Here, it will be observed, the progress is still more regular, every year excepting one showing an advance beyond its predecessor. The average mounts constantly, and the excess of 1867 over 1858 is no less than 110 per cent. On the first occasion 430; on the last 915 candidates were certificated by the University. Conversely, the proportion of failures has continually diminished. They amounted to 50 per cent. on the first occasion, and on the first three years averaged 46 per cent; they have now come down to 33 per cent.

One of the most important features of the "local examinations" is the absolute requirement that all candidates shall satisfy the examiners in that portion of the work which is called "preliminary.' This consists of reading, writing from dictation, parsing, summing, English composition, and of a moderate amount of history and geography. The most brilliant abilities, the most advanced knowledge in classics, mathematics, natural science, or other "sectional" subjects, are not allowed to compensate for deficiency in these elements of all sound education. It was this requirement which wrought such havoc at first among the pupils of so many showy establishments, who, while manifesting considerable acquaintance with such subjects as French, German, and natural science, were found wanting in rudimentary knowledge. In the year 1858, out of the 1,151 candidates who presented themselves before the examiners, 573-within a small fraction of one-half-failed to give satisfaction in this essential portion of the examination. In 1865, when the examination had been at work for eight years, the failures in this particular were still as many as 369 out of 1,221, or 30 per cent.-i.e., not much short of one-third. In the present year such failures have fallen to 350 out of 1,365, or as nearly as possible 25 per cent.-i.e., little more than onefourth.

The subjoined table will show the actual number of such failures in each year, the proportion which they bore to the number of candidates, and the decrease in the proportion as compared with that of the first year (1858):

The fluctuations which this table exhibits deserve a few minutes' attention. It will be seen that when the number of candidates suddenly increases that is to say when the scheme penetrates into new regions, and a fresh set of schools comes within its influence-there is generally a rise in the proportion of "preliminary" failures. So, notably, in 1862 and 1865. The present is the first occasion of a considerable increase in the numbers examined without this accompaniment. It is perhaps the most

Originally they were held at eleven centres only-viz., Oxford, London, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Cheltenham (or Gloucester in alternate years), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Southampton. The number of centres is now twenty, all the places above mentioned (except Bedford) being still retained, and the following new centres have been added:Brighton, Faversham, Finchley, Lincoln, Northampton, Nottingham, Taunton, Truro, West Buckland, and Windermere. When it is remembered that no place becomes a centre except on its own application, and that considerable trouble and expense are incurred by the applicants, it will be seen that the boon held out by the University is more and more appreciated. In fact, there are now few parts of England to which a knowledge of the scheme has not penetrated, or where a sense of its beneficial working has not stimulated persons to make efforts to bring it, so to speak, into their neighbourhood.

We may now proceed to the results. In 1858, the first year of the examinations, when its difficulty was little understood, and when there was in the middle class schools an accumulation of unexamined and uncertificated boys, such as could only exist on the first occasion, 1,151 boys presented themselves before the examiners. The result was that 721, more than 62 per cent., were "plucked." This severe discipline had the immediate effect of reducing the number of candidates by about onefourth, the average for the three years following 1858 being a little under 900. In the next triennial period the number of candidates increased to an average of 1,026, an excess over the previous average of above 14 per cent. The last three years show a further and still greater increase, the average of candidates being 1,263, or nearly 23 per cent. above that of the preceding triennium. The subjoined table will furnish the details on which these remarks are founded :

Since 1860, when the numbers were the lowest, they have gradually risen, with scarcely a check, from 864 to 1,365. The last year considerably exceeds any previous one, the excess over 1860 amounting to 58 per

cent.

If we turn now from the mere numbers of those examined to what is still more important, the numbers of those who have passed the examination, we find the results to be as follows :

In the year 1858 the examination was passed by 430 candidates; 1859, 483; and 1860, 498;-average, 473.

In the year 1861 the examination was passed by 599 candidates; 1862, 585; and 1863, 644;-average, 609.

In the year 1864 the examination was passed by 700 candidates; 1865, 770; and 1866, 772;--average, 747.

In the year 1867 the examination was passed by 915 candidates.

Here, it will be observed, the progress is still more regular, every year excepting one showing an advance beyond its predecessor. The average mounts constantly, and the excess of 1867 over 1858 is no less than 110 per cent. On the first occasion 430; on the last 915 candidates were certificated by the University. Conversely, the proportion of failures has continually diminished. They amounted to 50 per cent. on the first occasion, and on the first three years averaged 46 per cent; they have now come down to 33 per cent.

One of the most important features of the "local examinations" is the absolute requirement that all candidates shall satisfy the examiners in that portion of the work which is called "preliminary." This consists of reading, writing from dictation, parsing, summing, English composition, and of a moderate amount of history and geography. The most brilliant abilities, the most advanced knowledge in classics, mathematics, natural science, or other "sectional" subjects, are not allowed to compensate for deficiency in these elements of all sound education. It was this requirement which wrought such havoc at first among the pupils of so many showy establishments, who, while manifesting considerable acquaintance with such subjects as French, German, and natural science, were found wanting in rudimentary knowledge. In the year 1858, out of the 1,151 candidates who presented themselves before the examiners, 573—within a small fraction of one-half-failed to give satisfaction in this essential portion of the examination. In 1865, when the examination had been at work for eight years, the failures in this particular were still as many as 369 out of 1,221, or 30 per cent.-i.e., not much short of one-third. In the present year such failures have fallen to 350 out of 1,365, or as nearly as possible 25 per cent.-i.e., little more than onefourth.

The subjoined table will show the actual number of such failures in each year, the proportion which they bore to the number of candidates, and the decrease in the proportion as compared with that of the first year (1858):

The fluctuations which this table exhibits deserve a few minutes' attention. It will be seen that when the number of candidates suddenly increases- -that is to say when the scheme penetrates into new regions, and a fresh set of schools comes within its influence-there is generally a rise in the proportion of "preliminary" failures. So, notably, in 1862 and 1865. The present is the first occasion of a considerable increase in the numbers examined without this accompaniment. It is perhaps the most

gratifying feature of the recent examination that with a rise in the number of candidates exceeding 13 per cent., the failures in preliminary work have fallen 3 per cent.

Turning now from the consideration of mere passes and failures to that of candidates who obtain distinction, we note as remarkable that, while the proportion of those who pass the examinations rapidly rises, averaging 54 per cent. on the first three years, 60 per cent. on the second three, 66 per cent. on the third three, and reaching in the present year to 67 per cent.-the proportion of those who obtain honours has not risen, but has fallen. It averaged on the first three years 25 per cent.; on the next three it fell to 20 per cent.; on the third triennium it reached 24 per cent., and at that point it remains in 1867. It was argued that the effect of the scheme would be to make schoolmasters concentrate their attention on a few clever boys at the head of their schools, while they neglected the remainder. It appears, on the contrary, that the bulk of the benefit has fallen to the share of the rank and file, the plodding boys who obtain passes, rather than the more brilliant ones who carry off honours.

Though, however, the proportion of candidates who obtain distinction does not increase, but has slightly diminished, there is, nevertheless, a steady and satisfactory advance in the actual numbers of such persons.

The main advances made, and still making, are in the two sections of "English" and "languages" (ancient and modern). The study of mathematics has shown of late years a tendency to decline, while that of physical science has, during the same period, remained stationary. Music and drawing give signs of improvement, though the number who obtain distinction in them is still inconsiderable. In the present year the number of sectional honours gained is as follows:-English, 69; in (ancient and modern) languages, 65; in mathematics, 32; in drawing, 13; in music, 10; and in physical science, 9; the average of former years being-English, 47; languages, 42; mathematics, 32; physical science, 9; drawing, 5; and music, 31.

It may be observed that the "senior" lists of the present year show an important difference of arrangement from those of all former ones. The "general list," which Oxford originally introduced into this part of the examination, rather in deference to Cambridge than from her own inclination, has now obtained precedence over the "sectional lists," and occupies the post of honour in the published catalogue. We understand that this change has been made in connection with another which does not appear on the face of the publication. Formerly, the marks gained for the preliminary examination were added in with the sectional marks in each of the four main sections (English, languages, mathematics, and natural science). Now the sectional marks alone determine the candidates' places in the honour lists of the sections, while the general list depends on the entire number of marks which they have obtained in all subjects. This change will, we think, commend itself to the approval of most persons, and it is not among the least of its advantages that it tends to assimilate the schemes of the two Universities, which have been hitherto to some extent antagonistic.

COPY-SETTING FOR CHILDREN.

THE following circular on the above subject has been issued to the Training Colleges by the Education Department :

SIR,-The subjoined copies of a letter and of its enclosure, addressed by order of the Postmaster-General to the Committee of Council, appear to their lordships to be deserving of attention in support of the principle, that the specimens of writing set before children should be taken, as far as possible, from documents of the kind they are likely to meet with in

life.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

[Copy]

R. R. W. LINGEN. GENERAL POST OFFICE, May 28th, 1867.

SIR, I am desired by the Postmaster-General to transmit, for the information of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council on Education, an extract from the "Annuaire des Postes de l'Empire Français" for the present year, describing certain steps which have been taken by the French Post Office, through the department of Public Instruction, to familiarize the humbler classes in France with the proper form of directing letters; a measure which the Director-General of the French Post Office, thinks will tend materially to reduce the number of letters now sent to the Dead Letter Office, owing to defective or unintelligible addresses.

Your most obedient servant,
(Signed)

I am, Sir,

R. R. W. Lingen, Esq.

F. HILL.

EXTRACT FROM ANNUAIRE DES POSTES DE L'EMPIRE FRANCAIS," DATED JANUARY, 1867. (Translation).

"The administration, always desiring to diminish the number of des rebuts à pris (dead letters), adopted two years ago a measure which may seem puerile, but of which the future cannot fail to prove the utility. The greater part of the letters which do not reach their destination are those of which the address or the superscription is defective, and it is especially among the lower classes that the writing is too often illegible. In accordance with the wish of the "Minister of Public Instruction," the administration has had distributed, in elementary schools, 70,000 copybooks, which, instead of fanciful words, have for copies addresses for letters correctly drawn up. By this means the generation, now being taught in elementary schools, instead of writing copies which teach them nothing, will learn not only how to form the characters, but also the art of putting an address outside a letter. It is probable that this necessary teaching promises to future generations less defective addresses, and will ensure the sensible reduction of rejected letters. While we may think of the efficacy of this plan, it bears witness to the anxiety of the Post Office authorities to convey to their destination the letters which are intrusted to them."