Biographical Memoirs. The spelling is imperfect and the composition very defective in many of these papers. The candidates have had some instruction in this subject; many have read Isaac Walton's Lives, and know something of Hannah More.

(Signed) F. C. COOK.

Domestic Economy.-The papers from York and Ripon are generally imperfect. There is no evidence that any care has been taken to instruct the pupils in the details or general principles of domestic economy. The few papers which deserve a higher mark than moderate appear to be the productions of persons who have used their common sense and faculties of observation out of the establishment. (Signed) F. C. COOK.

Notes of Lesson.-These papers show that the teachers have taken pains with this subject. The arrangement is methodical in many of the papers, but the facts are not sufficiently brought out. Some papers are very diffuse, and many evasive.

The examination of these papers in general has much strengthened my conviction, that far more pains should be taken in our training institutions to explain the principles, and teach the art of methodical instruction. I have no doubt that the Inspectors, to whom these papers will probably be returned, will have occasion to remark this manifest deficiency in their Report.

The moral training appears to be carefully attended to. In this respect very great credit is due to the Superintendent.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

To the Right Honorable the Lords of the
Committee of Council on Education.

H. W. BELLAIRS.

Report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, the Rev. HENRY MOSELEY, M.A., F.R.S., on the Chester Diocesan Training School, for the training of Schoolmasters. Visited in October

1848.

MY LORDS,

In presenting to your Lordships my fourth Report on this Institution, I am glad to be able to say that the buildings, which were in progress when I first visited it, may now be considered to be completed. The chapel, in the erection of which the students have themselves laboured, and which is a very appropriate and beautiful structure, is now in daily use. I know of no other means by which the friends of the Institution could more effectually have promoted its interests than by their munificent contributions to this building.

The number of students resident at the time of my inspection (October, 1848) was 32. Their ages varied from 17 to 29; the average age being 23 years. Besides these students seven schoolmasters, educated here, attended my examination as candidates for certificates.

The following table contains a statement of the number of certificates granted :—

I have to bear the same testimony as heretofore to the excellent discipline of the Institution; to the great order which pervades it; and to the judicious arrangements made in respect to the industrial training of the students. The industry, cheerfulness and activity, with which these labours are pursued in the intervals of study, is most pleasing to contemplate. I know no other training school which, in respect to these things, appears to me superior to this; and I attach to them, in a moral point of view, the first importance. Nor do I know any other in which the buildings appear to me better adapted to the use of a training school, or in which those minor arrangements on which the domestic comfort of the inmates, and the good order of the household depend, are more carefully observed.

As the result of this care to provide for the good discipline

and material welfare of the Institution, I find here a body of men remarkable for their orderly conduct; and, as compared with the same class of persons elsewhere, for their healthful appearance. The greater number of them seem indeed to be men capable of great physical exertion, and enured to labour. The idea of uniting with qualities like these, sound attainments in knowledge, skill in teaching, and the exercise of a well-trained and vigorous understanding, is the idea of this Institution. I wish I could record the impression that this idea was as fully realized on the one side as on the other.

The following table contains a statement of the number of students, and the number per cent., to whose papers different degrees of merit were assigned, on a careful examination,by my colleagues and myself. It may be compared with similar tables given in this volume, in respect to other training schools.

It appears from this table that more than half the candidates for certificates spell imperfectly and compose inaccurately, as many are but imperfectly instructed in English grammar, and more than that proportion have but a very insufficient knowledge of geography.

In Scriptural knowledge, in English history, and in arithmetic, they have done well; and the notes they have written of a lesson such as they would give in an elementary school, show that a good deal of attention has been given to their systematic instruction in this subject.

I cannot, however, express a favourable opinion of the lessons I heard them deliver in the model school.

In recording these facts, I cannot but advert to the smallness of the staff of the officers of the Institution as compared with others, where the course of instruction is more successful. Experience has, I think, shown that the function of a training school is one of no common difficulty, that great teaching power must be brought to bear on it to secure even an ordinary mea sure of success; and that the different departments of knowledge taught in it, ought to be assigned to different teachers, each devoted specially to the study of a distinct class of subjects. It is necessary to have examined different training schools to know to what an extent the attainments of the students of these Institutions are dependent upon the knowledge, skill, and labour bestowed upon their instruction.

I am aware that the funds of Diocesan training schools do not generally, or, perhaps, in any case, admit of the appointment of such a staff of officers as shall render that division of labour in teaching practicable, on the importance of which I have insisted; and as a larger proportion of the pupil teachers whose apprenticeships are about to expire will be trained in these Institutions, I have thought it worthy of consideration, whether by contributions made directly for that object from the funds at your lordships' disposal, the interests of education would not be very effectually promoted.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

To the Right Honorable the Lords of the
Committee of Council on Education.

HENRY MOSELEY.

Report on the Durham Diocesan_Training_School, by Ter Majesty's Inspector of Schools, the Rev. J. J. BLANDFORD, 4.

MY LORDS,

April, 18

IN accordance with instructions received from your Secretai I visited the Durham Diocesan Training School, on the 15 of January 1849, for the purpose of examining the studen and the masters who had been trained therein, for their certi ficates of merit.

Before reporting to your Lordships the result of this exami nation, it will be expedient to give a brief account of the institution itself, which was established in 1841, but has only been placed upon its present basis since 1847.

The building, which is of stone, in the Elizabethan style, is well situated on elevated ground overlooking the river Wear, on the outskirts of the town, and contains comfortable accommodation for twenty students. The premises, including a garden which is cultivated by the pupils, occupy an acre of ground; in addition to which there is a field, conveniently situated, that can be rendered available for industrial purposes, if thought desirable. The field slopes towards the south down to the river, and forms the southern boundary of the area on which the building stands.

On the ground-floor there is a large and lofty school-room, 414 feet by 18 feet; a dining-hall, and another room which is used exclusively for morning and evening prayer; there is also a committee-room, and apartments for the vice-principal (the principal does not reside in the institution); and at the end of the ground-floor are the kitchens. The upper storey contains lodging rooms for the vice-principal, the students, and the

servants.

The number of students now in residence is seventeen.

The establishment consists of three female servants; the students taking it in turns to assist in various household duties connected with the institution.

The building appeared to be insufficiently warmed, and in one place it is not free from damp. A stove in the passage on the ground-floor would be an improvement, as the hot air from it would not only ascend by the staircase to the rooms in the upper part of the building, but also by means of the gratings or ventilators in the passage along the upper storey. Everything was clean and neat; and the dietary wholesome, and on a liberal

scale.

The object of the institution is to train schoolmasters for the counties of Durham and Northumberland. It is governed by a committee which consists of the Bishop of Durham, the Dean and Chapter, the Archdeacons of Durham, Northumberland,