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Jtjhjs 6,. 1857. J THE- LEADEE. 543
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UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE CLAS...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Demoxsthation In Belgium. Repkesenta...
events have insisted far too much on the fiercer and more irregular episodes . But the character of a popular movement must never be taken from what passes in by-streets and out-of-the-way places . The « roughs ' or vawriens , who went and burned Neuiliy Palace in 1848 , can scarcely be taken as types of the modern French revolutionist . Some episcopal windows were broken in Brussels and elsewhere ; but this was not what encouraged the King to pursue the temperate course he has adopted . He learned that the crowd who collected to protest against the bill , and the whole policy of the Ultramontane party , was composed in great measure of well-dressed persons belonging to the middle classes , who naturally feel more interest than the poor in a question relative to property and wills . This was a good reason for him to givjB to such of his extreme counsellors as would have made him risk his throne and the institutions that surround it . The Catholic party , so triumphant in the Chamber , was left in a state of strange isolation out of doors . The poliee called out to protect them , did their duty with a temper and discretion that showed they acted in the interest of order , not in the interest of the Church . Whilst stones flew at the windows of the Jesuits the cry of " Vive la police !" was raised—a strange cry in a Continental city , but decisive of the loyalty of the movement . No one wished to attack or to insult public authority . All the rage was directed against a conspiring and insidious corporation , which will persist in , putting forward pretensions utterly at variance with the nineteenth century . M . Deueckek , the Belgian Prime Minister , appears , in reality , to be an honest man , with a sincere wish to conciliate and do what he thinks riglxt ; but he is driven to extremes by his party . There will j > robably be a break up of the Ministry—at any rate a reconstruction . M . KoruosiB , the Minister of Justice , who introduced the bill , will in any case be obliged to retire ; and may , perhaps , be made governor of the province of Luxembourg , as a compensation for defeat . But it is difficult to say at present what is likely to be the nature of a new or modified administration . Tho King , though Protestant , knows the strength of the clerical party , and feels that it would be imprudent , as well as unconstitutional , to fly directly in the face of a Parliamentary majority . But he will do all in his power to curb them of their will , and , if he be well supported by public opinion , may succeed completely . At any rate , he seems determined to steer a middle course , and moderate angry feelings on both sides . But thero is little likelihood , tinder any circumstances , of the strong Liberal party coming at present to power : we mean such men as MM . Rooier , Verhaegen , aud Frere-Ohban . If a new Ministry bo really thought of , M . H . de BitouoicEKE is a probable man . But whatever takes place , we feel condent that the final result will be a check to the clerical party . That party must now itself feel tho strength of tho antipathy its manoeuvres have aroused . The Due dm Brabant , who is under the influence of the priests , was saluted by occasional voices as the Duo des Oouvents ; but in tho main the tone of tho masses was strictly loyal and dynastic . As to tho absurd charge that there were cheers for Franco , wo need , scarcely do more than mention it . If thero be a French party in Belgium its members certainly do not turn out against tho Charity Bill . No Belgian can at present have a sympathy for France without being a Jesuit . Tho popular feeling runs quite the other way . " Wo shall watch "withgreat interest the sequelof this important political event , which shows tho existence of
I a life , a vigour , an earnestness , in the Belgian people , not unworthy of the best days of old Flanders .
Jtjhjs 6,. 1857. J The- Leadee. 543
Jtjhjs 6 ,. 1857 . J THE- LEADEE . 543
University Education For The Middle Clas...
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE CLASSES . The Middle Classes are about to be invaded by the Education Committee of the Privy Council , with a host of allies . The plan of the campaign , however , is such , that those who most sympathize with the class , will pray for the victory of the invaders . Who originated the project few could tell ; but the plan immediately laid down has the Eeverend Frederick Temple for its author , and Mr . Thomas Dyke Acxand for one of its most earnest missionaries . Solo the plan originated it would be difficult to tell ; circumstances have led up to it by degrees . The long-sustained efforts of Brougham , W ^ HATEiiY , and other reformers , to promote the education of the poorer classes , have drawn attention to the subject generally . The admission of Dissenters to the Universities has specifically drawn- attention to that class among whom the Dissenters principally lie , and it is discovered that the "Universities , with the condition of residence , and habits that demand the outlay of a considerable income annually , are not suited to the middle class . The movements of the Society of Arts to promote adult education among the working classes—which has had no inconsiderable effect on the lower levels of the middle class—and of the Committee of Education , have had a considerable influence on each other . Some agricultural societies have begun to take up the theme , especially one established at Exeter in 1777 , of which Mr . Thomas Dyke Acland is an active and leading member ; and this society is about , in this instant month of June , to have an ' examination' youths to test their educational attainments , the examination being conducted as nearly as possible on the principles of that in the Training Schools , and with the assistance of the Education Committee . The candidates come from various occupations , but , it will be seen from the list , comparatively few are drawn veritably from agriculture : — " The Candidates state that they are being educated with a view to the following Occupations in Agriculture , Arts , Manufactures , or Commerce : — Agriculture , 9 , Surveyor , 3 , Colt-breaker , 1 ; Engineer , 1 ; Manufacturer , 1 ; Commerce generally , 3 G ; Trade generally , 4 , Clay-merchant , 1 , Druggist , 2 , Draper , 2 , Printer , Stationer , and Reporter , 8 , Carpenter , 1 ; The sea , 7 ; Teacher , 7 ; Auctioneer , 1 ; Accountant , 1 ; Clerks , 6 ; Servant , 1 ; Not named , 8 ; Uncertain , 21 ; total , 120 . In a few cases , but very few , candidates unable to declare that they are being educated for Agriculture , Arts , Manufactures , or Commerce , have been admitted on tho ground that their parents are in one of those occupations ; or that thoy have themsolves been educated in a Commercial School , as that term ia commonly understood . " ot the
Thus , then , there is an examination middle class , established in Exeter , for the western counties . Many great things have j originated down there in the West , and this is not the least . One of the examiners on the occasion , will bo the Reverend Frederick Temple , ' one of her Majesty ' s Inspectors of Schools , ' who had already been engaged in considering the subject , and had proposed to tho Master of Pembroke College a plan of action . It is this : — " That the University should confer some such titloas Associate in Arts on every person who passed an examination before Examine ™ appointed either by tho Hobdomadul Council , or by a Delegacy , as might bo thought best . " This examination should protty nearly follow tho precedent set by tho present Final Schools , somewhat of this kind—1 . A Preliminary Examination in « , Writing from Dictation , Arithmetic , Parsing , juul . Elementary Geography . b . Religious Knowledge ( if the parents of tho candidate desired it ) .
2 . Four Schools : — a . The School of English , to include English Literature and Composition , English History , the Rudiments . of Political Economy , Geography . b . The School of Languages , to include French , German , and the Elements of Latin . c . The School of Mathematics , to include Practical Mathematics , Architecture , and Drawing . d . The School of Physical Science , to include the Elements of Mechanics , Chemistry , and Physiology , and the Sciences connected with them . " Two standards should be fixed : one for boys of 15 , the other for boys of 17 . The title of Junior Associate should be given to those who passed the former ; that of Senior Associate to those who passed the latter . " Every Candidate should be required to pass the Preliminary Examination and one School . " A class list of each Scho ' bl should distinguish those who did really well from those who merely passed . " The expense of paying the Examiners should be covered by requiring a fee of about 5 s . for admission to the examination , and another of about 2 s . 6 d . for the te . stamur .
The examinations should be held annually in Oxford . But if the gentry or local authorities of any place asked for an examination to be held in their neighbourhood , and would undertake to bear the expense of the necessary arrangements , an examiner should be sent down to them . The examination should , I think , be all on paper , and the same examination papers used everywhere at once . " Here we see the TJniversity , the examiners , the students , but not the schools nor the schoolmasters ; and that person who is always presumed to be so dull , ' the general reader '—of course that is not you , O gentle Header ! who are not general out particular —may wish to know where the school is ? TJiere it is , in your own street— ' Classical and Commercial Academy for Young Gentlemen , ' ' Collegiate Institution , ' ' School for Gentlemen , ' or whatever other nickname the ' proprietor' or proprietors , ' the conductor , * ' preceptor , ' ' principal' may . adopt . In order to attract custom , the dealers in education for the largest paying market , the middle class , endeavour as much as possible to give an appearance of classicality , or practicality , to their ' institutions ; ' and sometimes they do their best to attain the reality . They are foiled by many difficulties , but principally by three . Ignorant rivals excel them in pretensions , carry off custom , and necessitate a false system of humbug , which deteriorates the character of the whole class . Immense energy and enterprise are needed to counteract this depressing effect , and it takes a man like the father of the Hills , Eowland , Matthew , Davenport , Frederick , and Edwin to found a Bruce Castle School . The second difficulty is the ignorance and vague ideas of parents , who require things not needed , while they put a low value on real education . Tho third is the chaotic uncertainty introduced into the whole system ^ Now by Mr . Temple ' s plan it is proposed , not to supply the schools , but to supply standards and guiding-posts for the schools already existing , or to bo established by independent enterprise . According to the ex- . animation required by tho University will the estimate of parents be modified . The schools which send out the greater number of successful candidates will be certificated for their efficiency ; and order will be infused throughout tho voluntary system of our ' Academies for Young Gentlemen . ' Such is tho plan debated before the Hebdomadal Board of Oxford thia week ; Cambridge watching the discussion . And tho ' Seminaries for Young ' Ladies V Well , have we not collegiate institutions for them ? Yes , but how distinguish between tho genuine and the spurious ? It is a question which might be put to Dr . Symqnds , who might strike out in chivalrous rivuliy with Mr . Temple , and , as the Tory Suopkn has become the great Law Befonner St . Leonards ' , bo Dr . SVmonds might become tho Chevalier des Dames in Education lieform .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 6, 1857, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06061857/page/15/
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