CONTENTS. Page Classical Notes and Queries slightly, and you have starch; again, and you sumption of vitality for mechanical and other have sugar; again, and you have alcohol; purposes. again, and you have vinegar. Or the atmo- It is the business of human physiology to sphere, which, as we shall see, is so essential explain what are the requisites necessary for to life; you have only to alter the proportion carrying on the functions of life, and for of its elements, oxygen and nitrogen, and five keeping the body in a normal condition; and other compounds result, all of which would also how and by what means the food eaten 10 prove detrimental to life if received into the becomes incorporated with and a part of the 11 system. We but imitate, in some humble human fabric. 6 8 Endowed Education and Competitive Examinations... 12 measure, the endless changes ever occurring The requisites of organic life are three Correspondence :-R. Potts;-R. Mosley Reviews, Notices, &c. Educational and Literary Summary of the Month...... Mathematical Questions and Solutions ............. The Educational Times. COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS. EVENING MEETING, 13 among the elements of nature, when we take solids, fluids, and air; and as before intimated, 14 the twenty-six letters of our alphabet, and form the solids to support animal existence must 17 the thousands of words to be found in our lan-be of a complex and organized nature, except 17 guage, by putting them together in different salt, which is a binary compound and of 18 proportions and in different ways. mineral origin. 21 22 DR. W. B. HODGSON having taken the Chair, Mr. DYER proceeded to read a Paper on PHYSIOLOGY, WITH REFERENCE TO ITS APPLICATION TO THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH. In the same manner, the three, or as some The amount of waste matter which daily say seven, colours which constitute white passes out of the body of an ordinarily sized light, are blended together in different pro- man, in one form or another, is said to be nearly portions, so as to constitute the many beautiful six pounds; of course more or less according hues with which the face of nature is painted. to the amount of exertion put forth, and the The changes that occur in all living forms temperature of the climate. To keep the are, doubtless, the same as those which take machine in good working order, therefore, the place in unorganized matter; save and except same quantity of material must be daily rethat in the former they are modified by the prin- ceived by the system as it consumes by labour. ciple of life, which, as we shall find, is the agent Wonderful as are all the workings of nature, whereby inanimate matter is made to take cer- there is, probably, no other instance to be found tain forms, and to produce certain compounds where so many forces harmoniously combine which cannot be imitated by the skill of the as are concerned in the maintenance of the chemist. existence of the grand and God-like beingman: a being before whom the student has often stood in wonder and amazement, when contemplating, in imagination, the complicated processes whereby homely fare, it may be, is made to become a sentient, thinking, reasoning, and moral agent. [The lecturer then proceeded to give an explanation of the processes concerned in nutrition, including the conversion of food into blood in the circulation and in respiration. These statements were illustrated by the admirable diagrams of Mr. Marshall, published by the Science Department, and by those produced by Messrs. Johnston of Edinburgh. Our space precludes us from giving this portion of the Lecture in full, lucid and interesting as it undoubtedly was. We print in extenso, howtilation.] ever, the following practical remarks on ven The amount of carbon, in the form of car bonic acid, exhaled from the lungs in a year, is about 200 pounds; and that of water (and with it certain animal matters) about 400 pounds in the same period. Life, in the vegetable form, is capable of subsisting upon and of appropriating to itself matter of an inorganic nature, and out of binary compounds to form those of a more complex character, such as the animal must have, In addition to training the mind and storing and without which animal life cannot be susit with useful knowledge, education is now tained; for, with but one or two exceptions, supposed to include the development and its food is highly organized. health of the body. And as the powers of But however life may be able to modify the the mind are dependent to a great extent upon affinities of matter, it is not, in either vegetable the strength and vigour of the constitution, it or animal, capable of changing one element must not be thought strange if, in the curricu- into another, or of forming one where it does lum of a liberal education, Physiology should not already exist. Wonderful as are its workfind a place. It is acknowledged by most, ings, its office is only formative, not creative. that of all earthly blessings health is the And like the other forces of nature, life greatest. But to possess and enjoy this boon, is unable to destroy, or what may be termed certain conditions must be complied with. The annihilate, any particle of matter, simple or (as well as those of all other animated exist- us, wonderful as they are, are but the manihealthy functions of man's physical constitution compound. For the changes going on around ences) occur according to fixed principles, festations of those affinities and repulsions established by the Author of our being; which with which matter is impressed, and not, as principles, or laws, must be obeyed; for whensome may suppose, destructions. ever these laws are interfered with, disease sooner or later, in some form or other, is the result. The human fabric is dependent upon the external world for every element entering into its constitution; and it, like everything with which we are surrounded, is continually changing mutation is as evident and active there as in any other part of the kingdom of nature, animal, vegetable, or mineral. Notwithstanding the varied and multiplied objects That carbonic acid gas is thus thrown off with which the world abounds, the number But the aspects of life in the two kingdoms evident by breathing through a tube into limeby the lungs in vast quantities, can be rendered of elements of which they are composed is are different. In the vegetable it is construc-water that has stood a few hours. After a very small. Hitherto Chemistry, has made tive-in the animal, destructive; in the former short time, the clear lime-water is made turus acquainted with only 62 elements; of which 31 are metals; but out of these, the it stores up force-in the latter it is a destroyer bid, and looks like London milk. This is Author of Nature has constructed all the caused by the carbon from the lungs combeautiful variety found in the material world. as bining with the lime, forming carbonate of lime. This He has effected by endowing them with certain mysterious properties, termed The reason of this great difference in the affinities, whereby they are made to com- two forms of life is, that the vegetable is stabine in different proportions and in different tionary and inactive, whereas the animal is forms. Take any two or three of these ele-locomotive and working; and as all labour, ments, for instance-unite them in one propor- whether of mind or of body, consumes force or tion, we have one thing; in another, another strength, it is necessary that this force should thing; or the same elements in the same re- be constantly renewed, so that strength may lative proportion-unite them in one form, we be available for the daily occupations of life. to the food we eat, considerable choice can be have one thing; in another form, another. As for example, the tallow of this candle, which is composed of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon; alter the proportion of these elements but The burning of a candle of course dedoes not destroy its elements. stroys, for the time being, its form, but it It is estimated that the total number of cells These, by in both lungs is 600 millions; that these cells means of the oxygen of the air, take other in one year receive and expel a hundred forms-carbonic acid and water. thousand cubic feet of air; and that during is composed of carbon and hydrogen, merely So, the combustion of common gas, which the same time more than thirty-five hundred changes the form; for it is nothing more than tons of blood arepurified by passing through the combination of oxygen with these elements to form the compounds just named. their walls. It ought never to be forgotten that, as we must breathe, be where we may, the air there must be received by the lungs, whether that air be good or bad, fresh from the verdant field, carrying with it the perfumes of flowers, or the smoky atmosphere of the city, loaded with the exhalations of churchyards, and of a thousand other impure places. With respect and often is exercised; but with respect to what we breathe (a matter of greater importance), all choice is out of the question, while the same situation is kept. Knowing this to be the case, and that streams of this poisonous gas are continually passing from our lungs, whether we will or not, and other matter in a state of combustion; and further, that the purification of the blood (one may almost say life itself) depends upon the inhalation of a pure and uncontaminated atmosphere; it becomes a question of vital importance, how and in what way we can best and most safely surround our bodies with this gaseous matter that shall impart life and freshness to the system, and escape those vile compounds so often found in the air, which, when taken into the lungs, produce disease, misery, and death, and give to the countenances of those breathing it that pale and sickly aspect for which so many in our towns and cities are remarkable. progress their rooms, than all the medicines and cor- the time) to an impure atmosphere; for before But carbonic acid gas from the lungs, and exhalations from the skin, are not the only But perhaps of all places requiring the enemies the breathing organs have to contend consideration and anxious care of the edu with. Dust, which is always floating about in cator, the bedroom is the most important. The study of respiration is one of immense all buildings where there are many persons (as It is here that the pupils of our Boarding importance; and perhaps it is not possible to every sunbeam will make manifest), is another Establishments pass so much of their time promote the health of our pupils and our source of annoyance to the lungs, which it is (about one-third upon an average); and unless own comfort, or to accelerate their desirable to prevent as much as possible. For constant attention be devoted to the subject of in learning, more effectually than by attend- this purpose, I would recommend great clean- ventilation, they will, during the unconscious ing to all and every means calculated to surness in the school-room; washing as often as hours of sleep, be receiving into their lungs tha: round them, especially during the hours of possible; and after every sweeping, the dust deadly element which proves so destructive to study and of repose, with a pure and exhila- should be carefully removed from every- life in our coal mines, and other emanations of rating atmosphere; the breathing of which thing therein. And twice or thrice every an animal character; which should be shunned thoroughly purifies the blood,-and what does day I would have the room sprinkled with as much almost as the viper. The bed and bedthat, promotes clearness of thought and quick-water; and if chloride of lime be first put in room should be, and is-where ventilation is ness of perception,-prevents headache (of too the water, all the better; as that will assist in attended to the place where, during the hours frequent occurrence in badly ventilated school- removing the carbonic acid gas. For the re- of sleep, "Nature's kind restorer," the body rooms) and languor, and in many other re-moval of this gaseous compound, it is a good has its waste mainly restored, and its vitality spects greatly augments the comfort of both plan to have some slacked lime kept in the augmented for the labours of the coming day, master and pupil. school-room; which lime should be changed Yes, it is when all the animal organs and func at least once a week. tions (those under the controul of the mind, The speaker is not unmindful of the difficulty of thoroughly ventilating even the best But dust is not injurious in the school-room and which by labour become exhausted and constructed room, where numbers are confined only. In our houses it is often very prejudicial require repose for renewed exertion) are dead for hours together, much more some of the ill- to health, now that it is thought so necessary all around, that the organic portions of the sys shaped and badly-contrived buildings for edu- is such a good thing to hold these tiny particles, heart, lungs, arteries, &c. &c., and whit to cover the floors with thick carpeting (which tem) those not subject to the will, such as the cational purposes. But whatever difficulty there may be, it must be met in some way them to clog your bronchial tubes) even in the therefore never require or take rest while so that every step you take throws up a cloud o strange to say, never become fatigued, a or other, and ample means provided for a good living room, which of all others ought to be lasts), are busily engaged at their work of repa supply of fresh air for the respiration of our and renovation. For though these are in co pupils. Nature's laws must be complied with kept free from this troubler of the lungs. What I am about to propose will doubtless stant operation, yet it is only when the anisa in this as well as in every other respect, other-be objected to by many of both sexes; but parts are still as death that the most import wise their infraction will be followed, sooner or I would strongly urge, that if carpets must labours of the organic are performed; wh later, by consequences of a painful and dis-be put on the floors of what are termed our being completed, man wakes up with new tressing kind. living-rooms, they be such as will allow o and energy, prepared to encounter the labo being taken up at least once a week, and of the day. well shaken out of doors; and that before But instead of this being the case, howet putting them down again, the floor should is the bed a place of restlessness, and the be washed well all over. This is the practice room more that of death than of life and in my own house, and I assure you the vigoration; and simply because the breat advantages are great, when compared with organs have been made to respire for the usual custom of nailing carpets down in together, the air previously expelled from such rooms, and allowing them to remain there lungs, in place of receiving at each inspiras for three, and in some cases six months to- fresh supplies from without. gether without having them well beaten or Most of the remarks made respecting th shaken. But our business now is more schoolroom will apply with greater fore especially the schoolroom, where the young, the sleeping-room, because the time of re and therefore susceptible, are congregated to- is longer than that of study, and the bod gether for hours at a time. Many Masters in an unconscious instead of a conscious st and Mistresses are in the habit of sending If at all possible, in every bed-room t their pupils into the play-ground, when the weather will permit, for ten or fifteen minutes, at intervals during the hours of study, to run and holloa. This is a good plan, and one which I have long practised, with evident good both to myself and to my scholars; be kept shut. but the advantage will be greatly increased Here as in the school-room, it woul if during such time the windows and doors very desirable to have one or two of the are thrown open for the admission of pure panes of the windows perforated; and and the expulsion of impure air into and from the floors are washed, which should be a the room. When this is not done, you per-week. it would be a good thing to ceive, on re-entering your schoolroom, that chloride of lime in the water. And the wo the atmosphere is fetid and unpleasant; but instead of being papered, as most are, where it is, nothing of the sort is experi- to be white-washed, and that twice a year enced. This shows how easily and quickly which case a large portion of the carbonie the lungs become accustomed (but not without would be neutralized by the carbon un injury, though that may not be noticed at with the lime. Much may be done by a little thought and attention on the part of the Schoolmaster in this matter. Fire or heat may (and often is) rendered one of the best means of ventilation at man's disposal during the winter months, when it is found necessary to close direct communications with the external air, but which, during mild weather and the heat of summer, may be kept open. Fire having the power of rarifying the air, and thereby of increasing its lightness, there will always be found a strong current of colder air towards any fire or heated part, to supply the place of that carried off by the ascending column. Taking advantage of this circumstance, if a communication be made into a chimney, near the ceiling of a room where a fire is burning, there will always be found a strong current into such aperture, which current will carry with it the carbonic acid gas (for though that compound is much heavier than common air when cold, yet as it comes from the body it is considerably lighter, and therefore ascends), expelled from the lungs, and other animal exhalations; and of course, the larger the fire, the stronger will be such current. These openings may be made in all living rooms of a house, where so large a portion of our time has to be passed; and in the sick chamber, such means of ventilation should never be neglected. It would, simple as it is, often prove of far greater advantage to persons thus confined to should be a fire-place; which ought not, too frequently the case, to be closed up this renders it useless as far as ventilate concerned. But where there is no fro-parthe door should not under any circumstan Not only for the purposes of respiration, but for others which we cannot stay to mention, it is desirable that each pupil have a separate bed. Where is the Master who, on looking over his sleeping pupils before retiring to rest himself, has not occasionally found the faces of those sleeping in the same bed almost touching each other, so that each inhaled the other's breath? But carbon, which in the gaseous state is so dangerous to life, is, in one of its solid forms for it has several-one of the best, if not the best, disinfecting agents it is possible to employ. I refer to dry charcoal or burnt wood, a substance which will prevent any unpleasant smell from organized substances for any length of time, and purify the air, as well as water (in the form of the filter), from any animal matters floating therein. This, then, is another substance, cheap and of easy attainment, which may, with great good to all, be placed both in the school and in the bedroom. All that is required is to keep it dry, and free from dust. This substance is largely employed in purifying the air of our sewers; and by means of it, places can be entered with safety, which otherwise could not be approached without great danger. 66 gained, more health and greater strength would tory organs) are similar to those of man, their follow; and then that health and strength would examination ought not to be neglected by the enable them to resist any injurious atmospheric teacher. influences with almost perfect impunity; and To many of the medical profession the public. in place of blaming the winds and weather of is greatly indebted for what they have done, Old England, the remark would be, "What by the publication of popular works on the bracing airs come from our hills!-what lovely subject of Physiology, and on the best means of frosty mornings for sport and healthful recrea- warding off disease, and of prolonging life; and tion we have in this wave-washed island!" it is with great pleasure that I quote the opiIf time allowed, much more might be said nion of sixty-five of the first Physicians and on this subject; but perhaps sufficient has Professors of Medicine, Anatomy, and Physibeen advanced to induce my hearers to devote ology, as to the safety and desirableness of attention to that all-important question-giving elementary instruction to our pupils on School and Bedroom Ventilation. Of course the laws of health. a little pains must be taken; but then, as "Our opinion having been requested as to the Franklin would say, gains will follow, not advantage of making the elements of Hunian only in the increased prosperity of our schools; Physiology, or a general knowledge of the but what is far better, and would, by the laws of health, a part of the education of right-minded Preceptor, be more valued, in the youth, we, the undersigned, have no hesitation increased health and strength of his pupils. in giving it strongly in the affirmative. We I trust that enough has now been said to are satisfied that much of the sickness from convince my hearers of the importance of the which the working classes at present suffer general diffusion among the masses of our might be avoided; and we know that the bestrising population, of those unbending laws of directed efforts to benefit them by medical our physical constitution which are made treatment are often greatly impeded, and someknown to us by the science of Physiology. times entirely frustrated, by their ignorance For this purpose I can conceive of no one and their neglect of the conditions upon which more suitable, supposing he possesses the re- health necessarily depends. The health of the lungs may be greatly pro-quisite knowledge, than the Preceptor; and on We are therefore of opinion, that it moted by keeping the mouth closed as much this account it is that I observe with pleasure would greatly tend to prevent sickness, and to as possible and breathing through the nostrils, that Examination Papers on this most im- promote soundness of body and mind, were the organs more especially provided for the portant subject have been issued by this Col- the elements of Physiology, in its application purpose. The habit of breathing in this way lege; and also that the Department of Science to the preservation of health, made a part of will not only raise the temperature of the air and Art has done, and is doing, so much for general education; and we are convinced that before it enters the delicate cells of the lungs diffusing among the people information on the such instruction may be rendered most intematter of considerable importance-but, by undeviating laws of health. It is, as you may resting to the young, and may be communimeans of the mucus on the membrane lining the perceive, to this most valuable Department cated to them with the utmost facility and proFinding passages of the nose, many particles that we are indebted for the life-size drawings priety in the ordinary schools, by properly of dust, &c., which would find their way into of the human frame now hanging round the instructed schoolmasters." he lungs if received through the open mouth, walls of this room, and which in the pre- It should be distinctly understood that our vill be stopped in their course, and eventually sent Lecture the speaker has found so valu- object in imparting a knowledge of the laws spelled. Doubtless all teachers will be of able. Great praise is due to Dr. Marshall, the of health and longevity, is the prevention, not pinion, that if a method can be devised Head of this Department, for the pains he has the cure of disease: to promote by every possithereby at certain times the mouths of our taken in providing such splendid represen- ble means the health of those placed under our apils can be kept closed, it will possess many tations of the human fabric. care, by surrounding them with all the benedvantages besides that which has just been For class purposes, however, those drawings ficial influences known to be auxiliary thereto; entioned. of W. and A. K. Johnson, of Edinburgh, are and in times of disease and sickness to coA very large portion of the diseases pre- very convenient and every way suitable. Their operate with the restorative powers of the sysalent in this country is of a pulmonary cha- execution is very good; and the two Hand- tem, and with the endeavours of the physician cter; and more deaths among both old and books which accompany them, prepared by in re-establishing that health and strength ung result from affections of the lungs than Mr. W. Turner, Demonstrator of Anatomy in which, too frequently, is valued only when lost. om any other single cause besides. Not a the University of Edinburgh, will be found In the present artificial state of society, w of these cases are said to arise from the very valuable. I shall, perhaps, be excused diseases are so multiplied and varied in form, angeable nature of our climate: the very try- for saying, that to me who have for the last and the same disease assumes so many phases g character of its atmospheric influences-twenty-five years been in the habit of giving in different individuals, and in the same indie dark and dull November and December familiar lectures on this subject to my pupils, vidual at different times, that successfully to ys-the damp evenings and foggy mornings so that I may claim to be among the first, if combat them, requires a knowledge not only the north-east winds and rainy days, do not the first, to introduce Physiology into of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, but e mischief; they take away the young and schools, these efforts to spread the laws of long experience and sound judgment. The oming, and also before their time the ma- health among the young and rising generation scholastic and the medical professions may n or the sire. of our country are most gratifying. co-operate, but cannot well be exercised by Doubtless these changes and influences are, But if, in addition to these and other valu- the same individual. a certain extent, trying, and may be the able helps, the instructor of youth could have use of some of the havock which death access to some well-stored Museum, such as kes among us; but the blame, if blame that belonging to the Royal College of Surre be, should be properly apportioned; and geons in Lincoln's Inn Fields, his facilities m of opinion, on duly considering the sub- for acquiring a knowledge of the structure of t, that a large part thereof must be laid to the human frame would be greatly augmented; n's account. I feel no hesitation in saying and if, in accordance with the suggestion which t were the laws of health better understood I made to the Council of this College, the Col1 practised, but especially those relating to respiratory and perspiratory organs, parts st intimately connected functionally as well atomically (for the mucous membrane lining delicate air-tubes and cells of the lungs is ontinuation of that covering the surface of body, modified to suit altered circumnces), much disease and many deaths would prevented. Were people to study more the hanism and functions of their bodies, and et in accordance with the knowledge thus lege of Surgeons be requested to give the mem- As many parts of the bodies of the lower The CHAIRMAN said, that he was sorry to find, from the comparatively small attendance of Members, that the extreme importance of the subject of the Lecture was not sufficiently appreciated. The Meeting would be glad to listen to any remarks that might be made on the excellent Paper read by Mr. Dyer. Dr. BREWER observed that, in the account which had been given of food, and especially of bread, the Lecturer, probably from want of time, had dwelt exclusively on its nutritive properties; and the speaker was desirous, therefore, of calling attention to the fact, that nutrition was not the sole purpose of food, which might be too nutritious for the healthy action of the digestive organs; for since these required to be exercised in their several functions, concentrated nutriment was objection able, as depriving the organs of their appropriate stimuli to action. A GENTLEMAN having asked whether the Lecturer could point out the connexion between the subject of his Paper and the improvement of the mental faculties, Cambridge Local Examinations, which were The Local Examinations connected with the University of Cambridge have not hitherto at tracted the same attention as those of Oxford, Mr. DYER replied that there was an insepa- although they have been carried on by both rable connexion between bodily health and men- Universities with the same zeal, and by schotal vigour and activity, so that whatever promo- lars of equal eminence. Several circumstances ted the former necessarily conduced to the lat- have favoured the Oxford scheme. It was the ter. Much of the dulness and stupidity observed first in the field, and obtained the most conve among children at school was attributable, he nient time of the year-the month of June; believed, to the neglect of the physical laws of while Cambridge had to put up with December. health. Thus, the breathing of an impure air The Oxford Lists appear, too, in August, at a acted directly on the brain, in the same way as time of the year when there is a general a sedative poison; and hence could not fail to vacation, not only of schools, but of Parweaken the perceptive and other intellectual liament and the Courts of Law, and when faculties. Numerous other illustrations of the the newspapers have therefore comparatively same kind might be given; all of which would little to fill their columns. The Cambridge tend to prove that, as a general rule, it is vain Lists appear in February, just as Parliament to expect success in education while the con- opens, and when all the business of the counditions necessary for the maintenance of the try is at its height. To London schools eshealth and vigour of the body are neglected. pecially, the time of Christmas is additionally In reference to Dr. Brewer's observations, unsuitable for an examination, from the cirMr. DYER said he fully concurred in them; cumstance that many of them have at that and the omission on which Dr. Brewer had period public displays of their own, in the remarked was owing simply, as he had sug- shape of recitations, with more or less of the gested, to the want of time. festive accompaniments appropriate to the Dr. BUCHHEIM expressed the gratification season. Oxford also grants to its senior sucwith which he had listened to the Lecture; cessful candidates the title of A.A. (Associate and hoped that the subject would be continued at some subsequent Evening Meeting. On the motion of Dr. BREWER, Seconded by Dr. BUCHHEIM, a vote of thanks to Mr. DYER was carried nem. con. Another difference between the schemes of Oxford and Cambridge is that, besides passing in the Preliminaries, Oxford requires seniors to pass in two subjects and juniors in one at least; whilst Cambridge requires seniors to pass in three subjects and juniors in two, but counts religious knowledge as a subject, which Oxford does not. Cambridge also introduces a distinct English section for juniors, whilst Oxford is content with the amount of knowledge on this subject which the preliminary papers require. With these few introductory remarks we give the following tables, which will be easily understood by all interested in the subject. SENIORS, Brighton..... England SENIORS. Brighton. Exeter London Norwich TABLE I. Number examined. 81 103 3 25 1,,100 1.109 1 50 2.100 1 33 3.100 in Arts); while the University of Cambridge has steadfastly refused to sanction any title, although the Syndicate, who carry out the examinations, recommended to the University that some title should be given. NotwithThe CHAIRMAN, in conveying the thanks of standing these disadvantages, the number of the Meeting to Mr. DYER, said that the Lec- candidates who were examined in December ture abounded in proofs that Mr. DYER pos- last is considerably more than in any previous sessed an exact knowledge of the subject, as year; the chief increase, in Cambridge, as at represented by the most recent investigations. Oxford, being, in the junior candidates, those Accordingly, he had in his exposition avoided under sixteen years of age. This is as it should several prevalent errors, on points which, until be; for although it is very desirable to hold out recently, were undecided. Dr. HODGSON was inducements for boys to continue their educaglad als to observe that Mr. DYER kept his tion as long as the circumstances of their Bristol attention fixed on the practical applications of parents will permit, still in our middle-class Cambridge physiology, without which, however interesting schools, for whose benefit these examinations Leeds the subject might be, it was deprived of nearly were chiefly intended, it is clear that the ma- Liverpool all its usefulness. This, in fact, was one of jority of pupils leave between fifteen and six- Lutterworth the defects of most of the popular manuals on teen, and it is most desirable to have for them Northampton... physiology, which would be of comparatively such a test of their proficiency as these exalittle use to Teachers, unless they were supple- minations afford. mented by practical knowledge. On the ques- In most respects the schemes at both tion that had been raised respecting the con- Universities are the same, especially in renexion between mental improvement and quiring a solid foundation of preliminary health, the CHAIRMAN observed, that al- study, without which no excellence in higher though it was indisputable that good health is subjects will be allowed to gain credit. In the foundation and necessary condition of other respects, there is a strong family like- Eight also passed in Natural History, th mental vigour, yet it was equally certain that ness-similarity, with a difference, in Music, and six in Chemistry, of whom fire the brain-the organ of the mind-required were from Liverpool. The excellence in special training just as much as any other Nec diversa tamen; qualem decet esse sororum. last and other subjects of the students at part of the body, in order that it might discentre would lead us to suppose that they Oxford allows more display of general charge its peculiar functions in the most efficient manner. Assuming, then, that the gene- scholarship; Cambridge gives more credit picked pupils from various schools sent to compete for the valuable Albert Memoria This is just what ral health is duly preserved, there remains the to accurate book-work. The Oxford examination Scholarship, to which we have before allude special exercise of the mind by means of study, we might expect. A comparison of the numbers in Table reading, thinking, and so on-or in one word, is adopted chiefly by schools whose pupils and II. will show the ratio of those p by education. Cambridge examination it is probable that ing in each subject at the different cent large numbers of the senior candidates are to afford any safe estimate of the education intended for the Universities, and come from the chief grammar schools of the country, in status of the various districts in Engist which Cambridge men are generally the head-A more correct opinion on the subject, masters. This remark will be illustrated by though still imperfect, may be formed fr the inspection of the 1st Class Honour List of the more numerous Junior Candidates, seniors, three-fifths of whom are from the given in Tables III. and IV. Liverpool centre, where a valuable scholarship * At Cambridge, a Junior Student can of £40 for three years is given from the Albert by taking up Religious Knowledge and Eng Memorial Fund to the student who passed the only. Of 59 Students who failed to satisfy best examination, and purposes to prosecute Examiners in more than two subjects, his studies at the University. This valuable passed in English and Scripture, but of these t prize has been gained by A. M. Watson, pupil were only five who brought up these sa of Rev. R. Wall, of Brewood Grammar School. alone. of the day, have conferred on Education, than mas; still the scheme of Oxford, at the more the credit given in them to a knowledge of the favourable season of Midsummer, will be sure In the end, Grammar and Literature of our own language. to attract numerous candidates. This is a new study in many of our Grammar however, neither teacher, parent, nor pupil age to number Schools, but it cannot now-a-days be safely will be willing to incur the expense, &c. of an examination twice a year. Total passed and percent examined. 29 Bristol.... 12 & 41 28 15 54 27 & 93 Cambridge 19 6 31 15 79 Exeter 54 19 Leeds 14 6 Liverpool 56 16 London 448 147 33 349 TABLE IV. وو 78 11 neglected. The number passing in Latin is pretty uniform in most of the centres that send in a fair proportion of Candidates, and seventy-five in all passing in Greek shows that a creditable range of scholarship is maintained in the class of schools generally which avail themselves of these Examinations. French seems to be a favourite study in London, Brighton, &c.; while in the West of England, at Bristol, Exeter, and Plymouth, the subject most generally taken is Mathematics. In most of the centres where the examinations have been held from the commencement, the number of successful candidates is satisfactory. In the localities, which have been centres for the first time this year, as might be expected, the failures are more numerous; as at Lutterworth and W. Buckland. But this should have no discouraging effect, as very probably at these places the candidates entered were all from one school; for the University of Cambridge is ready to send an examiner to any 19 locality, even to a single school, which is willing to pay fees for twenty-five candidates, though the number of pupils actually sent in may not amount to this number. In such cases 44 the failures will naturally be more numerous, but the school will have reaped the advantage which will result from the fact that it has fearlessly sent in whole classes, and not picked candidates—an example, we trust, to be followed by other schools; for these local examinations will never produce the benefit which they are calculated to do, until all schools which adopt them make them the means of testing the acquirements of all the pupils in their upper classes. 45 Preliminary. Religion. English. 48881817 Mathematics. 35 London 85 77 47 47 58 6 Northampton. 14 11 11 10 3 9 13 Norwich 17 15 7 12 29 30 20 10 3 12 12 23 21 20 21 17 9 16 20 13 13 5 0 0 Lutterworth Plymouth Sheffield W. Buckland.. 3 398 338 266 213 75 227 261 Mansion House, Exeter, J. Templeton, M.A.... 10 Col. Sch., Sheffield, Rev. G. R. Atkinson, M.A. Dane Hill House, Margate, J. Boulden..... Ullesthorpe Ho., Lutterworth, Rev. W. Berry. ... Grantham Grammar Sch., R. D, Beasley, M.A. Mission School, Blackheath, W. G. Lemon...... Upper Sch., Dulwich College, Rev. Dr. Carver Arundell House, Brighton, S. Evershed Seven also passed in Music, twelve in Natural History, seventeen in Chemistry, twentyeight in German, and thirty-six in Drawing. The Mansion House School, Exeter, and the The number of successful students in the Liverpool Institute, have passed the highest Preliminary Examination and in Religious number of candidates at the recent examinaKnowledge is most satisfactory. Unlike tion, and they held positions almost equally Oxford, Cambridge has from the commence- high at the Oxford Examination at Midsunment ranked Religious Knowledge as a pass mer. There are also many other schools which subject, on a par with Latin or French. Each appear in both lists. Large schools, such as candidate is examined in the Scriptures; those at Liverpool, can easily furnish pupils on and if he declines the examination in the doc both occasions; but since the Universities have trines of the Church of England, he is allowed not entered into the scheme of "joint action," to answer questions on another book-if a as many wished, it is likely that but few Senior, on Paley's "Hora Paulina;" if a schools will in future send in candidates to Junior, on Whately's Easy Lessons in both examinations. The head-masters of the Plumpton Ter., Liverpool, Knecht & Dandliker Christian Evidences.' grammar-schools, who are for the most part Cambridge men, will naturally prefer the examination of their own University at Christ 777768777 66665 5 5 144222 Total. Average Marks. 7 22 555555 |