The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-22 00:00:00

11:TATENT OF SCIENCE AND
ART.

(Continaed from The Sun of yesterday.)
IL—AID) TO SCHOOLS UNDER THE INSPEC-
TION OF THE DEPARTIIENT, HAVING RE-
FEItENCE TO SECONDARY EDUCATION.

_
1. SCHOOLS OR ART.
31. In my last report full explanations were given of
the principles upon which new schools were established
by the department. When a proposal is made by a town
to establish a new school, the respective responsibil;ties
of the town and of the Government are clearly defined. •
The locality is called upon to find adequate school ac-
commodation, and about half the cost of examples and
illustrations. The Government undertakesto recommend
to the committee of the school a properly qualified mas-
ter, to pay him a small allowance, varying is amount
from 101. to 501., according to the number of his ce,rtifi.
cater, and to guarantee him a minimum salary for ono
year. The locality reserves a share of the fees to meet
tecal expenses ; the other share, generally amounting to
one-half, is paid over to the teachers with the view of
giving him an adequate remuneration for his cervices.
It was formerly exp'ained that this system could not
he applied, except very gradually, to old schools Intnerto
supported by Parliamentary grants, but that material
chanees bad been introduced into their management.
Under these cliamzea it was stated in the laet re
port that two sub:idi,ed schools at Cork and Belfast had
been given up. It is now gratifying to state that, owing
to the liberality—in the first case of the Corporation of
Cork, which applied the provisions of the Museum Act
ot aid of the school, and in the second case, of some pri-
vate individuals, and chiefly of Lord Dufferin—these
schools have been again opened.
Your lordships will not now consider it to be necessary
that a special distinction should be made between the
old and new schools, as all, with scarcely an exception,
are working zeaoasly- under the present system, and
promoting the objects for which they were founded.
During the last yeer two new schools of art have been
opened at Birkenhead and Southampton, besides the re-
establishment of the schools at Cork and Belfast. The
number of schools of art in the provinces amounts to 55,
and, adding the nine district schools of the metropolis,
the total number is 64.
The number of pupils in the schools of art is 10,860,
while the public schools taught through their agency
have 18,988 children under instruction, making an ag-
gregate number of 29,848 persons who are taught draw.

ing.
Comparing these numbers with those of the previous
year, the following result is shown :-
1854. 185•
Pnpils at the schools of art.. ...... 6,336 ... 10,860
Pupils at pnblie schools

17,109 29,843
The financial statement in regard to the schools will
be found in the appendix. During the last year no
school has been discontinued. Eleven echoele have re-
ceived aid towards the guarantees given to the teacher
for the first year, the fees having been insufficient to
meet the amount of his salary. The total sum paid to-
wards guarantees has been 5581. Of this sum, only 831.
have been paid to three schools on the new system, the
remaining 4751. having been paid to eight schools for-
merly subsidised by the State.
With regard to the results of the advanced teaching
in the schools of art, the examiners, Sir C Eastlake,
Ur. Maclise, and Mr. Redgrave, continuo to give favour.
able reports. They consider that the average merit of
the works sent in for exhibition has been greater than in
the previous year.
The examiners of the works in elementary drawing
remark on the drawings sent from public schools, " that
the power shown in these works represent a wide dis-
semination of sound elementary knowledge." Mr. Red-
grave, the art superintendent, draws attention to the
fact that, as rgards the elementary instruction in the
provincial schools, " the study of practical geometry
and linear perepective is thoroughly carried out in most
schools, and that orthographic projection and mechani-
cal drawing aro beginning to form a part of the course
in a greatly increasing number."
32. Two exhibitions, one of them consisting of ele-
mentary, the other of advanced works, have been annu-
ally held in London, with the view of testing the results
of the teaching in the art schools. Etch school sent up
a selection of the drawings from the works of the pupils
attending them ; but this did not enable a proper judg-
ment to be made of the actual working of the school,
as all the works were not inspected together. It was
also impossible from these exhibitions to test the know-
ledge of the students in geometry, mechanical drawing,
per-pective, and model drawing.
With the view of providing in future a more satisfac-
tory mode of inspecting the work performed by the
ellools, a local examination o' the works of each school
will be held by the inspector, and local awards, consist-
ing of small books and boxes of colours or of instruments,
will be awarded to the students who may show excel-
lence in the elementary branches of art, while local
medals will be given fir advanced works. The objects
rewarded by local medals will be colleeted and exhibited
as a national exhibition in one of the chief provincial
towns, and, from time to time, in the metropolis. Exa-
miners appointed by the department will proceed to the
town in which this national exhibition is held, and will
give national medals, not exceeding 100 in number, to
the best works exhibited. Each school receiving a na-
tional medal will, for each medal received, be eutitlei to
select from a list prepared by the department, a number
of works of art, reproduced from standard examples, to
the value of 19/. By such means it is conceived that a
good nucleus for local art museums will gradually be
formed.

2. Sermons OF SCIENCE.
83. The eobools for scientific instruction have had a
considerable development during the past year, though
the scarcity of properly qualified masters, and the want
of adequate preparation on the part of the pupils, will
make their growth comparatively slow.
34. Separate schools of science have been established
at Birmingham, Aberdeen, the Potteries, and Truro, in
aalelition to the systematic classes a'ready referred to as
having been openel during the year at Dublin and
Edinburgh. Although with the exception of Aberdeen
the fees derived from the pupils have hitherto been found
sufficient to meet the salaries of the masters without en-
croaching upon the guarantee fund, the difficulties of
contending with the very deficient preparation of the
pupils attending the classes have been found to be so con-
siderable that the department has been unwilling to
found separate scientific schools, without at the saute
time furnishing means of continuing the general instruc-
tion of the pupils up to that point which will enable
them to study eciesce with advantage.
38. This neceesity first forced itself upon the depart-
ment in regard to navigation schools. Pupils came to
them requiring to be taught rules of navigation, which
imply considerable mathematical and astronomical know-
ledge, and a good acquaintance with physical geography,
without, in fact, having a tolerable familiarity with the
first four rules of arithmetic, or even, in many cases, be-
ing able to read and write properly. It became, there-
fore, necessary to provide sued an education in the na-
vigation schools as would continue the general instruc•
Lion of the pupil, from the point which he hail reached in
the ordinary national schools to that which would enable
him to study with advantage the science of navigation.
With this view a junior division was added to each na-
vigation school, in which the pupil is well taught in
higher arithmetic, bookkeeping, elementary mathema-
tiea and physical geography, and when he has obtained
a sufficient knowledge of this necessary foundation for
his future technical instruction; he passes to the
proper scientific division of the school. Three additional
' navigation schools at Sunderland, Leith, and Blackwall
have been opened on this principle during last year. The
number of persons under instruction in navigation dur-
ing that period amounts to 1,534 pupils. Several teachers
sent over by the Commissioners of Education in Ireland
have been trained in the London school, with a view of
opening schools of navigation in various parts of Ireland.
36. Precisely the seine want of the necessary amount
of elementary knowledge as that found to exist iu schools
of navigation having been experienced in the endaa.veurs
to diffuse general scientific instruction, the department
has given encouragement to a strong desire manifested
throughout the country for the creation of mixed scien-
tific schools, supplementary to the national schools, and
consisting of a junior or preparatory division, and an
upper or scientific division. In the junior division, boys
who are able to read and write tolerably, and who are
acquainted with the first four rules of arithmetic, are ad-
mitted ; and in the upper division, chemistry, physics,
mechanics, and mathematics are taught. In all cases,
drawing, especially mechanical drawing forms part of the
course of instruction. The junior division remains under
the inspection of the Committee of Council on Education,
the upper division being inspected by the officers of this
department.
37. The first school of this kind organised was founded
at Wandsworth, chiefly by the exertions of the Rev. Dr.
Booth, and is now attended by 100 pupils. Two other
schools have been opened during the latter part of the
year, one in Newcastle by the vicar, the Rev. C. Moody,
and the other in Bristol, by a committee, aided by the
Rev. Canon Moseley. In the case of Bristol, a large
and efficient laboratory is added to the school, which has
also had a mining school joined to it. Both these schools
give good promise of success.
38. It has been thought desirable to ascertain whether
a similar system of joining the necessary preparatory in-
struction with the scientific classes would give the same
promise of success in an adult school that it gives in a
juvenile trade school. The experiment has been tried
at Black wall, chiefly through the liberality of Mr.
Green, the eminent shipbuilder. In all adult schools
there is found to be a fluctuating demand for different
:ranches of knowledge, according to the common tastes
of two or three individuals, and a compliance with these
varying demands, as they arise from time to time, mate-
rially weakens the systematic efforts of the teachers of
the school. It was accordingly determined to consider
beforehand what were the proper scientific requirements
of the artisans engaged at Blackwell, and rigidly to ad-
here to the scheme of instruction laid down to meet those
requirements, and to such preparatory education as was
found necessary to fit the pupils to receive it. The re-
sult of the experiment has hitherto been eminently suc-
cessful • the room.; originally calculated to hold 50 pupils
having been nightly ceowded by above 70 adult pupils,
who go through the whole course of systematic instruc-
tion with perfect regularity.
39. By referring to the list of the scientific schools, it
will be seen that, including the metropolitan institutions
previously referred to, there are now 18 schools of science_
giving instruction, either by systematic classes or
1 y lee.
c) ud e s
in
tures, to 10,007 pupils. This number, however,
the persons attending the provincial lectures
Ireland,
and the working men's lectures in Jerroymstrenatio n oet. In
neither of these cases is there any test by examif
the results of the teaching, or any endeavour, by direct
communication letween the teacher and his pupil,to over-
come the difficulties which the latter may experience in
obtaining the full advantage from the instruction given,

They scarcely ought, therefore, in their present state to b
classed with systematic schools, although the character of
the instruction is of a high order. As respects Ireland,
there is reason to hope that a considerable step towards
making the provincial lectures more useful may soon be
made by the committee of lectures and the Royal Dublin
Society. The examinations of such of the schools as have
been sufficiently long established to enable their pupils
to show the results of the teaching will be laid before
your lordships during the course of this year.
111. —AID TO SCHOOLS NOT CONNECTED WITH
THE DEPARTMENT—PRIMARY INSTRUC-
TION.
40. It has long been felt that any permanent improve-
ment in the taste displayed in our manufactures can only be
secured by diffusing an acquaintance with the principles of
art through the large body of consumers. With this view
the masters of art schools throughout the country have
been engaged in teaching drawing to the ordinary pupils of
national and other nublip school's when their committees
furnish the stun of Si. for each school taught. Although
under this system 18,988 elliieren have been taii.eht draw-
leg, being en increase of nearly 80 per cent. over: the num-
her under instruction in the previous year, still this re-
sult is very small in reference to the total number of the
pupils attending public schools in England, and consi-
derably less than c .old be taught by the masters now
engaged in schools of ert.
The chief difficulty et infrodn, ing drawing into ordi-
nary kCllool•COUrtib arises] from ignorance as to its imper-
tance for the future occupations of the pupil, and in eeme
decree also from a feeling, on the part of managers of
schools, that it may be considered as an accomplishment .
rather than a requi-ite of education. Another obstacle
to its introduction is the expense of drawing implements
to the poorer pupils. A general feeling also prevails
that the charge of the department of Si,ter each school
which desires to avail itself of the services of tho art
masters is too high a tax upon the committees of the
schools. With regard to the latter part it may be men-
tioned that when a general indifference to the subject
does not prevail, as in Cheltenham and Chester, each of
which towns has about 1,000 pupils under instruction,
there does not appear to he a great difficulty in pro-
curing the money payment necessary fur the remunera-
tion of the master ; but, in the absence of zeal for the
introduction of drawing to schools, the payment of 51.
becomes an entire bar to it.
It has appeared to the officers of the department that
it might be possible, at a small expenditure of public
money, to give a greatly-increased stimulus to the intro-
duction of drawing as one of the usual branches of edu-
cation. If drawing implements were offered as prizes to
such pupils as showed a certain standard of proficiency
in drawing, a diffusion of the necessary examples might
be made in the most healthy way, as a reward for the
results of successful exertion, and of a character which
would enable the pupil to advance further in the prose-
cution of drawing than ho is now enabled to do. It
might be worthy of consideration whether it were not
desirable to give a small money allowance to the schools
which presented successful pupils for examination, with
the view of enabling them to purchase proper examples
for study, and of aiding in the remuneration of the mas-
ters engaged in giving the art instruction.
We propose shortly to lay before your lordships a
minute upon this subject, with the view of trying some
such plan as an experiment in one or two localities, in
order that we may obtain such experience as would jus-
tify the board in dealing with the question as a general
one for the country.
41. The progress of drawing in such of the public
schools as are now under the influence of the department
is highly satisfactory, when it is considered that the exam-
ples sent up for exhibition are chiefly made by children of
poor parents, who have been taught drawing by short
lessons, frequently not exceeding one hour in each week.
42. While efforts are being made to extend the bene-
fits of art schools to instruction in drawing in public
schools, increased attention is being paid to the teaching
of the future masters of such schools, as the chief pro-
gress of elementary art instruction throughout the coun-
try must naturally depend upon the powers of the usual
schoolmasters to introduce it to the school as one of the
proper subjects of instruction. The results of the exa-
mination of drawings sent up from the training colleges
at Christmas have shown a great advance on the results
obtained in the previous year. In this examination 247
more teachers have been examined, 231 more prizes
awarded, and 22 more certificetes obtained.
The total number of teachers who have competed
amount to 1,193, and to there 456 prizes have been
awarded in the various stages. In addition to the mas-
ters and mistresses in training schools, the classes formed
for those already in charge of schools have been attended
by 988 teachers, of whom 114 pupil teachers have had
half their fees paid by the department, in consequence
of successful study.
IT.—AID TO SCHOOLS BY THE FORMATION
AND DIFFUSION Oh EXAMPLES AND
ILLUSTRATIONS FOR STUDY.
43. The preparation and diffusion of examples,
adapted both to primary and secondary school., con-
tinue to receive much attention. During the last year
192 schools have purchased examples at an average cost
of 7/. 1.1. e. to each school, and at a total cost to the de-
partment of 1,0071. 13s. 4d.
44. In regard to scientific apparatus and diagrams for
elementary schools, there has hitherto been a separate
action tending t 3 the same object on the part of the
Committee of Council for Education and this depart-
ment, the former body giving twc-thirds the poet iu aid
of the purchase;by the school, and the latter scarcely one-
half. At the seete time mutual aid has been given, when
the examples prepared by this department seemed to be
specially suited for the wants of elementary schools.
It has appeared to the officers of both departments
desirable to simplify the arraugements for the issue of
scientific apparatus to schools, and they have under con-
sideration the best means for effecting this object.
Considerable additions are being made to the lists of
illustrations. Professor Willis has completed a set of
apparatus to illustrate mechanical laws ; Professor Hens-
low has nearly completed a series of diagrams on struc-
tural and systematic botany ; Dr. Drew has in the
hands of the publishers a series of astronomical dia-
grams ; the Rev. Mr. Rigg, principal of the Cheater
Diocesan School, has prepared a series of cheap working
models of mechanism for schools ; Mr. Jukes is pre-
paring a series of diagrams on general geology, which
will be accompanied by a series on extinct animals, by
Mr. Waterhouse Hawking, anti by- working geological
models prepared by Mr. Sopwith,
To the art lists hare been added a series of useful ex-
amples for elementary drawing, published by De la, Rue,
and a series of landscape illustrations in pencil and sepia
from works by C ,tman.
V. PUBLIC SERVICES IS. CONNECTION WITH
T
1. OFFICE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF DESIGNS.
45. This office continues to receive fees which are
more than sufficient to meet the expenses of its working,
and a balance, including stamps paid upon useful designs,
of 1,5151. was paid into the Exchequer ; the total re-
ceipts being 2,927/.
Litigation under the acts of registration seems nearly
to have ceased, although in seine branches of manufac-
ture, such as printed cottons, the number of registrations
is considerably lees than formerly. With this exception,
there appears to he no sensible diminution in the regis-
tration of designs in other branches of trade, while there
is a considerable increase in the provisional registrations.
The total number of complete registrations during the
past year amounted to 4,391, showing a deficiency
(chiefly in printed cottons) of 453.
2. FRENCH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.
46. It is scarcely necessary to refer to the measures
taken by this department for ensuring an adequate re-
presentation of British industry in Paris during the Ex.
hibition of last year, as these have already been made the
subjects of separate reports to your lordships.
On the occasion 'of former quinquennial exhibitions in
Paris, it had been the custom to require certain master%
of the Government Schools of Design to visit Paris ins
order to benefit by the instruction which they afforded.
It was considered desirable to take advantage of this in-
ternational exhibition to send a selection of the masters
of the chief provincial schools to Paris, and also about
40 of the students who ha .1 obtained the greatest num-
ber of medals in the two previous annual exhibitions.
Both the masters and students were required to fur-
nish reports of the classes of manufactures to which their
attention had been specially directed. The art superin-
tendent, after a careful examination of the reports sent
in by these gentlemen, expresses himself satisfied that
they have derived much advantage from the opportuni-
ties of art instruction afforded to them on this occasion,
and that the results have justified the beard in aiding
the expenses of the masters to the extent of 101. each,
and of the students to that of Si.
SUMMARY.

- - -
47. It may he desirable to place in a condensed form
some of the results, as to the working of the department
during the last year.
The museums and libraries of the department con-
tinue to be in an effective state, and have been visited
by above 331,000 persons, being an increase of 56 per
cent. above the numbers of the previous year Thia in-
crease is chiefly due to the new Circulating Museum of
Ornamental Art, which has been visited by 55,701 per-
sons in the provinces, and to the success which has at-
tended the new arrangements made by the department
in regard to the Museum of Natural History in Edin-
burgh, resulting in an increase of the 'visitors from the
old average of 800 to above 100,000. The state of publio
affairs has caused a considerable diminution in attend-
, ante on the museums in London, though it has had lees
effect on those in other towns.
b y Ta I al, eo Botanicalabove
3 0,0 oci
by 135,000. pGearrsojteills: ainudDitibbelinzoboalovgeicbarenova!sdietell
The exhibitions of the department have been attende
by 72,000 persons.d
on
• • ' 1 office continue to be carried
and Mining Lecor, - ,
Tllv gcobTical surveys in Great. Britain and Ireland,
Government on geological
with increased activity, and have made during the past
year reports to the Go curious
1 of Art, g
the Trollying School in
subjects of importance t.o the
_count.ry a_nd t. o.the colonists.
The Schou s
London, have been attended by nearly 12;000 pupils.
The number of children taught drawing in public
Febootp, thronah the agency of masters of art schools,
amounts to 18,088 ; but although this is an increase of
SO per cent. above the return for last year, it is not suf-
ficient to meet the public wants, and new measures aro
being devised to give increased development to elemen-
tary art instruction.
Instruction in art has been given to 2,181 teachers of
public schools, and the results of their examinations have
been more satisfactory than in preceding years.
The Schools of Science, which have this year increased
consithrably in number, the woiking men's lectures in
London, and provincial lectures in Ireland, have been
attended by 10,000 person-.
Means of illustrating the cc urses of instruction by the
diffusion of examples have been taken advantage of by
192 t;chool, at a cost to the schools of 1,5101.—1 have
the honour to be, my lords, your lordships' faithful obe-
client eel vant, 14-1,70 N PLAYFAIR.