b. SCOTLAND: Population, 3,866,521. Capital, Edinburgh; population, 236,002.

The following information is compiled from the report of the committee of council on education in Scotland for the year 1883, signed by Lord Carlingford and Mr. Mundella:

Day schools. Number of day schools inspected, 3,090; number of certificated teachers, 5,974, with a large number of assistants and pupil teachers; accommodation for 633,701; enrolled, 569,241; average daily attendance, 433,137; present on the day of the inspector's visit to the respective schools, 498,514; qualified by attendance for examination, 426,329; presented for examination, 386,197, viz, 55,491 (under 7) for collective and 330,706 (7 and over) for individual examination; of these last, 256,083 passed the prescribed test without failure in any one of the three subjects.

In the year covered by this report the accommodation has increased by 14,615 school places; the scholars on the registers, by 13,581; those present at inspection, by 8,142; and the average attendance, by 11,872; while the number of children individually examined has increased by 9,956 (or 3.10 per cent.). The especially large increase in the amount of accommodation and in the number of children on the registers is due in some measure to the number of new schools in the outlying districts of the Highlands and islands, where the supply has, owing to various circumstances, proceeded but slowly, and where several schools have only been opened during the year under review.

The local effort which has resulted in this improvement may be measured by the continued support derived from voluntary subscriptions (29,1961. from 3,391 subscribers) and by the contributions from rates to the maintenance of public schools, which, after a decrease during the three preceding years, have increased during the past year from 191,7977. to 196,7087. The school pence have increased in the year by some 7,2047., and amounted to 276,4221.

Night schools.-Number examined, 205; average attendance of scholars above 12 years of age, 10,221.

Training colleges.- Number, 7; attendance, 858.

Income and expenditure.-The total income of day and night schools was 906,0687. The total cost of maintenance of day and night schools was 900,5091. The annual government grants to elementary day schools rose in the year from 372,9017. to 384,0427. The rate per scholar in average attendance, however, is the same as last year, 178. 8 d., the grant (to schools actually inspected) and the average attendance having increased at the same rate during the year. The total cost of maintenance per child in average attendance was, in public schools, 21. 28. 14d.; in voluntary schools, 17. 168. 10d.

School accommodation and attendance.—The aided schools, which in 1872 provided for 281,668 scholars, or for 8.3 per cent. of the population, were in 1883 sufficient for 633,701 scholars, or 16.61 per cent. of the population.

Of the total increase of 352,013 seats, some 69,961 have been required to meet the growth of the population during the last 11 years. A very large part of the rest of this increase (according to the calculation made last year, upwards of 274,000) is the measure of the deficiency in inspected schools at the passing of the education act.

It remains to notice how far the existing school supply (633,701 seats) which has been thus provided, and shows an increase of 124.98 per cent. in the last 11 years, is sufficient to meet the wants of the country.

The age statistics of the census of 1881 show that about 23.96 per cent. of the total population are between 3 and 13 years of age. On the usual assumption that sixsevenths of that population are of the class whose children may be expected to be found in state-aided schools, it follows that 20.52 per cent. of the whole population ought to be found on the registers of the schools.

After making due allowance for absence on account of sickness, weather, distance from school, and other reasonable excuses for irregular attendance, it is generally calculated that school seats should be provided for one-sixth of the total population;

and these seats ought to be daily occupied. For the estimated population of 1883 (3,815,572) the returns, therefore, ought to show a provision of 635,929 school places. The actual supply falls somewhat short of this; but it is not evenly distributed throughout the country, and in several counties the seats are not equal in number to one-sixth of the population. This occurs either where that extent of accommodation is not called for, the inhabitants of the upper classes being in excess of the normal one-seventh, or where, as in one or two large towns, the wants of the population have not yet been fully met by the efforts of the school boards.

When the outstanding building grants have been paid and several schools now in the course of being erected without such aid are occupied, it will be found, the committee believe, that the school supply of the country is virtually complete.

School attendance is still far below the required number, for, whereas there might be 763,114 scholars on the registers and 635,929 in average daily attendance, the returns show only 569,241 children on the registers and 433,137 in attendance.

The increase in the average attendance during the past year is fairly satisfactory, as it is slightly in excess of that (1.06) of the population generally.' But, after every allowance is made for the difficulty of securing early and regular attendance at school in some of the country districts, there appears to be great neglect on the part of many boards in putting their compulsory powers into operation.

A bill introduced into Parliament last year with a view of facilitating the exercise of the compulsory powers conferred upon school boards has become a law.

Infants. Of the total number of children enrolled in the aided schools 118,385 were under 7 years of age.

Echolars over 7 years of age.—The following table shows the classification of children over 7 for each standard:

Whereas, out of 330,706 scholars examined, as many as 1€4,231, being over 10 years of age, ought to have been presented in standards IV-VI, only 118, 664 (or 72.25 per eent.) were so presented, while the remaining 45,567 were presented in standards suited for children of 7, 8, and 9 years of age.

Specific subjects.-Of 58,546 scholars presented in subjects beyond the standard examination, 4,275 were examined and 3,225 passed in three subjects, 34,675 were examined and 24,752 passed in two such subjects, and 23,425 passed in one subject. In this number are included 25,260 girls examined in domestic economy, of whom 20,457 passed.

Miscellaneous.-Military drill is systematically taught to the boys attending 265 schools; cookery is taught in 36 schools; savings banks have been established in 113 and school libraries in 153 schools. In 3,116 departments of schools in which singing is taught, the instruction is given by ear in 1,238, or 39.73 per cent.

Teaching power.-The extent to which the training colleges have contributed to the existing supply of certificated teachers in Scotland is shown by the fact that, of 3,295 masters employed in schools reported on last year, 2,026, or 61.49 per cent., had been trained for two years; 327, or 9.92 percent., for one year, and 83, or 2.52 per cent., for

less than one year; while 859, or 26.07 per cent., were untrained. In like manner, of 2,679 schoolmistresses, 1,838, or 68.61 per cent., had been trained for two years; 122, or 4.55 per cent., for one year; 12, or .32 of 1 per cent., for less than one year; and 707, or 26.39 per cent., were untrained. Of the teachers, however, who, from whatever cause, have not attended a training college, a considerable proportion cannot, except in a technical sense of the word, be classed as untrained, having, under the superintendence of some of the best teachers, satisfactorily completed the pupil teachers' course and served as assistants in large schools before passing the examination for a certificate and undertaking independent charges.

The system introduced by the code of 1873, of combining attendance at university classes with the efficient course of practical professional training provided by the colleges under inspection, is now producing very satisfactory results. In 1882, 117 students took advantage of this arrangement, many of whom passed with great credit the examination for certificates held last Christmas. The connection between the teaching profession and the universities will be still further increased by the recognition as assistant teachers of university graduates and women who have passed university examinations. Languages now enter into the course of study in all the training colleges, both for masters and mistresses.

Salaries and pensions.-The average salary of a certificated master, which in 1870 was 1101. 168. 7d., is now 1351. 28. 4d.; that of a schoolmistress was 551. 148. 2d. in 1870 and is now 671. 18. 1d. These averages are calculated upon the whole body of certificated teachers, whether principal or assistant. In addition to their other emoluments, 1,806 out of 3,279 masters and 489 out of 2,635 mistresses are provided with residences free of rent. Since the practice of granting pensions was resumed in 1875, the department has dealt with 123 Scotch applications and has awarded 5 pensions of 30l., 19 of 251., 26 of 201., and 19 gratuities to the amount of 6801.

c. IRELAND: Population (census 1881), 5,174,836. Capital, Dublin; population (census 1881), 249, 602. From the report of the commissioners of national education in Ireland, it appears that the number of schools on the operation list on the 31st of December, 1883, was 7,752. During the year 110 schools were dropped or ceased to exist as independent schools, and 157 were brought into operation, giving a net increase of 47 schools as compared with 1882.

Enrolment, attendance, and accommodation.—The number of pupils on the rolls between the 1st of January and the 31st of December, 1883, who made any attendance between those dates was 1,081,136; the number of pupils who made at least one attendance within the last fortnight of the results period was 666,115; the average daily attendance was 467,704, a decrease of 1,488 as compared with that of 1882.

School accommodation, allowing 8 square feet for each pupil, was adequate for an attendance of 671,109.

Classification of pupils.- The pupils who made an attendance within the last 14 days of the month immediately preceding results examinations were classified as follows: Infants, 171,183; class I, 143,785; class II, 104,678; class III, 85,724; class IV, 63,814; class V1, 44,868; class V, 25,000; class VI, 27,063.

Mixed schools. The total number of mixed schools under Roman Catholic teachers exclusively was 2,784, attended by 359,297 Roman Catholic pupils and 22,698 Protes- . tant pupils; the total number of mixed schools under Protestant teachers exclusively was 1,277, attended by 22,604 Roman Catholics and 126,415 Protestant pupils. The number of mixed schools under Roman Catholic and Protestant teachers conjointly was 73, attended by 9,320 Roman Catholic pupils and 9,266 Protestant pupils. Total mixed schools, 4,134; total attendance: Roman Catholic pupils, 391,221; Protestant pupils, 158,379.

Unmixed schools.— Of 3,549 schools showing an unmixed attendance, 2,929 were in

charge of Roman Catholic teachers and attended by 460,505 Roman Catholic pupils, and 620 were in charge of Protestant teachers and attended by 70,737 pupils.

Model schools. The number of model schools reported is 29, having an average daily attendance for the year of 8,534 pupils. From the classified table of pupils of the model schools it appears that 51.4 per cent. of them are in Standards IV to VI, inclusive; the results examinations show that these schools continue to maintain their high character.

Workhouse schools.-The number of workhouse schools in connection with the board on the 31st of December, 1883, was 159, having an enrolment of 14,026 and an average daily attendance of 7,368. These schools were examined on the same system as the ordinary schools.

Examinations. Since the 1st of March, 1877, each pupil, in order to qualify for presentation at the results examination, has been required in day schools to make 100 attendances of at least 4 hours a day for secular instruction, and in evening schools 50 attendances of 2 hours each evening.

The total number of schools, including model schools (separate departments) and evening schools, examined for results during the year was 7,672. The number of pupils examined was 475,784, of whom 106,928 were infants. The number passed was 356,214, including 98,241 infants. The number of pupils examined and passed in extra subjects was: Music, examined, 52,429; passed, 41,256. Drawing, examined, 23,545; passed, 18,085. Sewing machine and cutting out, examined, 4,558; passed, 3,977. Management of poultry and domestic economy, examined, 190; passed, 178. Cookery, examined, 142; passed, 142. Other extra subjects, mathematics, physics, language, &c., examined, 20,604; passed, 12,924. The money value of the passes gained in extras (excluding music and dancing) was 4,0381. 138. The money value of the passes in music and drawing was 7,0981. 58. 6d.

Comparative view.—The percentages of passes gained in reading, writing, and arithmetic in Ireland, as compared with England and Wales and with Scotland, are set forth in the following table:

School farms and gardens.—The total number of school farms in connection with ordinary national schools on the 31st of December, 1883, was 72. The total number of pupils examined in agriculture in this class of schools was 884, of whom 518 passed in the agricultural program. There were also 21 schools having school gardens attached, for the management of which and for the agricultural knowledge displayed by the pupils, special agricultural fees were granted upon the reports of the district inspectors. The number of pupils examined in the school gardens was 249, of whom 160 passed; 45,673 pupils were examined in the agricultural class books by the district inspectors in the ordinary national schools at their results examinations, of whom 24,876 passed. The total number of pupils examined in agriculture during the year 1983 was accordingly 46,806, of whom 25,554 gained passes for their proficiency in that branch. These figures show that a larger number of pupils were brought under instruction in agriculture in 1883 than in 1882.

Dairy management.-At the close of the year 1880 a scheme for training young women in dairy management, and especially in the art of butter making, was inaugu

rated in connection with the Munster Model Agricultural School at Cork. This scheme has been attended with much success, largely due to the active coöperation of a local committee, who contributed time and money to its furtherance. There were two sessions of six weeks in each year. The number of young women trained up to this date is 189. The students were principally daughters of farmers.

Towards the end of the year 1883 the commissioners undertook, with the cooperation of the Royal Dublin Society, a similar experiment at the Albert Agricultural Training Institution. The session began in January of this year, and, although the notice was short, 33 students attended.

Teaching power.-On the 31st of December, 1883, the commissioners had in their service 7,571 principal teachers and 3,050 assistants, making, in the whole, 10,621 classed teachers, of whom 3,406 were trained. In addition there were paid monitors, temporary assistants, &c., to the number of 386.

The total number of teachers and students trained in the Training College in 1883 was 167, viz, 78 males and 89 females.

The need of additional provision for the training of the teachers is seen from the fact that of the 7,907 Roman Catholic teachers in the service January, 1883, only 2,142, or about 27 per cent., had been trained, and of the 2,714 Protestant teachers 1,412, or 52 per cent.

In 1874 the subject was brought to the attention of the government by the commissioners, but no action was taken upon their representations until 1883. It was then proposed to apply the English scheme of training colleges to Ireland, so far as possible, which proposition the commissioners have accepted. Accordingly the government is now prepared to encourage and facilitate the establishment of training colleges under local management in Ireland by authorizing the commissioners to make grants toward their maintenance under the specified conditions. Two training colleges. under Catholic auspices have already availed themselves of this provision. The Irish teachers suffer a great grievance in the low rate of wages which they receive.

The total income of the teaching staff from all sources for the year ended 31st of March, 1884, amounted to 752,9121. 88. 6d., viz, 601,2247. 198. 7d. from the board, 14,4037. 156. 2d. from the rates, and 137,2831. 13s. 9d. from payments by pupils (including portion of model school fees), subscriptions, and the estimated value of free residences, &c. Of the total sum 20.1 per cent. was locally provided and 79.9 per cent. was derived from parliamentary funds.

Pensions.-The number of teachers connected with the pension fund in the year ended the 31st December, 1883, was 9,604, and the amount paid in pensions was 12,2127. 118. 4d., and in gratuities 7,1537. 128. 5d.

In addition to the above sum 1,6857. 158. 5d. were granted to teachers who did not join the pension scheme.

Income and expenditure.—The funds at the disposal of the commissioners for the year ending 31st March, 1884, amounted to 821,5531. 68. 8d. The expenditures by the commissioners for the same time were 804,8917. 178., leaving a balance on 31st March, 1884, of 16,6611. 98. 8d.

SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT.

The following information is derived from the thirty-first report of the Science and Art Department, whose operations embrace the United Kingdom:

Science instruction.-During the year 1883, the schools and classes of science in connection with the department, irrespective of the training colleges, were attended by 72,054 persons, an increase of 3,473 over the same for 1882. The number examined was 54,204; the number of papers presented (each paper being the examination in a separate branch of science), 79,551; number passed, 52,651, representing 32,767 students.

The following statement is interesting as showing the subjects embraced in the ex