The Hickman courier., 1868-06-06

F& Necessity of the technical instruc-
, tie artisans is admitted in all Euro
pei Countries. and strong efforts are
me 70 foster it. The low standing of
Erlsh manufacturers at the Paris ex-
poEloi was due to the want of such in
strttib for British workmen, and the
suIrioity of French production to its
poesson. This fact has excited much
diasspn in England, and measures are
se,a foot to supply the deficiency. The
inelrai schools of France are unsur-
] psed. Over 100000 adults are annual
II 1ght in them, besides manZ. thous-
In children who intend to Gnan
-sr sIcastrades, and who have 5sS3
- "a elementary education in t
There are sea
benS3of these schools, that-at =
a larEspecimen of one kind. Is
vate.s imanufactory belonging to a pri-
land Smpany and owning vast tract of
hsSy Il employs 10000 workmen, who
Iy2Hfh their families on the place
-! Aildren to me number of 4,065,
e. rsschools su - orted by the company,
I5r< Sight the ordinary ru,
tIYea % Een 3 fs N and rec
copga ny I. wefEshops are fhus supp pliee
win skilled and Intelligent workmen, Sc
that complete education is afforded in al
sandierafts from the lowest to the high
est. The result is seen in the intelli
gencs and skill of French artizans.
In Prussia mechanics institutR are
common as they are also in Saxony, Bel.
gium, Wurtemburg, Austria, ItsL.-snd
other parts of the continent.
onesy these has been attende
the & .st seven years by 10000
ands1 Wurtemburg there are 10l
lar schools, with 5000 regulaspg
The industrial schools of En-
few in number, and of an inferior gra.e
In January, 1868, there was 18G~in
all, with 1880 pupils; but their stand
ing may be judged from the fact that in
one town 500 pupils may be taught by
one teacher. At present no complete in
iustrial exists in England Technical
is of little use without pro-
per elementary educationl and this is
also much wanting in that country. I'm
nense sums have been spent for pauper
relief, hui little has been given for edu-
.ation. In 1874, Mr.. Macauley stated
hat over seventy-fve per cent. of the
could not write their names; aud
low an equally good authority says that
English middle class education has ad-
7anced very inadequately during the last
hirty years In the manufacturing towns
If France, Switzerland, and the most of
Germany, il is difficult to find person
vho cannot read and write we'll, besides
having some general information; but
he average standard of intelligence in
Treat Britain is much lower Only one
,hild in fifteen attends schools, and the
popular ignorance in many places is
rightful.
These facts deserve the attention of
he Americans. Our mechanics greatly
iced the same training which foreigners
ave found so advantageous. Our sp-
system is defective, aud We
ave no means of thorough technical in i
rrvesiop The fsSs ssioatifa institutions
hat we possess are mainly intended for
he wealthy, and the classes at Cooper
Institute, New York, are almost the only
mes available to mechanics. Schools Of
his kind should be increased. Our ar
isaus have a good foundation of gene
al knowledge, and with proper training
would never fall behind the best work
men Of Europe. A few of our public
chools might be selected for THIS pur-
lose. with courses of study better adapt
d to suit the wants of working people.
of the kind has already been
red in the night schools in order to
AVE good course of industrial instruc-
ion. Training shops, in connection with
manufactures or othenplaces, could also
,e established, where boys would be bet
er and sooner taught their trades than
It present The whole question is one of
,reat importance. and deserves serious
nsideration.-N y. Sun.