As a considerable number of the papers were sent to the Merits of office, as directed, unrevised, I should not be able to remark papers. upon the merits of them as a whole, though the preceding observations had left me space to do so. The results are subjoined in a tabular form. There is a perceptible but still a small degree of progress Music. in the department of music, in regard both to a knowledge of the principles, and ability to sing from the note. I mentioned in last report that much good might be expected to result from the endowment, by a large bequest, of a music chair in the College of Edinburgh. Since that time the professor has handsomely authorized me to make it known to teachers, whenever I had an opportunity, that, when any number of them were assembled in Edinburgh, as in autumn, he would be happy to go over the principles of the science to them, with his illustrative apparatus, on receiving previous notice, intimating the amount of attendance they may be able to give. A little, and but a little, progress has been made in the Drawing. practice of drawing from models, since the previous examinations. Teachers of drawing generally manifest a reluctance to commence this exercise so early as the limited time of candidates would require. There is a prejudice in favour of him as the best teacher of the art whose pupils can soonest produce at home a copy of a landscape or a figure, whatever help they may have received in the finishing of it. valued; The people of Scotland generally are not yet fully alive to art not duly the value of art education among the industrial classes, and they consequently, so far as my observations and inquiries have extended, do not fully appreciate the offers and encouragement lately held out to them by Government. improve I have, as instructed, put myself in communication with prospect of parties in various districts regarding the formation of classes ment." on the plan proposed, and I believe that some may soon be in operation. In the meantime I am happy to state that the head master of the Glasgow school of design has, with the approval of the committee, agreed to receive teachers of schools, free of charge, on two evenings of the week, to be instructed in a class consisting exclusively of themselves. More interest and attention, however, will be elicited in this department by the resolution to render some progress in it gradually a condition of the enjoyment of future grants, more especially in connexion with the training of pupil-teachers, most of whom are at present entirely deficient in the use of the black-board, except in arithmetic. Results of the exami The following table shows the number of candidates, teachers, students, male and female, attending each of the nations examinations, with the number and class of the success, ful. The column of practisers shows the number of normal school students, who, though not qualified by length of standing to compete for the certificate, were admitted to work the papers in the way of exercise. The amount of accommodation in square feet divided by 8 will give the number of children who can be properly accommodated. Calculations of area in school-rooms, as compared with the average attendance of scholars, should be made upon this basis. The space of six square feet has been found, in practice, to be insufficient for the accommodation of each child. + At the date of closing this return. Per-centage taken on number of children present at examination. |