The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-13 00:00:00

COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS.

The first Conversazione of the. College of Preceptors,
took place on Tuesday evening at the Freemasons'
Tavern, Great Queen-street. The conversaxione was
attended by friends of the institution from all parts of
the kingdom. The tables were covered with speci-
mens of some of the best elementary works for the
use of scholars, and with apparatus illustrative of me-
chanics, and other branches of primary instruction.
Amongst the gentlemen present were Mr. Turrell,
President, Brighton ; Mr. Lane, Plymouth ; Mr.
Wharton, Brighton; Rev. Dr. Wilson, Chelsea; Rev.
Mr. Lonsdale, London ; Dr. Reid, London ; Mr.
Green, Clapham ; Mr. Rebson, London ; Mr. Seg-
gins, Sudbury ; Mr. Coleman, Folkstone ; Dr. Hop-
kins, Birmingham ; Mr. Parker, Secretary, College
of Preceptors ; Walker, Maidstone.
Dr. REID favoured the association by reading a
paper on the relation of practical science to the wants
of society and the extent to which it should become
an object of attention to those he addressed, and to
all entrusted with the primary education of youth.
He said it is impossible to examine the present posi-
tion of education without; observing the more just
views which daily experience is unfolding as to
its nature and capabilities and the relation in
which it ought to be associated with the national
institutions of all civilised communities. No fact
is more pre-eminently expressive of the pro-
gress of this question in the present time than the
institution of that association in whose name we
have now assembled, and if the formation of public
bodies for promoting literary and scientific pursuits
be a praiseworthy object, sanctioned by universal
practice wherever knowledge is appreciated, surely
there is no body of men who are more likely to ad-
vance the cause in which they are engaged, by meet-
ing together for the :purpose of friendly intercourse,
and by examining and discussingf from time to time,
the numerous topics that bear upon the progress of
education, than those who are members of the College
of Preceptors. We hail this reunion as an object
equally important to society and to the members of
the profession ; the great body of teachers have been
too long isolated from each other ; they have felt the
want of that strength which union in a good cause
can alone insure. Considering the present meeting
as the commencement of that department of the col-
lege which may finally be to its members, their
society for discussing every advantage which the pro-
gress of the times may bring to bear on the great
business of education,lwe propose to devote the brief
remarks which the present opportunity permits us to
offer, to the notice of some facts connected with he
relations of practical science to the wants of society
and the extent to which this should become an
object of attention with those intrusted with the
primary education of youth. The progress of
physical science, within the last century, has
been so great, and has so largely extended the
power of man over the material world that it
may truly be said to constitute a new era
in the history of mankind. It has multiplied the
; resources that may be brought to bear on his rela-
tions as a social, a moral, and a religious being, as well
as those that minister to his natural wants. The prac-
tical application of the great principle of induction to
the elaboration of physical truths has given the key
which has explained the actual composition of the
animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom, and traced
the reciprocal influence or the different elements in
maintaining the order and harmony that subsists be-
y tween them. And when, amidst countless operations
of art and science, we see such striking examples of
its application as the development of the steam-engine,
I the railway, the daguerreotype, the electrotype, the
electric telegraph, recent discoveries in astronomy, or
the power of rendering the living man unconscious of
the severest surgical operations, we ought not to be
surprised at still further discoveries, but rather look
forward from day to day to the further evolution
of those manifestations of the power of the Creator,
throughout every portion of the material world,
that may be expected to arise from the pursuit of
science with those more extended means and
appliances that are now available for this purpose.
Great as its influence is, however, it does not ap-
pear that physical science has yet been recognised to
an extent, or admitted to x position commensurate
with the blessing which it appears to be capable of
bestowing on mankind. The chairs devoted to phy-
sical science in our universities have, undoubtedly,
done much to extend a knowledge of this subject
throughout the length and breadth of the land, in
addition to the purposes they have served in meeting
the wants of professional education ; and many new
institutions, as well as the efforts of individuals, have
given an impulse to its onward course, while in
another sphere new educational establishments for
special professions and various kindred associations
awaken an interest for such pursuits among 501
wider class of the population; :but theie' do .trotes:Ftigpt
the great and essential wants of the people, however
important and valuable in themselves; assimie,
then, it is a fact capable of the most specific deMen-
stration, that in the present position of society -the
comforts of all classes would be greatly increased; the
average duration of human life prolonged, the produce
of innumerable operations of art augmented;; the
labour, the danger, the tail, and the exhaustion
of life attending others diminished, and the time
for education, resection, and social improvement
very much increased, were the great body of teachers
merely to introduce that knowledge of the more im-
portant elements of science, which they could offer in
successive years to their pupils between 8 and 16
years of age. They would thus awaken their atten-
tion to the great phenomena of nature and of art.
An hour a week devoted to the systematic expositions
of the subjects brought before their notice, and a
running commentary and examination on the state-
ments made in such manuals as might be adopted,
would of itself prove invaluable, and would no
doubt in time be amplified and illustrated by such
diagrams and familiar experiments, as each might
ultimately introduce in his own locality, and in
reference to the probable future occupations of
the mass of his pupils. Let no one say that this
course is impracticable ; it has already been
introduced in a sufficient number of schools to
set this point at rest ; neither let any one under-
value the importance of such information. Every
principle enunciated, every fact demonstrated, may
be complete in itself, and carry along with it the seeds
of future improvement and extension, whenever it is
manifested in the works of nature, or applied in the
operations of art. But it is not merely the acquaint-
ance with facts that is important : the acquisition of
that spirit of. philosophical inquiry which has ever
been adverted to as far beyond any limited agreements
of philosophy, would be facilitated and enhanced. To
many it would present the only opportunity that they
may ever have of attaining any knowledge of science,
before they are immersed in the cares, the business,
and the anxieties of life. To others, it will enable
them to enter upon professional studies of a higher
range, and more adapted to the wants of the times.
To all it will convey a lesson of the vast extent 'of
human knowledge, at the very time it gives them a
more convincing opinion than they can otherwise have
of its imperfections, and of the humility with which
it, should be acknowledged and appreciated.
The PRESIDENT complimented Dr. Reid upon the
admirable paper which he had drawn up, and said
that it was not their intention to make speeches, or
to display their oratorical powers, but if any ideas had
struck any one, they should be happy to hear them,
or any opinion that might assist in the elaboration of
the subject they had in view.
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