The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-04-08
The Instruction that is Needed.

uc IustTuCtlOu tHut II NCVuCus
A few weeks ago at meeting OF the City
and Guilds OF London Institute, very inter-
esting and suggestive facts regarding the
spread OF technical education In England
were presented. They showed that the in
dustrial and industrial art schools estab
lished in that country in comparatively re-
cent years have made remarkable progress,
and have produced the most widespread and
important and happy results.
Tho proportion Of iliteracy In the North
ern States Of our Union, thanks to a long
established and efficient system Of free COM
mon-school instruction, which is substan-
TALLY uniform among them, is smaller than
in even the European State which gives the
most careful attention to public education.
For instance out OF a total OF g 742, Si7 native
white persons OF ten years OF age and up
ward in New York In 1880, only 59,Jl6 were
unable to write. That was merely two per
cent. and a littlo over. And even OF the
whole population above ten years, white,
black, native, and foreign, 1881, 425, only five
and a half per cent, or $4,000, were unable to
write.
That Is, elementary education Is we'll nigh
universal among the native population OF
this State OF the school age. Tho foreign
immigrant may be illiteratc, but his children
born here arc sure to know how to read and
write, unless those OF some of the most de-
graded parents be excepted. Very little more
can be done in that direction.
But experience has taught us that merely
teaching children to read and write and
cipher is not enough. In spite OF such in
struction, they may he not less liable to
crime than the illiterate, and may DO little
fitted for employments out OF which they
can make a steady living. Moreover, the
libcralty OF the people toward the public
schools has encouraged educational theorists
in pushing the Course OF free instruction
along until II now includes the teaching OF
branches which belong only to polite cdu-
catl5n, valuable for polish, but of small prac-
teal advantage to young people whose living
will depend on their ability to do the work
for which there is the most general demand.
In France, Germany, Belgium, and more
recently in England experiment has shown
that there Is another kind Of instruction than
The mere literary which Is required for the
welfare of society. 1t is practical industrial
instruction, so that young people may be
taught how to earn their bread by handi-
craft. The elegance, variety. and nlcety OF
French workmanship, for instance, are due
not so much to tho natural taste OF tho
French people as to tho thorough training
| the artisan gets in the Industrial and art
schools which are so humorous in France.
| In England, also, though little or no atten-
ton was paid to that department Of educa-
ton until within a quarter OF a century, re-
ally astonishing practical results have been
accomplished. Tho taste displayed in Eng
lish manufactures has been vastly improved
and many new arts have reached high
stage OF development. The individual arti-
san has been enabled to earn more. and the
value Of tho product has been increased,
while Continental competition which ones
threatened serious injury to British manu-
features no longer eXcitcs alarm. AS good
work Is done at home,
At the London meeting to which wo have
referred there were present representatives
OF twenty-four OF the London guilds which
contribute to the technical institute OF that
city. 1t was reported that under the direc-
ton OF the institution technical college
was last year opened at Finsbury, at which
there are already five hundred students, re-
ceiving instruction In mechanical engineer
Ing, electrical engineering, industries involv.
ing applications OF chemistry, tho building
trades cabnetmaking, and other art indus
tries. In every largo manufacturing centre
classes OF instruction have been organized
some OF which arc numerously attended
supplemcnting tho general science teaching
given under tho direction OF tho State IL
which artisans are made to SEQ tho applica-
ton OF the theoretical education they have
otherwise acquired to the special industries
In which they are engaged Evening tech
meal instruction Is given at the science ant
art schools OF tho institute. During tho last
year 1t held examinations in LAT centres Ii
different parts OF the country, at which 1917
candidates were examined, Of whom 1872!
received certificates.
Mr., SAMUEL MORLEY. In the course OF or
address, mentioned case In which two men
byinstructing themselves In technical classes
had been enabled to earn five dollars q day
instead Of tho five dollars q week they had
previously gained. Whereas formerly the
Nottingham lace manufacturers had to sen(
to Paris for their sketches and patterns, the!
now get them at homo, because OF tho ar
instruction.
These and like efforts to promote and ex
tend industrial education, and to cultivat
art with view to Its application to indus
tries, are pushing forward trades and manu-
features In England, and are opening new
cmployments for men and women, and en-
ablinS them to make those In which the,
were already engaged more profitable anc
} more agreeable to the workers.
: Those arc facts which ought to be fire.
qucntly brought to the attention Of public
spirited men in our own country, where a
yet tho progress In a like direction has beef
} comparatively Insignificant. Practical In
dustrlal training as a supplement OF ele
mcntary common-school instruction Il
/. ] greatly peeded bqro. 1t would produce tn