)..

i

HERE is an outward calm in the educational world, which results from a conviction that we are progressing as fast as the laws of human progress allow. Among minor ameliorations we may point out that the London Board are endeavouring to make the lot of pupil-teachers more tolerable and their education more complete. In the same scheme they are also trying to make the bodily labour of masters and mistresses less oppressive than it has hitherto been. Dr. Benson, the Bishop of Truro, in speaking of the capabilities of recruits from the Wesleyan ministry, mentioned it as a decided disadvantage that more work was habitually cast upon them than they could fairly perform. What the London Board does to-day the country boards will do to-morrow; and though they have shown their independence of the metropolitan board by refusing to follow it in the foolish matter of spelling reform, we trust they will not hesitate to acknowledge its initiative in a question that concerns the vital interests of education.

Whether the establishment of truant schools is to be considered an advance in educational matters we are somewhat at a loss to determine; but, on the whole, we are inclined to regard the step with approval. None but the incorrigibles will be sent to truant schools, and one cannot help feeling a kind of stern satisfaction that it will be impossible for them to play the truant there. We trust the mistake will not be made of rendering their lot so comfortable that they will indulge in their eccentricities after they are released, on purpose to be committed for a fresh term of incarceration.

Mr. Forster is taking a more active part in educational matters

intimated, unofficially, to Lord Sandon that the time has now come when the Endowed Schools Bill No. 2 may safely be submitted to Parliament. Certainly the condition of secondary schools cannot long remain as it now is. We are afraid, when the matter is dealt with by Parliament, there will be a shriek for vested interests; but the complaining body, though estimable, will not be numerous, and we much fear Parliament will be deaf to their remonstrances. The teachers of secondary schools loftily disclaimed the fellowship of elementary teachers in the time of their distress; and so they will be left to fight their own battle when the reform broom is sent to sweep their houses.

The question of pensions for teachers, in its first stage, is nearly concluded. What we mean is that teachers certificated before 1861

are annually getting fewer and fewer. The National Union will now have a more difficult battle to fight-i.e., to obtain a pension for teachers certificated after 1861. We fear it will be found that they have made a kind of compact with the department to cease this agitation if the class of teachers to which the majority of themselves belong should have their claims satisfied. But the last word on this question has certainly not yet been said.