Schoolmasters have been appointed to schools at Devizes, Wylamon-Tyne, Brixham, St. Albans, Street, Wootton Bassett, Fakenham, Landport, Harwood near Accrington, Wigston, Westminster, Kidderminster, Needham Market, Crawley, Margate, Wigton, Ilfracombe, Newton Bushell, Chippenham, Hatherlow, Gravesend, Irwell Springs near Bacup, Stanstead, Sherstone, Godmanchester, Frome, Beccles, Meltham near Huddersfield, and Rotherham.

Schoolmistresses have been appointed to schools at Norwich, Swansea, Windsor, Rochford, Bradford, Accrington, Alton, Harwood near Accrington, South Shields (two), Cambridge, Lewes, Street, Ashford, Skenfrith, Needham Market, Taunton, Harborne, Kidderminster, Stratford, Ham Street near Ashford, Charlbury, Mansfield, Clapham, Cressing, St. Ives (Hunts), Wigston, Brixton, West Bromwich (two), Chippenham, Hitchin, Ridgemount, Torquay, Raleigh, Llansamlet, and Beaufort.

AGENCY DEPARTMENT.

LOCAE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN DISTRICT.-During the past three months, Mr. Salter has inspected one hundred and five schools, in sixty-one towns and villages, distributed through nine counties. He has also conducted one public examination, held eight conferences with committees, or with gentlemen, proposing to establish schools; has attended three public meetings convened to promote education, and was present throughout the sittings of the Education Section of the Social Science Congress recently held in Manchester.

Generally speaking, the schools visited were found to be in a healthy and satisfactory state, doing efficiently the work for which they were instituted. DUDLEY. A public examination of the long established and very successful British School was held on the evening of Wednesday, the 28th of November last.

According to custom, the examination was preceded by a well-managed tea-party, numerously attended by parents of the scholars and the leading supporters of the school.

This portion of the proceedings being brought to a conclusion, the examination was commenced by the respected Mayor of the Borough taking the chair. After making a few warm and appropriate remarks, he requested that the examination should proceed.

The boys were then questioned in a rapid and searching manner on the subjects of Scripture knowledge and English history. They were also well tested in commercial arithmetic, and in their power to read with correctness, facility, and expression, difficult passages from their school books, then and there selected for them; creditable specimens of their composition, writing, and drawing, were exhibited, and several wellchosen pieces were pleasingly recited, the whole being interspersed with some good old school songs, sung with great taste and spirit.

At frequent intervals the audience manifested its lively attention and hearty sympathy by loud applause. The Mayor frequently expressed to

Mr. Salter his unfeigned surprise at the proficiency exhibited by the scholars, and at the close repeated these expressions to the meeting.

A working man proposed, in grateful terms, a vote of thanks to the Mayor and to the Society's agent, for the part each had respectively taken. This being carried led to further proceedings and addresses, when the whole, including the distribution of a number of prizes kindly given by the Chairman, terminated very pleasantly at a somewhat late hour.

It is perhaps worthy of remark that the subject which, next to arithmetic, most decidedly elicited the sympathy and evoked the applause of the meeting, was the subject of Scriptural instruction. The manner in which the children answered in this department attracted marked attention, and told with great effect, illustrating, as it decidedly did, the possibility of giving sound and comprehensive instruction in the leading facts and doctrines of the Bible in day schools, without at all tincturing it with

sectarianism.

ATHERTON (near Bolton), and IRWELL SPRINGS, (near Bacup).-In each of these places a strong desire is felt for the establishment of a British school; and efforts likely to prove successful are being made to effect, in a short time, the desired object.

EASTERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.-Mr. Milne reports that he has visited sixty-six different towns and villages, and inspected eightyone separate schools during the past quarter.

WOODHURST (near St. Ives).-The annual examination of this village school took place on the evening of Thursday, the 18th of October, J. L. Ekins, Esq., in the chair. The children were examined in reading, spelling, slate and mental arithmetic, geography, and the Scriptures. The children answered admirably, but, as on former occasions, the reading was the principal feature in the evening's entertainment. Some recitations and dialogues were given with great spirit and effect, and elicited loud applause from the delighted audience. Mr. Ekins bore willing testimony to Miss Allen's excellence as a teacher, and exhorted the parents present to avail themselves of her instruction for their children.

SOUTH WALES.-During the months of September, October, and November, Mr. Williams has paid eighty visits to seventy-six towns and villages in the counties of Brecknock, Caermarthen, Cardigan, Glamorgan, Monmouth, Montgomery, Pembroke, and Radnor. He has visited fifty-five schools, held fourteen conferences with promoters of liberal education, addressed thirteen public meetings, and conducted six public examinations. He has also visited twenty places for the purpose of originating and maturing school movements, and has been exceedingly successful in this direction. New schools have been opened at Aberaman, Capel Isaac, Llwynpia, Saron, Templeton, and Treorky.

NARBERTH.-On Tuesday week last an interesting meeting was held in connection with this school. The children, about 140 in number, after being examined in the different branches, in which all acquitted themselves satisfactorily, assembled to receive prizes which were awarded them for regularity, punctuality, and good conduct. The parents and friends of the children were invited to be present, and a goodly number assembled. The chair was occupied by W. W. Williams, Esq., of the Bank. The prizes were distributed by D. Williams, Esq., of Llanelly, Inspector of British Schools for this district, the prizes consisting chiefly

of books. Before the distribution, the inspector addressed the parents and children, and expressed himself as being much pleased with the school, it being, he said, one of the best in his district. In addition to the prizes presented by the committee, M. G. Evans, Esq., M.D., gave two books to be presented to the boy and girl most deserving. The meeting was enlivened by the children singing several school pieces. After the usual votes of thanks the proceedings terminated.

HAVERFORDWEST.-The annual public examination of these schools took place at the Tabernacle Chapel, on Wednesday evening, 3rd Oct., before a large and respectable audience. A spacious gallery was contructed for the occasion in the upper end of the chapel, and was filled by sections of the children attending the boys' school in Barn Street, the girls' school in St. Martin's, and the school in Prendergast. The chair was well and ably filled by the Mayor, J. Madocks, Esq., who kindly consented to preside on the occasion. D. Williams, Esq., the South Wales agent of the British and Foreign School Society, attended to conduct the examination. The subjects embraced Scripture and Scripture history, reading, geography, grammar, and slate and mental arithmetic. The rapidity and accuracy of the answers given by the children to many difficult questions on these subjects seemed to give great satisfaction to all present. The proceedings were enlivened by the children singing several of their school songs. After the examination was over, the honorary secretary, Mr. J. Dawkins, proceeded to read the reports of her Majesty's Inspector, A. Milman, Esq., on his examination of these schools, held in July. There were present on the day of inspection in the three schools 450 children, of whom 350 were presented for individual examination in reading, writing, and arithmetic, those only being eligible who had attended 100 days during the past school year. Of the number presented for examination, 97 per cent. passed in reading, 99 per cent. in writing, and 89 per cent. in arithmetic. The average of passes throughout England and Wales during the past year has been 89 per cent. in reading, 87 in writing, and 77 in arithmetic, or on the whole an average of 83 per cent. passed, and in these schools the average reached 95 per cent. W. Davies, Esq., pointed out the necessity of parents educating their children, in order that they may be prepared to occupy situations of trust in after life. Mr. George Phillips then made a few remarks, addressed principally to the parents, urging the necessity of keeping children steadily and continuously in school during their school time. A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Williams for conducting the examination.

ABERDARE.-The annual tea meeting of these excellent schools took place on Thursday, the 20th of September. There were present upwards of 700 children, who were treated by the Committee to tea and cake. It was an exciting scene to see so many children together enjoying themselves most fully, and conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the sound training which they receive. In the evening, though rain was falling in torrents, one of the largest chapels in Aberdare was crowded with people who had assembled to hear the children undergoing an examination in geography, English grammar, mental arithmetic, and the Scriptures; and afterwards a lecture on Education from Mr. Williams, who attended to conduct the examination. These schools are increasing steadily in numbers and efficiency, and are in every way worthy of their managers and teachers.

TALYBONT.-The annual examination of this excellent school took

place on Tuesday, the 11th of September, in the presence of a numerous attendance of parents and friends, who, as usual, manifested great interest in the proceedings. The children were examined in reading, spelling, writing, slate and mental arithmetic, English grammar, English history, geography, and Bible history; and they manifested a good knowledge of these subjects. This school, though situated in a mountainous district in the north of Cardiganshire, is one of rare attainments, and reflects most creditably upon the ability and industry of its excellent master, Mr. Kemp. The schoolroom, having become too small, is now undergoing enlargement. In the evening, Mr. Williams, who attended to conduct the examination, addressed a well-attended meeting of the inhabitants; and it is hoped that the proceedings of the day will have a beneficial influence upon the future of the school.

CWMDARE.-The annual public examination of this efficient and useful school took place on Tuesday evening, the 23rd of October, in the presence of a crowded audience, who manifested a deep interest in the examination. The children, who were clean and orderly, were examined in reading, spelling, mental arithmetic, geography, and Scripture history, and acquitted themselves admirably, and called forth several marks of applause. The proceedings were much enlivened by recitations, school songs, and a number of short addresses. This was in every respect a pleasant and edifying meeting, and cannot fail to exercise a beneficial influence. The examination was conducted by Mr. Williams of Llanelly, assisted by Mr. Dan Isaac Davies of Aberdare, both of whom addressed the parents on various points connected with the success of the school and the good of the children. This is one of the very best mixed schools under a mistress in South Wales.

SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION.

THE annual meeting of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science was held in Manchester in the early part of October. The attendance was large, and the audience apparently greatly interested in the various departments into which the Association is divided. That relating to education received much and earnest attention.

The RIGHT HONOURABLE H. AUSTIN BRUCE, M.P., the President of the Education Department, delivered an address characterized by much solid information, broad views, and valuable suggestions.

His address was as follows:—

"After thirty years of discussion and controversy in the press, in Parliament, in every diocese, in every town, almost in every parish in England and Wales, it seems a bold thing to say that the subject of national education has never thoroughly possessed itself of the public mind, has never occupied that place in the heart and conscience of the nation to which its vast and pressing importance entitles it. Books and pamphlets, sermons and lectures in abundance have been published and delivered; there have been many debates in Parliament, and innumerable public meetings; many millions of money, public and private, have been freely

be won.

given and spent, and great individual exertions and sacrifices have been made. The Church has founded its central and diocesan societies, and its clergy have, as a rule, displayed an energy and self-devotion above all praise; the Nonconformists have shown an ever-increasing zeal and activity; yet, after all said and done, it cannot be denied that 'the subject has never been grappled with in that earnest and vigorous spirit which is the fruit of a strong conviction of a great evil to be removed, and a great good to Education, instead of being discussed on its own merits, has been made the battle-field of religious parties; and the adoption of a real and effective national system has been kept subordinate to the interests, or supposed interests, of Churchmen or Dissenters. The first modest efforts of Government to promote it were received with distrust and opposition. The advocates of our existing voluntary system point to the great increase in the number of our schools, to the improvement in their character, to the growing intelligence and zeal of our people, who, they affirm, will, as they awaken to a sense of their wants, take measures to supply them. With the aid of time, and by a relaxation of the conditions on which the Government grant is dispensed, they indulge a diffident, hesitating hope of seeing the wants of the people ultimately supplied. The advocates of a more comprehensive and systematic scheme, on the other hand, point to the fact that a large portion of our population is still allowed to grow up ignorant and untrained. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that in process of time, and with some improvement in our existing machinery, education might gradually permeate our whole population, in how many generations, they ask, may this hope reasonably be expected to be fulfilled? and whether this sort of patience is really a virtue which Christian men ought to practise? While we wait for a millennium, which may never come, are tens of thousands of innocent children to be allowed to grow up in ignorance and vice, in that intellectual and moral debasement which those only know who, like Howard, 'have surveyed the mansions of sorrow and pain, have taken the gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt, have remembered the forgotten, attended to the neglected, and visited the forsaken?' Under no system, they urge, which could possibly be adopted in this country could voluntary effort or religious zeal be dispensed with. The rate levied to erect or maintain a school would, they acknowledge, be of little use if good and earnest men ceased to devote themselves to the management of its affairs, and they ask whether the compulsory provision of educational funds has damped voluntary ardour in the United States, or whether, as a matter of fact, the very highest examples of well-directed, voluntary devotion may not be found in the managing committees of the schools of New England, New York, and Pennsylvania? They do not deny that the denominational system affords a stimulus which would be wanting to an education supplied by means of a public rate. That is an unfortunate result of our religious divisions; but an imperfect education is better than the heathenism of utter ignorance; and zealous ministers would find means to supply the deficiency of dogmatic teaching in our schools. Such is a brief and meagre outline of the arguments employed on either side of this great and difficult controversy. Dependent upon its decision is another question of great importance and equal difficulty. When a sufficient supply of schools has been secured, shall the attendance of children of a certain age be voluntary or compulsory? Are we to rely upon the parents' sense of duty, or are we to call in the aid of the law in