For the latest educational statistics for Egypt, see the Report of the Commissioner of Education for 1879; those showing the condition of education in the Cape of Good Hope appeared in the report for 1882-83.

IV.- NORTH AMERICA.

DOMINION OF CANADA: Area, 3,470,392 square miles; population, 4,324,310. Capital, Ottawa; popula. tion, 27.412.

a. NEW BRUNSWICK: Area, 27,174 square miles; population (census 1881), 321,233. Capital, Fredericton. Chief superintendent of education, William Crocket.

According to the report of the superintendent for the year ending April 30, 1883, the total number of different pupils in attendance on the free schools was 64,581, an increase over the preceding year of 314. The proportion of the population of the province enrolled during the summer term, according to the census of 1831, was 1 in 6.09, and during the winter term 1 in 6.34. The average monthly percentage of pupils daily present during the summer term was 73.45 and during the winter term 78.03. During the summer term 1,480 teachers and assistants were employed. Of these

474 were men and 1,006 women. Of the whole number 1,206 were trained. The corresponding numbers for the winter term were: Number of teachers and assistants, 1,438, viz, 481 men and 957 women; number trained, 1,196.

The average rate of teachers' salaries per annum, from all sources, compiled from the returns of the winter term for 183, was as follows: Male teachers of the first class, $519.60; female teachers of the first class, $319.50; male teachers of the second class, $322.31; female teachers of the second class, $239.28; male teachers of the third class, $238.10; female teachers of the third class, $195.90. All of these rates show a slight increase over the same for 1882.

There were in attendance at the normal school 191 student teachers, of whom 22 belonged to the French preparatory department.

The provincial grant for the school service for the year and six months ended 31st . October, 1883, was $236,137.08.

The legislature of the province, for a period extending over three-quarters of a century and more, has recognized the importance of secondary or intermediate education by the provision which it has made for its encouragement and support. Since 1879 the aid extended has been in the form of a maximum annual grant, fixed at $7,000, which has been apportioned as a "superior allowance" to any common school fulfilling certain conditions. In the judgment of the present superintendent, these efforts have not accomplished the results intended, and he suggests a new plan of operations which he believes would prove more effective.

b. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Area, 2,133 square miles; population (census 1881), 108, 891. Capital, Charlottetown; population, 8,807. Chief superintendent of education, D. Montgomery. According to the report for 1883 the number of public schools in the province was 424; enrolment, 21,495, viz, 11,768 boys, 9,727 girls; average daily attendance, 11,759; number of teachers, 473, viz, 247 men, 226 women. The superintendent observes that public schools throughout the country are well attended, and that, with very few exceptions, the whole population between the ages of 5 and 16 is enrolled at school for some portion of the year. The record of the towns is not, he believes, quite so satisfactory. The estimated school population of Charlottetown and Royalty is 2,295; the enrolment in public, convent, and other schools, so far as known, is 2,026, leaving 269 as the estimated number not attending any school.

The average salaries for teachers ranged, for male teachers, from $226.90 for teachers of the third-class to $491.52 for teachers of the first class; for female teachers, from $162.16 for the third class to $295 for the first class. The highest salary paid any teacher was $1,000.

In the Prince of Wales College and Normal School 130 students were enrolled, viz, 36 non-professional and 94 in training for teachers.

The total government expenditure for education was $101,193.41.

c. QUEBEC: Area, 188,688 square miles; population (census 1881), 1,359.027. Capital, Quebec; population, 62,446. Superintendent of public instruction, Gédéon Ouimet.

From the report of the superintendent for the scholastic year 1882-'83 it appears that the number of schools under control was 5,017; number of pupils, 242,723; average attendance, 185,892. The following statements show (1) the distribution of pupils among the various classes of schools, (2) the number of pupils in each branch of study above the simplest rudiments, (3) the number of teachers employed, and (4) the sources of income and amount expended:

In addition to the number of pupils here tabulated there were in special schools 1,262; in universities, 1,240; total, 245, 225.

The superintendent calls special attention to two suggestions made by the inspectors. The first is to determine the allotment of the subsidy granted by the legislature in proportion to the average attendance of the children at school, and not according to the census. The second relates to certificates of capacity. It would consist in abolishing the diploma for primary and second class schools and retaining only model school diplomas and those granted by normal schools. With reference to the latter the superintendent observes: "It is founded on an undeniable pedagogical axiom, namely, that more cultivated fitness is required to teach a primary than to teach a model school." It will be remembered that in order to meet the denominational differences of the people the school organization of Quebec is under the control of two committees, viz, the Catholic committee of the council of public instruction and the Protestant committee. The report says:

During the year a special effort has been made to increase the efficiency of the Protestant schools of the province by doing away with certain customs, such as boarding around and frequent change of teachers, which prevailed in a large number of these schools. In order to secure the cooperation of all those interested in these schools a conference of the Protestant inspectors was held at the department early in January, when a definite program of desirable improvements was adopted, which was to be urged upon the attention of the school commissioners, trustees, and teachers of the Protestant schools. The English secretary of the department then visited the Protestant sections of the province and discussed the proposed changes with the commissioners and trustees of each county, who were called together for that purpose. The proposed improvements were very favorably received at these meetings and the recommendations were adopted in almost every instance. A circular containing the recommendations which had been generally accepted was accordingly issued to commissioners and trustees of Protestant schools.

Among other measures the circular recommends that the custom of boarding teachers around be dispensed with, that a uniform series of authorized text books be in

sisted upon, that a course of study be provided for the guidance of elementary teachers, and that the engagement of teachers be made upon a secure and permanent basis.

The superintendent observes that the movement inaugurated by the Protestant committee for the improvement of the Protestant schools follows the same direction as that given to the Catholic schools of the province by the Catholic committee since 1876.

From the financial statement it appears that the sum received by the Roman Catholic school commissioners of the city of Montreal for the scholastic year 1882-'83 was $154,866.80 and the sum disbursed by them was $146,238.72. The sums received and disbursed by the Protestant board of school commissioners for the same year were, respectively, $119,456.80 and $118,950.59.

The report for 1882-83 contained information as to British Columbia and Ontario. Later information has been received from those two provinces, and also from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Manitoba, but too late for notice in this report. MEXICO, federal republic: Area, 743,948 square miles; population (1882), 10,646,872. Capital, Mexico; population (1882), about 300,000. Secretary of justice and instruction, J. Baranda.

The date of the latest statistics from Mexico is 1875 (see Report of Commissioner of Education for 1882-83), but certain items of general information as regards the edncational institutions of that country, particularly of the City of Mexico, are presented for 1883-84. In an address delivered on December 31, 1883, by Señor Rafael Gallardo, president of the school board of the City of Mexico, an account is given of the difficulties encountered by the ayuntamiento in the discharge of their duties as guardians of primary education. The efforts made by them toward the more general diffusion of knowledge and toward improvement of the present system of instruction are also spoken of. Lack of means is deplored, and yet, in spite of inadequate funds, seven new schools were opened during the year, making a total of 88 under the immediate superintendence of the city council. An increase over the preceding year of 2,061 in the attendance of pupils and of $31,637 in expenditure is noticed. The salaries of teachers are paid punctually and the profession is held in high esteem. There is no law for compulsory education in Mexico, although it is believed that one will be passed ere long, as education is now considered to be of great importance, and not to be made subservient to any other branch. Señor Gallardo referred with pride to the vast improvements being made in the system of instruction; a few years ago, while the government institutions were enjoying the highest advantages, conducted on a plan that was almost perfect, and producing results that surpassed many of the European colleges, the primary schools were comparatively neglected, the only step toward progress being the introduction of the Bell and Lancaster method. The ayuntamiento awakening to the importance of keeping pace with the revolution that had taken place in Europe, and especially in Germany, in regard to elementary instruction, resolved to introduce the objective and Kindergarten systems. The Mexicans gave the plan careful study and commenced by educating a corps of teachers who would be able to put it into efficient practice. For this purpose they founded the Academia de Pedagogia, composed entirely of professors (male and female) who have made a thorough study of the subject, both theoretically and practically. The new system has been introduced with great success in the schools, and it is thought will be universally adopted. An infant school, to aid the laboring class, has also been started. The children are kept there during the day while their parents are at work, and are taught the elements. Another interesting institution is the night school for workingmen, which has an attendance of 184. Among the benevolent institutions is La Cuña, a foundling hospital, which is divided into three departments, one for boys, one for girls, and a third for infants of either sex. The little ones are furnished with playthings; the larger ones are taught the branches of a primary education, as well as music, drawing, and all kinds of sewing. The "Hospicio" is another establishment, which contains some 800 boys and girls whose parents are either dead or unable

to care for them. The elements of instruction are given in the building, and later the pupils are sent to the schools of arts and trades mentioned below. Sewing, lace work, and embroidery are also taught. Mexico is doing much toward educating her daughters, and the schools devoted to girls enjoy similar advantages to those for boys. The higher colleges, such as the preparatory school of San Ildefonso, have opened their doors to women, and quite a number have entered. The School of Arts and Trades for Women numbers 368 regular attendants, varying in age from girls of twelve up to women of middle age. Every kind of instruction is free of charge; all materials and apparatus for work are likewise provided. The government also furnishes two substantial meals each day. Further assistance is given by officials, who give orders for upholstery, book-binding, and also clothing for the charitable institutions of the city. Several hours each morning are devoted to the primary branches and book-keeping. Vocal and instrumental music and painting are taught. Moulding and gilding, manufacture of artificial flowers, printing, embroidery, manufacture of trimmings, fringes, cords, &c., enter into the course. At Guadalajara, there is a similar school, where women are taught printing, photography, lithography, stenography, tailoring, shoemaking, and stocking and cloth weaving.

The Escuela de Artes y Oficios (for men) in the City of Mexico is somewhat similar to the one described above for women. In the morning primary studies, the higher branches, and mathematics are pursued; French is obligatory. The school contains 170 boys, and the government spends about $48,000 annually on it, $12,000 being allowed yearly for the purchase of machinery, necessary apparatus, &c. Everything is free, and there are 50 scholarships, an allowance of $30 a month being given to the boys filling them. These scholarships are extended to all the national academies, the school of agriculture having 100 at its disposal, the preparatory 20, another school 10, and so on. When a boy has made good use of his opportunities he is allowed this pension for 5 years. A certain number of boys are also sent either to Europe or the United States, where they are permitted to stay 5 years, with a monthly allowance of $50. In this School of Arts and Trades much attention is devoted to carpentry, the art of pottery, working in iron and brass, in electro-metallurgy, photography, lithography, and printing. There is also a gymnasium, where the boys are expected to exercise daily. Music and drawing are among the studies.

Two reformatory institutions are doing good work, viz, the Tecpara Reformatory, Santiago, and the correctional school of San Pedro y San Pablo. In the first mentioned the educational advantages are excellent, as the professors who give instruction in the various arts and trades are among the best in Mexico. Carpentry, weaving, shoemaking, printing, and tailoring are taught, and there is a complete orchestra. The institution of San Pedro y San Pablo contains 300 pupils who are taken from the dregs of the population. There is a regular school course and the different trades are taught. The boys are also put through a course of military drill.

Just as this report is going to press the Office is the recipient of a series of maps, diagrams, &c., bearing on education in Mexico and prepared for the Mexican exhibit at the exposition in New Orleans. They were kindly furnished by Señor Fernando Ferrari Perez, naturalist of the Mexican geographical exploring commission, president of the State University of Puebla de Zaragoza. The following statistics are taken from the chart of primary school instruction in the federal district, which includes the city of Mexico, the prefectures of Tlalpam, Tacubaya, Guadalupe Hidalgo, and Xochimilco; it was prepared by Señor Rafael Perez Gallardo, member of the special committee from that district to the New Orleans Exposition.

The number of primary schools was 400, with 657 male and 362 women professors, 167 male assistants and 165 female assistants. In these schools were 15,771 boys and 12,017 girls. The expenditures amounted to $341,032. It may be well to state that these numbers cover both public and private institutions. Some are schools for adults, others for children. These figures show the state of the educational system of the federal district down to September, 1884.

The Mexican dollar is 86.4 cents.