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THE EDUCATION MOVEMENT . - Sib John Pakingtox . —The first Lord of the Admiralty ££ attended a dinuer held to celebrate the establishment of the Worcestershire Union of Mechanics' Institutes , and took the opportunity , of expressing his concurrency in the objects of these unions , by which he said . they arrived at uniformity of action , and they also affor ded a stimulus to emulation . Fourteen mechanics and hteiary institutes around Worcester had joined the Worcestershire union , the objects of which , as expressed by the rules were as follows : —! . Mutual intercourse and improvement . 2 . Concentrated information as to the procress and requirements of each institute . 3 . Encouragement and increase of evening classes by examination of
and prizes , or other means . 4 . The engagement lecturers , gratuitous and professional . 5 . The promotion of a good system for circulating books , or otherwise improving local libraries . G . The acquirement and diffusion of information upon matters relating to mechanics ' institutes in general , the particularly approved of rule , 3 , having for its object the encouragement of evening classes . He regarded these institutes for the working classes much in the same light as he considered the universities in higher life , viz ., as a means of carrying the knowledge already possessed by the students further than it had reached , and preparing them for undertaking higher and more honourable , as well as more useful positions in the particular condition of life for which they are destined .
to defray the expenses incident to an examination at Norwich , which are estimated at 301 . or 40 ^ per annum . Mr . C B . Adderley , M . P ., ox Education . —At a meeting at Stoke-upon-Trent this gentleman said that the general feeling of the people of this country was by no means , in favour of a national ' system , of secular education only . This was now taken as a settled fact by Parliament , and was always considered one of the solved problems of education . If there was one thing which more than another had upon all occasions been definitely laid down by Parliament it was this—that the principle to be adopted in the distribution of the educational grant was that of rendering assistance to the voluntary efforts of all recognised religious denominations . He did not at all wish to compel parents
to keep their children at school . It was sometimes contended that the Legislature ought to use such compulsion , but he thought such a course ought to be guarded against ; and he did not believe it would ever succeed in England . It would be inefficient , and would be sure to "be evaded . He was not for keeping the children of labourers from the labour which was their real school for life ; at the same time , he thought a prize scheme was doing a good work , by preventing reckless parents and employers from prematurely benjfiting by the strength of those who ought to be at school .
The President of the Poor-law Board axd the Bishop of Salisbury . —The annual meeting of the Hants and Wilts Adult Education Society , and the Conference of Institutions in union with it , was held at Salisbury on Wednesday ; the Right Hon . T . PI . S . Estcourt , M . P ., in the chair . Mr . Estcourt said : The course of education generally had not been so beneficial during the last fifty years as they could have wished ; for at the period when the intellect was ripening into something like appreciating and understanding what it had been taught at school , it was , in the great majority
of cases , entirely neglected . For establishing schools at this moment nearly a million of money was annually paid-out of the public purse , and yet they could blink the result , viz ., that at the time when ideas were beginning to take the place of mere sounds , and the mind was beginning to carry away something like substance , they found that almost the whole body of scholars we , re taken off" to work . He was persuaded that anything like an attempt to catch hold of the youth of both sexes after they had left school in an artificial manner , by holding inducements of pecuniary profit , or interest to them other than those their own minds would induce them to
take on the subject of education , would end in failure . What , . however , they ought to do was , to establish the moans of giving both sexes instruction , after the usual period of their attending school , without interfering with their ordinary occupations . The only enduring mode by which they might hope to effect the continuance of the education of boys and girls , after they left school , would be by producing in their minds a desire for it , either because it would promote their interests , or to give them pleasure ; and he saw no other mode of doing it than by the establishment of evening schools , where , for a slight emolument , working men , of some little education , would bo willing to attend and instruct those requiring it . A man , when advanced in life , became aware of his deficiencies , and ho was desirous of improving himself , but did not like to go to school , from not being able to stand
the gibes of youngsters . Now , if such a man had the opportunity of catching an hour ' s instruction , morning or evening , to bring him up to the standard of others , he would not then bo ashamed to go to school , and mix with those for further improvement . —The Bishop of Salisbury fully approved of night schools for the labouring population , and he had taken every opportunity of informing his . clergy that he thought * so , for aa their health and means would permit it , they could not be more usefully employed in the winter months than in superintending such schools . To make them attractive to tho adult population , they must not view them simply as schools , bu > as a place where they might obtain interesting information . By that means they might induce them to accept that training and information which they probably would refuse if they put the school too much forward .
Middle-class Examtnation / 3 . —A meeting was held at Norwich , on Tuesday afternoon , to take stops for bringing Norfolk and the neighbourhood within tho scope of tho middle-class examinations instituted by tho University of Cambridge . Sir 3 . Boiloau prosidod . Tho chairman having opened tho business in a speech in which ho oloarly shadowed forth tho advantages of tho middle-class examination scheme , Sir Willoughby Jonos moved the first resolution , -which was to tho effect that it was highly desirable that tho advantages offered by tho University of Cambridge in its regulations concerning tho examinations of students , not members of the University , should bo brought within tho reach of Bpuools in Norfolk ; and , from tho important position Worwioh holds in tho eastern countfos , [ % should bo made a comro for tho proposed annual examination . An inuuontml lQ ^ commltteo was appointed to mako tho necessary aMpemonts , and a subscription was commoucod
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LORD CANNING'S DEFENCE . Two letters from the pen of Lord Canning have been published , containing his lordship's defence and justification of the confiscating proclamation which he sent to the people of Oude . The first letter is an answer to the celebrated despatch of Lord EUenborough that condemned what the Governor-General had done , and the second is a reply to the vote of confidence that was sent to Lord Canning by the Directors of the East India Company . In both of these communications the Governor-General states the motives by which he was actuated in proclaiming that the landed property of Oude had become the inheritance of the Government of India , to be afterwards disposed of in the way deemed to be most advisable . Lord Canning begins by complaining that the Ellenborough despatch was made public in England three weeks before he received it , and by contending that it would increase the difficulties of the local Government . Speaking from a personal point of view , he declares that he will not be led away from his duty by sneers or taunts , and thai , the will not give up his charge at a time of so niucb difficulty and danger . He proceeds to contend that the passages in the despatch which affirm that our right to rule in Oude is disputable would only encourage rebellion . _ They would make that rebellion national which he thinks has not hitherto been of a national character .
Lord Canning acknowledges that the proclamation was sweeping and uncompromising . He had gone to Allahabad to reside , in order that he might judge of the feelings and temper of the Oude population , and he came to the conclusion that while the ordinary punishments of death , transportation , and imprisonment should be dispensed with , it was necessary to proclaim as a fact , and not as a more threat , that the landed estates of Oude now belonged to the Government , and he says it would have been impolitic to have specified the conditions of relaxation , because the talookdars who held land wore usurper /* , because the old and legitimate proprietors of the soil had become rebels , and because it was
necessary the Government should assume the position of being able to punish severely at the same time that it was ready to extend great mercy . A reference is made to the opposition of General Outram when the proclamation was sent to him for publication , and Lord Canning quotes from nn antecedent memorandum of the General to show that a large measure of confiscation was recommended by Sir J . Outram himself . Lord Canning is further of opinion that the spirit in which the proclamation was written has been understood in Oude , and ho . refers to reports forwarded through Mr . Montgomery , the present Chief Commissioner , to show that if there were sufficient troops in tho province , tho proclamation would load to its intended results .
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grounded in the principles of morality and religion He urged them to preserve all those lessons of knowledge , and of good , to the acquisition of which theii previous life had been devoted , and not to throw them aside as useless lumber , for they would find them useful , He then passed on to "the consideration " of the future . He proceeded next to explain that medical knowledge was td be acquired by three separate , yet mutually illustrative means—by lectures , reading , and attendance in the wards and other practical departments of the hospital . He observed that it was a common remark , that students were over-lectured , to which remark he gave a qualified assent . He considered that students were reallv required to attend too many lectures , yet
that the lectures were by no means out of proportion to the subjects which had to be learnt , but that the subjects themselves were too numerous and too extensive for the limited time allotted to their acquisition . He advised them strongly , however , to be constant aria attentive at lectures , and to store up everything there explained ; for , regarding every different branch of knowledge as an unknown wilderness to those who were entering on it for the first time—he characterised lectures as guides which conduct you safely through , pointing out the objects of interest , and leaving you masters of a route , whence future investigations might safely diverge . He
then dwelt on the importance of reading , not desultorily , but with a definite object , as a means of acquiring knowledge . He proceeded to point out , that lectures and reading were after all merely accessory to the practical knowledge which was to be acquired in the laboratory , the dissecting-room , the dead-house , and the wards ; and he insisted on the importance of students availing themselves of all the opportunities which were offered them . He warned them ; however , not to embark , while in a state . of pupilage , on original investigations ; for they would find the acquisition of the knowledge already accumulated ample occupation for the present time , and the best apprenticeship for original inquiries hereafter .
He then urged them to recollect that they were students , advised them to learn all they could , and not , from fear of showing their ignorance , to hesitate to ask questions . He went on to point out the necessity of acquiring experience , but warned them against misunderstanding the meaniug of the word . He characterised experience , as the constant prop of false theories and facts ; and explained that it is so in daily life because it is generally founded on facts imperfectly observed , imperfectly remembered , and imperfectly compared by minds alreadyprejudiced . He pointed out that true experience , that
which he wished them to strive after , was obtained , not by length of years , but by close , accurate , continued , and recorded observations : he recommended them , therefore , not to observe much , but rather to work thoroughly , exhaustively , at a few things . Again , he urged them to become practical men ; but pointed out that the truly practical man was not , as was too often supposed ,, he that neglected to refresh his mind by reading , and refuse to avail himself of all the light that science threw on his mysterious art ; but he that had acquired a thorough mastery over the details and principle ^ his profession , and the power of applying his knowledge and skill to the benefit of his
fellowcreatures . He then observod , that in their intercourse with their teachers , they were likely to be influenced to a great extent by them ; but , while recommending them to learn all " they could from them , and to copy as far aa possible their good qualities , ho warned them against mistaking their peculiarities and faults for excellences . IIo then advised them to cultivate modesty of demeanour , which ho considered to be not only becoming , but , in those who were students , essential . At the same time ho pointed out that humility thus engendered need not render them mean-spirited or deprive them of that relative self-respect which enabled them to retain their position among their neighbours , for that , compared with perfection , others were equally insignificant with themselves . . .
ST . THOMAS'S HOSPITAL . On the evening of Friday , October tho 1 st , the opening of the Medical Session at St . Thomas ' s was celebrated by a conversazione held in the grand hall of the Hospital . The inaugural address on the occasion was delivered by Dr . Briatowe , one of the physicians of the institution , before a , crowded audience , comprising mnny ladies and men of eminence in tho profession , and presided over by the
president , Sir John Musgrove . After a fow introductory remarks , tho lecturer addressed himself to thoso who were about to enter on their hospital carcor . Ho recommended them , ere they plunged into tho now life that was before them , to pause a little and consider what they had gained in that which they had already passod through . Ho reminded thorn that they had acquired a considerable amount of olomontnry knowlodgo , they hnd mndo some progress in literature and science , and above nil had boon
woll-IIo proceeded then to urgo them to contend for the prizes that were offered by the authorities of the medical school . He argued that tho prize-system was a good one , though liable to abuse . Ho lastly addressed himself to the students who were about to leave the Hospital , and chiefly to those who had contended for tho prizes . Ho said : — " Some of you have laboured in tho sweat of your brow for prizes which you have failed to attain . Probably you feel disnppoiutod and depressed at tho result ; but do not lot so slight a rebuff dishearten you , or how will you mako which
hoad ngainst those more sorioua disappointments await you in your future career ? You wish now , perhnps , that you had not entered tho lists . But , gontlomen , I congratulate you that in doing as you havo done you havo obtained tho victory over that idleneas , that want of courage , that contemptuous iudifierenco , wiuon have prevented others becoming candidates , xou regret , perhaps , that you , havo no medals to nilori | n y ., " ' ' no praises to intoxicate you . But , ficnt omon , a tho efforts you havo maOo you havo obtained knowloiljo Io comparison of which medals aro dross ; you baY 0 / , tt \" C ( J tho upprovHl of your own conscience , whichi ta fir bettoe than all tho pnuW the most eloquent tongue can ftvisfc on vou . !\>< Uly you olmfo uiului- a nowly-awakonod
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• ^ ' am October 9 . 18561 THE DEADER . 1053
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 9, 1858, page 1053, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2263/page/5/
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