The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-23 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—The study of the English language in most of our
public schools, and many of our private academies, is con
fessedly in an unsatisfactory condition. For proof I refer
to the Royal Commissioners, to H.M. Inspectors of Schools,
and to the Civil Service Examiners. The results are shown
in our letter writing, our speeches, our sermons, and even
in our conversation; but chiefly in reading aloud at
scientific meetings, in the service of the Church, and in the
domestic circle.

Many heads of schools admit this, but are unuble or un-
willing to apply a remedy. Some pload " want of time," as
if the mother tongue had no right to even an hour a week.
Others, with more reason, ccmplain that competent masters
are not to be had, the present style of education supplying
only classical men, some of whom boast that "they never
opened an English grammar," who have " not the faintest
idl how it is possible to teach mere English," and who
condemn all attempts at improvement in this direction as
encroachments on their peculiar province.
Several of the Bishops in their recent charges, the Dean
of Canterbury and Dr. Goulburn at the Bristol Church
Congress, and the Royal Commissioners in their reports on
public schools, concur in recommending the systematic
study of English composition, public reading, and public
speaking, as an essential part of the course in all places of
sound education.

In these circumstances, I venture to offer my services to
my younger professional brethren. From my long experi-
ence as head master of the English department in the High
School of Glasgow (with fully 300 pupils from 10 to lb
years of age), and from my official position in London and
at Cambridge, I trust that I may not be considered pre-
sumptuous in submitting some practical suggestions to
those who, however eminent in other branches, have not
made English an especial study.

I intend to give, during 1865, in the principal towns in
England, Lectures in public readingovith especial reference
to schools—and I shall attempt to-show :
1. That the mere ability to read. in the ordinary elemen-
tary sense is a very different thing from the power of read-
ing aloud with proper effect.
2. That the prejudice which many entertain against the
cultivation of good reading as tending to theatrical declama-
tion is as groundless as it is ridiculous.
3. That so far from there being any loss of schooltime in
practising this art, there is positive gain; as the muttering
modes of speaking and repeating lessens, so common amongst
school-boys, and so trying to the teacher's patience, may
be almost entirely eradicated.

4. That till those who are practically engaged in tuition
recognise the necessity of duly cultivating this much neg-
lected branch at a time of life when there is the beat chance
of success, we need not hope for any change in the present
mode of reading and speaking in public, so discreditable to
the general intelligence of the nation.—l am, Sir, your
obedient servant, ALEX. J. D. D'QRSEY,

8, Lancaster-terrace, Regent's-park. N.W.,
Dec. 17, 1864.

MARK ET S --T his Day,

MARK LANE.

Fresh up to our market to .day the arrivals of home-
grown wheat were very moderate. For dry samples there
As a fair demand at full prices ; otherwise, the English
wheat trade ruled quiet at Monday's currency.
'With foreign wheat the market was well supplied. In
American produce about an average business was trans-
acted at lull quotations. In other kinds of foreign wheat
sales progressed slowly at late rates.
Floating cargoes of grain moved off slowly at previous
quotations.

There was a good supply of barley on the stands. Malt-
ing descriptions changed hands to a limited extent at late
rates. Grinding and distilling qualities were a slow sale on
former terms.