial 4to Bible, Blomefield's Greek Testament, and a Bronze Inkstand, by the Members of the Brighton and Sussex Church Schoolmasters' Association. Also a Morocco Writing-case, with complete Fittings, by the Teachers and Pupil-teachers of the Brighton Central National Schools.

To Mr. JOHN STANWICK, a Gold Watch and Appendages, by a few Friends, and the former and present Pupils of Gilling School.

To Mr. W. B. JONES, a Time-piece, &c., by the Parishioners and Children of Great Bedwyn, Wilts. To Mг. THOMAS PHILLIPS, on leaving Knipton School, a Silver Watch, by the Scholars and a few Friends.

To Mr. J. MANLEY, on leaving St. James's National School, Exeter, Rink's Practical Organist, by the Teachers and Children.

To Mr. and Mrs. P. E. BAKER, by the Children of the Snitterfield School, a French Moderator Lamp.

To Mr. WILLIAM LEWIS HIND, on leaving the St. John's Schools, Baldwin's Gardens, Gray's Inn Lane, a Silver Pencil-case and Penholder, engraved, "From the Boys of the St. John's Schools."

To Mr. SAMUEL SUMMERSCALE, late Assistant-Master of the Keighley National School, a Gold Watch and Chain, by the Officers and Teachers connected with the above Schools.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. W. KNIGHT, late Pupil-teacher in the Walmer National Schools, to be Assistant-Master of the Penshurst Schools. Mr. JOHN GILLARD, from St. James's Parochial School, to St. Sidwell's, Exeter. From the Westminster Training Institution, Smith Square.

OBITUARY.-Died, on the 14th of April, aged 27 years, HENRY BERIAH LOCKWOOD, formerly Student of St. Mark's College, and late Master of the Brompton School.

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.

"X. N. O." 1. The Directory has hitherto been published early in the year, but not annually. Another edition, we understand, will be prepared, but not immediately. 2. Apply to the principal of the college you wish to enter.

"J. M'A." is referred to p. 104 of our last Number for an answer to his query.

"A Certificated Master."

Poor-Law Board, Whitehall.

You should address your inquiry to the Inspector of Workhouse-Schools,

"X. Y. Z." is referred to the volume of Monthly Paper for 1851 (see index) for information on the Tripartite system. A time-table is given at p. 186.

"W. M. H." declined.

"Humanitas" declined, with thanks.

"Observator." We do not think that the object which our correspondent has in view will be promoted by giving publicity to his communication.

R. Temple" is thanked. The large space we devoted to the subject in our last Number precludes us from making use of our correspondent's communication.

"T. V." We are not aware of exceptions to the rule. The managers of your school should inquire of the Committee of Council.

"W. E. A. N. S." We have inserted your inquiry; but fear that we shall not be able to afford the space for your other communication.

"A Pupil-teacher" should consult his master as to what books to read.

"Phalanger" is thanked for his Notes; but at present we do not think we shall be able to make use of them. The managers of the school must make the application for inspection by letter, addressed to the Secretary of the Committee of Council.

"A Schoolmaster." 1 and 2. Eligible at once; but the examinations take place only at the end of each year. 3. Inquire of the principal of the training college where you propose to be examined. We have to thank several of our correspondents for Notes of Lessons. At present we are unable to make room for them. Thanks for the essay. We hope to print the principal portion of it in

"Ruddington Master."

our next.

Hereford and Ripon Board Reports have been received, and shall be noticed in due course. "Lapis." We regret there should be objection. Possibly you may find some kind friend in another parish to whom you could transfer the papers, &c. In that case, report to us the name.

"J. E. H." The music is not without its good points; but wants considerable revision to make it satisfactory for publication.

THE Meetings of the Committee of the National Society have been attended during the past month by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Worcester, the Rev. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart.; Sir Thomas Phillips, the Ven. Archdeacons Sinclair and Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, and Rev. John Jennings.

While this Number is passing through the press, the Vice-Presidents of the Society are to hold a meeting for the purpose of filling up the vacancy in their body occasioned by the death of the Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, and also to nominate candidates for election to serve on the Committee. The members who retire by rotation are the Ven. Archdeacon Harrison, Rev. John Jennings, Sir. W. Page Wood, and Rev. Dr. Wordsworth.

A special Meeting of the Committee is also to be holden for the purpose of settling the Report, and receiving resolutions forwarded for adoption at the Annual Meeting.

Choral Festival.

The Festival, announced last month, is to take place at 3 P.M. in Westminster Abbey, on Tuesday, 3d June. Tickets may be had at the Office of the Society, Sanctuary, Westminster.

Anniversary Meetings.

The Secretaries' Meeting will take place in the Central Schoolroom, Westminster. The chair taken at eleven o'clock on Tuesday, the 3d June.

The Annual Meeting of the Society takes place at twelve o'clock on Wednesday, 4th June. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury will preside. Tickets will be issued to Members, who are invited to attend, on application at the Society's Office, Westminster.

Queen's Letter.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have most promptly acceded to the request of the Committee, and addressed, within their respective provinces, letters to the several Bishops, asking them to invite their clergy to make collections in aid of the Society in lieu of those made under authority of the Royal Letter.

VOL. X.

G