Middle- Class Education. 9 



If this object induced their parents to unite in taking a more 

 active interest in such schools, it might lead to their improve- 

 ment. So long as farmers of small occupations are not able or 

 inclined to send their children to any other than parochial schools 

 some change in the present system is urgently required. 



The rural parochial schools in Scotland afford an education 

 for all classes who attend them of a very liberal character. The 

 school-fees, it appears, are also very moderate, running from 21. 

 to 5/. a year for day-scholars. In many such schools farmers' 

 sons have the opportunity of obtaining a good general education, 

 with Classics, French, or German, — in short, everything they 

 can require but chemistry, and even this has in some cases been 

 attempted. It is not likely, however, that chemistry will ever 

 be well taught in any parochial schools, since much deeper 

 knowledge is required of the teacher than an ordinary school- 

 master can ever acquire. Moreover, chemistry cannot well be 

 taught to large classes, at all events, of boys, who require at first 

 such special instruction and attention as can be paid only to 

 a few at a time ; though youths who had already received a 

 grounding in chemistry might undoubtedly profit by attending 

 chemical classes, well taught by a professional chemist, the ex- 

 pense of which could only be afforded by the resources of a large 

 educational establishment. For this, amongst other reasons, 

 large district schools are required for the support of professional 

 teachers. 



I am at a loss to assign any reason for the general advanced 

 state of education in Scotland, other than the high appreciation 

 in which it is held by parents who have been pretty well edu- 

 cated themselves.* 



Success in the education of the middle-classes in their early 

 years depends as much upon the aid and encouragement afforded 

 by parents, as upon the efforts of the regularly-appointed school- 

 master. If this be the case, it is evident that during the brief 

 period of one generation no great educational stride can be 

 made. 



In the 'North British Agriculturist' newspaper may be found 

 frequent reports of meetings of farmers' clubs, &c., in all parts 

 of Scotland, at which practical as well as scientific matters are 

 very ably discussed. The numbers who take part in these dis- 

 cussions show how well informed the generality of Scotch farmers 

 are, and how eagerly they seize any opportunity for advancing in 

 useful knowledge. Those who do not read Scotch papers cannot 

 but have observed that Scotch bailiffs and gardeners are very 



* This only removes the difficulty a generation back. The true solution of this 

 striking phenomenon will probably be found in several peculiarities in the consti- 

 tution of the Scotch Kirk.— P. H. F. 



