The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-23

school in France. This school possesses forty pro-
SCISSORS and three hundred students, each of whom
pays about $l70 annually The number is limited
by the size OF the building, and it was in conempla
ton to move to OF much larger size. The courses
embrace three years and are compulsory on all In
the second year the studies divided into two parts
the one general and the other applicable to one of
tne four following specialitles: A, mechanics b. en-
gineers; @, metallurgist ID, chemist. Students are
not admitted until they eighteen years of age,
and must possess an elementary knowledge of the
sciences. The courses of instruction follows-
LIST year-Descriptive geometry, analytical geome-
try andtmechanics transformation of motion physics
(generaD chemistry (general), chemical manipua-
uon, hygiene and natural history applied to the arts,
drawing, &c.
I'd year Descriptive geometry, industrial physics,
mechanics materials used in the construction of ma
chimes, analytical chemistry, industrial mineral
chemistry, public works. geology manufacture of
iron and steel, technology
;. Sd Year-steam engines, railways, hydrosta-
tics, construction Of machines, chemical prepare
tons and organic analysis industrial organic che
mistry and agriculture; architecture, mining, fur.
naces and foundries; technology, (mills ol,) cor
dage, textile materials, cutting wood, stone, &C.;
machine making, milling, spinning, plating, potte-
ries, DC Many Of the leading branches combin-
ed in the second and third years courses. Much
attention is paid to drawing and design. The stu
dents have to prove their progress by drawing plans
giving estimates, &C., upon any subject assigned
them. Certificates of progress granted after the
most severe examinations extending over many days.
Such is the demand for students services, passing
through this institution, that its certificate" OBJ
tanned by young man, was equivalent to success
in life." Its pupils invariably pass into the most
important industrial positions, not only in France
but in Spain, Belgium and England, their services
being in demand by large manufacturing establish
ments" Allow me to give you the statistics Of about
five hundred of the certified students, whose occupa-
tons are so important that their histories can be
traced. or this number the following division may
be made:
Agriculture. ....:.. IS Chemical Arts........ 81
Professors and Teachers q Metallurgy and Mining 70
PaSe WorSs So r@Rsn salt
To prove the value of this school, DR.. Playfar
states that more than 600 foreign youth had been
educated at it. At the time Of his visit he found
pupils in it's halls from North and South America.
Turkey, the Antilles the Mauritius, Madras, Ceylon,
Gibraltar, &C., Spain, Belgium, and England were
pretty freely represented The main object in indus
trial schools Dr. Playfair thinks, should be to teach
pupil how to become intelligent industrial citizen,
whether as an engineer, machinist, chemist, manu-
facturer agrculturist teacher without assigning
him exclusively to either, leaving his taste and the
demand for his services to determine his choice.
He says that it is not the intention or plan of the
industrial institutions to impart elementary in
plication to industry. The continental schools, in
many cases, require pupils to pass an examination
in integral calculus before they can be admitted
into the upper technical class of mechanics physics
two-fold Acknowledgements that it enables professors
to devote all their time to the industrial applications
of science and then that the industrial institution
instead OF acting as antagonist to those for gene
impulse, and are their most powerful supporters.
DR.. Playfar remarks that mathematics, chemistry,
drawing, and designing, are not taught as separate
and distinct branches Of knowledge, but throughout
the courses in connection with and in calculation of
practical pursuits. Mathematics, as sort Of skee-
ton for the demonstration of all other sciences is
taught in its applications to other subjects in every
course Its use to general physics, in astronomy, and
navigation, is indispensable. The comprehensive
system pursued abroad is found to have most
happy effect on the future career Of the student
The manufacturing chemist leaves the school with
sufficient knowledge Of the principles Of machinery
to guide him in its management, or to aid him in
the expression of his requirements. He can plan
and sketch the buildings, machinery and apparatus
which he may require, and he has been taught
enough OF building and contract work to know whe-
Their the plan Of the architect is sufficient and the
charges Of the builder within moderation. The ar
chitect does not end his education with drawing
elevations and planning interiors, but chemistry and
physics have shown him how to test the qualities Of
his building materials, and have taught him the
principles Of ventilation, lighting, acoustics, and
drainage while mathematics enable him to calculate
the stability Of his structures An English re-
viewer abiding to the work Of Dr. Playfair, holds
the following just language:-"To our minds the
introduction Of this scheme as prominent feature
in English education, will be fraught with yet another
and not less important advantage. 1t will tend to
restore to modern training the entirety and single
ness Of aim which this country, since she emerged
from feudal barbarism, has never get gained. The
youth of Greece and Rome learned in the gymna-
SUM aud the Paelestra the accomplishments and
exercises which were to be every day employments
entering into the world. The youth Of feudal Eu-
rope-those, at least, who were trained for arms
spent their early years in acquiring the strength and
skill which were hereafter to fit them for the tourney
and the battlefield. But the public school and uni
versity Englishman land, he might have added, the
university American) of the present day finds that
one OF his first steps, to fit himself for the world,
must be to forget much possible of what he has
learned in the schools. He has spent years in &C
curing knowledge he can never use and skill which
instead of being aid to him, is positive incum-
brance. This is all wrong and bad. 1t is high
testimony to the native excelences of the English
character, (also of American) that we have reared
so many great citizens in spite of system vicious
But, who doubts if this vicious system was aban-
doned, the general standard of the national
charater would be improved? Oxford and Cam.
bridge Eton and Winchester, as at present consti.
tuted could notlong survive the introduction of real
ly enlightened method of education into the country
In polytechnic institutions England is behind many
parts Of the continent. Jacob Perkins, an American
justly celebrated as the inventor of machinery for
making cut nails and of steel engraving and transfer
bank note engraving machinery, as well as the in
ventor of the steam gun, was the first to originate
in London a polytechnic institution, called the
Adelaide Gallery in the Strand, which still ex-
its. This gave rise to the Royal Polytechnic Insti
tution Regent street. Of which Prince Albert became
patron and frequent vister, and we have reason
to suppose that it was from the curious and won
derfu exhibition of practical mechanics in connec-
ton with the lectures and experiments in chemistry,
natural philosophy, &C., in this institution, which
directed his mind to the importance Of the Great
Crystal Palace Exhibition and which was, in effect,
only grand polytechnic exhibition, open to oil
nations. This has been followed by others in Eu-
rope, and one here. We had the honor, some years
ago, of personal acquaintance with Jacob Per
kins (since deceased), whom we considered one of
the greatest and most useful (self made too at
tha) which this country ever produced. At the
time we visited the Royal polytechnic Institution,
in 1871 subscription course of eight lectures were
being delivered by an eminent engineer, on The
Steam Engine and Steam Navigation for Naval