persevering men; and I would say to any one who was starting a school, “Take the open Bible, and get a Christian teacher of the right stamp, and leave it with him." I don't want catechisms, I don't want creeds-I mean, I don't want them for the most effective teaching-I only want the open Bible and a Christian man as a teacher. And I lay stress upon this point for these reasons: in brief, I don't believe that any man who is not a Christian teacher really understands the true dignity of his work, and its true design. The education of the masses of the people is a doctrine peculiar to the Gospel. The Greek philosopher, and the Roman poet, and the Jewish scribe, differing as they did in many questions, were agreed in this one, that the common people were accursed, they were the profanum vulgus, and nothing more. Even in democratic Athens, Socrates, the friend of man, held that physical labour was incompatible with mental culture. That was his conception of our work. I say, therefore, that the educating of the masses of the people is one glory of the Gospel: not so much one of its principles--it is part of its spirit; and it flows, above all, as a natural corollary from the life and example of its blessed Founder. Now, if that be so- -if I am to have men that are to teach the multitude-I must have them disciples of Christ's spirit and of Christ's truth; and I believe that no man who is not himself a Christian will be likely to have the patience, and the perseverance, and the keen insight into human nature, and the perception of the means by which human nature is to be influenced-in one word, if he is not a Christian he will be a very poor teacher, and he is not the man for you. But give me the Christian, the earnestminded man who feels that he is dealing with man as immortal beings, and in the > spirit of holy, kindly love, and I will trust that man with the open Bible, go where he may; and that, after all, is the great principle of this Society. Our friends are discussing, as they cannot but discuss, perhaps, when they come to questions of detail; but if you will only understand what it is to be a true Christian, and give me such a Christian and the open Bible, I will be content. On these grounds I cordially move the resolution. The Rev. J. P. Cook, of Paris, said He had been called on to second the resolution, not because he was acquainted with the Society (for that was the first time he had attended one of its meetings), or because his name and features were known to the audience, but because he was, if not altogether, at least nine-tenths a Frenchman-and he was glad to be called upon on such an occasion, because it showed him that whilst they were thinking of the edu-, cation of England and of the British colonies, they were desirous of knowing what was being accomplished amongst the Protestants of the allied country of France, and that they were desirous of encouraging them by every possible means. He would only occupy a few minutes in referring to the state of education amongst French Protestants, in order that they might have the sympathies and prayers of the meeting. The Report referred to a French Society, called the Society for Promoting Primary Instruction amongst the Protestants of France. It had laboured for some years, and was recognised by the Government; its object being to endeavour to establish schools, and assist teachers by pecuniary grants when their salaries were not sufficient to maintain them. That such assistance was needed was evident from the circumstance that at the last annual meeting, held some weeks ago, and presided over by M. Guizot, it was stated that some of the teachers only received from £4 to £6 a-year for their support. The Society, he was sorry to say, was not supported as it ought to be, and was therefore not so prosperous as could be desired. One reason for this was, there had existed in the committee for a long time something of the spirit which some persons had sought to introduce into the British and Foreign School Society. Another reason for the want of support was, that many Protestants in France believed that the Government could well attend to the instruction of the children. It was true that there were in France thousands upon thousands of public schools supported by the Government, and Government professed to grant to all denominations, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and even (in Algeria) Mahommedan, the amount necessary for the education of the young; but there were numerous instances in which the Protestant children were too few in number to obtain a special school, and whenever they attended the Roman Catholic schools they were trained to become Roman Catholics. This object was not always attained, and the children ultimately became open infidels, though they retained the name of Roman Catholics. It was, therefore, of great importance that such a Society as that to which he referred should exist, and should let the people of France understand that Protestant children had not all the facilities for education that they ought to have, and to organise Protestant schools where they were needed. It was true the law was liberal, and professed to give instruction wherever it was required; but the application of the law was left in many cases, indeed, universally, to the local authorities, who, being often under the influence of some Popish agent, would not grant the liberty that was wanted. No man could open a school without having a diploma of authorisation, and that authorisation could be withdrawn on the ground of public morals; and it had often happened of late, that when a Protestant schoolmaster opened a free school, the Prefect sent him a letter saying, that, on the ground of public morals, the school could not remain open. In one case a schoolmaster, who had been an efficient teacher for fifteen years, became converted to Protestantism, and then tried to open a Protestant school; but he was informed that he could not do so, because it was very immoral to have taught Romanism for fifteen years, and then to teach Protestantism. He mentioned these facts to show the difficulties in the way of Protestant education in France, and to procure the sympathy and aid of British Christians. The resolution passed unanimously. The Rev. W. CADMAN moved that the thanks of the meeting be presented to her Majesty the Queen, and to the Prince Consort, for their continued patronage and support. The contrast he said— Was very great between the manner in which education was hindered in France, and the way in which it was furthered by those in high places in England, and particularly by the Queen and her royal husband. He trusted that the example of her Majesty would be followed by her subjects in promoting the cause of education, feeling convinced that she would value no proof of loyalty and attachment so highly as the effort to elevate the condition of the people. Professor PILLANS moved-" The thanks of the meeting to the Duke of Bedford, the President of the Society, for his munificent donations, and to Lord John Russell for occupying the Chair.” Mr. WM. BALL seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The thanks of the meeting were also, on the motion of Mr. Corderoy, given to Lord Grenville and Lord Ebrington for their services. Lord EBRINGTON acknowledged the vote of thanks, and in doing so expressed a hope that none of the weakness attending divided councils would prevail in the Society, and his confidence that the Committee would carry out the principles of the Society in their integrity. The meeting then senarated. AGENCY AND INSPECTION. He Mr. Baxter has visited forty towns and villages for the purposes of school-inspection, holding meetings, and conducting public examinations. These places have received from him fifty-four visits. has also made seventy-eight visits to seventy separate schools. Five public examinations have been conducted by him; and he has addressed eleven public meetings on educational matters. Neath.-New and commodious school premises for boys, girls, and infants, were opened on the 4th of May. 301 children attended during the first week. The opening meeting was very numerously attended, and created so great an interest in the town that business was to a great extent suspended,' and the shops closed. The mayor of Neath presided. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Roberts and Mr. Baxter, as representatives of the Society, and by several other gentlemen. On the 6th, the children and their parents took tea together in the new rooms. About 500 were entertained at tea, after which they were addressed by Mr. Baxter, and subsequently by the Rev. J. Matthews, who translated Mr. Baxter's address into Welsh. North Petherton.-A new and commodious school-room has been built here during the last quarter, which was opened on May 28th. Mr. Baxter attended and addressed, with other gentlemen, a crowded and deeply interested audience. It is a movement which is full of promise, and reflects very great honour upon the friends of a liberal education in this place. - Blockley. New school-rooms for girls and infants have recently been opened here, affording accommodation for 200 children. Wootton Bassett.-An excellent new school-room has been erected here, and was opened on June 7th. It affords accommodation for 20€ children, and there is a favourable prospect of its being filled. The opening meeting was well attended, and was addressed by Mr. Baxter. This successful effort is highly creditable to all the parties concerned. Mr. Baxter has also attended meetings and school examinations at Oswestry, Ross, Leamington, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Bristol, Clifton, and Weymouth. In the Northern district, Mr. Davis's engagements for the last quarter have extended to the counties of Lancaster, York, Durham, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Chester, Nottingham, and Derby. In addition to visits paid to schools in Manchester, he has paid forty-five visits to forty-two towns and villages. Fifty-seven separate schools have been inspected, five public examinations conducted, and two public meetings addressed. During the past quarter, Mr. Vardy has inspected, with two excep tions, all the schools in the counties of Surrey and Kent which are on the Southern district; visiting fifty-four towns and villages, conducting a public examination of the Epsom schools, and presiding at a lecture delivered by Douglas Allport, Esq., in the Assembly Room, in behalf of the schools.. Mr. Milne has beeu occupied in the visitation of schools in the counties of Northampton, Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk; and in conducting the general business of the Society. Peterborough. The attendance having been for a considerable time about one-third more than the accommodation of the school-room, the Committee have resolved to erect a new school forthwith. It is also expected that more commodious premises than the present will shortly be available for the girls' school. During the past three months, Mr. Saunders has paid visits of inspection to schools in the north and west of London, and attended public meetings and examinations at various places in and around the metropolis. BRISTOL.-RED-CROSS STREET BRITISH SCHOOL... A jubilee meeting in connexion with the above institution was held on the evening of March 23rd, and very well attended by friends of education, and by the parents of the children. The proceedings were opened by a short speech from J. E. Lunell, Esq., who occupied the chair in lieu of George Thomas, Esq., who was prevented by illness. Several appropriate addresses were delivered, but the principal event of the evening was the presentation of an address, accompanied by a more permanent token of esteem, to Robert Charlton, Esq., the respected president of the institution. The articles presented consisted of a mantel-piece clock, and a pair of elegant Parian figures. On the plate of the clock the following explanatory inscription was engraved :· :- "Presented to Robert Charlton, Esq., on the 24th of March, 1858, being the Jubilee of the Boys' British School, Red-cross Street, by its former and present teachers and scholars, as an expression of their gratitude and esteem for his kind and liberal endeavours to advance the interests of that institution." The address was read, and the presentation made by the secretary of the school. Mr. Charlton, in acknowledgment, expressed his high appreciation of the kind feeling which had prompted them to accord him such a valuable memento, and assured them of his unabated interest in the welfare of the schools. A resolution was then carried by the meeting, acknowledging the valuable services of Joseph Reynolds, Richard Ash, and John Evans Lunell, Esqrs., who for nearly, or quite, a half-century have been associated with this Auxiliary of the British and Foreign School Society. A vote of thanks was also carried, expressing the high confidence which all concerned repose in the master, Mr. Turner, and their full appreciation of his persevering and useful labours. A vote of thanks to the chairman; proposed by Dr. Ash, and seconded by Solomon Leonard, Esq., closed the interesting proceedings. CARNARVON. The spacious and ornamental building just completed for the purposes of a British School, in this town, was formally opened on Tuesday last, by a public meeting. The structure, both externally and internally, has been finished in a manner which reflects great credit on the committee and the architect. As a public edifice, it forms a decided acquisition to the town. The institution is adapted to give instruction to 500 children. There are two large rooms, the one for girls, the other for boys; also a room for an infant school: in addition to which there will be two class rooms and two drawing rooms. The master's home is closely adjacent to the school. The expense incurred in building is about £3,000, one half of which will be contributed by the Committee of Council, the other half having to be raised by the promoters of the school. MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION, 1857-8. THE volume containing the Reports of her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, the statements of expenditure, and the letters and other regulations which have issued from the Council-office during the past year, has just been laid before both Houses of Parliament. It comprises a mass of facts respecting the state of popular education in England; and affords, on the whole, a very hopeful view of the national prospects in this particular. We extract, first, a statement of the year's expenditure, which exhibits a total increase on 1856-7 of about £136,000. In building, enlarging, repairing, and furnishing Elementary Schools.. In building, enlarging, repairing, and furnishing Normal or Training College In providing scientific apparatus.. In augmenting salaries of certificated schoolmasters and mistresses In paying salaries of assistant teachers In paying stipends of pupil-teachers, and gratuities for their special instruction In annual grants to Training Colleges Reformatory and Industrial Schools £ S. d. 117,771 9 6 1,892 19 5 5,462 5 7 2,345 15 11 61,490 14 10 5,544 4 6 192.248 8 0 39,362 5 0 57.220 16 11 19,104 10 7 717 1 8 34,434 4 11 16,731 1 5 1,710 10 3 937 15 0 £559,974 36 The official instructions issued to the Inspectors, and the brief document to which the name "Minutes" is strictly applicable, always form an interesting indication of the aims of those who administer the parliamentary grant. From these papers we gather that, during the year, increased attention has been directed to Industrial Instruction, and that special grants will in future be made to such free or ragged schools as afford scholastic instruction combined with the teaching of trades or handicrafts. Several of the new regulations also urge increased attention to the subject of drawing, and make special provision for furnishing apparatus, &c., in schools where it is taught. But lest these regulations should in any way be supposed to encourage a neglect of more elementary subjects, the letter to the Inspectors contains the following passage, which, for the sake of its importance, we extract:— The precision which drawing requires gives it much of the same educational value as attaches to the practice of a handicraft, while on the other hand it requires, comparatively, so little additional apparatus, and has so much in common with writing, and with geometry, that its introduction entails a much less wide departure from the ordinary course of lessons than most other industrial subjects. My Lords wish the introduction of it into elementary schools to be generally encouraged; and it is important, with this object in view, you should endeavour to disabuse persons of the notion that the kind of drawing which has been hitherto known as an accomplishment in schools for the rich, is that which would be taught, under the present Minute, in schools for the poor. The kind of drawing which it is proposed to teach is, in the strictest sense, an education of the eye and of the hand, such as may, indeed, be the first step in the career of a great artist, but must at any rate enable the commonest workman to do his own work more neatly and better. So far as the introduction of drawing may seem to add another item to a list of subjects already too great for young children to learn, I am to observe, that the knowledge which my Lords wish to see all children bring with them from school, is, |