poses than it ought to be; and much of the fund given for general purposes of charity is uselessly directed, and not a little of it hurtfully.

From these propositions of fact, certain inferences follow, as we apprehend, very easily and plainly. In the first place, it is clear that a Board or department of education becomes necessary for supplying the defects which exist in the present system, and for correcting its errors. This necessity is proved by the great amount of the schooling, such as it is, already provided by individual exertion-for no one can think of superseding this by a measure which shall at once substitute the requisite number of new schools in the room of the old ones; and great care will be required in so bestowing public grants of money, and levying other funds, as not to destroy the existing institutions, which it should be the great object to improve and to multiply. No general plan could be worked all over the country in such a way as to accommodate itself to local circumstances; nor could any other means than the direction of a Board be divised for administering the funds allotted to the service differently in different places, according to the circumstances of each, so as not to interfere with the schools already planted, except by improving them.

Next, it plainly follows, from the same facts, what the chief functions of the Board ought to be, and what the principles that should guide them in the exercise of those functions. In some places, chiefly in the cities and large towns, more new schools will be required than the exertions of individuals can set agoing; although those exertions, with the payments from the children, may suffice to maintain them when once begun. In other places, of an opposite description, though very few schools may be wanted, there may be an equal defect of resources to establish them. In both the one kind of place and the other, the grants of public money given yearly since 1833 may be most beneficially employed to, help individuals who are desirous of planting schools, and are prevented by the original expense; an outfit may be given, and the rule should be, generally speaking, to give a certain proportion only of the first cost, upon the neighbourhood undertaking to furnish the rest. This principle has hitherto been adopted with great success; many scores,—indeed some hundreds, of schools have been established by means of this aid; and the affording it has occasioned an increased exertion on the part of individuals, instead of causing any relaxation of their praiseworthy efforts. But the rule should not be inflexible; for there are situations in which little or no exertion can be expected from the neighbourhood, and in which it will be

the duty of the Board to afford assistance from the funds placed at their disposal. With respect to infant schools for the greater towns, it will plainly be necessary that a considerable increase of the former grants should be made; and one of the first duties of the Board will be to provide a large supply of those invaluable seminaries. It is calculated that a sufficient number for the whole of London might be established in the course of five years, for the sum of L.30,000 each year. The current expenses would then have to be provided of about 150 schools; and if it were found impossible to meet this yearly charge by the payments of the children, or by.private beneficence, recourse must be had to the powers with which it is necessary to arm the Board and the local authorities jointly, and of which we must now speak.

It is manifestly most expedient to do nothing which shall interfere with individual exertion; both because of the enormous expense which would be thrown upon the state, were all the charge to be thus defrayed; because of the dislike which this would tend to bring upon education; and because of the great advantage derived from those individuals who support schools attending minutely to their management, and encouraging the labouring classes to take advantage of them. Nevertheless, it is necessary that power should be lodged in the local authorities to make the burden lighter upon the benevolent, by rating the whole community, wherever there is a majority of its members favourable to the establishment of schools. In a place where the prevailing opinion is the other way, this course may be objectionable. But no harm can be done by levying a rate where most of the inhabitants are willing to pay it; and where compelling the minority to contribute can never tend to bring odium upon education. It is proposed, therefore, that the common council, in all corporate towns, as chosen by the inhabitants, and representing their opinions and feelings, should have the power of establishing such schools as may be wanted, with the approbation of the Board, and of levying a rate upon the community subject to their jurisdiction, for supporting such schools-the Board first to be satisfied that the rate is wanted, and is properly apportioned. The regulations for conducting the schools thus established are also to be subject to the approval of the Board; but no power is given to the Board of prescribing any rules contrary to the opinion of the council. Thus both the Board and the council must agree before the school can be established; and undue influence from the Government or the Board is excluded, as well as the operation of narrow-minded views among parties on the spot. A similar concurrent power must be given to the sessions in places where no municipal corporations exist. Had

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the county councils been established, as was proposed by the bill of Mr Hume, lately thrown out in the House of Commons, the easy means would have been afforded of extending this system over the whole country; for these councils, representing all the rate-payers, would have performed the same functions in places beyond the vicinity of corporations, which the bill assigns to the town-councils of those bodies. Until some such county councils are formed, it may be advisable to vest those power in the justices at sessions; although this arrangement is certainly liable to the objection, that these magistrates do not represent the people whom they will thus be authorized to tax. They will, however, act in this respect under the control of the Board and of the Government.

No one can doubt that when this plan shall be in full operation, and in proportion as the advantages of education become generally acknowledged, the tendency will be to increase the number of schools supported by rates; and gradually, but with the free consent of the rate-payers, to convert those which are now supported by voluntary contribution into schools maintained by rates. But these will still be under the management of persons upon the spot, either of private individuals, or of the councils, or of both jointly—the Board exercising a general superintendence of which we are next to speak; after adding this remark, that the transition will thus be made from a voluntary to an established system of education, without any burden being cast upon the community, without losing the aid of individual zeal, and the benefits of local knowledge, and without the introduction of any oppression or abuse from the Government.

It is proposed that over all schools either aided by the public grants, or planted by the local authorities, and over all endowed schools the Board shall exercise a superintending power. For this purpose they are to appoint school-inspectors, who may examine and report from time to time; and upon their reports the Board may give advice and suggestions, and enforce them when it is necessary, either by withholding public assistance, or by stopping the rates, with the concurrence of the local authorities. No power should, on any account, be given of shutting up a school, if its patrons, or any other persons willing to become its supporters, choose to continue it, upon the Board differing with those having its management. Withdrawing public aid is the utmost power that should be possessed by the Board. Over endowed schools, however, it is necessary to give a somewhat larger authority; and in these the power is given to remove the masters for unfitness.

The next function of the Board, and one of the most important, is the improvement of teaching. For this purpose, there

will be established under superintendence, schools for training teachers what are called on the Continent Normal Schools. For the establishment and regulation of those the greatest care is required; and the expense, for some years at least, must fall upon the State. A year's instruction at least, with the help of a good model school, will be necessary to qualify teachers. If these have not already made some progress in their studies, two years may be required for this purpose. There seems no reason to apprehend that any want of competitors for the places of pupils at these normal seminaries will be experienced. In the Boroughroad school in London there are always more applications for places. than can be granted; and the advantages will be considerably greater of those who attend the public establishment. It is calculated that for L. 20,000 a-year, 500 teachers may be maintained and completely qualified to perform their duties. As soon as this system has been established, it is to be expected that at least as many more will flock to take advantage of it, without any additional cost to the public. Now if the Board can thus furnish a large supply of accomplished teachers, it is manifest that all schools established by individual exertion, all in which instruction is now supported by subscription, or by payments from the children, will, if left to themselves, and without any interference whatever from the Board, be disposed to take teachers from the normal seminary. The improved tuition at these schools will infallibly increase the number of children attending them, and the funds to be obtained for their support; and thus, without any further operation on the part of the Board than the establishment and careful superintendence of the normal seminaries in London, and in two or three other places, a prodigious improvement will be effected in the education of the people within the space of a very few years.

The last function of the Board to which we shall advert, is connected with the funds already existing in the large endowments scattered so profusely over the country. The charity Commission having now or nearly completed its labours, is about to cease. A permanent superintendence of charities is therefore wanted, to prevent the relapse into abuse by constant enquiry and occasional interposition. The cumbrous proceedings of Courts of Equity render it necessary that in the more ordinary cases, a simple, a more expeditious, and a less costly recourse should be provided. This is afforded by vesting in the Board certain judicial as well as all inquisitorial functions. But the more judicious application of the charitable funds is also of great importance. As the law now stands, no deviation can be made from the plan laid down by the donor two or three centuries ago, unless it is impossible to execute it; yet it often happens that little, if any

good is done by the disposition which he has directed, and not seldom that serious evil arises from it. An example of the first defect in charitable institutions is afforded by those grammar-schools which are richly endowed in places where the inhabitants have no occasion for instruction in Greek, Latin, or Hebrew, but would be greatly benefited by other branches of knowledge. An example of the latter defect is furnished in many parts of the country by the doles of money, often to a considerable amount, given to poor persons indiscriminately. Nor are cases wanting of whole districts filled with idleness, and poverty, and dissipation, by the great increase of the charity estates given at a remote period to the poor of narrow communities. The powers of the Board are not such as to remedy these evils effectually. The will of the donor is not to be disregarded, except in a comparatively small class of cases; and where there can be no manner of doubt that he would himself have directed the deviation, had he been able to foresee the altered circumstances of the times. Thus charities, given without any specification of objects, may be applied to education; and funds given for one kind of tuition may be applied to another more beneficially. But in all cases the opinions and wishes of the trustees are consulted as far as possible. Where these are desirous of making the improvement, and are prevented by the letter of the foundation, a power is given to them of making the change with the Board's consent. Where they have the power, or obtained it, and refuse to exercise it, the Board is authorized to enforce the change, but subject to an appeal to the Privy Council; and no change can be made in any charitable disposition which is not more than thirty years old. Indeed, this branch of the Board's authority is strictly confined to cases where the gift is manifestly absurd, or positively pernicious.

It thus appears, that by the operation of the measure in question, a very few years will suffice for giving to the whole country a system of elementary education deserving the name; by planting schools wherever they are wanted; by improving the management and securing the permanence of those now existing; and by the general introduction of infant training, at present confined to an extremely small part of the community; and by providing a supply of teachers thoroughly qualified for their important office. This will be accomplished without any pressure upon the resources of the State, or of particular districts; without any sudden destruction of the present imperfect system before the materials can be formed for a better; without any thing being done or attempted that can render education unpopular; and without losing the benefit which it now derives, and not in a financial view alone, from the benevolent zeal of individuals. Nor will there be any door opened for abuse in the management of the