to be found with the American school benches is that there is no difference in size and in the relative position of their different parts. * * * The physical geography is excellently represented on large maps, to the great honour of M. Guyot, whose name they bear. * * * In the text, books, which lie about on the desks, we were particularly pleased with the good thick paper, something which our own blotting paper text book publishers might make note of."" General Eaton adds: "This writer also expresses

his admiration of the coloured natural history charts, the charts showing the dif ferent colours, something new to the German Schools,' and the calculating machine; but confesses his surprise that America, the home of machinery, in its rural school does not exhibit a single physical instrument, not even a thermometer."

GREAT BRITAIN AT VIENNA.

"The English Educational Exhibition," the Freie Pädagogische Blätter says, "is even less than unassuming, aud really offers next to nothing. A series of maps intended as aids for instruction in natural sciences, some geographical maps, and particularly a geological map of Queensland are highly commended. A mineralogical collection is considered worthy of mention; also, an exhibition of Bibles printed in all the different languages of the world."

FRANCE AT THE AUSTRIAN EXHIBITION,

The London Engineering says of the French Exhibition:-" The French gallery shows that much attention and a large share of talent are concentrated upon devising the best means of primary instruction, of smoothing the asperities, and rendering the first stages of learning easy and agreeable to youth. We know no country in which such vigorous and successful efforts are made to encourage and stimulate the young student. There are arithmometers, to facilitate the simple rules; geographical reliefs in plaster, to give accurate notions of the fundamental definitions; variously-coloured mops, showing by the difference of shades the altitudes of countries above the sea level; and models of solids, with sections, to render tangible the principles of practical geometry. After a careful examination of the various systems of drawing, we think that the French department is pre-eminently the best. We mean the course of linear drawing, with zinc-and plaster-models of penetrations and architectural designs, as well as the card board arrangements for descriptive geometry of the Christian Brothers." The Bund, an official Swiss paper, also remarks:-"The final impression made upon our mind on leaving the French exhibition is about the following:-Higher instruction, as far as it can be judged by such exhibition, seems to flourish, also the elementary schools of the City of Paris, while in the Provinces both higher and elementary instruction seem to be neglected."

GERMAN EXHIBITION AT VIENNA,

*

Of the German exhibition the Freie Palagogische Blätter says:— "The German educa tional exhibition is next to the Austrian, which, of course, from local causes was principally favoured the most complete of the whole exposition." Regret is expressed that it was not arranged on a uniform plan. "Objects from one and the same State are placed in different parts of the building, which prevents a clear and comprehensive view of the whole. Among the aids to instruction especially recommended are "the paste board models of blossoms, and other portions of plants on a very large scale, exceedingly useful in classes where it is impossible to procure fresh plants for every scholar; * the physiological and anotomical models of Fleishmann, of Nürnberg, and Ziegler of Frieberg; the physical appa ratus for elementary schools; coloured charts for the illustration of botany and natural history, all on a very large scale; the globes, telluria, maps and other aids to geographical instruction; the drawing copies and models; and the chemical laboratory exhibited by Hagersdorff-one of the finest objects in the educational exhibition." The work done by scholars in real schools and industrial schools is highly recommended. Among the specimens of woman's work, the amount of useless embroidery is commented upon somewhat severely, and it is remarked that "this branch of instruction is, in most cases, far from what it ought to be." The Bund, an official Swiss paper, in noticing the German exhibition, makes special mention of the collection of ores, minerals, and fossil-plants; the new apparatus for instruc

tion in mathematical geography, which meets a long-felt want; the aids to object-teaching, with a view to instruction in national sciences in elementary and secondary schools; the wall charts for instruction in botany and zoology, and the aids to instruction of the blind. Of the work performed by scholars, this paper says (referring especially to the industrial schools of Hamburg and Würtemberg):-"the drawings, plaster casts, &c., show us what the youth of our age are learning, and how greatly the community is profiting by such institutions. We know full well that the work of the scholars which is on exhibition is not in every respect the proper criterion for the standard of excellence of a school, for talented scholars will produce astounding results, even in a badly conducted school; but the mass and variety of work on exhibition nevertheless shows that a great deal is taught, and a great deal is learned. The drawings from several industrial schools in Bavaria are excellent, and great admiration is expressed for the work done by the Munich Kindergarten."

THE EXHIBIT OF SWITZEI LAND.

The same paper also says of the Swiss educational exhibit :-" The preliminary exhibiion held in Winterthür, in February, in 1873, was far more imposing than the one at Vienna. Many very valuable educational objects, collections, apparatus, maps, &c., have been sent to Vienna in vain, because they have not either been unpacked or are totally hidden from view. The most significant feature of the exhibition, as illustrating the progress of education, and the changes in the character of instruction during the last few years, is the collection of text-books, apparatus, and charts for instruction in natural science. A set of these charts, adapted for every grade of instruction, attracted universal attention in Vienna. The Zürich exhibition displayed a collection of these cbjects for primary and secondary schools as complete as we have not seen them in any other canton in the country." The Bund, speaking of what has been done for education in Zürich during the last few years, saysThe authorities have thoroughly understood the spirit of the times. They have suc ceeded in bringing the great achievements of science into a happy relation with the elementary schools, and thereby with the education of the whole nation. A healthy and beneficial mutual relation has been established between the university and the primary school, such as is scarcely found anywhere else. The Freie Pädagogische Blätter says:-" We must make special mention of all the aids for instruction in natural sciences, for these are truly admirable in their selection and arrangement, all of the three natural kingdoms being well repre sented by a school-collection. The object of the former is explained by its name, the latter is collected by the scholars themselves. Exact rules regulate the manner of making these collections. The collection of physical apparatus seems to have been made on the principle 'little but good.' The aids to geographical instruction are equal to the demands of the time. Also by magnificent illustrations are the young made acquainted with the history of their nation."

AUSTRIA AT HOME.

The Bund pronounces the Austrian education exhibit "magnificently gotten up and beautifully arranged. The material for every grade of instruction is exhibited in natural divisions and groups, corresponding with each other. The only novelty in the primary division is a rotating slate of galvanized rubber, which, if durable, will doubtless be introduced into many schools. The herbaria of the scholars in an elementary school in Styria are highly praised. The collection of physical apparatus is very fine; also the anatomical preparations for superior schools. For the first instruction in geology and Falæontology the geological pictures will render good service."

HUNGARY AT VIENNA.

The Freie Pädagogische Blätter also finds especially admirable the geographical part of the Hungarian exhibition. The maps are "in the highest degree creditable." The " relief maps" are particularly excellent. Illustrations of natural history in the shape of charts show that the study of nature is not neglected in the Hungarian Schools. Collections of "admirably-prepared insects, anatomical specimens, and elegantly-finished physical apparatus complete the aids for instruction in natural sciences." "For object-lessons there are

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a few, but very useful, pictures. In some of these we see an idea which a future time will carry out-group-pictures executed in a truly artistic manner." Mention is made of "two-seated school-benches," drawing-copies," and "a rich collection of needle-work done by scholars." "In quantity Hungary might have given us more, but as regards the quality, we must express our entire satisfaction."

SWEDEN AT THE AUSTRIAN EXHIBITION.

The Blätter commends the simplicity and practical character of the Swedish schoolhouse, and says :— "The Swedish Government does more than almost any other European Government for good school-houses, especially in a sanitary point of view. The Swedish Government not only distributes plans of school-houses, but accompanies these by a printed pamphlet, giving numerous and valuable hints as regards the location and surroundings of the school, the quantity of space to be allowed to each scholar, the different methods of ventilation, &c.

"A very important problem, the construction of school-benches, may be almost considered as satisfactorily solved in the Swedish School-house. The seats which are exhibited have, it is true, as yet only flat boards, which deny the scholar every comfort, and the slightly slanting position of the board does not compensate for this defec:; but not one of the seats is without a back, which, although essential to a comfortable seat, is found in but very few of our School-houses. We must draw special attention to the fact that in the Swedish School-house there is a separate seat for each child. The long school bench should not be tolerated anywhere, but separate seats should be introduced into all schools, as the Swedes and Americans have done. A peculiar feature of the school-room is a number of guns and a drum, used in the military gymnastics and the practice of arms, which forms an important branch of instruction in all the elementary schools.

"Religious instruction is obligatory and occupies a considerable number of hours every week. Of the 212 objects exhibited in the Swedish school-house, no less than 20 have reference to religious instruction. The only object among them deserving attention is a collection of pictures for instruction in Biblical history, which are really valuable. All the books in the Swedish school-house are got up in the most practical manner; the binding is elastic and cannot be torn. This also applies to the people's library, which, numbering several hundred volumes, forms a specialty of the Swedish school-house. Fifteen years ago, the first people's libraries were established in Sweden, and now, in accordance with the resolutions of the Swedish school-law, nearly every village possesses one. No better place could be found for it than the school-house, and no better librarian than the

teacher.

"Among the aids for instruction in natural history, the glass cases with insects deserve special mention, on account of their practical arrangement. These cases have not only glass lids and sides, but also glass bottoms, and the insect can, therefore, be inspected from all sides. The physical apparatus which is exhibited, excels through accuracy and the greatest possible simplicity. We were struck with a large drawing slate made of dull glass, which forms an excellent drawing-surface for coloured pencils. A part of the drawing copies are in the shape of gigantic wall maps. The calculating machines are few in number, which may be accounted for by the circumstance that instruction in arithmetic in Sweden aims more at rapid skill than at a clear understanding of the arithmetical process; but a calculating machine illustrating the decimal system is considered worthy of mention. An interesting feature of the exhibition is a collection of aids for instruction in vocal music, which is much cultivated in Sweden."

BELGIUM AT VIENNA.

The same journal remarks that, on entering the Belgium Educational Exhibition, one sees at once that in Belgium, with its busy marts of industry, but little has been done for the education of the masses. The Belgian department excels in the many mathematical objects made of tin. The collection of apparatus for perspective drawing is of real value, as well as the wire net-work, also for drawing purposes. In a calculating-machine we were struck with the combination of vertical and horizontal wires. A beautiful map of West Flanders, in re

lief, painted blue, and the towns marked by shining white spots, which can be seen from afar, is extremely useful for large classes. The female work exhibited is characterized by simplicity and usefulness. Besides the objects mentioned, we find nothing in the Belgian department which is worthy our attention.

ITALY AND HER SCHOOLS.

Of Italy it also says:- "The Italian Educational Exhibition shows us more than anything else, the trans-alpine superior and special Schools. The technical Schools particularly, are represented in a brilliant manner. This is not astonishing, for in a country which has produced the men who pierced Mont Cénis, we expect to find a high degree of technical education. The elementary schools are also well represented. A school bench is exhibited with a movable seat. We saw a similar arrangement in the French exhibition, but we cannot admire it. There is absolutely no necessity for turning seats. The finest part of the Italian lemen tary school exhibition is the female work. Here we see the artistic trait of the Italian nation. A great plastic model of Vesuvius deserves specia! attention. A skilful hand planned it, and it is in every way a most interesting object."

RUSSIA AT THE AUSTRIAN CAPITAL.

Widely varying opinions are expressed by the Swiss Bund and the Vienna Freie Pädogogische Blätter, concerning the Russian educational exhibition. The former says:-"The Russian educational exhibition is a mere rudiment compared with the other civilized States of Europe," and finds nothing worthy of remark but a series of "object lessons for the school and family."

The latter paper remarks:-" On visiting the Russian educational exhibition, we find occasion to rid ourselves of many a prejudice. Russia here appears very respectable, not by the number of articles exhibited, but by their excellence. The object lessons for the schoo! and family are truly admirable. The work done by the inmates of the Warsaw Institute for the Blind, deserves to be mentioned, as well as two models of school desks. A box with arithmetical blocks is very practical, and it is only astonishing to find it in the Russian department, because the Russians are particularly fond of complicated calculating-machines. Russia has a great future, and even its small educational exhibition is a grain of seed from which much may be expected."

PORTUGAL AT VIENNA,

Of Portugal the Freie Pädagogische Blätter says:- "The Portuguese school-house makes a very pleasant impression from the outside, but inside it looks very empty. On the walls there are photographic views of school-houses, which show that the school-house exhibited cannot be considered a model. Among the few objects exhibited, our attention is first of all attracted by the school-desks, in which there is nothing remarkable, except that there are two "seats screwed firmly to the floor belonging to every desk. Some pictures of parts of the human body elicit the enquiry, whether in Portugal drawing consists merely in copying, and whether in mathematical instruction no natural bodies are employed. Neither the one nor the other awakens a favourable opinion of the method of Portuguese educators. The cartagraphic exhibition comprised two maps, both of Portugal, one of them lithographed, the other drawn by hand."

PART II.

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION AT PHILADELPHIA, 1876.

At the Vienna Exposition (as already intimated), the United States occupied a prominent and deservedly high place. Canada did nothing of material value educationally at any of the former Exhibitions, except sending some School reports and educational periodicals