METROPOLITAN COMMERCIAL SCHOOLS INSTITUTION. THIS Institution owes its existence to some communications which took place between the Bp. of London, and some Clergymen and Laymen, in the early part of 1838. His Lordship was desirous that an attempt should be made to provide better and more extensive means of instruction for that great division of the community which may be said to lie between those who are brought up at our universities, our old classical schools, and other establishments of a similar character, and those who avail themselves of our national and parochial schools; to secure to the children of shopkeepers and artizans in our towns, of farmers and yeomen in our rural districts, the kind and the degree of instruction adequate to their wants, and adapted to their conditions and prospects. The design, therefore, is to provide, for the children of tradesmen, superior mechanics, and others, in the metropolis and its suburbs, a sound and comprehensive education, of which an essential part shall be religious instruction, in conformity with the doctrines of the Church of England. The mode proposed for carrying this into effect, was to establish a central school, at which masters might be trained; to form local schools in connexion with the central establishment in different parts of London and its environs, where they might be required to enter into friendly relations with the proprietors or conductors of existing middle or commercial schools; to receive their schools into union; or to promote, generally, the improvement of commercial schools, by raising the standard of instruction, and exhibiting a superior model in actual operation. The central establishment has been set on foot. Towards the close of 1838 the Committee took on lease, and fitted up, a large and commodious house in Rose Street, Soho, capable of accommodating 250 boys, but equally well suited to a smaller number. The school was opened on Monday, January 28, 1839. The number of VOL. XXII. NO. V. And there are at present 28 39 64 78 89 103 boys. The system of education comprises -1. Instruction in the Truths and Duties of Christianity, according to the Doctrines of the Church. 2. English taught grammatically. 3. Latin. 4. French. 5. Writing. 6. Linear Drawing. 7. Arithmetic and the Elements of Mathematics, including Mensuration. 8. History. 9. Geography. 10. Elements of Natural History and Philosophy. 11. Vocal Music. The monitorial system is partially adopted in the school. The great object kept in view has been, that nothing should be taught superficially, that every fresh step should rest on a sure basis, and that the information newly conveyed should be built on a previous and full acquaintance with the principles on which it depended. Religious instruction has, of course, occupied the foremost place, and, it is believed, with the best results. As many of the children are young, and the knowledge of others, when they enter the school, is very slight, these are taught the first principles of the Christian religion, and, when sufficiently advanced, are taken into the higher class. A short portion of Scripture is first read by the pupils; the master then asks such questions as are likely to make them understand, not only the meaning of the passage, but its practical application. Care is also taken to make, as much as possible, the Sacred Volume its own interpreter by means of references and parallel passages. The pupils always appear to enter upon this most important part of their daily duties with feelings of pleasure, and to leave it with a degree of regret; indeed often with the expressed wish that the time allowed for it might be longer. The school is publicly examined RR twice a year. Two of these examinations have already taken place; at both of which entire satisfaction was expressed by the numerous visitors at the general conduct and appearance of the boys, as well as at the progress which they had made in the several branches of instruction. One of the regulations of the institution was, "That, with a view to the immediate or early providing of properly qualified instructors, a class be formed at the central school, for the training of schoolmasters, who shall, when qualified, receive certificates of competency; but that such certificates may also be given, upon examination and inquiry, to persons who are already employed in education, if the Committee are satisfied with their qualifications." There is reason to anticipate that the benefit will not stop with those who receive this special training in the system through which knowledge is to be conveyed; but that, by means of the general tuition and discipline, in this and similar institutions, a race of men will be gradually bred up, who will undertake the high and responsible office of schoolmaster with superior qualifications and acquirements; because they will have laid the foundation of teaching well, not merely in an acquaintance with the mechanical routine and methods of instruction, but also in a large store of diversified information, and in the extended culture of their own minds; and so will be ready to take advantage of every further aid afforded them for the purpose of preparing themselves to carry on education as it ought to be conducted. It is calculated that there must be, at least, 140 boys in the school in Rose Street, before it can pay its own expenses. A considerable outlay has been necessary in the first instance : and a large additional sum might be most usefully employed in completing such a library as ought to be attached to the establishment, and in procuring the various apparatus requisite for the proper and efficient delivery of evening lectures, which are among the contemplated methods of instruction. Donations and subscriptions are therefore still earnestly requested, because, if larger funds were placed at the disposal of the Committee, they would be enabled considerably to extend the range of their proceedings; first, by establishing a school, or schools, for girls, of a description similar to the "boys' school, which has been already organized; and secondly, by making grants to assist in the formation of other schools, more or less independent, yet based on the same principles with the school in Rose Street. Three schools have been taken into union. The Committee cannot help expressing a conviction, that the issue of their undertaking has been quite as satisfactory as could have been anticipated from the novelty of the attempt, and the small space of time during which the experiment has been tried. They confidently expect that, by the expiration of another year, their own establishment will fully support itself; and that, when the middle orders in England shall see the practical advantages of such institutions, they will voluntarily contribute to set up such schools throughout the kingdom, in connexion with the Church, and under the superintendence of the Clergy. An election of an Exhibitioner on the Michel foundation at Queen's College will take place on May 21. Candidates must be natives of the province of Canterbury, above 15 years of age and under 21; and, if at the University, must not have been matriculated above twelve calendar months. There will also be an election then to an Exhibition on Sir F. Bridgman's foundation, for natives of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Wiltshire; and one for natives of Middlesex to an Exhibition founded by K. Fitzgerald, Esq. Certificates of baptism and testimonials must be delivered to the Provost on or before May 16; and the examination will commence at 10 A.M. on May 18. The Bible Clerkship in University College, will be vacant at the end of this term. Candidates must be above 18 years of age, and not more than 20; and, Degrees Conferred, April 3. M.A. INCEPTORS. The sum of 500l. was granted from the funds of the University as a donation to the National Society. Mr. W. L. Bevan, Commoner of Balliol College, has been chosen a Lusby Scholar. Mr. J. Gordon, B.A. of Brasennose College, has been elected a Mathematical Scholar. Mr. W. Smith, from St. Paul's School, Mr. C. H. S. Godby, from Huntingdon School, and Mr. H. Sannemann, Commoner of Lincoln College, are elected Scholars of Lincoln College; and Mr. W. H. Townshend, from Rugby School, is elected Dr. Hutchin's Scholar. April 9. It was unanimously agreed, in a Convocation holden this day, to petition both houses of Parliament against the Canada Clergy Reserves Bill. April 18. Mr. W. E. D. Carter, from Winchester College, is admitted a Probationary Fellow of New College. April 23. T. B. Cornish, B.A. of Trinity College; A. J. Christie, B.A. Scholar of Queen's; and Mr. J. Fraser, Scholar of Lincoln College; are elected Fellows of Oriel College. CAMBRIDGE. Brumell, E. Fell. of St. John's Coll. Thacker, Arthur, Fell. of Trinity Coll. M.A. (ad eundem.) Miller, A. J. Trinity Coll. Dublin. LL.B. Granville, Granville J. Downing Coll. M.B. Jarvis, Edwin G. Trinity Coll. B.A. Ashley, J. A. Jesus Coll. Butson, C. H. G. Magdalen Coll. Turner, C. Queen's Coll. Williams, D. Watkin, Trinity Coll. April 15. B.D. BY ROYAL MANDATE. Hodgson, Ven. Francis, King's Coll. March 17. A. B. Simonds, of King's College, and J. Bather, of St. John's College, were re-examined for the Craven Scholarship, when the Examiners decided in favour of the former. F. Gell, of Trinity College, and F. H. Cox, of Pembroke College, have been elected Bell's Scholars. The Chancellor's Medals have been adjudged to A. C. Gooden, Trinity College, and W. S. Wood, St. John's College. Messrs. Watson, Glover, Mansfield, Robinson, Haskoll, Koe, Godfrey, Hildebrand, and Margetts, have been admitted Scholars of Clare Hall. The Classical Prizes at Caius College have been adjudged as follows:— Second Year Montague.. Walpole 1st Prize. 24 2d ditto. July 4 First Year Halls. 1st Prize. 6 at 11. Worledge April 6. C. Colson, B.A; G. F. Reyner, B.A. ; F. S. Bolton, B.A; J. Woolley, B.A; W. S. Wood, B.A.; F. L. Lloyd, B.A.; and F. France, B.A.; were elected Foundation Fellows of St. John's College: and E. Docker, B.A.; N. M. Manley, B.A.; and W. Parkinson, B.A.; were elected Platt Fellows. 10 at 11. . at 10. Archdeaconry of Lewes Harpurhey,Ch. Ch. P. c. Hodgson, J. F. Lanc. Buckland Ripers, R. 176 Dorset Rev. D. M. Cust Trinity Coll. Camb. The Queen Heref.St.John Bapt.v. 150 Hereford Hereford D. & C. of Hereford Bp. of Chichester Chichest. Abp. of Canterbury London W. Cannon, Esq. York York Salisbury J. Frampton Chester |