The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-09-11 00:00:00

PROFESSOR FAWCETT ON EDUCATION.

Professor Fawcett attended s meeting at Salisbury
on Monday' for the distribution of the prizes awarded
by the committee and the University certificates in
the late Oxford and Cambridge local examinations.
The Mayor (Mr. S. R. Atkins) presided, and the
meeting was attended by many of the principal
persons connected with the city and neighbourhood.
The prizes having been distributed by the Rev.
Canon Swayne, the Mayor called upon Professor
Fawcett to address the meeting.
Professor Fawcett, who was received with much
applause, said : Considering that the examinations have
been held in this centre for the first time; considering
that the schoolmasters and schoolmistresses have had
little experience in preparing their pupils for these
examinations, I think that the results which have been
achieved have been decidedly creditable, and that the
success which has been attained may be regarded as a
sure indication that with renewed exertions still
greater success is certain to be secured in the future.
With regard to the general result of the examination
in this centre, it may be remarked, whereas the boys
did far better than the girls in the Cambridge examina-
tion at Christmas, the girls have done far better than
the boys in the Oxford examination just held,
so that, taking both examinations, the proportion
of boys and girls who have satisfied the ex-
aminers is almost exactly alike. The chief
cause of failure in an examination is a want of
thoroughness and accuracy. Nothing produces so un-
favourable an impression upon an examiner as a ques-
tion answered in a loose and shambling style; and
there cannot be a greater mistake than for s teacher
or a pupil to suppose that going over a wide range of
subjects in a cursory and shallow manner will produce
so good a result in an examination as obtaining a more
complete mastery over a much smaller number of
subjects. There is one danger connected with these
examinations on which I am anxious to say a few
words of earnest caution. I notice that some of the
candidates have taken no less than eight or ten sub-
jects. It would, lam sure, be in every respect better,
not simply with regard to the examination, but with
regard to the influence exercised on the pupils' minds
if their attention wat confined to a smaller number
of subjects. Let it never be forgotten than excel-
lence in a few subjects ought to be regarded as a
much greater distinction, and is certain to prove per-
manently far more beneficial, than mediocrity or
showy superficiality in several subjects. It is not
improbable that the system on which these examina-
tions are now conducted is partly responsible for the
candidates being encouraged to take in too many sub-
jects. In the Oxford examination candidates, however
distinguished they may be in one particular subject,
obtain no recognition of this distinction unless they
get in the aggregate a sufficient number of marks to
obtain first-class honours; and in the Cambridge ex-
aminations it is quite possible that the candidate who
may exhibit particular excellence in some subject, such
as mathematics or classics, may be classed much lower
than a candidate who has done only moderately well
in a large number of subjects. I shall be sorry if it
were supposed that I was recommending a too early
concentration of the mind on one subject. There
may be an excess of specialisation, just in the same
way as there may be an undue amount of diffusion.
All that I am contending for is that nothing should be
done to encourage thoroughness being sacrificed to a
diffusive superficiality. In making these remarks I
hope it will not be supposed that I desire in any way
to disparage these examinations; no one can place a
higher value upon their usefulness both to teachers and
pupils than I dc. My sole object is to advise their
belng made as efficient in their working as possible.
To the teacher they must prove most valuable, beeause
they afford him an opportunity of ascertainingin what
respect his system of instruction is defective, and
where it most needs strengthening. To the pupils
these examinations will serve as an incentive
to industry, and will train them in a habit
of careful expression and accurate thought. It
must not be supposed that these advantages
are confined to those who obtain success. Many of
those who have now failed will no doubt be successful
on another occasion; and even if future success is not
in store, there is not one of those who have failed who
is not better for the extra effort and mental discipline
which preparation for the examination has calleiliorth.
For more than twenty years I have had an abundant
opportunity of watching those who have passed ex-
aminations,where competition has been the most severe;
and I have no hesitation in saying that where one has
suffered any mental or bodily injury from overwork, at
least twenty have brought upon themselves far more
serious and lasting harm by living a purposeless and in-
dolent life. The longer I live the more I become con-
vinced of the truth of the remark I once heard made by
one whose memory will long be honoured in this city. I
remember talking to Dr. Fowler when he was in his 96th
year. I was so much struck with his extraordinary
vigour that I asked him to what it was due. He
said, "The chief circumstance to which I attribtite
my health is that throughout life I have always acted
on the principle that it is just as important even from
the health point of view to keep the mind active as it
is to give plenty of exercise to the body." Again and
again I have been reminded of the truth of this remark
when I have observed that none seem to enjoy such
perfect health as those who combine in due propor-
tions mental and bodily activity. Only a certain
number of hours can be profitably spent in reading
each day. When the mind gets jaded the work that
is done leaves no good result behind, and I believe
that six hours' work a day will often produce a better
result than ten hours.. I have known one who has
been working five or six hours. a day, preparing for
his examination, spend Ins leisure time, not in the
fresh air taking healthy exercise, but in sitting in a
close room reading a novel. If under such
circumstances the health gives way, can it be
fairly laid to the charge of the examination? Probably,
however, the most serious attack which will be made
upon the examination system, which has extended with
such remarkable rapidity during the last few years,
will come from the privileged classes, who are
beginning to perceive that these examinations
will be an agency with which the people will be able
effectually to attack the stronghold of patronage.
Signs are not wanting that a vigorous effort will be
made to return to the old days, when appointments
in the army, in the navy, and in the civil service
were not open to the whole nation, but were ob-
tained thr nigh fainqy influence and political favour.
The old state of things has already been, to a eer-
tain extent, restored in the navy, where appointments
are no longer to be competed for ; what has been done
in the navy will also soon be done in the army, and
the civil service, if the people are not sufficiently
watchful. The simple principle for which we ought
to contend is this, that these appointments, held
for the public advantage, paid for by the public money,
ought not to be appropriated to particular classes or to
particular families, but that they should be held by
those who are most fitted to discharge their duties. I
should be prepared to admit as freely as any one that
an examination is not an infallible test of fitness; but
however highly the imperfection of the teat may be
estimated, it may with confidence be mamtamed that,