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effect an immediate improvement in education have to contend with; in fact, it is insuperable. Schoolmasters must be trained and qualified before any sound and extended system of education can be adopted with effect. How this can be best done, and what should be a schoolmaster's qualifications, should be immediately inquired into. Upon the other three points we also entertain strong opinions; we think that so important a business as national education ought not to be left to casual charity; we do not think that each school should be allowed to receive the character which the caprice of a patron, the ignorance of a schoolmaster, or some other such accident may chance to give it. While, with regard to the last point, we cannot but admire, and desire to see imitated, the enlightened policy of Prussia in this particular.

For the present, we shall content ourselves with this brief notice of the society, with the intention of returning to a consideration of its objects and proceedings in a later number.

The qualification for members of the society is one pound annually, or one sum of ten pounds; and we trust that the friends of education will not hesitate to come forward to support it when they know that among the members of the Commitee are-M. De Morgan, the Mathematician-Mr. Lay, the late Editor of the Journal of Education-Mr. Ewart, M.P.-Mr. Hawes, M.P.-Sir C. Lemon, the President of the Statistical Society-Sir W. Molesworth, M.P.-the Lord Advocate-Sir R. Musgrave, M.P.-Mr. W. S. O'Brien, M.P.-Mr. Porter, Vice-president of the Statistical Society-Mr. Poulett Scrope, M P.-Mr. Shutt, M.P.-Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, M.P.-Mr. Parden, Librarian of the House of Commons-Mr. Ward, M.P.-Mr. Wyse, M.P., the Chairman of the Committee-and Lord Denman (who, in the House of Lords, said that for the State to have a right to punish, it must educate) is President. B. F. Duppa, Esq., is the Honorary Secretary.

ST. JAMES'S ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

THIS Society is instituted for the purpose of forming a collection of water birds in the garden of St. James's Park; and its operations will subsequently be extended to the waters in the other parks, if the funds of the society be found sufficient. The first object will be to exhibit a complete collection of British Anatidæ, both resident and migratory. The Society already possesses a considerable number of the desired species, and has, besides, some specimens belonging to other genera. It is intended to keep the whole, as far as practicable, in a state of nature, and the collection, being formed in the public parks, will, of course, be open to the view of every one.

As there is in London no other exclusively Ornithological Society, it is unnecessary to point out to the Ornithologist the advantages which may result from an institution possessed of a locality so admirably calculated for a collection of aquatic birds, and for affording facilities for observations on the changes of plumage from sex, age, or season, which are so interesting to naturalists, and so difficult to be observed elsewhere. It is, moreover, to be hoped that the Society will not direct exclusive attention to the formation of a collection of aquatic birds, but that the members will take into consideration the whole range of Ornithology, have meetings for the reading of lectures and essays, and for discussions on topics relating to the science. It might then, if well conducted, and with the addition of a good library and museum, become one of the most useful Natural History Societies in existence.

It is not, however, to the scientific alone that the Society appeals for support; it confidently addresses itself to all lovers of the beauties of Nature; to all who can appreciate the charm which the feathered race, the most beautiful portion of the animate creation, are capable of lending to ornamental water. To render the proposed collection worthy of the metropolis and the scene, will require a considerable expenditure, but the amount of annual subscriptions, (which are usually £1) is rapidly increasing, and presents of aquatic birds continue to be received.

The proceedings of the Society are sanctioned by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests; the Earl of Liverpool is President; and the following noblemen and gentlemen are amongst the members, who already consist of upwards of one hundred :-The Earl of Derby, the Earl of Orkney, the Duke of Northumberland, Earl Fitzwilliam, Sir J. E. Wilmot, Bart., M. P., Earl of Rosslyn, Lord Hill, Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell, M. P., Viscount Sidney, the Rev. E. Stanley, Captain Bowles, J. W. Childers, Esq. M. P., Dr. Horsefield, Edward Jesse, Esq., Rev. F. O. Morris, Robert Mudie, Joseph Sabine, Esq., William Swainson, Esq., (Hon. Member of the Committee), and William Yarrell, Esq.

Donations of birds are to be addressed to the care of Mr. Baily, poulterer, Davies-street, Berkeley-square; and communications to the Secretaries should be forwarded, post paid, to Robert Lemon, Esq., 6, Stafford-row, Pimlico, where also subscriptions are received.

YORKSHIRE INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND

DUMB.

PUBLIC institutions for the deaf and dumb have been supported in this country since the year 1792, when the Asylum in Kentroad, London was formed. Since that period, institutions have been established at Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Exeter, and Doncaster. There are, also, institutions at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin. The institution at Doncaster was formed in 1829, for the instruction of deaf and dumb children of the county of York; but such children of other counties are admissible into it under certain provisions. It does not exist altogether on the gra tuitous principle. The parents of every child admitted, or the parish to which it belongs, have to pay two shillings and sixpence a week towards its support, as long as it continues in the institution; these payments are required to be made quarterly, and in advance. No child is admitted under nine years of age, none are suffered to remain after sixteen, and the term for which a pupil is allowed to continue is five years. Another class of pupils is also received, who pay £20 or £25 per annum; the former sum if they reside in the county of York, the latter if they reside in any other county. The reason why a larger sum is charged to pupils from other parts of the country than Yorkshire is, that the institution was established entirely at the expense of the nobility and gentry of that county. In case of poor children of other counties being taken, £19 is allowed to be subscribed annually by residents in the county to which such children belong, £6 annually being paid by the friends of the child, or by its parish. The establishment is near the race-course at Doncaster-an airy and a salubrious situation. It was opened for the admission of pupils in November, 1829, and placed under the direction of Mr. Charles Baker, formerly the second master at the Birmingham Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. In 1831, the committee, in whose management the superintendence of the institution is vested, agreed for the purchase of the whole premises, in a part of which the school had been commenced. This purchase was made at an expense of £3,000, and about £500 have since been spent in alterations. These premises consist of a house capable of accommodating nearly one hundred pupils, together with apartments for the master and his family, for the second class pupils, for private pupils, and for all the requisite assistants; three acres of land are also attached to the premises. In 1829, fifteen boys were admitted; in 1830, this number was increased to thirty-two-twenty boys and twelve girls; in 1832, the number of pupils was increased to fifty; in 1834, to sixty; and the present number of pupils is 70-thirtyeight boys and thirty-two girls. The annual income, derived chiefly from voluntary subscriptions throughout the county of York, exceeds £1,000. The payments on behalf of pupils, during the

YORKSHIRE INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 317

year ending April 1, 1836, was £550: so that there is every prospect of the benefits of instruction being extended to the full number of pupils the house will accommodate.

The children are taught on Pestalozzian principles, which, being purely synthetical or inductive, are peculiarly applicable to the instruction of a class of persons whose observations, however extensive, have to be reduced into language by a gradual process, beginning with the simple or elementary parts, and ascending by regular steps to those that are more abstract; thus the unknown is founded on that which is known. The pupils are generally taught to read and understand ordinary books, and the power of acquiring still further knowledge is imparted to them by the attention that is given to make them understand language; they are acquainted with the elementary principles of geography, arithmetic, and history, and those who show a natural talent for drawing, receive lessons in that art. Great care is also bestowed on their scriptural education. In addition to their school labours, they are all trained to habits of industry; the girls by being instructed in every department of household labour, sewing, making and mending clothes, &c., and the boys in those occupations usually performed by men-servants, and in the different branches of gardening. There is also a work-shop on the premises, for those whose genius is mechanical. From the commencement of the institution to the present time, 121 children have been admitted; fifty-one have left, entirely or partially instructed, according to the time they continued in the institution, or their natural capacity for improvement. Many of those who have left school are pursuing various employments with credit to themselves, and to the satisfaction of their masters. The managers consist of a head-master, a matron, two assistants, two deaf and dumb assistants, and a work-mistress. The honorary secretary is the Rev. W. C. Fenton, vicar of Mattersey. The following gentlemen, amongst others, were in the committee for the past year:-Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart., Wheatley Hall, mayor of Doncaster; E. B. Denison, Esq.; P. D. Cooke, Esq., Owston House; Mr. J. Branson ; Dr. Robinson; Dr. Hardy; Dr. Scholfield; Rev. Dr. Sharpe, of Doncaster; Rev. A. B. Wrightson, Campsall; and J. W. Childers, Esq., M.P., Cantley.

CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Geology; with Remarks on Bishop Sumner's Appendix to his work entitled "Records of Creation." By the Rev. R. Fennell. 1836.

By a certain party considerable exertions are strenuously making, not merely to invalidate the theory, and neutralize the facts, adduced by Dr. Buckland in favour of the pre-existence of the globe prior to the period alluded to in the Mosaic cosmogony, notwithstanding the intimation conveyed in the very words of the text in Genesis, that the earth was at that very time a mass of matter "without form and void;” but actually to undermine the character and detract from the merits of this respected and talented writer, by representing him as little better than an infidel. It is not our intention to enter into the wide field of argument connected with this question, but simply to shew, by referring to a work of one of his opponents, how far their reasonings may be depended upon by any unprejudiced and impartial individual who is anxious to ascertain on which side the truth really rests. That the reverend writer may have as little to complain of as possible from our criticisms, we shall, with but a trifling measure of note or comment, leave him to speak for himself in his own words.

Of his capacity for undertaking the investigation as a philosopher or a divine, the reader will form a tolerable opinion from the very opening of his preface, in which he candidly says " Of geology I know but little I once endeavoured to understand something of its outlines; but I soon found myself in a maze. It appeared to me to be a science of opinions, and scarcely one of those opinions could I find supported by two authorities!" A rather unfortunate conclusion this, when it is evident to ninety-nine out of every hundred who ever lent their minds to the subject, that Geology is a science in the investigation of which its upholders pique themselves on facts, and not opinions.

His powers for arguing the merits of the question may, in the next place, be estimated by another reference to his own words, for, with equal candour, he says, "When I argued I was laughed at." We hope, after this honest confession, that when he appears before the public again, (as he assures us he shortly intends to do in a poem, with copious notes, astronomical, geological, and religious), he will, by a reconsideration of his objections, become a better rea. soner, and more capable of occupying the post for which he claims his fitness, in order to "watch with jealous eye every approach against the citadel of divine truth." In his present position he takes part, and assumes an unfortunate identity with a bird which, of all the fowls in the air, we are surprised at his choosing. "The cackling of a goose," he observes, once saved the capitol; and if

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