600 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



investigation to furnish results of interest and importance. 

 21 A, May, 1872, 360. 



SECOND REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON SCIENTIFIC 



INSTRUCTION. 



The second report of the Royal Commission on Scientific 

 Instruction and the Advancement of Science has just been is- 

 sued. The principal members of this commission are Pro- 

 fessor Huxley, Sir John Lubbock, Mr. Norman Lockyer, and 

 other names well known in scientific circles. The present re- 

 port is mainly directed to the consideration of science-teach- 

 ing in schools and training colleges, and its general recom- 

 mendations are summed up as follows : " From a considera- 

 tion of the evidence, we are of opinion that instruction in the 

 elements of natural science can be, and eventually ought to 

 be, made an essential part of the course of instruction in ev- 

 ery elementary school. The instruction to which we refer, 

 though scientific in substance, should in form be devoid of 

 needless technicality, and should be almost wholly confined 

 to such facts as can be brought under the direct observation 

 of the scholar. It should, in fact, be conveyed by object les- 

 sons, so arranged and methodized as to give an intelligent 

 idea of those more prominent phenomena which lie around ev- 

 ery child, and which he is apt to pass by without notice." 

 15 ^4,^^7 20, 1872, 501. 



COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE IN BIRMINGHAM. 



A college of physical science, somewhat on the plan of 

 that at Newcastle-on-Tyne, has lately been established in Bir- 

 mingham by Mr. Josiah Mason, who has assigned a property 

 valued at half a million of dollars, in trust for the purposes 

 of the college. Out of the net income a sum, not exceeding 

 one tenth, is to be set apart annually for providing scholar- 

 ships, exhibitions, and prizes for the pupils, the remainder go- 

 ing to the general support of the college, payment of pro- 

 fessors, etc. Instruction, by means of classes, is to be provided 

 in mathematics, and in the natural and physical sciences, and 

 their industrial applications; as also in the English, French, 

 and German languages, mechanical drawing, and architect- 

 ure. No person is to be admitted to the benefit of the insti- 

 tution who is not, for the time being, wholly or principally 



