THE PLACE OF RESEARCH IN EDUCATION. 353 



were founded. How futile then must be any attempt to 

 base the instruction in these new institutions on discredited 

 methods — such old wine cannot be put into such new 

 bottles. Time does not allow of my fully discussing this 

 matter. I can only point out that the programmes of in- 

 struction on which the examinations are based are of such 

 a nature as to make real instruction impossible — even if no 

 other objection could be raised, the extent of ground to be 

 gone over is so great as to make cram an absolute necessity. 

 We have to bear in mind that Germany has prospered 

 without such examinations, Japan also ; I believe China is 

 the only country in which a similar system meets with 

 national support — recent events do not encourage us, how- 

 ever, to derive any consolation from this circumstance. 



As Professor Herkomer points out : " Granted that the 

 Kensington system was of use once upon a time, and that 

 without it schools of art would not have been established at 

 all, we must look the matter straight in the face and acknow- 

 ledge that we have now arrived at a point when it must 

 change its form in order to fulfil a great duty and to be of 

 use, or else be disbanded". Undoubtedly this is so, 

 and is as equally true of Science as of Art. The Depart- 

 ment has at last perforce itself recognised the necessity of 

 change, but all too slowly, and by appointing a certain num- 

 ber of inspectors has in a measure initiated a new policy. 

 The very distinguished scientific man who is the Director 

 of Science, in his evidence before the Royal Commission 

 on Secondary Education, openly stated indeed that if he 

 had his way he would entirely substitute inspection for 

 examination in the elementary stage — but it is to be feared, 

 unfortunately for the country, that in this, as in most other 

 cases, one swallow does not make a summer. 



Professor Herkomer insists that in the future freedom 

 of action must be given to each master — to each town. This 

 independence, he says, is to be obtained only by municipal 

 and County Council aid. " Emancipation from the apron- 

 strings of Kensington through municipal and County Coun- 

 cil support would produce an individuality" we are told, 

 ki in the art of each town" for which I may substitute, in 



