The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-28 00:00:00

(STAMPED IL ADDITIONAL.]

TIM SCHOOLS INQUIRY COMMISSION.

The Report of this Commission is now complete.
The chaotic state of secondary education in Eng-
land, and the absolute non-existence Of suitable edn•
cation in public schools for the lower grade of the
middle class, and foe the upward looking artisan,
is declared to be in great measure due to the
obstinate adherence to the letter of ancient deeds
or legal schemes founded on them, without regard to
the requirements of different grades of education.
The first chapter accordingly begins by setting out
a definition of the three grades of secondary edu-
cation needed in England. The first is desired by
those who are going to the university, or who on
other grounds wish to carry on school education
till 18 years of age or later. The second by those
who, desiring a liberal as well as useful education,
are unable to carry school life beyond the age of
16, but commence either technical or professional
study, or enter upon some kind of practice or
apprenticeship at that age. The third demand is
that of those whose school life terminates at
about 14, or thereabouts: This class, though of
lower social rank, is le nnmerons as to
be equally important with both the others.
The COMM/IlliOntell estimate that for every thou-
sand of the population, in towns at lead, there
should bo provision ultimately for not less than
1G boys. That in every town large enough to
maintain a day school there should be at once
provision of 10 boys per thousand of population,
with power of extension ; and that of the presumed
demand one half at least should be assigned to the
requirements of scholars of the third grade.
The most urgent educational need of the country
is good schools of the third grade. The COM-
misaioners can hardly point to more than two good
schools of the kind, via., the Bristol Trade School
and Hales School at Exeter. They point out that
in the whole of the manufacturing districts of the
midland and the north there is hardly
a single satisfactory public school of the kind.
The reason of this deficiency is shown to be the
adherence to Lord Eldon's decision in the famous
Leeds case, resting on Dr. Johnson's definition of
a Grammar School as "a school in which the learned
languages (i.e. Greek and Latin) are grammatically
taught." legal interpretation of Free Gram-
mar School often entails gratuitous education in
Greek and Latin. Hence has followed the prac-
tical result that the poor frequently resort to a
grammar school, not because it is a good school,
but because it coats n6thing. Those who desire a
liberal education are depressed or driven away
from the sch.'ol, and the master vegetates on a
wretched income. Such is a specimen of the hope-
less chaos which renders reorganisation, and, as a
main element thereof, gradation, indispensable. Gradation is the foundation of flit, best education
on the Continent and in America.

In close connexion with the subject of gradation
is that of exhibitions. Tho Commissioners propose to
increase greatly the number of exhibitions, and to
make them tenable, not only at universities, but
at places of professional education, such as medical
schools. But they propoic also to substitute to a
great extent for the fixed salaries now payable to
masters a system of exhibitions tanable at superior
schools, and open to scholars at schools of a lower
grade. The master's income would be made to
depend on the number of scholars attracted to the
school, whether the capitation fees were paid by
the parents or by the governors out of the endow-
ment. By this arrangement the income of an
inefficient master would dwindle away, and the
scandal of sinecure mastership' would cease to exist.
Throughout the 'Report the Commisiioners show
a jealous appreciation of the true glory of the an,
dent grammar school. They show with remark.
able fulness of proof and illustration that the aim
of the founder was not to make a low education
cheap as a charity to parents, but to make good
education accessible as a benefit to capable
scholars—that is, to all who possess the capacity
and the will to make full use of it. The free school
utterly fails of this end, and even actually hinders
its attainment. Exhibitions with graded schools
alone meet the case now. The Commissioners dis-
cuss fully the curriculum of studies suited to dif-
ferent schools. They show great unwillingness to
follow the example of Continental states by laying
down an exact programme of studies to be fol-
lowed in each grade of school, but they point out
cogent reasons why schools should be placed in a
definite relation to each other, and each hold
by public authority to its own proper business
and aim. A rule of this sort is necessary
to prevent successful schools from rising in the
'social scale and in their charges, and from thereby
depriving the poorer scholars of a suitable educa-
tion. The recommendations as to the course of
study involve many details and qualifications which
cannot be abridged. But the report speaks defi-
nitely on certain points :-1. The paramount im-
portance of elementary studies generally, and
especially of arithmetic, as the preparation alike
for mathematics, science, and commercial business,
and even as paying the way for accuracy in km-
guage. 2. The educational value of language in
general—and in particular of Latin—as a link be- I
tween the grades, and the means of keeping open a
doorway to the poor, that they may work their way
up to the highest liberal education ; they also
strongly advocate the systematic study of English,
though admitting the difficulty of teaching it well.
3. On do subject of mathematics, they review the
claims of Euclid, and recommend that some easier
form of geometry with practical applications should
precede and in some sense supersede Euclid • on
the ground that ordinary minds are best prepared
by the concrete for the study of the abstract.
The subject of religious instruction is carefully
treated in the first chapter, oil the general scope of '
secondary education, and, still more definitely,
among the final recommendations in the 7th
chap. A great weight of evidence is adduced to
show that parents desire religious
generally,
schools ; but they do not always, or even
care for its being denomunationaL and they
claim a right to withdraw their children from what
they disapprove. The commissioners conclude that
neither exclusive religions teaching, nor secular
wheals, will generally meet the wishes of parents ;
but that the right course is to continue religious
teaching on a recognised basis, with a well-definedl
conscience clause, and a right of appeal to a higher
tribunal. They point out the wide distinction to I
be drawn between the can of day scholars and
boarders, and recommend provisions for each case.
In the Appendix will be found a remarkable
paper by Lord Lyttelton on the Conscience Clause.
In the second chapter will be found a careful and
soomiogly exhaustive digest of evidence as to the
original -constitution of Endowed Schools ; and/as to
the course of events through which • vain attempt
to adhere to the letter of the founders' wills has
utterly frustrated, except in particular cases, the
whole spirit and purpose of their foundation.
The informationaboubendowed sehoolsis arranged
under the heads of Scholars and kind of Educa-
tion- -Ifasters—Governors--Sites of Buildings.
It is shown that the grammar schools as they now
are " nidther exhibit the will of the dead for their
time nor the will of the living for our time, but
the result of a futile attempt, m moulding for the
use of the prated whet was given for the me of
the '
prreent, to empi
then as excladvely wmight be
the dead hand' of pad."
The third chapter giyee a geographical alteldi of
the distribution of endowments, treal.sevieally
of the metropolis, of the egrieultural Wig-
land lying east and south of the coal el the
nsanidng district bees Bristol be Os swells of
Lenouhire and Yorkshirty et Iheldeaseneeenties,
and of Vides. Chap. 4 mime the idealism of
rertomminding *at abils alliald be
Sian the same adds Endo, as
in reference to the of aldlrente,
sr" @W ad of the @Word 'a cp=
ared /OAK K. should be walked to the 'dilation of

[ONE PEN NY

girls of the middle class in and near London.
Chap. 7 oontains, as might be expected, the
..ith of
the Report ; it is divided into two principal is Alen',
and a third which is in some sort supplementary.
The first treats of the improvements needed in
endowed schools ; the second, of the machinery of
administration.
Alter these two sections follows a third on pro-
prietary and private schools, and on the measures
to be adopted to provide new public schools when
they are wanted. We may dispose of this third
section by saying that the report recommends the
adoption into the national system of all private
and proprietary schools desirous of being so
adopted, and coming up to • required stividard ;
and that for the establishment of new publics
schools recourse be had, so far as buildi egs are
required, to local rates. The recommendations for
the improvement of endowed schools are set forth
in sec. lof chap. 7. They provide for the course
of study, the purposes to which endowments ought
to be employed, and the cessation of tho ie pur-
Cwswhich have proved mischi, vous—
so r
the regulation of expenses, the supply
of maaten, management, inspection, and exa-
mination. These recommendations are =erne-

rated in a condensed summary, which does uot ad-
mit of abridgment, at the close of sea. 1, o:isp.
They turn mainly on a distribution of authority
between the master, the governors, a privincial
authority, and a central authority resporqble to
parliament. To these several authorities it is pro-
posed to entrust (subject to certain limitations)
plenary administrative power so far as regards
ill matters of property, and the regulation of
studies and discipline, including the vital question
of grading the schools. This is called in I vussian
phrase the external management.
Beside and apart from these authorities it is pro-
posed to create a council for the general conduct of
all examinations, whether of scholars or of candi-
dates for the post of master. The work of this
council is called internal management.
The local authority or governing both of each
school it is proposed should be very much ,tared.
The principle of exclusive self-election is to be abo-
lished • the principle of trusteeship for lira to be
abolished ; restrictions on the selection of trustees
on religious grounds, except in certain special
schools, to be removed, and all other ri Arictiont
munch relaxed. As a general rule, reprisentation
from below and nomination from above are both
to be introduced into tho governing bodies.

We understand that the committee of share.
hol•lere of the Caledonian Railway Company have lamed
circulais to the abarchoblcrs, requesting prozios in favour
of Meters. Rieherdeon, Smith, and Co., to be wed at the
meeting on the bth prey- against the proposals of the
directors.

A deputation from the Markets Committee, con-
sisting of Mr. T. Bodkin (chairman) and Mr. V. Game,
accompanied by Mr. F. Brand (City Comptroller) and Mr.
W.Curno (City Itemembrancer), had an interview with Lord
Bobcat Montagu, at the Privy Conneil-ofeee, on Wed.
nea.lay, on the subject of the Metropolitan Fei6go Cottle
Mullet BilL

De-watches were received on Wednesday at theCo•
foetal-40es from the Goveruor-Generel of ell118(1.1, sod from
the Coven:erect Malta, the Straits Settlemcw.,-, Labium,
and liataL

Mr. Nicholas Roekell, to bo honorary lieutenant
of the Royal Naval Reserve.
Ktao's UoiLson llosrrraL.—Yeatenlay the
annual general court of the governors of this institution
was held in the board-room of the hospital. Portugal.
street, Lincoln's Inn, the Rev. Dr. Jelf, pnurap..l of King's
College, occupying the chair. The committee of manage
meta, in presenting their 29th annual repel spoke is
terms of coogratsdation of the continued prof: of the
' clarity, and the great benefits it bad been eimbkd te
confer upon the poor of the surrounding distii.te. The
number of in.patients admitted in 1867 was 1, , and the
out-petienta 31,948, while 711 female tempts wife
attended sad treated at their own homes. The total
receipts of the year, exclusive of legacies, a nmunted Is
B,tra., and the ordinary expenditure to i,.-II;1. The
tradesuan's as-comas, outatanding on the 31st December
last, amounted to 3.6311/., and the commit', c make an
urgent appeal to the benevolent public :or renewed
assiatanee. The legacies bequeathed to the hospital
lot year were 1001. by the late Ms. Cease.
Torect, fait. by the late Mr. Maid. Culverwe!l, one fifth
of the residue of his estate by the late Mr. R. C. Danger,
one-sixth of the residue of has estate by th- Late Mr.
Sossee. ttril. by the late Mr. M. Ja-robs, I'.o/. by the
late Mrs. Mary Roberts, and the whole of th- residue of
her personal estate by the late Madame de I.,.aet. The
report haying been unanimously adopted, Robert
Cheer was elected treasurer in the place of Me. Edward
Wigraus who had resigned. At the condusi,.o of the
business of the meeting a special vote of th.i.ks was ac-
corded to the chairman' not only for pr ..Ming bet foe
the many meninx' he bad rendered the charity Uirotsgbout
a long series of years. Dr. Jolt, in acknowh,lging the
compliment, alluded with souse emotion Whim approaching
retirement Irons King's College to take up his alode at
Oxford. He said lie should never *ease to feel a warn in.
in both inetitutions and he hoped the tiny was fax
di.tant when the connection between the hospital and
college would mese. Ring's College owed much of its fame
to the high standard of its medical school, and the hos-
pital panWpated in this popularity. He trusted it ever
would be so.
MELLNCROLY DEATH.—Mr. Thomas Bel:
glen Vies-Consul, and a well-known tuerel..a.t of New.
castle-on-Tyne, met his death in a singular manner on
Wedeesday evening. He resided at 33, 'West Sunoyside,
Sundeiland, and returned home from NeweaNtle by the
4 o'clock train. Shortly after he went upste;rs to take
a cold bath. He had not been long in the bitch before the
Ernest girl was alarmed by water pouring down from the
bath-room, and, her mistress being out, she sent for •
neighbour, Mr. Diadems, who ran upstairs and found
Me. Reid lying at the bottom of the bath drowned.
Dr. Saville, who was called in gave it as his opinion, that
the deceased, having a weak circulation, was so affected
by the shock of the cold water as to eall in • fainting At,
and being unable to turn off the water, fell to the bottom
of the bath and was drowned. The plug chain was found
Enema in the bath, as though the unfortenate gentleman
had struggled to get the plug out, in order to run the
water off.

SCIOIDE IN A GAOL.—Mr. ClllllOll St. CUM
Bodfced, the coroner for Westminslisr, bold an inquest
lug evening in Da Tuthill-fields Female Howie of Come.
tion, on the body of Mary Ann Day, aged tid. The dir
tossed was si sae time boaaskeepar to a noblemen le
Ireland, and alliesstedy cook eta housekeeper to a gentles
man at ffamplos, Ilhomaa hammed with the idea that
r her nearter had halm is love will her sad wield mails
bur his wife, hat es the offer was not made she *ow op
her situation, and went to live with her skier. She seek
one at sights, and on bar reborn friterwridy said that her
lover bad been walking about with her. MIMS
she was seat to • lunatic asybus at Cantles
where baring remained acme lime she was disc
open the usual oertiffeate of her health having been
restored. Borne short time after eke absented herself from
hor sister's house, and nothing more was heard of leer
until her death in the prison. lira Ann Clark, of 2,
Whams New•reed, Watched the bay as that of ha.
sister, who was • single woman, of so occupation. Ohs
bad been In a Imago asylum, but loft Otero in Marsh it
April bat, and had lived wieb witness. She was given to
wandering shout at eight. Mhe we very quiet, and
could be dealt with as a child. dibe sadder!, absentee
herself, and nothing same was heard al bee until the note
came frees the prime that she week Apo& Kr. Illationsa
chief clock el the risen, pre tie ememitinsat paper
of the deteund Is three inentke ingdersieent, with lard
labour, as • regee and a melmt sad not giving a
satiated., meant a/ beweL There erne two Waft
resismitswele agstart bar, east eseenefag a few dare
of tar the other, sad after her dopernme from her skier's
boas. at Balboa. Oh* was last Neekred in the prison en
the 26th el Denali. of bet year. Anode Payne,
salt-warder, aaY tie tiseeand had been enter lbw ands
bar amp, and Wes* bad been eseplaesd at needlework.
She bad boss under medical Inebiait, and vas ordered
extra feed. lbw task was to pie Ina daily,
bat she carer did it, and
warn she wee put tan " unittar=fitati
the patielly plated wait et ether arkenen. isalerief•
the Prim= Selma the 31b. by 1 ebb* in the deg.
On Monday bat deeemed toot bur breakfast, exec.
abed, sad west tato kw erg, and Sae rang bar
bell several it. About 4 aelr in ties afesseen
wines. wed to give bar memo ateasr, andwri "lb* nnloeked
the oell doer saw bee elaadleg The
west in and limn an OM tie deleman b 1.11.11
htbseproe thealder Man nand bar res. from Gm
Ear bane were bust and boat Seel and bar.
The wiles. Med bar I. and bid belt' senbtenes
arrived, wbset the shawl we soden and ale we thee
placed on the gem& and ram • aisiard poultice
wner:4 se Mr abet. libealgbed eon tea ad Mra.
, did weeder, mid Wee de.
coned et them IMO" "d 11.1" Allhe "war VA
lon sever be
at~
einem .Ibanenbed widen.
death Vail straegalation by bregles.
a vardiet cd "Se nd& user Ise_ bin==2.