The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-13 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EMIRS.

Sin,—The tone of the discussion on the vote for
the Science and Art Department strengthens the hope
that something may be done by government on behalf of
technical education. Nothing can be more unsatisfactory
than the slight progress that has been made in the extension
of the system of State aid to science Glares. To the superfi-
cial observer the statement that in 1866 6,844 pupils were
under instruction in 151 science classes, against 4,715
students in 93 classes in 1865, is satisfactory ; but an
analysis of this statement will show that little real pro-
gress has been made. In 43 of the 93 classes in existence
in 1865 there is a decrease of 656 pupils in 1866; the num-
bers being in 1866 2,441, and in 1866 1,185 ; aid as Kr.
Bruce has, on two occasions, referred to the science classes
in the West Riding, it may be noticed that the most im-
portant towns in the Riding are included in this statement,
Halifax returning 15 mils in 1866, against 43 in 1865 ;
Huddersfield, 26, spinet 33 ; and Leeds, 33, against 45.
In eight chases the returns are stationary, and in 42 •
alight increase of 684, Manchester, with its 437 pupils in
1865, only contributing 19 to this laminae. These results, un-
satisfactory 1111 they are, do not entirely show how very little
is at present being done for the promotion of technical
instruction among the muses, for included therein are
professional men and the children of professional men,
who take advantage of the systematic and sound instruc-
tion given in the science classes. For example, two-thirds
of the pupils in the science class in Leeds were in a social
position that did not entitle the teacher, and rightly so, to
receive State aid, and the experience of the Science COM•
mithee at Leeds is by no means singular; nevertheless
these pupils are included in the total number of students
returned under science instruction. This will be further
seen in the results of the science examination held this
year. In higher mathematics out of 33 successful candi-
dates only nine strictly belong to the manual labour class,
14 being schoolmasters and teacher, and the remainder
students and others. Taking, however, 33 as the total re-
sult, only seven were examined in England, six in Ply-
mouth, and one in London. Of 64 sucemsful candidates
in systematic botany only 22 wen examined in England,
and of these ten were sail-taught, five were teachers,
leaving only a woodcarver, a wood-cutter, and a photo-
grapher, each in the third class, as the result of science.
class instruction in botany in England for one year. The
table of results in other subjects more or less confirms
these examples.
These poor results are not the fault of the system, though
something may be attributed to the tentative nature of the
grant. The department, instead of recognising the itn-
portnnoe of continuous State aid to technical instruction,
announce that " the amount is liable to be increased, and,
eventually, withdrawn," and " payments from the State
must be expected to diminish." This, by experience, I
know to be a great hindranee to the onward progress of
the scheme. State aid calling rats existence and
stimulating private exertions, may be the proper mode
of administering public grants ; but aid liable at any
moment to be withdrawn is incapable of producing
such exertions. Mr. Goldney, too, gave good
advice when he recommended the department "to
circulate a greater knowledge of the ad eantsges offered
among the general public." The Society of Arts finds it
necessary to broadcast information el its examinations ;
other bodies do the same. But the department im most
niggardly with respect to its proceedings—it is "price six-
pence," " price one shilling," in almost all it circulates. Some-
thing also may be put down to the frivolous manipulation
of details of the examinations, doubtless inherent to all
red-tape departments. The universities, with equally im-
portant local examinations, have not one-hundredth of the
regulations attempted to be enforced by the department, for
all committees an not aware that a large number of official
communications left unansweredanswer themselves. Forms
110, 91, 168, and so on, jumble themselves into admirable
confusion in non-official minds. Bat all these difficulties
do not require much consideration prior to their removal.
We must look to another source for the primal cause of
the non-success of science classes. Just now reports on
VvebBl.-.1 instruction are being issued, and wise men are
wondering what immediate steps should be taken for its
promotion, and in the midst of the anxiety caused by the
revelations of the Paris Exhibition the real cause may not
receive the consideration it deserves. Without gauging the
exact amount of educational destitution, can science
chimes extend and flourish when out of 664,005 day
scholars in attendance in state-aided schools in 1866
only 97,364 passed above standard 111. of the revisal
code, where 264,221 being over ten years of. age ought to
have done so, the difference marking nearly two-thirds
passing out of school to work with less of elementary know-
ledge than standard IV. denotes. These form the source
of supply for our science classes. Not to the apathy and
indifference of mechanics and artisan. to the benefits of
science instruction must failure be attributed, but in their
inability to pursue scientific investigations ; for, owing
to the imperfect nature and limited extent of
primary education, the pupils of our evening
classes hare to devote their attention to the ac luuition
of mere elementary knowledge. No new science scheme is
needed, for the present scheme rendered permanent, more
liberally encouraged by parliament, sod released from
wearisome regulations, will suffice. Yet no increased good
will arise until national efforts are more earnestly made
to reduce the mass of ignorance that is threatening to di-
minish our manufacturing superiority by crippling our
hands in our efforts to promote technical education.—l
am, de., HENRY H. SALES,
Hon. Sec. to the West Biding Educational Board.
5, Victoria-chambers, Leeds.

Eters ABOUT CRIM E. —Some interesting facts and
figures about crime in England and Wales have just been
published in the thick blue-book of judicial statistics for
Compared with the previous year the serious
offences show a gratifying decrease ; while, probably on
account of more frequent application of summary. juris-
diction, the minor offences disposed of by uniguitratesi
show an increase. We learn that we have 2:3,728 police-
men, who cost us 1,827,1051.—being 478 constables and
78,6471. more than the year before. The criminal classes
" at large" are set down at 113,5416, but of these 33,W1 are
of the tramp and vagrant fraternity. Those not at large
are 16,708 in local prisons, 7,018 In convict establish-
manta, and 3,635 in reformatories. In England and It
there are 20,249 houses of bad character. During the
year 50,540 indictable offences, in respect of which 27,190
persons were apprehended and committed. The murders
numbered 131, being four less than the total of 1865. The
attempts to murder were 45, and there were 079 cues of
shooting, stabbing, km; t 59 cases of manslaughter, 8 of
attempts to procure miscarriage, 211 of concealment of
birth, 155 of unnatural offences, 257 of rape, 322
assaults with intent, &c., 272 of assaults and bodily harm,
207 of common auault, and 104 of assaults on " peace
officers." There were 481,770 persona proceeded against
summarily, and of these more than one-fourth were dis-
charged.
Tam Iltayser tr EssEx. —The harvest became
general in most parts of the county yesterday, and should
the weather continue fine a large portion of the year's
crop will be down, and part of it will be carried before the
week is out. The sunshine of the last few days leas greatly
changed the appearance of most of the grain, awl indeed we
were assured last week, though some looked still green, all
was ready for the scythe and the sickle. The wheats gene-
rally are much laid, preventing the application of the
reaping-machine to this crop, and, as some of it is heavy,
increasing the labotin of the husbandman.• /deny
pieces that were last week in tram justify the
conclusion that the crop will be better than was at one
time anticipated. About the district of Epping we learn
that the barley is thin. In the neighbourhood of Coggeshall
our ourrerpondent aye:—" The crops in general are look-
ing remarkably well—some peas have been githered,
threshed, and sold (within a mile or so of the town), and
are a good sample, dry and heavy. Roots have greatly
improved from the late rain, and though we In 3r of
several persons who have found potirto disease at present
it is very tnffing."—Emex lierrsid.
OMNIBUS Arel DENT. —We are requested to state
that the omnibus to which an accident happened at
Camden-town, as reported in our yesterday's iii.pres.ioa,
was not the property of the General Omnibus Company.
or in any way connected with it.
1108PITAL FOR DIBLABEB OF 7111 CHRIST, \ It.TORIA.
FARE. —The number of patients relieved at this invtitatiesi
during last week was 1,177, of which 210 were new cams.
TER ROYAL HOBPITAL TOR DISILASEN OP TRZ
CREST. OTT-ROAM HC.—Ties number of patients under
treatment at this hospital daring the past weeklies 693,
of whisk 12 were saw wet.