before us: ..... We may remark that one meaning of succumbere that of supplanting-has been left unnoticed. This meaning is certainly required for the following passage of Hyginus, fab. 177: "In Freund's Wörterbuch der Lateinischen Sprache the following occurs, Gemmas infodere corpore, d. h. mit dem Körper zugleich beerdigen,' Plin. procm. 12. Andrews's translation gives, to bury along with the body. Now this rendering appears, to say the least, very suspicious. Still, apart from the context, taken simply by themselves, there is nothing in the foregoing words to show positively that an error bere exists. But that one does exist becomes palpable as soon as the whole passage is examined. It runs thus: ad hoc excogitata sunt aurium vulnera; nimirum quoniam parum erat manibus, collo, crinibus gestari, nisi infoderentur etiam corpore. Pliny is here speaking of the use of jewels; how they were worn on the bands, on the neck, and in the hair. And hence the expression in question, taken in connection with this subject generally, and with the words aurium vulnera especially, evidently means, as given in this work, to place or insert in' the body. The reading corpori, given in this Dictionary, is that of the latest edition of Pliny, viz., that which was edited by Sillig, in eight vols. 8vo., and which has appeared only within the last few years. Another instance is found in the word milesium. Freund interprets it eine Art Eisvogel, Plin. 32, 8: Andrews gives 'A kind of king-fisher,' Plin. 32, 8, 27. The passage in Pliny is as follows: quatuor ejus (sc. alcyonei) genera....: pone purpureum, quod Macrobius furnishes a new meaning, which oplumum: hoc et Milesium vocatur. Pliny is here speaking not of the king-fisher (alcyone), but of the might, perhaps, be included in the meanings sea-foam (alcyoneum); and the word Milesium, of the adjective Egyptius. He says, Sat. according to the previous passage, is merely a "Siderum motus, de quibus non indocdescriptive term for the best kind of alcyoneum. tos reliquit libros, ab Egyptiis disciplinis Again; mediatrix is rendered by Freund die hausit." These Egyptic discipline are not mittlerin,' by Andrews a mediatrix:' this seems those of the Egyptian priests, but of the Greek to imply a female mediator,' and certainly there is Alexandrine school. no reason why such a meaning might not attach to ance of several competent scholars. A very Grut. 502, 1.-2. Abs.: succubuit. puella, if the writer be over eager to chronicle with interesting specimen is given by Mr. White Ov. F. 2, 810; cf. Mart. 14, 201, 1. ultra accuracy every petty event and date, his of wrong meanings found in Freund and II. Fig.: Toyield, be overcome, to submit, sur work is pretty sure to degenerate into a dull Andrews, and corrected in the present work. render, succumb (the predom. and class. signif.): and lifeless epitome which may perhaps occaThis passage we quote in extenso as a very A. With Dat. (so most freq.): philosopho succustrong testimony to the value of the work buit orator, C. de Or. 3, 32, 129: qui Cannensi sionally be referred to, but which will be read from beginning to end with about as much ruinæ non succubuissent, Liv. 23, 25: arrogantiæ | divitum, C. Rep. 1, 32, 48: cur succumbis cedisque pleasure as Guicciardini's noted work on the fortuna? id. Tusc. 3, 17, 36; id. Sull. 25, 71; cf. Italian Republics. If, on the other hand, the also, id. Off. 1, 20, 66: magno animo et erecto est, writer lavish his strength and his space upon nec unquam succumbet inimicis, ne fortunæ qui notable characters and events, his volume may dem, id. Deiot. 13, 36: labori, Cæs. B. G. 7, 86: give us some brilliant historical scenes, and oneri, Liv. 6, 32: doloribus, C. Fin. 1, 15, 49: some carefully drawn historical characters; senectuti, id. Sen. 11, 37: crimini, id. Planc. 33, but (unless it greatly extends beyond a limit 82: malis, Ov. Tr. 4, 10, 103; Sil. 14, 609: cul- which will at once take it out of the category of pa, Virg. Æ. 4, 19; Ov. M. 7, 749: tempori, to a student's work) it cannot supply its readers yield, Liv. 3, 59: precibus, Ov. H. 3, 91.-B. with a fairly-balanced and consecutive history Abs.: non esse viri debilitari dolore, frangi, suc- of even the least noted country from the earliest cumbere, C. Fin. 2, 29, 95: hac ille perculsus plaga non succubuit, Nep. Eum. 5, 1.-C. With ages to the present day. To hit, then, upon Inf.: nec ipsam perpeti succubuisset, Arn. 1, this happy medium must necessarily be the main object with any writer whose space is limited. p. 38." been very sufficiently attained. It is quite free In the work before us, this object has, we think, from the fatal fault of attempting to tell too much within a confined space; a fault which would inevitably have made it little better than Tuque Lycaoniæ mutatæ semine nymphæ, a dry chronicle of mere facts and dates. Nor Quam gelido raptam de vertice Nonacrino have we been able to discover any important Oceano prohibet semper se tingere Tethys, omissions. The chief transactions in French Ausa suæ quia sit quondam succumbere alumne." history, whether political, ecclesiastical, or Under the head of succumba we find one of military, are strikingly and not too summarily the meanings set down as "a supplanter, detailed. The portraiture, too, of many of the rival." The sense of succumbere, in the pre-historical characters are very skilfully drawn ; vious passage, is probably derived from suc- indeed in such a manner as can scarcely fail to cumba. leave a pretty strong impression upon any but a very careless and indolent reader. Advanced students, with a taste for historical research, will, of course, wish to go beyond this volume; and in the interesting notes and illustrations appended to each chapter, the author mentions the names of such writers as may best be consulted touching the history of any particular epoch. We may add, that the volume is illusthat to it is appended a carefully compiled and trated by many excellent wood engravings, and copious index. If it be granted that Englishmen ought to be acquainted with the history of that great country which has had such an influence upon their destinies, the value of a work like that which we have been describing is indisputable. 6 i. 16, such a bulk as that before us, many misplaced the word. But then it appears to be used only Innumerable incorrect references have also been verified, and various other errors rectified. We take one word from the dictionary at haphazard, necessarily choosing a short one from regard to the scantiness of the space at our disposal: The Students France: a History of France from Gradus ad Parnassum, with the English Meanings. Edited by the late Rev. Dr. Carey, and recently Revised, Corrected and Aug. mented by a Member of the Uninersity of Cambridge. Printed for the Company of Stationers. J. Greenhill, Stationers' Hall, London. A STUDENT'S History of France, written by an THE present edition of Dr. Carey's "Gradus accomplished English writer, not from an Engad Parnassum" is an immense improvement lish point of view, has hitherto been a desidera- upon its predecessors. In them not only were tum in our literature. Mrs. Markham's work the Latin quantities frequently misplaced, but is certainly one of considerable merit; but it barbarisms and expressions of the purest is too elementary for any except very young Latinity were placed side by side. Virgil students, and its picturesqueness of style will jostled Manilius, and Ovid, Porphyrion; and suc-cumbo (subc-), cùbăi, cùbitum, cum- not compensate readers for its occasional errors Catullus and Prudentius, Horace and Venanběre, 3. v. n [sub, no. III. B. 1. ; cumbo] I. and omissions. With the name of the writer tius, were quoted with amusing impartiality. Prop.: A. Gen.: To lay, or put one's self, under of the volume before us we are not acquainted; In this new edition all the barbarisms in any thing; to lie, full, or sink down (so, rare; not but we learn from the preface that he has been question have been carefully expunged, and in Cic.): 1. With Dat. : ancipiti succumbens vic-long resident in France-a circumstance which quotations only from the works of standard tima ferro, Cat. 64, 370.-2. Abs.: vidit Cyllenius we should probably have conjectured from the classical authors admitted. The editor, while omnes succubuisse oculos, had sunk in sleep, i.e. ease and exactness of many of his local descrip- erasing several hundreds of such undesirable had closed, Ov. M. 1, 714: (Augustus) Nola suc- tions-and he has apparently studied the his-verbal intruders, found that their places might cubuit, took to his bed, Suet. Aug. 98 fin.: non succumbentibus causis operis, Pl. 36, 15, 24, § 106. the best sources. tory of his adopted land with much care from be supplied from the works of writers of the Augustan age, and this has been done to such B. Esp.: Sensu obsceno; whether of female or male: To lie down beneath or to; to submit to: The chief difficulty in writing the history of an extent, that the work may in a great mea1. With Dat.: alicui, Var. R. R. 2, 10, 9: cuivi: a great country within the compass of a mode- sure be considered a new one. With regard to potius succumbere fas est, Cat. 111, 3: succumbit rately-sized volume, is the necessity of giving the re-arrangement of the "synonyms and frustra sterili gallina marito, Mart. 13, 64, 1: nun-neither too much nor too little. If the maxim epithets in these pages, the editor says:quam servo succubui, Petr. S. 126; Inscr. ap. ne quid nimis be not attended to very carefully, The former have been diminished in number 66 by striking out objectionable words, and so classified as to render the mistakes which were continually occurring to students under the old system, unlikely, without great negligence, to occur under the present; while epithets which formerly offered a mass of absurdities to the notice of the scholar and the critic, and were mere stumbling blocks in the way of the industrious student, have been weeded of all that were likely to lead to error, and arranged with reference to their meanings, and connexion with their principal words; so that it is hoped that for the future they will be an advantage to the diligent, instead of a snare to the incautious." We have lighted upon only one error in our examination of these pages, viz., where postea is written as a dactyle doubtedly long, and if the quotation from Ovid's Fasti be a correct one, as we suppose it is Postea mirabar, cur non sine litibus esset, postea must be taken for a spondee by the figure Synceresis. Few things can prove the necessity for some such volume as that which we have before us more clearly than the fact, that in a recent copy of verses published in the Times newspaper, on the death of the Prince Consort, we found such false quantities as desiderium, remedium, and abreptus. Inter alia, we have our old friend, Tempora Period," commencing with the year 1861, are Cassell's First Lessons in Latin; or, a Short Although the work before us can hardly "This is a subject on which we have a few words to say. In the early days of this branch of claim to be considered as an attractive book to astronomical discovery, a sort of understanding was ordinary readers, the documents and statistics come to by astronomers that the names given to contained in it are valuable contributions to these bodies should as far as possible be those of our knowledge of the subjects of which they ancient female divinities. So much for the theory, treat, combining the utility of an official record which is unexceptionable. Now for the practice. with the interest which must always attach to This is bad in two ways:-1. The original the views of one who must be regarded as the arrangement is constantly broken through; and 2, real founder of the present system of national sufficient precautions are not taken to choose names, education in this country. which cannot be mistaken (by reason of similarity of sound) for ones previously appropriated. With pōstěă The final a of this word is un-reference to the 1st, we have nothing particular to and Easy Introduction to the Latin Language, Isis, &c., as they indicate where the discovery was bulary. say against such names as Parthenope, Massilia, comprising Grammar, Exercises, and VocaRevised aud corrected. (pp. 186.) made, but we most emphatically protest against London: Cassell, Petter and Galpin.-This the fawning servility which prompted such appella-handy little volume seems to us to be well tions as Eugenia, and Maximiliana, and Angelina. adapted for beginners. It contains a concise We have the highest opinion of the excellence of and skilfully arranged Latin Grammar, synthe Empress of France, nor do we doubt that King tactical exercises, easy reading lessons, and Maximilian of Bavaria has deserved well of his vocabularies containing all the words that German subjects, but why should they be raised to the skies? occur in the exercises and reading lessons. In In 1813 the Academy of Leipsic pro- those schools where Arnold's Latin Exercise posed to add the name of Napoleon I. to the conbooks are used, the little work before us may stellations; astronomers, with much good sense, repudiated the idea. Has the race degenerated ? be put into the beginner's hand as a preparaThe same remarks apply with equal force to An- tory course. From its simplicity and concisegelina. If Roman Catholics like to believe that ness it is also well adapted for the use of those Saint So-and-so performed, several centuries ago persons who are anxious to teach themselves such and such a miracle, let them; but it is going the Latin language. The reading lessons a little too far to ask all the world to immortalise seem to us particularly well chosen, and much some local celebrity by dedicating to him, her, or it, more likely to be attractive to the young learner than selections from Cæsar's Commentaries or the heavy biographies of Cornelius Nepos. Thus we have a compendium of pelled to make his choice between works of the life of Joseph, slightly altered from the a purely elementary character and advanced Epitome Historiæ Sacræ of Professor Lhotreatises, often very recondite, and of course mond, and a Latin version of Whittington perplexing to the novice. Mr. Chambers's and his Cat, taken from the lessons of Provolume is written to occupy a via media beFour Periods of Public Education, as re-fessor Broder. The notes to the readingtween works of this opposite class. It is in-viewed in 1832, 1839, 1846, 1862. In Pa- lessons are generally well chosen. If any tended to be at once a work for the dilletante pers by Sir James Kay Shuttleworth, Bart. fault can be urged against this useful manual, and the professional student; a work which London: Longman and Co. 1862.-The pre- it is that in the Grammar the poetical conwill give to those who may consult it sound sent work, which consists of various papers struction is sometimes given for the prose one. instruction attractively set forth. and pamphlets published from time to time Thus we have dignus amari, quoted as if it by Sir James Kay Shuttleworth, with some were the ordinary prose construction in Latin, additions to make the Review complete up to whereas it should, of course, have been, dignus the present time, may be considered as a com-ut ametur, or amaretur, as the sense may repanion volume to his work published in 1853, under the title of "Public Education as afected by the Minutes of the Privy Council from 1846 to 1852." A Hand-Book of Descriptive and Practical MR. Chambers, in his preface, notes the fact that English literature is remarkably de-a planet." ficient in works on astronomy, and that the Mr. Chambers's volume is, we think, excelwould-be student of this grand science is com-lently adapted for a mathematical prize book in our public schools. The writer has, we think, shown discretion in avoiding all speculation as to the origin of the heavenly bodies. The very best astronomical authorities are themselves at variance on this point, and to have attempted either to reconcile them or to act as umpire between their conflicting opinions, would only have been to have given occasion for endless controversy. quire. Catechesis Evangelica; being Questions and Answers based on the "Textus Receptus." For the use of Theological Students. Part I., St. Matthew. (pp. 294.) By T. L. Montefiore, M.A., Trinity Coll., Cambridge, Rector of CatherstonLeweston, Dorset. London: Longman & Co. 1862.-Although this work has no pretentions whatever to originality, it appears to us, nevertheless, likely to be a very useful and acceptable one. Mr. Montefiore has carefully examined the exegetical works of very many commentators on the Greek and English versions of the New Testament, and brought them together in the pages before us, sometimes in the words of the original writers, more often, however, in a condensed form. Of course, of the system of pupil teachers and by the esta- such a task required much patience, and not a blishment of normal schools for the training of little scholarship. An infinite amount of comteachers. The "Third Period" embraces the mentarial rubbish has been indited apropos of explanation and history of the Minutes of the New Testament; and to duly sift this, and 1846, which extended the administration of discover the pearls. required a competent schothe parliamentary grant for education to pupil lar, such as Mr. Montefiore evidently is. He teachers and Queen scholars, the support of has also made use of the works of the most training colleges, the augmentation of the recent commentators upon the "Textus Resalaries of teachers, and the establishment of a ceptus," so that the young student is kept au normal training school for masters of work- fait with the best modern theological critihouse and prison schools. In the "Fourth cisms. The books quoted from by the editor The author begins with an account of the condition of the working classes in Manchester A notable feature in Mr. Chambers's volume in 1832, and of the progress they have since is that, while it embodies all necessary in- made, both as regards education and physical formation touching the state of astronomical comfort;-intending, by this analysis of the proknowledge at various epochs of time, it care- gress and present condition of one of our most fully and succinctly narrates the very latest prosperous cities, to indicate the difficulties with discoveries of modern scientific men. As a which the friends of popular education have had proof of his diligence in this respect, the writer to contend during the last thirty years. This is specially indicates the chapters on comets. called the "First Period;' and Sir James We may add, however, that we have not been then proceeds, under the head of the "Second less struck with those on astronomical instru- Period," to record the means adopted by the ments, in which is to be found much curious Government to elevate the standard of educaand well digested knowledge. We may tion in elementary schools, by the introduction add also, that Mr. Chambers has not alone trusted to his descriptive powers to make his volume intelligible and attractive to young students. It contains no less than 162 excellent engravings, many of which are very curious and throw much light upon the accompanying letter-press. The catalogues of eclipses and comets (more especially the latter) are severally very complete. In fact, if any fault is to be found with this volume, it is that the classical quotations in it are often incorrect. would really make up a very respectable tions of the structure, character, and habits of The maps, we may add, are merely in outline, as divinity library, and their price would be very all the important varieties of birds, classified being thus much less puzzling, for young children. considerable, and quite beyond the means and arranged under their proper scientific Lovell's General Geography, for the use of of the majority of young biblical students. divisions. Like the two previous volumes of Schools; with numerous Maps, Illustrations, and Mr. Montefiore, too, when he quotes conflict- the Series, it is illustrated with a profusion of brief Tabular Views. By George Hodgins, LL.B., ing opinions, as he occasionally does, in almost engravings, amounting to about 350 in all. F.R.G.S., author of "Geography and History every case states that to which he himself gives We have been much struck with the rare London: Sampson, Low, Son, and Co.-This of the British Colonies." Montreal: J. Lovell. the preference-a mode which had it been excellence and beauty of these illustrations, one of a cheap and carefully edited series of edu. adopted by Dean Alford, would have consi- the accuracy and finish of which, considering cational works published by Mr. Lovell of Montreal. derably enhanced the value of his bulky edition the low price at which the work is brought It contains numerous maps and pictorial illustraof the Greek Testament. The appendices to out, are really marvellous. The work is alto- tions of cities and famous localities. The letterthe work before us, of which there are no less gether one of great merit, and will cordially press is remarkably well done, but, as might be than ten, deserve commendation. Appendix be welcomed by all lovers of natural history. expected, a somewhat excessive amount of space A contains a very interesting account of ancient English Grammar Practice; or, Exercises is given up to the geography of the American conGreek MSS. taken from a somewhat scarce on the Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody of the tinent. The work altogether is a very creditable book, viz., Astle's " Origin and Progress of English Language. Adapted to every form of specimen of Canadian authorship. Writing." Appendix B comprises a list of tuition. (pp. 264.) By G. F. Graham, author Uncial MSS. of the Greek Testament. Then of "English Composition,' English Style,' follow Appendix C, a description of Codex &c. London: Longman & Co.-Mr. Graham A-D; a description of Codex B-E; a de- is already known in the world of literature as scription of Codex C-F; a description of the author of some half dozen careful works, Codex B-G; list of Ancient Versions and treating of the English language in general. Principal Critical Editions of New Testament; The purpose which the practical little work H, account of Septuagint Version; I, account before us is intended to fulfil, is to impress of Vulgate; K, Davison's Criticisms on Matt. each rule upon the young learner by his worki. 12. We shall welcome the succeeding por- ing out a series of selected examples in that tions of Mr. Montefiore's excellent work. rule. As such practice may be commenced Euclid's Elements of Plane Geometry, expli- at the very opening of the study of English citly enunciated. By J. Pryde, F. E. I. S. Grammar, this study may be made both London and Edinburgh: W. and R. Chambers. amusing and useful to the beginner, who now -The present Edition of Euclid, which must too commonly regards his own language as a not be confounded with another Edition by the bête noire to be shunned as much as possible running commentary on the work, and intended late Mr. Bell, brought out by the same publishers, is distinguished by some novel and original features, which are thus described by the Editor:-" The enunciation of each Pro Mr. Graham points out that his work differs from others of its class in the following respects : "3. Some terms generally used in grammar are here dispensed with; such as nominative case, active verb, neuter gender. LIBRARY TABLE. 1. The Elements of Geometry, from the Text of Dr. Simson. By Robert Wallace, A.M. 2. A.M. London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin.By Robert Wallace, Elements of Arithmetic. These works, by the late Professor Wallace, are well known and appreciated by teachers. The present Edition of the Euclid is the sixth-a fact that speaks well for its usefulness and success. It differs from other editions based on Simson's text, mainly in having the Exercises, usually collected at the end of the work, appended to each Proposition, which thus serves as a model and an aid to the pupil in the solution of the particular Explanations and Problem required of him. notes are added under the definitions and the propositions as they occur, forming a kind of to remove the pupil's difficulties as they arise. instead of being reserved to a later stage of his progress. The Arithmetic is founded on an American work of reputation, and embodies many improvements in the mode of explaining the prin ciples and rules not found in our ordinary text books. The Book of Days, the new serial recently projected by the Messrs. Chambers, continues with unabated interest its pleasant record of remarkable events, anecdotes, historical and biographical gos sip, &c., connected with the days of the year. Though necessarily of a discursive character, it is readable and entertaining in a high degree, and when completed will prove a work of unique inte Chambers's Journal for March contains some excellent papers. Amongst them we may enumerate the amusing protest, headed "Double Gloster," against the confusion of our street nomenclature; the interesting inquiry as to whe ther Richard Savage was an impostor or not, ef which question the writer takes an affirmative view; and "Matches and Matchmaking," not, however, we may add, for the benefit of the ladies, matrimonial. The Progressive English Reading Book, for se "1. It contains exercises on many minor position has been changed and simplified, so points of grammar, of which little notice has been as to enable the pupil to distinguish at a glance hitherto taken; such as, the letters, gender and between what is given and what has to be number of nouns, use of the tenses, &c. proved in each-thus making the Propositions "2. The practice, in many cases, of making much more easily understood and sooner mas-the learner choose between two forms of exprestered. As a further aid to the pupil, a blank sion, or supply the correct forms, is intended to space has been left between each step or clause bring his powers of discrimination into play. of the reasoning in every Proposition throughout the book. In addition to Euclid's Demonstrations, which have been retained for the sake of those who prefer them, several of ject and object for nominative and accusative; "4. Some new terms are introduced; as, sub-rest and information. his Propositions have been also demonstrated participles, complete and incomplete, for past and in a different way, which, it is believed, will be present, &c. found to be more clear and elegant." The "5. The exercises in prosody and versificavalue of the work is increased by a number of tion-a part of English Grammar which has been instructive exercises appended to each Book. hitherto unaccountably neglected-are, as far as School Dictionary of the German Language, the writer is aware, quite novel in a work of this London and Edinburgh: W. and R. Chambers. sort." -This dictionary, which forms part of the German section of Chambers's Educational Course, is stated to be compiled from the latest Geography and Atlas: comprising Thirty En-in Schools. Book the First. editions of Flügel, Hilpert, and Grieb. Fol-gravings and Fifteen Maps. pp. 88. For Home lowing the example of the brothers Grimm in and School Use. By Peter Parley. A new Editheir great work, the publishers have adopted tion. Carefully adapted to English Schools and the Roman type throughout, instead of the Families. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin.-This Old-German character. They have introduced, little work was in its original form one of the most also, various other features which, if not alto- successful school-books of the late Mr. Goodrich, gether novel, are not found combined in any nom de plume of "Peter Parley," found his way United States Consul at Paris, who, under the other dictionary of a similar size and price. into the affections of innumerable little readers of "All the words are carefully accented accord- both sexes. Mr. Goodrich's forte was this, that ing to the most approved modes of pronun- he possessed the faculty of making himself intelciation; the genitives and plurals of nouns are ligible to his very youngest reader, and of teach invariably given; and a novel feature, to which ing really valuable knowledge in a very pleasant much value is attached, has been introduced, way. The little work before us, which has been COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS. viz., the indicative of verbs governing the revised and corrected throughout, is based on the dative, which must considerably aid the stu-true theory, that to make learning pleasant to THE Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone presided at the dents in translation." All these are undoubt- beginners, their intellectual faculties must be annual distribution of prizes and certificates to the edly recommendations of great practical value exercised, and they must be led to feel their members of the Association of Mechanics' Institutes in a dictionary which cannot fail to render it power over the subject studied. Mr. Goodrich, of Lancashire and Cheshire, at the Free Trade Hall, very useful in schools. too, very wisely did not disdain the use of engrav-Manchester, on Wednesday the 23rd April. Popular Natural History. Vol. III. London: knew how much the reason can be aided by the candidates, Mr. Gladstone rose, amid repeated ings for the attraction of his little pupils, as he After distributing the prizes to the successful Cassell, Petter, and Galpin. 1862.-The pre-eye. Repetitions, too, are purposely made in the cheers, and delivered a long and most interesting sent volume of Cassell's Natural History is letter press, but in such a manner as to remind address on Education and Competitive Examinations, devoted entirely to Ornithology, presenting, in the learner that he has not now for the first time of which we regret that our limited space permits the compass of 400 pages, accurate descrip- become acquainted with such and such a fact. us to give only a brief summary. Willie's Home Exercises. Part I. A systematic and graduated Series of Exercises in Arithmetic, Spelling, and Writing, for home practice. Manchester: Heywood. Each of these little educational brochures is of the most simple and elementary kind. Collectively and individually they seem well adapted for the use of very young learners. MR. GLADSTONE ON EDUCATION AND After paying an eloquent and feeling tribute to the late Prince Consort, he continued: Four years ago, 214 passed the public and final adoption of improvements, and then to neutralise examination; this year there are 730. What is and mar their operation. There are those, my Let me now address to you a few words on a more remarkable than all, is the fact that, of 180 friends, who tell us that examinations, and especially marked feature of this Institution-that feature persons who have to-night received honours and competitive examinations, are of no real value; that with which in particular we are to-night concerned certificates, the number who drew their subsistence they produce the pretence, and not the reality, of -I mean its examinations, to which reference is from weekly wages is no less than 177. Two of knowledge, and give us, not solid progress, but made in the eighth paragraph of the printed list of these are wholly unemployed; 83, men and women, conceit and illusion. I freely admit that this its objects. They evidently form not only a living are weavers; fully 150 appear to belong, in the modern method will rear, as far as we can judge, and chief portion of its practice, but also a test of very strictest sense, to the labouring classes. Again, no greater prodigies of learning than did the simple its power over the people; and it is manifest from I say, here are the signs, for that class especially, and spontaneous devotion of the elder time; perthe results they have produced-from such results of hope and real progress; of hope which will, I haps, if we are to look only at individual cases of as with our own eyes we have witnessed in this hall trust, bear its fruit, and abide with them as cer- pre-eminence, none so great. But I say that the to-night-that they have struck deep root in the tainly, long after the clouds of the present visita- true way to imitate the wisdom of the olden time mind of the community, and are likely to exercise tion shall, if it so please God, have passed away. is this: to watch the conditions of the age in which in future a material influence upon conduct. The I have said that the extended use of the instrument we live; to accept them thankfully and freely, as use of examinations in this country, not alone, but of examinations is eminently characteristic of the at once the law of Providence for our guidance, and with honours and prizes attached to them, as a age in which we live. I would almost venture to the gift for our encouragement; and when we main stimulus and support to mental cultivation, say that, amidst all the material and all the social learn by experience that the tools with which other is in a very great degree peculiar to the present changes by which the period has been distinguished, generations wrought are not suited for the work century. Examinations may be said to have con- there have been few that are greater or more that is given us to do, then to find, if we can, some stituted, nearly from its commencement, the basis peculiar than this. The older methods of education, other tools which are. It is not too much to say of the practical system of our ancient universities which had been in use in European countries gene- that the experience of half a century, in the univerof Oxford and Cambridge. Perhaps those univer- rally, invited from students, with more or less strict sities and elsewhere, has shown that the method of sities have been the means of commending to the ness, voluntary performances, which were intended examinations is the best, and perhaps the only country the example it has so largely followed. to afford general evidence of competency, and which, method by which, in the England of the nineteenth They have acquired, progressively, more and more where they were rigorously exacted, were made con- century, any due efficiency can be imparted to the of weight in the public schools. They now supply ditions of the certificates of proficiency given by general business of education. I do not deny that the only passport to the civil service of India, richly universities and other learned bodies, and by a certain trick or craft may be practised in them; endowed as it is with emoluments, and heavily them called degrees. These exercises and exhibi- that some may think more of the manner of discharged with duties and responsibilities. Admis- tions were the invention of remote times, and were, playing their knowledge to a momentary advantage, sion to the civil service at home had been long the in all probability, well adapted to the exigencies of like goods in a shop window, than of laying hold subject only of a political patronage which was er- those periods. But in the time of your immediate upon the substance. But I say that these abusive roneously, as I think, believed to be an essential ancestors they had become generally, and even cases will be the exceptions, not the rule. I say part of the machinery of the constitution, and the grossly, ineffective; and the instinct, so to speak, of that those who so unjustly plead them against the sole effectual substitute for the ruder methods of the present age has prompted it, instead of reviving system forget that this very faculty of the ready government formerly in use by prerogative and the ancient forms which had died out, to have command and easy use of our knowledge, is in itsel force. But it is now in some degree admitted that recourse to the new method of examinations. of immense value; it means clear perception; it the privilege of entering the civil service of the These examinations are in a great number of means orderly arrangement; and, above all, they country-and, indeed, the service of the country instances competitive; that is, they offer to the forget what I take to be the specific and peculiar generally-ought to be thrown open as widely as candidates one or more specific prizes, the possession virtue of the system of examinations, namely this, may be to its youth at large. Some progress has of which by particular competitors involves the ex- that they require us to concentrate all the faculties been made by the method of examinations, both inclusion of others. This form of examination has of the mind, with all their strength, upon a point, securing the State against the intrusion of the un- great advantages. It raises to a maximum that and in the efforts necessary for that concentration, worthy, and in widening the way of access for those stimulus which acts insensibly but powerfully upon the mind itself, obtaining at once breadth of grasp who aspire to prove themselves worthy of the the minds of students, as it were from behind, and and increased pliability and force, becomes more honours and rewards of civil office. The same en- becomes an auxiliary force, augmenting their ener-able to grapple with great occasions in the subsquent gine of competitive examination has been more gies and helping them, almost without their know-experience of life. Therefore, my friends, again I fully applied to the highest, I mean the scientific, ledge, to surmount their difficulties. It is not say, let us accept frankly and cheerfully the condepartment of the army. At the same time with found in practice, so far as I know, to be open to ditions of the age in which our lot is cast; and let the adoption of these last-mentioned improvements, an objection which is popularly urged against it; us write among its titles this-that, as it is the the University of Oxford instituted, with great namely, that it may elicit evil passions among the age of humane and liberal laws-the age of extended wisdom and forethought, that system of circuits candidates, because it makes the gain of one the franchises-the age of warmer loyalty and more for local examination throughout the country which loss of another. I believe that, on the contrary, firmly established order the age of free trademet at once with public acknowledgment and ap- the pursuit of knowledge is found to carry with it, the age of steam and railways-so it is likewise, proval, and which was speedily and happily imitated in this respect, its own preservatives and safeguards. even if last and least, the age of examinations. from one or more other quarters. But none of Even in athletic sports the loser does not resent or these efforts touched the great masses of the grudge the fairly-won honours of the winner; and people. They too, however, have been at least par- in the race of minds, those who are behind, having tially reached by the widening circles of the move- confidence in the perfect fairness of the award, are ment. A proposal is, as you know, under the con- not so blindly and basely selfish as to cherish resentsideration of Parliament, which aims at the esta- ment against others for being better than themblishment of the principle that the merit of the selves. Again, it is a recommendation of purely pupils, proved by elementary examination, shall competitive examinations that they bring the matter henceforth be, if not the sole, yet the main, condi- to the simplest issue; for, in nice cases, it is a tion on which the money of the State, supplied by much easier and safer task for the examiner to the taxes of the country, shall be dispensed in aid compare the performances of a candidate with those of primary schools. This, it may be said, is still of another candidate, than to compare them with prospective; but at least we have, in the Association some abstract standard existing only in his own of Lancashire and Cheshire Mechanics' Institutes, mind. On the other hand, it is a disadvantage of one living proof of the progress made, without aid this system that the honours given at different either from old endowment or from the public purse times, purporting to be equal, are given to unequal -by the principle of examinations with the condi- merit; for the number and excellence of the comtion of competition and the attraction of honour or petitors varies from one occasion to another, and reward. How strictly true is this assertion must the winner of one year may, on this account, be the major axis of the ellipse; be more familiarly known to many among you than inferior to the loser of another. Much may be said in praise or in disparagement of one method of exAfter alluding to the great diminution of amination as compared with another. Into controdrunkenness and crime in the maufacturing dis- versy of this kind I do not propose to enter, further tricts since the establishment of Mechanics' Insti- than to say that I think the highest value belongs tutions, he continued: It would be unjust to to the competitive species in cases like that of set down to the credit of this association, or admission to the civil service of the state, where a of those institutes which it binds together, more main object is to bar the way against the action of than a modest share in the general improve- corrupt or inferior motives in those who appoint. ment of your social state. But let us observe In the long run, the simple, clear, and self-acting more closely their own progress. The mem- method of an open competition will probably be bers, formerly 2000, are now from 6000 to 8000. found more adequate than any other agency to Four years ago, 500 persons passed the preli- contend against the wakeful energies of human minary examinations; this year there are 1500. selfishness, ever on the alert, first to prevent the to me. MATHEMATICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS. In the figure to the solution of Question 1175 of 86 A ᅲ = 2b2 s1—c1 (3b2—a2) cos2x} dy. =/ { 26 == SOLUTION BY THE PROPoser. Let B and (8+w) be the inclinations of f, g, to then a tan ẞ=b. tan 4, and a. tan (B+w) = b. cot ; whence, eliminating B, we have c. sin 24-2ab.cotw..... From (1), sin also, :)... d+ = ab dw c2. cos 20 dw_c2. sin x; dy s. sin w do .. sin2w. = ...(1). ab, sin x sinw.cos 27 7, 2 1 1 ber, R m-n = m-n Having thus established (1) and (2), the remaining Hence the equations of GH, IG, IH, are 1260 (Proposed by J. McDowell, B.A.. 4 ACB ABC-2 (PAB QAC.) Draw AD bisecting the angle BAC, and the other straight lines as in the annexed figure. y= x + 19 mps p-m Let A A, A, denote the areas of the triangles Because the arc BDC is bisected in D, DQlowing theorem, which is easily proved by Analy bisects the angle BQC,.. DQ .QF=QB. QC= QA (hyp.), hence DQ QA :: QA: QF, = = ACP If x=g, y=h, +/ d = k be the equations of the sides of a triangle, the angle of ordination being 0, then will the area be [We shall be glad to receive a proof of this elegant theorem (Question 1263) by Pure Geometry. In reference to the theorem in Mr. Bills's "Note," we may remark, that in Salmon's Conics," (Art. 35 of 3rd edition) there is an expression for the area of any triangle formed by PAB three straight lines whose equations are given.QAC ED.] = Hence AEP - AFQ=ADE-ADF .. ACB-ABC-2 (PAB-QAC). = 66 1269 (Proposed by Mathematicus.)-ABC is a triangle, right-angled at C: draw AE, BF perpendicular and equal to AC, BC respectively; 1263 (Proposed by Geometricus, Brussels.)-join AF, BE, and draw CD perpendicular to AB. Dans un triangle quelconque ABC, on mène, à Then the three lines AF, BE, CD will meet in partir des sommets, trois droites dans des directions one point. |