addressed sixteen public meetings. Some of these meetings have been of an exceedingly interesting character, especially those in South Devon and Cornwall. Some of the most effective may be mentioned::

CONSTANTINE. The meeting here consisted chiefly of parents whose children attend the schools. It was suggested in the course of the evening that new class-rooms should be added to the present building, and that the parents should do it without calling on the manager for the means. The idea was taken up by the meeting, and is in a fair way of being realised.

TRURO. Here a good meeting was held in the Town-hall. It was well attended by the supporters of the school, but comprised fewer of the parents of the children than might have been brought together in the school-room. It was suggested here that steps should be taken to interest former scholars in the schools in which they obtained that education by means of which many of them occupy the stations they are now filling; and to obtain from them pecuniary assistance, however small, toward the support of the schools.

CAMBORNE.-Though the public announcement was rather late, yet a company of parents, chiefly, filled the boys' school-room, and manifested a very deep interest in the matter of the address. Some of them returned home to put the advice given

them into practice the same night.

FALMOUTH.-Here about 100 of the parents took tea together in the sewing school, and then adjourned to the large school-room, where a numerous audience was assembled. The upper section of the school was then put through a brief and rapid examination in the chief subjects of their studies, in which they acquitted themselves in the most satisfactory manner, and proved to their parents and friends that they were not less at home in the hands of a stranger, than among their teachers at their usual annual examination. An address to the parents followed, which was listened to with intense interest.

MOUNT CHARLES, St. Austel.-A good meeting of parents was collected here at a few hours' notice; and it may be hoped that good results will follow to benefit the newly-revived school at this place.

LISKEARD.—About 120 parents took tea together in the girls' school-room, and then adjourned to the boys' room for the address, which was well received by a large and attentive meeting.

LAUNCESTON.-The two schools were put through a brief examination, which, though but elementary, was satisfactorily passed by the children. The meeting was very numerously attended, and the address was listened to with marked attention. Some questions were asked on various matters relating to school management by persons in the meeting, and replied to, giving a special interest to the proceedings. TAVISTOCK.-More than 400 parents assembled at tea in the girls' and infants' rooms, the management of which was most admirably conducted. An adjournment to the boys' large school-room followed, when the parents of the children were addressed. Several gentlemen present took part in the proceedings, and the meeting was of a very effective kind.

CASTLE HILL, NEAR SOUTHMOLTON.-After inspection of the school during the day, the parents of the children were invited to take tea together at Earl Fortescue's. About 120 parents were present. After tea, the elder children were examined in the presence of their friends, with very satisfactory results. An address was then delivered to the parents, and an interesting meeting was brought to a close by some brief remarks by several gentlemen present.

KINGSBRIDGE.-The usual annual meeting was held here on the 30th September. A numerous assembly sat down to tea, and a very spirited meeting followed. It is much to be desired that a public examination of these interesting and improving schools should be held during another year, in order to bring the public into more

direct acquaintance with the schools which they support, and with the work which they are accomplishing in the town.

READING. The annual public examination of the girls' school was conducted by Mr. Vardy, on October 27th. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, George Palmer, Esq., who had promised to preside, the chair was taken by James Boorne, Esq. The room was crowded with a large and respectable company, including the ministers of the Congregational churches. The children did well in every department, particularly so in Geography, English, and Scripture History, the more commend. able as, for the first time, the examination was conducted by a comparative stranger; the efficient and devoted teacher, Miss Thompson, having in previous years discharged that duty. At the close of the examination, the report was read, and resolutions carried adopting the same, and appointing the committee for the ensuing year. The Rev. T. G. Horton concluded the engagements of the morning with an interesting and affectionate address to the children.

SUTTON VALENCE.-The fifth annual meeting of the subscribers and friends of this school was held on November 17th, and was numerously attended. The chairman, John Smith, jun., Esq., in his opening address, expressed the pleasure which he felt, as a Churchman, in presiding over the meeting. The report was read by Mr. Dutton, after which several resolutions were spoken to by Messrs. Crisp, Bus, Brooks, jun., Harman, Tye, Jarrett, J. C. Farmer, the Rev. B. Freeman, and Mr. Vardy. At the close of the meeting a subscription was entered into, by which a debt of nearly six pounds, incurred during the preceding year, was liquidated. On the following morning Mr. Vardy examined the children, when the friends present expressed themselves well pleased.

Most of these meetings were quite novelties in the districts in which they were held. Their importance, however, has been already felt by the teachers and managers; and it is expected that in several instances not only will they be repeated, but means will be employed to give them even greater effect than on the present occasion.

OPENING OF NEW SCHOOL ROOMS.

DORCHESTER.-The British School in this town has long been under the great disadvantage of being held in an exceedingly out-of-the-way and inconvenient room. The recent erection of a new Congregational chapel had left the former building free for other uses, and it was determined to render it fit for the purposes of a schoolroom for the British School. The alterations and fittings having been completed, the opening celebration took place on the 30th September. About 100 persons took tea in the building, after which, addresses were delivered on the following topics:"The Advantages of Education to-the Individual-Society-and the Nation." The Rev. Eustace R. Conder, M.A., of Poole, and the Rev. U. B. Randall, M.A., of Wareham, assisted at the meeting. Mr. Baxter was invited to be present, but was previously engaged for Kingsbridge.

WAREHAM BRITISH SCHOOLS.-In this town the building formerly known as the West Street Chapel, but which has been for many years unoccupied, has recently been opened as a British school-room, the place having undergone a thorough alteration to render it suitable for the purpose of a school building. The large room used for the boys' school was fitted up for the inauguration soirée, and the place was filled to overflowing. The chair was ably filled by J. Panton, Esq., who after some introductory remarks called on the Rev. U. B. Randall, M.A., (chairman of the committee) to read the report, from which we extract the following particulars :"The building in which the school has hitherto been conducted has long been felt by the committee, and by the masters who have successively been engaged in it, to have many defects, which could not easily be remedied. About four years ago, when

the school was first placed under Government inspection, these defects were pointed out by her Majesty's Inspector, and some remedy for them was required, if the school was to continue to enjoy the benefit of connexion with Government. The committee felt how reasonable the representations made to them and the alterations in the school premises required of them were, and were occupied in considering how they could meet them, when their attention was directed to the unoccupied chapel in Weststreet. Communications were at once commenced with the trustees of that chapel. All these trustees-no less than twelve in number-were found to be agreeable to the appropriation of the building to educational purposes, if it could be effected.

"The Committee of Council on Education were then applied to for advice upon the subject of certain difficulties which existed under the former trusts with regard to the transfer of the above chapel to new trustees for the purposes of education. In answer, the Committee of Council recommended them to lay the case before the Board of Charity Commissioners, for the purpose of obtaining their assistance in effecting the necessary change in the former trusts, and which change they (the Committee of Council on Education) advised might be done under the order of the Charity Commissioners through the County Court, in whom was vested for this purpose in the present case, under the Charitable Trusts Act, the powers of the Court of Chancery. Pursuant to this advice the necessary application was made to the Charity Commissioners by the twelve old trustees, stating that the above building having since 1850 been shut up, and wholly disused for any purpose, they were desirous to convey it to proper parties for the purposes of education upon strictly non-sectarian principles. The Board of Charity Commissioners thereupon issued their order or certificate, enabling application to be made to the County Court for an order discharging the old trustees from their trust, and for the appointment of new trustees, and the conveyance to them of the premises in question. The necessary order was made by the Court, and in consequence a new deed of trust was prepared in conformity with the instructions of her Majesty's Committee of Council, by whom it was carefully revised and settled, and the premises conveyed to the trustees. The trusts of the deed (enrolled in the Court of Chancery) are as follows:

"Upon trust to permit the said premises and all buildings thereon erected, or to be erected, to be for ever hereafter appropriated and used as and for a school for the education of children and adults, or children only, of the labouring, manufacturing, and other poorer classes in the town and adjoining district of Wareham aforesaid, and for no other purpose. Which said school shall be at all times open to the inspection of the inspector or inspectors for the time being, appointed by her Majesty or her successors, and shall be under the general management of a committee to be so constituted as hereinafter mentioned; that is to say, such committee shall consist of the aforesaid (Here follow the names of the twelve), until the month of January next, and thenceforth of not less than nine nor exceeding fifteen persons, being subscribers to the same school to the amount of ten shillings at least during the current year (three of whom shall coustitute a quorum), and such committee shall be elected annually in the said month of January by the subscribers to the said school, who shall have subscribed thereto the sum of ten shillings at least during the current year. All subscriptions for the current year shall be considered to have become due on the first day of January thereof, but may be paid at any time before or at the time of voting. Provided that no default of election nor any vacancy shall prevent the managers of the past year, or the continuing managers, as the case may be, from continuing to act in the management of the said school until the next annual election. The said committee at their first meeting shall elect a chairman for the ensuing year, who shall preside at each meeting of the said committee and of the subscribers, and in case of his absence a chairman shall be chosen by the meeting; and in case of an equality of votes on any question, the chairman for the time being shall have a second, being the casting vote; and the said committee shall annually select one of the members thereof to act as secretary, who shall keep minutes of the proceedings at the meetings thereof, in a book which shall be provided for the purpose, and shall give due notice of all extraordinary meetings to each member of the said committee; and such committee shall appoint and at their discretion dismiss the master and mistress of the said school, and shall admit and discharge all the scholars thereat, and shall prescribe the terms of admission and the mode and times of payment. And it is by the deed declared that the instruction of the said school shall comprise at least the following branches of school learning, namely, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, scripture history, and (in the case of girls) needlework. And it is by the deed further declared, that it shall be a fundamental regulation and practice

of the said school that the Bible be daily read therein, and that no child shall be required to learn any catechism or other religious formulary or creed, or to attend any Sunday school or place of worship to which respectively his or her parents or guardians shall on religious grounds object, but the selection of such Sunday school and place of worship shall in all cases be left to the free choice of such parent or guardian, without the child's thereby incurring any loss of the benefits and privileges of the school the trusts whereof are declared. And the said school shall at all times hereafter be conducted upon strictly unsectarian principles, no instruction, discussion, or comment upon controverted theological points, and no books of a doctrinal nature, or involving any religious creed or belief, except the said Bible (which shall be read without doctrinal comments thereon by the master or any other teacher or person) shall be allowed to be used or read therein.

"And it is by the deed further declared that as often as any of the present or future trustees shall die, or go to reside beyond the seas or beyond the distance of twenty miles from Wareham aforesaid, or desire to be discharged from or decline or become incapable to act in the trusts hereby in them reposed, it shall be lawful for the committee of subscribers for the time being so qualified as aforesaid, to appoint any other person or persons to be a trustee or trustees in the place of the trustee or trustees so dying or going to reside beyond seas or beyond the distance aforesaid, or desiring to be discharged, or declining or becoming incapable to act as aforesaid, so as to vest all the hereditaments and premises subject to the trusts aforesaid in such new trustee or trustees, in the terms of the provisions of an act passed in the fourteenth year of the reign of her present Majesty, intituled 'An act to render more simple and effectual the titles by which congregations or societies for the purpose of religious worship or education in England or Ireland hold property for such purposes.'

"It will be seen from the above trusts, which fully explain the fundamental principles and constitution of the present school, that they are of a nature which enable all sects and classes to join in supporting the school. Provision is made under direction of the Committee of Council on Education for reading the Scriptures daily, unaccompanied by any doctrinal comment or teaching: this duty being left to the parents of the children at their own homes, and to their respective ministers of religion and Sunday-school teachers. The object of the school is, to impart to those who attend it the benefit of a good, useful education, which may fit the recipients of it to pass successfully and creditably through life.

66

'Although by the deed the premises are conveyed exclusively for the purposes of education, the Committee of Council on Education advise this committee, 'that they would not be disposed to originate objections to the temporary or occasional use of the building for other purposes not inconsistent with nor likely to be injurious to the interests of the school.'

"This deed has been executed by all the present trustees, and all the former trustees, with the exception of one, and his declining to execute has been entirely remedied by an order subsquently made by the County Court, under the certificate of the Charity Commissioners, which legally and effectually vests his estate and interest in the premises in the present and above-named new trustees, who also, with the addition of the Rev. U. B. Randall, their chairman, and Mr. Cornelius Selby, form the present committee of management of the school.

"Having satisfactorily effected this part of their design, (a part necessarily complicated and involving much trouble and difficulty, long correspondence with public boards, and preparation of various documents, and consuming much time,) the attention of the committee was next directed to plans for the alteration of the premises thus placed at their disposal. The space on which these premises stood was found to be too confined. As great an enlargement of it as possible was strongly urged by the Committee of Council (in reliance on whose aid the whole work was undertaken), it was also the wish of the committee to secure, if possible, a master's house as well as school premises, which could not possibly be done without considerable enlargement. They accordingly entered into communication with John H. Calcraft, Esq., M.P., for the purchase of a small property adjoining, which purchase after some delay was effected, and the premises conveyed by him to the above-named trustees upon the same trusts above set forth. Much thought and attention was then given to the alterations of the whole premises thus obtained. Plans having been prepared, they were sent up to the Committee of Council for

their approval. That approval having been obtained, and the promise of a grant given sufficient to cover the greater part of the outlay necessary (the remainder being met by voluntary donations), the works were at once commenced. The premises in their present completed condition comprise the noble room in which we are assembled, an infant school-room behind it, separate play-grounds, &c., for boys and girls, and a commodious master's house."

The examination then took place, and passed off in the most gratifying manner. At its conclusion the distribution of prizes took place. The "National Anthem” was then sung, and the meeting separated.

THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF PUPIL-TEACHERS. THAT the moral and religious qualifications of a teacher have far more to do with his success than the possession of any attainments is universally admitted. Every parent who is anxious that his child should live a life of honour and usefulness, knows well that this great end is less likely to be secured by the acquisition of knowledge, however valuable, than by the possession of those dispositions, motives, and aims, which are the result of wise moral guidance, and of the influence of true religion. In order that schoolmasters and mistresses may furnish this guidance and communicate this influence, it is indispensable that they should themselves be persons of high character, of religious principles, and of noble aims-men and women in whose own persons are constantly exhibited the self-restraint, the firmness, the high principle, by which the Christian profession is at once realised and adorned.

It is satisfactory to know that this primary necessity is recognised by almost all the parties engaged in the promotion of public education in England-not only by the various religious denominations as such, but in movements unconnected with any particular church. The State, in dispensing a large annual sum for the promotion of education, has from the first insisted on the condition that religious truth shall form a part of the instruction given in every school which receives pecuniary aid. It has not undertaken to prescribe the form which that instruction shall take, but it has uniformly refused to sanction any system of education into which this element of instruction does not enter. We cannot doubt that in insisting on this condition, the Government has truly embodied the national will, and given expression to a conviction very deep-seated among Englishmen—that character is of more importance than knowledge; and that religious truth ought to lie at the basis of all really sound education.

Yet our readers will not need to be reminded that, in the case of British and other Protestant schools not exclusively connected with the Established Church, it has been found difficult, and, indeed, practically impossible, to set up any standard of religious knowledge and character which shall be recognised alike by all the friends of education, and by which teachers belonging to different denominations of Christians could be satisfactorily measured. Accordingly, a concession has been made on the part of the Government in regard to such schools, the terms of which are well known. The official inspectors are not empowered to report upon the state of religious knowledge in the school, nor to examine the pupil-teachers in the Holy Scriptures, nor to make any inquiry into the religious opinions or attainments of the schoolmaster or mistress. On all these points the Committee of Council is content with a guarantee from the managers of the school attesting that they are satisfied with the religious instruction imparted to the children.

Those who claimed this concession as a right were induced to do so, not by indifference to the great subject of religion, but by a desire to secure the liberty of belief, and by a solemn sense of the mischief which might arise from placing the religious