The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-30 00:00:00

UNITED ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLMASTERS.

The adjourned meeting of this body took place yester.
day in the Lecture-room of the Society of Arts, but was
very scantily attended. Mr. Tait, the president, occupied
the chair, and a very interesting lecture was delivered
by Mr. Richard Bithell, president of the North Buck-
inghamshire and West Bedfordshire Association of
British Teachers, "On the Objects Sought by Associa-
tion among Schoolmasters." The audience, however,
was so small, that the subject, though an important one,
did not necessarily receive that attention to which it
was entitled. A short discussion ensued, after which
the thanks of the Association was unanimously voted to
Mr. Bithell for his kindness in delivering the lecture.
A second lecture, "On Political or Social Economy
as a Branch of Education," was next delivered by Mr.
Thomas Champion, after which the proceedings were
adjourned to seven o'clock.

In the evening, the chair was tak:n by H. Cole, Esq.,
who was surrounded by a numerous audience, among
whom we recognised the Rev. Dr. Pogg,, Principal of
New Brightln College ; Dr. Hodgson, of Manchester ;
Wm. Ellis, Esq., founder of the Birkbeck Schools ; the
Rev. Wm. Rogers, Mr. W. M. Williams, of the Mid-
land Institute, Birmingham ; Mr. M`Leod, of the Royal
Military Asylum, Chelsea; Mr. J. R. Langler, of the
Wesleyan Normal College, Westminster ; Mr. Coghlan,
of the Home and Colonial School Society ; Mr. Drew,
of Homerton College, &c., &c.

The essay, for which a prize of 251. was given, "Oa
the Best Means of Making the Schoolmaster's Function
more Efficient than it has hitherto been in Preventing
Misery and Crime," was then read by the writer, and
from which we give the following extract :
" Our question was—' What are the best means for
making the schoolmaster's function more efficient than it
has hitherto been in preventing misery and crime ?'
"The remarks, proposed as an answer to this question,
may be briefly summed up thus :—By the schoolmaster
making himself better acquainted with the causes of
these evils, in their first beginnings especially, by work-
ing into the minds of his boys the conviction of the duties
devolving upon them, by training them in habits corres-
ponding with those convictions, and by imparting know-
ledge calculated to enable them to act up to their con-
victions.

" It need scarcely be said that the subject is not
thought hereby to be exhausted, or that the sketcues of
lessons that have been adventured pretend to be nothing
more than skeletons, depending for their value upon the
living teacher.
" There will not be wanting objections to the pro-
posal to attempt this kind of teaching and training. 'To
do this we must neglect other things,' is one common
objection. Be it so, if necessary, unless those other
things' can be shown to be of greater or of equal im-
portance. What amount of other things' can compen-
sate for habits of idleness, dishonesty, and extravagance
—for passions unchecked and a mind unstored with the
knowledge necessary to the performance of the great
duties of life ; and that this knowledge and these habits
do not come spontaneously is a matter of experience.
But it is worthy of remark that this objection
comes only from those who have not tried the
experiment. Those who have seem to be convinced,
that so far from tending to displace, it becomes more
efficient when incorporated with the general work of the
school, and that it gives life and meaning to this work.
" Another objection is, 'there is not timeto do it per.
fectly, the children do not remain long enough at school.'
Well, then, do it imperfectly; do it as far as you can.
No one will say that a little honesty, industry, economy
or even knowledge of this kind, is a very bad thing.'
That teacher must do his work very badly who sees a
boy leave his school even after a three months' stay with-
out some useful thoughts, some good resolves, and some
insight into the duties of his future career.
" If the time be short, why then work the harder, and
perhaps you will find in this effort and this direction of
it, the means of detaining the boy longer in a school
where himself and his parents will feel he is gaining
something worth making a sacrifice to obtain.
" Whether by incorporating productive labour with
the school work, it is possible in somecases to retain the
children longer at school, or more efficiently to cultivate
the industrial qualities, is a question that perhaps de-
serves more attention than has yet been given to it.
"It is strongly insisted upon by some, that owing to
peculiar organisation, certain individuals are predis-
posed to particular vices, and that this predisposition
requires particular attention.

It is a fact, that in some cases, children under the
influence of bad example, very early acquire habits which
will need the greatest attention for their cure. Now, if
the first case be a true one, still for all practical pur-
poses the two cases may be looked upon as one. Both
call for special attention—to the work of prevention is
added that of cure, to some extent, in both cases. Care-
ful watching for the display of the bad habit, constant
checking of it, kindly encouragement whenever improve
merit is attempted, these are the means called for.

"Perhaps, in the first case, the aid of the physician
may be sometimes necessary. Jut, be it as it may, there
is nothing in all this to dissuade from effort, but, on the
contrary, all to urge to increased exertion. If, indeed,
it be true that in every mind there is a predisposition to
evil, the lesson still is work I strive I the more earnestly
for the difficulties that stand opposed.
"Such, then, is the work, and now a word in coneln.
sion upon the orkman. How much depends upon him .
It is not enough that he has plans and theories, in any
quantity, stored in his head ; he must be devoted to hiwork, fully aware of the difficulties he has to overcome,
well acquainted with the implements he is using, tho-
roughly alive to the immense importance of the results
he is aiming at, full of love for the tender beings under
his charge, and of faith in the efficacy of his mission ;
enthusiastic, and willing to be spent in his work, and, if
necessary, to find his whole reward in the consciousness
of being the means of moulding the children committed
to him into good, useful, and happy men. When such
are the men to whom the teaching and training of the
young is committed, we may hope for results till the*
impossible."
A friendly discussion then took place, after which th
thanks of the association were given to the writer of the
essay, and the proceedings terminated.

A testimonial of respect has been presented by the
Rev. H. Hinxman to the Rev. William Blood, A.M., in
the shape of a beautiful pocket communion service. The
rev, gentleman has also received a handsome present
from Lady Morley, in memory of hie
the wreck of the Amazon. preservation from

mmme re cnend ong in Prussia e
rhs
commission of scientific
The Minister of 0 in
astochaascrgeretdaina
what inconvenience may be caused by atmospheric influ-
ences in the transmission of telegraphic despatches, and
to propose a remedy.
THE FRENCH SLA;II TBA.DIL—The Paris Constitu.
tionnel of Monday, in An article signed "P. Dubois,"
throws off the mask on this subject ; boldly defends the
system which the French Government have adopted of
negroes on the coast of Africa and carrying
purchasing
them to compulsory service in the French Antilles ;
argues that in no other manner can prosperity be
,
restored to them
• and ridicules the opposition of the
English philanthropists. From this manifestation ex
the part of the leading Government print of France,
the deplorable inference is that Lord Clarendon's re-
monstrances have utterly failed, and that the revival of
the African slave trade by the Emperor of the French
will be persevered in. What will Lord Palmerston say
now I—Daily Nom