of a most gratifying nature; confirming the anticipations which the Committee have formerly expressed, that no bounds of country or of climate are likely to obstruct the diffusion of the National System, which is taking place on every side from the Central School. PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM AT HOME. The New Schools received into Union amount to 228; containing, as the Committee calculate, 20,000 Children: and making the total number of Schools in Union, 1467; and of Children under education, 200,000; with 50,000 other Children receiving instruction in Schools, though not in Union with the Society, yet adopting all the essential characters of the National System. From careful investigation, the Committee are led to conclude, that about one-fourth of the whole number under education annually leave the Schools competently instructed; so that upward of 60,000 Children" are annually sent forth," as the Committee remark, " to mix in the mass of society-carrying into it that valuable improvement in religious and moral knowledge, in decent and orderly habits, in attachment to the institutions of their country, which all so happily imbibe in the Schools formed on this System." A useful suggestion is offered with respect to Parishes of scattered population : In contemplating the progress which National Schools are making through all parts of the kingdom, the Committee have great satisfaction in observing, that they have not only been established in a large portion of the principal Towns and places of dense population, but that they are extending with great success in Parishes where the population is scanty and more dispersed. In Parishes of the latter description, in which the want of many opulent Inhabitants often occasions the Annual Subscriptions to be inadequate to the purpose of establishing separate Schools for Boys and Girls, the Committee find that a plan, very successfully adopted in many instances, has been to establish One Daily School under an active Female, into which all the Girls are received, and those of the Boys who are under nine years of PROGRESS Of the SYSTEM ABROAD. The Committee have great satisfaction in reporting, that a School, on a large for which the Bishop of that Diocese has scale, is about to be formed at Quebec, made application for a Master and Mis tress. Bombay. From the Presidency of Bombay they have received a report of a most interesting nature. The National School formed there in 1815 is engrafted, it appears, on a charitable foundation of antient date; to the managers of which, as is very remarkable, the adoption of the New System, practised by Dr. Bell in the Military Asylum at Madras, was recommended in a communication from the Government, so early as the year 1796; though, from some cause or other, no change was produced by the recommendation. The liberality of the Public in support of the School, since it has been modelled on the National Plan, has been nobly displayed; more than 7,000l. having been contributed for this purpose. In addition to the Central School at Bombay, two Schools in Union have been established at two of the out-stations, in which the Children of Europeans are receiving the blessings of Christian Education, and thereby fortified against the con. tagion of surrounding Idolatry. But, through the zeal and exertions of Archdeacon Barnes, a plan has been formed of extending the benefits of these Institutions to the Native Population. The necessity has been strongly felt, of proceeding in this matter with great caution and delicacy, and of forbearing to interfere with their religious prejudices: accordingly, it has been proposed to instruct the Children in reading the English and Native Languages, and to instil into them the moral precepts of Scripture; ab staining, in the first instance, from touchIng on its peculiar doctrines. It is hoped, that, by pursuing this plan, their minds may be gradually enlightened, their moral feelings improved, and a spirit of inquiry excited; and that thus they may at last be led to a clear perception of the grossness and deformity of the Idolatry which surrounds them, and may become prepared to feel the influence and to imbibe the truths of that Religion which leads to salvation. On these principles, a Native School had already been opened at Bombay; and the success which has attended the beginning of the experiment, is such as to justify the fairest anticipations. PECUNIARY GRANTS. The Grants of the year have been as follows: To Christ Church, Spitalfields, with a population of 16,000, the sum of 2501.—to Peel, in Lancashire, for a population of 2000, of which more than 400 are Children without the means of education 150-to Olney, in Bucks, 2400. inhabitants, 125/-to Henfield, in Sussex, for a Girls' School, 1251. -to Tiverton, in Devonshire, population 8000, of which nearly 1000 are Children requiring gratuitous instruction, 100/- to Holywell, in Flintshire, 7000 people, 100.to Chatteris, in the Isle of Ely, for a population of 3000, of which 300 are Children requiring gratuitous instruction, 100.-to Godstone, in Surrey, for a population of 2000, the sum of 1007.-and to Alford, in Lincolnshire, 100/. for a population of more than 2000. The whole number of Grants, made in the course of the year, is stated to be fifty-two; and the sum expended in this manner, 27681. FUNDS. Donations and Subscriptions have amounted to 4108/. 16s.; and Dividends on Public Funds to 375l.; making, with some other items, the Receipts of the Year, applicable to the purposes of the Society, 4752/. 3s. 6d. The Disbursements have amounted to 50917. 18s. 9d. The sum now remaining in the hands of the Committee amounts, after deducting out-standing claims, to about 50001. Considerable additions have been made to the Annual Subscriptions; but the Income is not yet adequate to the demands on the Funds. The Committee urge, therefore, a still further increase of Annual Subscriptions. It has been their endeavour, that the Funds entrusted to them should be usefully, discreetly, and carefully expended in furthering, in the most effectual manner, the important purpose for which those Funds were provided." The remarks made by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, at the Eighth Anniversary of the Society, on the principal topics of the Report, were noticed at p. 266 of the Number for June. FOURTEENTH REPORT OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY: DELIVERED MAY 15, 1819. (Treasurer-William Allen, Esq. Plough Court, Lombard Street.) AN abstract of the Thirteenth Report was given in our Number for April last. The early publication of the present Report enables us to lay before our Readers its principal statements, at the same time with those of the National Society. FOREIGN OPERATIONS. "Inviting your attention," the Committee observe," first to the State of Education in Foreign Parts, and to the efforts of your Committee to promote it, they have to report their enlarged epistolary intercourse with enlightened and benevolent men of different countries; and the excitement of an increased attention to those means of facilitating the grand object of instruction, which this Society peculiarly recommends. "Your worthy Treasurer, Mr. Allen, who has now for some time been abroad, and has visited Norway, Sweden, and Russia, has, as you may easily suppose, lost no opportunity that presented itself, both to obtain information on the State of Education, and to suggest and urge the adoption of the best means for its improvement. He has already communicated to your Committee some highly interesting and encouraging intelligence. Mr. Allen speaks in the highest terms of the very. favourable reception which his communications concerning the object of your Society have received, from the most distinguished and illustrious characters in the several countries through which he has passed. He is now gone to the southern parts of the Russian Empire; and no doubt will, at his return, point out many new openings for useful efforts in the dissemination of knowledge." FRANCE. The great work still proceeds in France with undiminished rapidity and success: and all the reports received from that country agree in the assurance, that its salutary effects are, in many places, already evinced, by a very striking improvement in the condition of the rising generation. The active zeal of the Society for Elementary Instruction in Paris, aided in its benevolent labours by men of power and influence, continues successfully to con. tend against the obstacles, which prejudice and selfishness oppose to the instruction of the lower classes. Upwards of 1200 Schools on the New System are al ready bestowing incalculable blessings upon the Youth of France. The System has been introduced into a great number of Schools connected with the Army; and the Minister of War has signified his intention of extending its benefits, in the course of the present year, to all the corps without exception. M. Martin, who is now settled at Bourdeaux, has persevered in his efforts to establish or improve Elementary Schools, in concert with many pious and patriotic men among the Protestants; and the information which your Committee received from him, at the commencement of this year, gives reason to hope, that all the Protestant Churches in France will very soon have such useful Institutions attached to them. A communication from M. Martin, printed in the Appendix, contains a lively and impressive account of the effect of the Scriptures when judiciously employed in Education. We shall extract the narrative, as it may furnish excellent hints to our Readers. Under date of January 3d, M. Martin writes from Bourdeaux In order to acquire greater influence on the moral conduct of the children who attend the Schools, the Committee reckon much on the concurrence of the Bible Societies at present forming at Paris and at Montauban, and a Tract Society forming at Montpellier; as well as on the influence of Sunday Schools, which are establishing in most of the churches where there are Elementary Schools. But our greatest hope rests on the blessing, which our Saviour condescends to bestow on the reading of his Word; from which may be derived more happy effects, than from the former mode of punishments and rewards in ge. neral use. I communicated this project to a respectable lady, who resolved to make the experiment in a Girls' School, which she has established at her native town, St. Foi, about fifteen miles from Bourdeaux. The result has proved highly satisfactory. It appears to me so worthy of the attention of your Committee, that I am constrained to communicate to you Mr. Schelich's Letter on the subject. "It is the Divine Word, which forms the code of this excellent Institution. When a scholar has committed a fraud, the Teacher makes it known to the whole School; and asks the scholars, if they know any declaration of the Holy Spirit which is applicable to the case. Imme. diately many of the scholars hasten to quote some passage of Holy Scripture, the choice of which generally proves the penetration and judgment of these young persons. The defaulter, so far from feel ing degraded by the reproaches of the Teacher, whose authority is only human, God himself, the correction which she receives, with pious contrition, as from merits. After having heard her publickly acknowledge her fault, the Teacher de. sires the children to encourage the mind of the penitent by some other declaration of their Heavenly Father. It is thus that the heart being moved with tenderness, these young persons interpret the Divine Mercy; and offer with earnestness to the afflicted mind of their sister, the invigorating influence of the gracious promises. "Thus the Teacher disappears, before the Almighty; and, with the scholars, humbles herself in the presence of the Supreme Being. It is no longer man, who governs these children: it is the Holy One, who reveals himself to their tender minds, by means of their fellow.scholars. Religious instruction becomes mutual. The influence of the Teacher gains by reason, what she seems to lose in authority. An irresistible attraction engages their affections, which have been moved by the Holy Scripture. "It is undoubtedly requisite, like Madame Dupuy, to know the Holy Scriptures; and the art of finding the extracts, which by this means will produce such ef. fects. But when a Teacher has not the same talent, if she possesses genuine piety, and is acquainted with those passages which it is necessary to quote, she will be sure, in following the example of Madame Du puy, to gain their minds to God, to virtue, to exertion, and discipline, more effectually than by the exercise of authority and ordinary resources." The better to judge of the advantage which this mode of punishment and reward has on the mind and affections of these children, I take the liberty to acquaint you with some facts, reported on the Register of the School at St. Foi. F. L., aged eight, having uttered some Althy and low words, was marked by the Monitrice, and sent to the platform."What have you done?" said the Teacher. Without hesitation she acknowledged her offence. The Teacher then addressing all the class, asked if any one had any advice to give this poor child. One scholar pronounced the following passage of Scripture," Let no evil word proceed from thy mouth." Another said, "Let your conversation be for edification, and such as may communicate grace to the bearers." A little girl added, "Let your conversation be seasoned with grace." This scene made the most lively impression on the whole School. From this moment, F. L. has not used bad language, at School, nor at home. The mother of this child informed me, that her daughter, who had the most vicious disposition, was quite chang. ed; and that she had watched her most scrupulously, and that she advised her frien is to do the same. A visitor one day asked the children of this establishment of Madame Dupuy, "Who is the Governess of your School?" All the children answered spontaneously "It is the Word of God." Of the further application of the System it is said— Many attempts have been made in France to apply the system to the higher branches of instruction; and, as your Committee are assured, with great success. Indeed so sanguine are the expectations of its most distinguished promoters in that country, that a new Society has been formed (in which the most active members of the Society for Elementary Instruction take the lead) for the sole purpose of fur-ther perfecting those attempts. A Treatise on linear drawing, on the principles of our method, and for the use of the higher classes of elementary schools, has been composed and published, and is stated to have proved extremely useful. A system of Scientific Instruction is in preparation— To supply the pupils who are advanced in knowledge, with an outline of History, Geography, &c. Men of Science are engaged to compress into a small compass the best works of science; so that a general idea may be obtained of the Arts and Sciences by the pupils. It is supposed that 100 Tracts, at about four sous-2d. each, will contain all that will be necessary. The Society for Elementary Instruction has greatly extended the sphere of its labours, by the appointment of a Committee for Foreign Objects. This Committee bas divided itself into Sub-Committees, according to the principal languages in which a correspondence is likely to become useful. On this subject the Report states Your Committee sincerely rejoice in this more extensive co-operation of the French Society; and, with pleasure, adopt the sentiment of one of the French Ministers of State, who, referring to your Society, says" The union of zealous men of the Two Nations may bring about the most useful and extensive results. The bond of reciprocal services, the exchange of proceedings, the communication of improvements made by each party, will powerfully tend to extinguish that rivalship which has led to the thedding of so much human blood." SPAIN, The School, founded at Madrid, under the superintendence of Captain Kearney, continues to flourish; and measures have been taken to extend the System through out the kingdom of Spain, under the sanction of the King. The seed is sown, and will not fail to spread itself, in due time, over the naked and barren field. RUSSIA. The Four Young Russians, mentioned in the last Report, had not yet returned to St. Petersburgh, when your Committee heard last from that capital; yet his Imperial Majesty had not delayed to take active measures for a wider diffusion of knowledge among the subjects of his extensive dominious. The excellent order of some regimental schools, on the British System, formed among the Russian Contingent of the Army of Occupation in France, has been noticed on former occasions, with due praise. Your Committee have lately been informed, that the establishment of similar Institutions is in progress in other divisions of the Russian Army. At St. Petersburg, a School, on the British System, was opened in the course of last year; and the most confident expectations are entertained of its successful progress, under the immediate auspices of the Emperor. The School at Homeln, the estate of Count Romanzoff, Chancellor of the Russian Empire, in the Government of Mockilow, alluded to in the last Report, was opened on the 9th of December last. For some time previous, Fifty Scholars had been prepared by Mr. Heard, a young man, who, after having received a liberal. education, devoted several months to the study of the British System in your Central School, and was engaged by his Excellency for the purpose of introducing it in his domains, which are said to contain a population of 14,000 souls. A building is nearly completed, capable of lodging 200 children, and furnishing accommodation for 400 during the time of instruction. The former number will be selected from those families, who reside too far from the School for the children to attend it daily; and they will be entirely supported and clothed at the expense of the Count. Besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, which will be taught entirely according to the British System-and for the first of which, selections from the Holy Scriptures will, as in the British Schools, supply the lessons--the children will also receive instruction in the most useful handicrafts and agricultural occupations. Near the principal building, workshops of various kinds are erected, and a large piece of ground has been allotted for a kitchen-garden. It is the Noble Founder's intention to make such regulations, that, in a short time, every village may have at least one man of skill and experience, in every trade requisite for the improvement of rural and agricultural life. GERMANY. Mr. Hyrdess, mentioned in the Report of last year, has been removed, by the Grand Duke of Weimar, from Eisenach to Ruhla, as a place which furnishes an' ample scope for a School on the British System. ITALY. Your Committee have been much gratified by intelligence, that a School Society: has been established at Florence, under the sanction of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Mr. Tartini of that city, who, after having acquired in Paris an intimate and practical knowledge of the new method of instruction, paid a short visit to this country, and attended the School in the Borough Road, assured your Committee, that the preliminary steps for the erection of a large School had been already taken, and that he hoped, immediately upon his return to his native city, to be enabled to open it. When the important work is once successfully begun, it promises to spread its beneficial effects over a great part of Italy. Schools on the new plan have been established at Sartizano, in Piedmont; and at Naples: and one for 200 scholars at Bastia, in the Island of Corsica. MALTA. The Committee have prepared the way for introducing the System into Malta, by receiving Mr. Joseph Naudi, a Native of that Island, into the training establishment,” where he studied during six months. He is now on his return, having been per fectly qualified to conduct a School on the British System. The Committee have received the assurance, that the highest authorities in the Island are likely to second the zeal of several enlightened and active friends of humanity; and it is probable that a large School will soon be established there. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Mr. C. Pickton, who was engaged by the Committee, at the request of the NewYork School Committee, to superintend management, is safely arrived in that city, and re-organize all the Schools under their and has commenced his labours with sig |
