This continued to the close of 1855, and succeeded better than the register inside the books; but I thought the success scarcely sufficient to compensate for the trouble to myself in writing out all these papers on the last Friday night of the month, and the trouble to the pupil-teachers in distributing them on the following day.

I found that I must endeavour to interest the boy himself even more in the matter. In the beginning of 1856, a little packet of picture reward-tickets, published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, fell in my way; and it occurred to me that I might fairly give one of these to each lad who had been regular the whole month, mornings and afternoons. I determined to take no excuse whatever as a substitute for attendance, and to allow no approximation to perfect regularity, however near it might be, to qualify a boy.

And now for the result. The numbers in the three following columns represent1. The number of boys who were perfectly regular, not losing even half-a-day; 2. (For the month) the average number of boys present at all during each week; 3. The number of boys on the school-books at the close of each month.

I have already extended this letter to such a length, that I must defer detailing the effect of this on the capitation fee till your next.-I am, &c, RICHARD HOLMES.

Notes and Queries.

CORRESPONDENTS' ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

BLACK-BOARD.-SIR,-If the "Subscriber to the National Society" will well wash his black-board with warm water and soap, with a little washing-soda in it, and when dry, rub it well two or three times with spirits of turpentine, he will then find no difficulty in writing on it, unless the varnish upon it is such as will not set firmly to it. In this case his best plan will be to have it re-varnished.I am, &c. H. H.

INQUIRIES BY CORRESPONDENTS.

Walshford, Wetherby. PRIZE-SCHEMES.-SIR,-I am anxious to form an Educational Union in an agricultural district for a yearly examination of boys in our parishes, offering prizes, &c. Can any of your correspondents or readers help me with rules or suggestions?-I am, &c. J. J. D. DENT. ARITHMETIC Book.-" E. M." wants a very simple book for teaching arithmetic to a child of seven years old.

BOOK OF GAMES.-" Delta" wants a book on Games suitable for a boy's playground. SCRIPTURE-HISTORY.-"P. S." asks whether there is any good, full, plain, Scripture-History for the higher classes in village-schools. He has Mrs. Trimmer's and Baxter's.

PUPIL-TEACHER CASE. Can a girl that is the required age for a pupil-teacher be apprenticed to her father, a registered or certificated schoolmaster, in a mixed school, not an infant-school?

MAGIC-LANTERN SLIDES." A Friend of Children" asks where, in London, sliders for magic-lanterns are to be met with second-hand?

A Schoolmaster (certificated) left his situation, and engaged as clerk in a mercantile firm; and now, after two years, he wishes to become schoolmaster again. He asks whether his old certificate will be of any use to him; or must he be examined, and obtain another certificate before he will be considered a certificated schoolmaster?

Intelligence.

PARLIAMENTARY VOTE FOR EDUCATION.-The further sum of 361,2331. was voted on the 25th June for Public Education, which with 180,000l. previously voted makes the entire grant for 1857 541,2337.

SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION. This Museum is now open to the public under the following regulations:

1. The co lections of objects relating to education, architecture, and trade, of pictures, sculpture, ornamental art, and models of patented inventions, will be open to the public daily, from 10 till 4 in the day-time, and from 7 to 10 in the evening on Mondays and Thursdays, except during the appointed vacations.

2. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, and daily during the Easter and Christmas weeks, the public will be admitted free; but on these days books, examples, models, casts, &c., cannot be removed for study.

3. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the public will be admitted on payment of 6d. each person. This sum during the day-time will enable any person to consult any books, diagrams, &c., in the collections of Education, and to copy any article in the collections of Art, except modern paintings, for which special permission in writing must be obtained. In the evening works cannot be removed. An annual ticket of admission to all the collections, morning and evening, may be obtained for 10s.

4. Sticks, umbrellas, parcels, &c., must be left at the doors.

5. Except the fees above mentioned, no fee or gratuity is to be received by any officer of the department from any person.

6. The Library of Art is open every day from 11 A.M. to 9 P.M., except Saturday, when it is closed at 4 P M., and the usual vacations.

7. All registered students of the Central School of Art have free admission to the library. Occasional students are admitted upon payment of 6d., which will entitle them to entrance for six days from the day of the payment of the fee inclusive. A monthly ticket may be obtained for 1s. 6d., and an annual admission for 10s.

8. Refreshment and waiting-rooms in a special building have been erected, and presented to the public, by the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851. They are under the management of Mr. G. Withers.

9. The General Omnibus Company have arrangements in progress to convey passengers to and from the Museum, and all parts of the metropolis, every half hour at least.

CHURCH SCHOOLMASTERS AND SCHOOLMISTRESSES' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. At a special meeting of the committee, held on Friday, the 12th of June, a weekly allowance of 8s., for thirteen weeks, was granted to Mr. W. H. Pickett, of Cheddington, Bucks, who at the time of application was at Buxton for the benefit of the waters in the cure of rheumatism; from which di ease, contracted by constantly working in a damp schoolroom s me years since, he has become entirely disabled. The announcement of the grant has been acknowledged by Mr. Pickett with the greatest thankfulness; but his general health had become so weak that he had found it necessary to discontinue the use of the baths, and to leave Buxton.

Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses' Associations.

The Editor cannot undertake to notice reports and proceedings of Associations unless sent in a brief form.

METROPOLITAN.-The monthly meeting was held on 6th of June, Mr. W. J. Lake in the chair. On the minutes of the last meeting being read, a very stro g debate ensued respecting the presentation of a memorial to the Vice-President of Council on Education in May last, and which Mr. Myers, one of the secretaries, refused to sign. A resolution was eventually moved that Mr. Myers was perfectly justified in his refusal to sign the memorial: and that the meeting re ord its thorough confidence in Mr. Myers as one of the secretaries of the Association. Mr. H. Jona then read a paper on "The cultivation of the intellectual faculties," but from the lateness of the day, the paper was much curtailed by the reader. A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Jona for his paper, and a like vote to Mr. Lake for his conduct in the chair.

NOTTINGHAM AND WEST LINCOLNSHIRE.-The annual meeting of this Association was held at Trinity Schools, Nottingham, on Saturday, the 13th June. A paper was read by Mr. Hall, one of the masters of the Nottingham Grammar-School, on "Language as a subject of instruction," which elicited general approval. Mr. Hall showed its importance as a branch of education, and gave many useful suggestions as to the best method of treating it. The annual report showed the financial state of the Association to be highly satisfactory. Mr. Mumby, of St. John's School, Nottingham, was appointed secretary. In addition to the usual paper and lesson at each meeting, it is proposed that the scheme for the ensuing year shall embrace a lecture, given by some scientific gentleman. After the election of officers a conversation took place on the importance of mutual assurance, arising out of the case of Mr. Lacy, which has fallen under the immediate notice of the committee. They are gad to acknowledge the receipt of 37. 3s. 6d. since its publication in the periodicals. After partaking of tea, the meeting separated.

BARNSLEY. The last meeting was held at Stainborough on the 13th of June. Mr. Ford introduced the Battle of Waterloo as a subject for conversation, which was kept up all the afternoon. The next meeting will be held at Silkstone.

EAST KENT.-The usual monthly meeting of this Association was held at Minster on the 6th of June, when an animated discussion took place on the methods adopted in teaching the parts of speech and distinguishing case. The next meeting will be held at Ramsgate.

DEVON AND EXETER.-The monthly meeting of this Society was held on Saturday, June 13th, in the Episcopal School, Queen Street, Exeter, when a paper was read by Mr. Harris, the worthy master of the Exeter Reformatory School, on "Reformatory schools;" a subject practically new, and hitherto comparatively passed by unheeded by most of the members present as a matter of no moment, except to those within the precincts of the Institution. Mr. Harris, however, in bringing forward his peculiar and excellent mode of classification, his judicious and varied methods of dispensing rewards and punishments, and general manner of managing the juvenile offenders committed to his care, very ably and convincingly demonstrated, that it was a subject not unworthy of the serious attention of every educator and instructor of the youth of a fallen race, who are ever and equally liable to delusion and error with the unfortunate inmates of the establishment of which he was the master.

GAINSBOROUGH. At the monthly meeting, on the 30th of May, the Rev. W. Elmhirst presided. A lesson, on The ana omy of the whale," was given by Mr. Tearle, of the Blue-Coat School. It was admirably illustrated by means of the black-board, and was well calculated to impress the children with a sense of God's wisdom and goodness. A paper, on "The antiquities of North Lincolnshire,” was read by the secretary.

ISLE OF EIY.The second annual meeting of this Association was held at March, 25th of April. Divine service was held in the church, when a very interesting and appropria e sermon was preached by the Rev. W. B. Hopkins, Vicar of Wisbeach, from Prov. xxii. 6. After service the members dined together at the Griffin Hotel; after which the treasurer produced his balance-sheet, and the officers for the ensuing year were chosen There being no subject for discussion before the meeting, the members then dispersed, some having a con-iderable distance to travel.

The following subjects have been brought before the members during the past year for discussion, viz.: "The advantages and disad antages of Government inspection" (paper by Mr. W. Chamberlain, of March; "Moral and domestic training" (paper by Mr. Lisset, of Doddington); and "The influence of the schoolmaster's character" (lecture, by the Rev. P Onslow, of March).

DERBY AND DERBYSHIRE. -The general meeting of this Association was held on Saturday, June 13th, in the Curzon Street Schoolroom, Derby, when a very interesting and practical lecture, on 'School-management," was given by Mr. Cummings. The subject of the Benevolent Institution

was afterwards brought before the meeting, and the following resolutions unanimously carried: 1. That the members of this Association view with regret that no certain provision is made in the rules of the Benevolent Institution for distressed schoolmasters and their families. 2. That it is desirable that a member, who may happen to be in distressed circumstances, should. after a certain time, be entitled to receive aid from the funds of the institution. 3. That, as the rules of the Benevolent Institution now stand, the members of this Association feel it their duty to withhold their support from it."

WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON. - The annual meeting of this Association was held at Warwick on the 19th ult The members and friends attended divine service in the morning. The anniversary sermon was preached by the Rev. J. R. Young, Rural Dean and Diocesan Inspector. After the service the members and friends visited the Museum; after which they dined together at the Warwick Arms Hotel; the President, the Right Hon. Lord Leigh, Lord-lieutenant of the county, in the chair. There was a good attendance of the local clergy, and other friends of Church education; in all 62. Amongst others, the Rev. H. W. Bellairs, her Majesty's Inspector; and several Diocesan Inspectors. Loyal and appropriate toasts and interesting speeches occupied the time of the meeting. Prizes were awarded to Messrs. Fretton, of Coventry: Sidwell, of Keresley; and Bigwood, of Walton, as the several successful competitors for prizes offered for essays by the Association. Mr. R. Baker, of Leamington, who had been the honorary secretary from the establishment of the Association, a period of nine years, resigned office; and Mr. William Wyver, of the National School, Warwick, was appointed as his successor for the ensuing year. The Association presented Mr. Baker with a handsome testimonial.

BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX. On Tuesday evening, June 9th, the general monthly meeting of this Association, postponed from the 2d instant, was held at the Central School; the Rev. J. Ellerton in the chair. Mr. Stevens read a paper on "Illustration as an element in teaching." He also introduced to the notice of the members a new book entitled, The Pupil-teachers' Manual, being a series of Government questions for each year of the apprenticeship. It was recommended as what had long been desired by teachers, being calculated to assist greatly in the instruction of the young people for whose use it was compiled. The members hailed it as an extremely useful addition to the educational works of the day. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Rickard, and seconded by Mr. Marshall. A copy of the memorial lately presented to the Committee of Privy Council on Education by the Metropolitan Church Schoolmasters' Association, was then read by the chairman; and on the motion of Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Stevens, was adopted by the meeting; the secretary being requested to sign it on behalf of those members who are connected with the Government, and to forward it to the Council office.

Since the last meeting of the Association the committee have applied to the Government for a grant of 101. towards the purchase of books for the library. This sum, with 10. from the funds of the Association, will purchase 201. worth of books at the reduced price, and which would otherwise cost about 30%.

TESTIMONIALS.-To the Rev. E. T. Stratton Fowler, B.A., a Set of Chessmen, by the late and present Teachers and Scholars of the Chilwell National and Parochial School.

To Miss SLATER, by the Members of the Christ Church Bible-Class, West Bromwich, on resigning charge of the Sunday and Day Schools in the above place, a Walnut-wood Work-table.

Also to Mr. SOMFRSGALE, a Walnut-wood Writing-Desk, &c., by a few Friends, on leaving ChristChurch School, West Bromwich.

To Miss THEAR, late Second Governess of the Whitelands Training Institution, Chelsea, a Dressingcase, by the resident Students, on resignation of the office which she has so long filled.

To Mr. and Mrs. PULHAM, an Electro Silver Inkstand, with suitable inscription, by the Children of the School and Choir of St. Mark's, Staplefield, Sussex.

To Mr. F. S. MARSHALL, a Papier-Maché Inkstand, with Sundries; and a Silk Banner, with inscription, by the Children of the Coborn Schools, Bow.

To Mr. T. N. DAY, on his resigning the Staines National School after nearly Twelve Years, to take charge of the National School, Spitalfields, a very elegant Tea-Service, by his Friends, Teachers, and Scholars.

To Rev. H. B. SMITH, Curate of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, a Gold Pencil-Case, by the Teachers and Scholars of the Day Schools.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. WILLIAM PULHAM, from St. Mark's School, Staplefield, Sussex, to the new School erected by the Hon. and Rev. R. Boyle as a Memorial to his Father, the late Earl of Cork, at Marston Frome, Somersetshire.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAM HAYCOCK, from Bloxham, Banbury, to be Organist and Choirmaster, Lawshall, Bury St. Edmund's.

Mr. JOHN THURLOW, of St. Matthias School, Bristol; and Mr. S. E. J. CLARKE, of the National School, Hanham, to La Martinière College, Calcutta.

BIRTHS.-On the 2d of June, of a daughter, Mrs. CowEN, wife of Mr. T. CowEN, Master of Shipton Moyne 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.

"Z." You may instruct them together, giving both at one time the required amount of instruction. "A Constant Reader." See pages 22 and 23 of the Church Education Directory for answers to your inquiries.

"S. Johnson." You should request the manager of the Derby Dépôt to send you the rules with respect to the sale of books, &c.

"J. S. B." We regret that we are unable to spare the room for answers to inquiries such as you

desire.

"Raoul." Inquiry declined.

"A Teacher." Declined with thanks.

"R." We hope to insert the Examination Papers you want in due course.

The Examination Papers and Notices of Books unavoidably stand over for the August Number.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

[THIS portion of the Number of the Monthly Paper is now published in a separate form as THE NATIONAL SOCIETY'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL PAPER, and may be obtained regularly through any bookseller at the cost of one penny; or twelve copies will be sent postage free on remitting one shilling in postage-stamps to the Editor, or six copies will be sent for seven stamps.

This arrangement has been made in compliance with the request of clergymen and others who have the management of Sunday-Schools, and are anxious that every teacher in the school in which they are interested may be provided with the Paper at the least possible cost. As a large circulation is necessary for the success of "The Sunday-school Paper," it is hoped that an effort will be made in Sunday-Schools throughout the country to subscribe for six or a dozen copies monthly.]

"The Sunday-school Paper" in a separate form commences with the June Number, 1857. The Papers extend back to July 1856, but are not published except as part of the National Society's Monthly Paper.

Correspondence,

[The Committee of the National Society are thankful for any communication likely to assist SchoolManagers and Teachers, or otherwise promote the work of Church Education; but they do not necessarily hold themselves responsible for the opinions of the Editor's correspondents.]

To the Editor of the National Society's Monthly Paper.

CHILDHOOD AND MANHOOD.

SIR, The saunterer through woodland and meadow who unexpectedly comes in sight of two trees, the one dry and withered, the other covered with a mass of green foliage, is in no doubt as to which affords him the greater pleasure; while, on the one hand, there is a feeling of sadness in witnessing the decay of nature, the principle of life and growth worn out at last and suddenly arrested, so, on the other hand, there is the counterbalancing sensation, akin to joy, in beholding a proof of health, freshness, and vigour. Much the same law holds good when a child looks upon its counterpart childhood as compared with age. It naturally sympathises with the former, but has little in common with the latter. It loves the freshness of spirits peculiar to the one, and shrinks from the sedateness, gloom, and reserve which it detects in the other. A considerable number of our Sunday-school teachers, who, Sunday after Sunday, are brought into immediate connection with young children, are certainly advanced in years, and should bear all this in mind. If they find that naturally they are inclined to be dull, cold in manner, and reserved, they ought to endeavour, at least for the time being, to conquer this disposition. They were once children themselves, having within and around them the warmth and sunshine of youth; and in the years that have since passed, a change has come over them. This brings me to my point. I know no better plan by which they may attach their classes to the Sundayschool and themselves, than that of setting apart about five minutes after the usual lessons, morning and afternoon, to a little quiet chat with their scholars about the

simple things in which they take most interest. Hay-harvest, corn-harvest, the beauty of flowers, the songs of birds, the kindness of parents, the treatment of animals, the wonders of the sea and the shore, and such other subjects as children may easily understand,-provided the conversation be simple, and made to have a religious bearing,-would promote a kind feeling between teacher and scholars, and be a nice change after the more formal lessons. The children should be encouraged to talk about these things; for they have ideas concerning them running on as a still under current of their existence. More regular lessons must not be disregarded, of course. The great Dr. Johnson, in his old age (who, as teachers know, was a good Churchman, and loved his Church, her sacraments and Prayer-Book, and, of course, his Bible), was naturally melancholy when alone, and endowed withal with a rough manner; but notwithstanding his sharp and gloomy disposition, he always shook off his natural tendencies when in children's company, and did all he could to enter into their feelings and get them to talk to him. Let me give, as a specimen of the way in which he could condescend to a child, the following simple letter. "He took the trouble," says Boswell, "to write it in a large round hand, nearly resembling printed characters, that she might have the satisfaction of reading it herself."

MY DEAREST MISS JENNY,-I am sorry that your pretty letter has been so long without being answered, but when I am not pretty well I do not always write plain enough for young ladies. I am glad, my dear, to see that you write so well, and hope that you mind your pen, your book, and your needle, for they are all necessary. Your bocks will give you knowledge and make you respected, and your needle will find you useful employment when you do not care to read. When you are a little older, I hope you will be very diligent in learning arithmetic; and above all, that, through your whole life, you will carefully say your prayers and read your Bible.-I am, my dear, your most humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON.

This is the spirit in which we all, as teachers, must learn to deal with the tenderness of childhood, especially in our Sunday-schools, those handmaidens of the dayschools. A.

MAXIMS FOR TEACHERS BY A TEACHER.

1. Study, during the week, short "notes" of the lessons you intend to give on the Sunday.

2. Write on paper, in very easy words, the questions you intend to ask; and determine how you will explain things to the children, supposing they cannot answer you.

3. If you are the superintendent of the Sunday-school, take care to be at your post in good time, or you will throw every one and every thing out of order.

4. If you are merely a teacher, and not a superintendent, be in time; and teach your class to respect rules by respecting them yourself.

5. Do not leave your class to gossip in any other part of the room.

6. Be careful not to speak too loudly when teaching, or you will interrupt the work of other classes.

7. Ask the advice of your clergyman whenever you are in difficulty. He will naturally wish to assist you.

OBSTRUCTIVE, Destructive, and Constructive.

R.

SIR,-By publishing the "Sunday-school Paper" at the low price of one penny you will, I have no doubt, help to bring about this among other improvements, viz. that in many parishes Sunday school teachers will be induced to come together and meet their clergyman once a week for the purpose of studying the "Notes of Lessons" which it contains, and the various plans of school-management which it suggests. I hope this plan will become general.

In the course of such discussions teachers should bear in mind one very important fact, viz. that they may be either obstructive, destructive, or constructive. I need scarcely say which of these characters will best render them useful assistants to the clergy. Some people, who do not always mean it, fall into the habit of starting objections, suggesting doubts, and straining points of distinction whenever a subject is brought forward. They fancy it is clever to do so, forgetting all the time that they stand in the way of extensive improvements, and help to destroy that harmony which ought to exist among a body of workers. These are the obstructive class. But there is another class of persons equally dangerous-the destructives. These generally make a point of carping at every thing that is said, and of pulling to pieces the arguments advanced by others, while they substitute nothing better themselves. They are as much in the way as the obstructives. But the class which really does all the good (and I trust it is a very numerous one) consists, for the most part, of persons anxious to build up and edify one another. These are willing to give matters a fair trial