THE EDUCATIONAL RECORD. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. THE Annual Meeting of the Society was held in the Borough Road, on Monday the 8th of May. It was preceded by the examination of the boys in the Practising School, at which HENRY EDMUND GURNEY, Esq., presided, until the arrival of the Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P., who, at the termination of the examination, addressed the boys at some length, in relation to their own duties and responsibilities, and to the value of the education which they had received. At twelve o'clock the company adjourned to the girl's school-room, which was crowded in every part. The noble chairman, who was surrounded by a large number of the oldest and most attached members and friends of the Society, called upon the Secretary (Mr. E. D. Wilks) to read the Annual Report, of which the following is a brief abstract :- "During the year, 255 young persons have attended the classes of the Normal College, of whom 100 have been appointed to schools, and 130 are at present resident in the Institution. Of the 121 students who were presented at the Christmas examination for certificates of merit, not one failed, and only three were scheduled, while 70 obtained prizes for drawing or certificates of full competency. In the model> schools there was a daily attendance of nearly 1000 children, under a staff consisting of a head master and mistress, three assistant teachers, and twenty-eight pupil teachers. The total number of children who have been admitted since the commencement of these schools is 86,826. Under the systematic plan of agency and school inspection now adopted, more than 1000 visits have been paid by the Society's agents to upwards of 700 towns and villages in England and Wales. One hundred and ten grants, chiefly of school materials, have been made during the year, including twenty-one to schools abroad, and many to ragged schools. In consequence of the present Institution being found inadequate, the site of a new training establishment for mistresses had been purchased off the Clapham-road for £1,400, and the estimated cost of the building was £14,000. The receipts for the year amounted to £18,252.” SIR JAMES KAY SHUTTLEWORTH, Bart., moved the first resolution. He said : In rising to move that the Report, an abstract of which has been read, be printed and circulated, I cannot but refer to the examination which has taken place in the Practising Schools of the Society, this morning. Some years have elapsed since I was present at such an examination, and it only confirms my strong confidence in the Society to find that not merely are the grounds of its former reputation maintained, but that it has new claims upon our confidence and respect. The children in these schools were always, I remember, at the earliest period when any attention was given to elementary schools in this country, amongst the best readers trained in any such schools; they were also distinguished for the quickness and accuracy of their replies in all arithmetical calculations, especially mental, and for their success in writing, and all other elementary subjects of instruction. But it is clear that the Committee have added to these claims upon public confidence higher subjects of instructioninstruction, for example, in mathematics and mechanics-and the walls of the schoolroom are covered with drawings from models admirably executed, and there were distributed amongst the visitors well-executed drawings in almost every other department of elementary art. Now, this progress must be very gratifying to all the friends and supporters of the Society. It is impossible also to visit the annual examination of these schools without some feeling of regret. One cannot come here without finding, however well and admirably their places are supplied, that some friends are missing, both from this platform and from the active operations of the Society. I regret greatly, as I am sure Lord John Russell will, that we have no longer amongst us the venerable William Allen, a former patron of this Society. I also regret the absence of several other well-remembered friends, and amongst them the excellent secretary and defender of the principles and practice of this Society, Mr. Dunn, and your admirable teacher, Mr. Crossley. That their places are well and efficiently supplied scarcely diminishes our regret, because these three men inspired strong personal attachment, and they were men of remarkable ability, and most faithful in their services to this Institution. One cannot visit the schools of the British and Foreign School Society without some reminiscences of those conflicts of public opinion through which we have passed. This Institution is the last remnant of that first idea of the statesmen of this country which was subjected to successive defeats-the idea of the common school. It has been intended (and to a very great extent it has been carried out) that there should be gathered within the walls of this Society children belonging to various denominations, differing in creed and practice, amongst the Protestant and other bodies of this country. It has been intended that the Scriptures shall form the sole basis of instruction in these schools. No one could be better aware than your president and chairman of this day, of the great conflicts to which that principle, which was considered originally to be connected almost inseparably with civil and religious liberty, was subjected-the successive defeats and the retribution that fell on statesmen-the calamities, almost the destruction, that befel cabinets in consequence of the defence of that principle in this country. We have been gradually compelled, I will not say that the result has been unfortunate, or not ultimately connected with the interests of the country-but the result has been obtained by compromise and the coalition of parties-we have been compelled, except in the instance of the British and Foreign School Society, to adopt a denominational system. The denominational system appears now to be that in which the channel of all public and private exertion, except within the walls of this Society, has settled. Private contribution, public and individual effort, all seem to be directed to strengthen the denominational system; whilst great success continues, owing to the fidelity, perseverance, and single-mindedness of those who have supported this Institution, (which are remarkable in none more than your worthy president,) to attend the labours of the promoters of the British and Foreign School Society. It is impossible to listen to the various statements contained in your Report, without feeling that the idea of a common school is still embodied as the central principle of your operations. From all sources there arises a common tribute of satisfaction with the proceedings of the Government in the distribution of the parliamentary grant. Your Report made various allusions to that. It spoke first, if I remember rightly, of the number of teachers who have been trained in the Normal Institution during the past year-255, and it states that upwards of 100 have been appointed to schools; that all who were examined, passed, and obtained certificates of competency. I gather from the Report also that it is the intention of the Committee to expend £14,000 more in the erection of another normal school; and this is but confirmatory of what I gather from the Reports of various denominations-the Wesleyans, the Church of England Societies and many others—that the operations of the Government are issuing in a very great extension of the educational system by means of the additional normal colleges, of pupil-teachers, and of the whole system which is depending upon the examination and issue of certificates. If I remember rightly, since the Minutes of 1846, which were passed when Lord John Russell was prime minister of this country, there have been upwards of 10,000 certificates issued to teachers who have settled in charge of elementary schools. There are, I believe, at present, about 14,000 pupil-teachers engaged in elementary schools; there are about 40 training colleges,-the Wesleyans are about to enlarge their training college at Westminster, at an expense of £10,000, and this Society is about to erect a new training college for females, at an expense of £14,000. In the 40 training colleges there are, at present, in the course of instruction about 3,000 teachers. 1000 teachers leave them annually to take charge of elementary schools, and there are about 1,500 pupil-teachers annually appointed to enter the normal schools of this country. Now, though these are great and signal results, in the last twelve years, of the operations of the Committee of Council, and proofs that the denominational system which has been established in this country has within it great elements of vitality, there remains beyond the range of these operations a large portion of the country still uncultivated; there are great objects yet unattained, especially in the rural districts, and amongst the lower classes of great towns, and in some of those districts in great towns which are not inhabited by wealthy and intelligent persons. It seems therefore that to-day, under the presidency of Lord John Russell, one who has taken so efficient a part in every step that has hitherto been successfully accomplished for the progress of public education in this country, and who has been willing on all occasions himself to accept so much responsibility, we should take the opportunity of reviewing what yet remains before us, rather than rest upon the success we have attained. One great object obviously is, that, as in the great towns of this country we have been successful in founding and rendering much more efficient a considerable number of day schools, we should be enabled to found equally efficient schools in the remote rural districts of England. That is a problem the solution of which presents peculiar difficulties. In a sparse population it is extremely difficult to find the means of supporting an efficient teacher; sometimes the number of children is too small to afford the ordinary amount of contribution of school pence, and often persons of sufficient intelligence and wealth are not resident to assist in the support of the school. Probably, some expedient different from that which has been adopted in populous districts, or those in which wealthy and intelligent persons reside, will be required for these more rural portions of the country. It has occurred to me that though we have been certainly wise in discarding the ancient dame's school as an institution utterly unfitted for the present wants of the country, perhaps we might (as I have heard from certain clergymen that they have been successfully doing) find a class of intelligent ladies-widows, persons advanced quite to the middle period of life—who might be willing to pass through a certain modified. training, in which their knowledge of youthful character, their experience perhaps in the very charge of children, should be accepted, in some degree, instead of those merely technical acquirements which are at present required from the young students of our training schools; and that in some separate institution there should be a class of matrons or widows trained, who should take charge of the rural schools in the remoter districts of the country. Then I trust that the British and Foreign School Society will be as eager, as I find 3. The coast line of Scotland, from the Pentland Frith to the mouth of the Tweed; or, from Ayr to Fort William. 4. The coast line of the counties of England and Ireland bounded by the Irish Sea, with so much of the interior as may indicate the course of the rivers. 1. Describe the course of these three rivers, and give a brief account of the chief cities on their banks-the Tagus, the Loire, the Po. 2. Describe the Pyrenees, the Apennine, or the Carpathian ranges. 3. For what buildings, institutions, or events, are the following cities most remarkable-Granada, Salamanca, Versailles, Toulouse, Amiens, Munich, Leipzig, Moscow ? 4. Give a full description of one island in the Mediterranean Sea. 1. Name the chief cities in the Bengal Presidency, describe two of the cities accurately, with some account of the most remarkable events associated with them. 2. Describe the course of the Godavery, the Nerbudda, or the Indus. 3. Describe the boundaries, extent, natural and artificial productions of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, or Upper Canada. 4. Give some account of the extent, physical features, population, and productions of the British settlements in South Australia. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. LEGACY, DONATIONS, AND NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS, &c. Hitchin 20 0 0 Remittances from Auxiliary Societies and Corresponding Committees, &c., from September 1st, 1858, to November 30th, 1858. £ s. d. Ashton-under-Lyne.. 6 14 6 £ s. d. 10 2 6 Aspley Guise 100 Banbury Ditto 14 2 0 100 Bristol 2 2 0 Manchester 1 1 0 Towcester.. 050 100 220 2 11 0 York 13 16 6 110 0 60 6 WALES. 1 10 0 Grimsby 0 10 0 Ross 1 1 0 Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by Messrs. HANBURYS and Co., Bankers to the Society, 60, Lombard-street; and at the Society's House, Borough-road. Printed by JACOB UNWIN, of No. 8, Grove Place, in the Parish of St. John, Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, at his Printing Office, 31, Bucklersbury, in the Parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, in the City of London; and Published by THE SOCIETY, at the Depository, Borough Road.-SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1859. THE EDUCATIONAL RECORD. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. ANNIVERSARY MEETING. THE Annual Meeting of the Society was held in the Borough Road, on Monday the 8th of May. It was preceded by the examination of the boys in the Practising School, at which HENRY EDMUND GURNEY, Esq., presided, until the arrival of the Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P., who, at the termination of the examination, addressed the boys at some length, in relation to their own duties and responsibilities, and to the value of the education which they had received. At twelve o'clock the company adjourned to the girl's school-room, which was crowded in every part. The noble chairman, who was surrounded by a large num ber of the oldest and most attached members and friends of the Society, called upon the Secretary (Mr. E. D. Wilks) to read the Annual Report, of which the following is a brief abstract : "During the year, 255 young persons have attended the classes of the Normal College, of whom 100 have been appointed to schools, and 130 are at present resident in the Institution. Of the 121 students who were presented at the Christmas examination for certificates of merit, not one failed, and only three were scheduled, while 70 obtained prizes for drawing or certificates of full competency. In the model schools there was a daily attendance of nearly 1000 children, under a staff consisting of a head master and mistress, three assistant teachers, and twenty-eight pupil teachers. The total number of children who have been admitted since the commencement of these schools is 86,826. Under the systematic plan of agency and school inspection now adopted, more than 1000 visits have been paid by the Society's agents to upwards of 700 towns and villages in England and Wales. One hundred and ten grants, chiefly of school materials, have been made during the year, including twenty-one to schools abroad, and many to ragged schools. In consequence of the present Institution being found inadequate, the site of a new training establishment for mistresses had been purchased off the Clapham-road for £1,400, and the estimated cost of the building was £14,000. The receipts for the year amounted to £18,252." SIR JAMES KAY SHUTTLEWORTH, Bart., moved the first resolution. He said : In rising to move that the Report, an abstract of which has been read, be printed and circulated, I cannot but refer to the examination which has taken place in the Practising Schools of the Society, this morning. Some years have elapsed since I |