Middle- Class Education. 37 



should be studied by the pupil until he can point out in life as 

 on paper the distinguishing excellences or defects of any animal 

 presented for his criticism. 



To lay a flat tint in water-colours is an easy accomplishment, 

 which is useful in every sphere of life. Instruction in the few 

 plain primary facts which relate to the theory of colours might 

 be of service in preventing many a grotesque combination, as 

 well in dress as in furniture, Sic But in this respect much 

 will depend upon teacher and pupil. 



Patholoqij and 3fedicinc may be reserved for the Agricultural 

 College, for, up to sixteen, those few boys who are gifted with a 

 strong inborn taste for the dissection of birds and frogs, &c., 

 would alone feel interest in the study ; and one of these is more 

 likely to turn out an Abernethy or a Buckland than a Jonas 

 Webb. Even the knowledge of simple recipes, such as car- 

 bonate of soda with ginger, to be administered if frosted turnips 

 or vetches have soured the lamb's stomach, or a solution of chloride 

 of lime in case of hoove, — all suchlike lore, so quickly learnt 

 when the youth is old enough to give it heed, belongs not to the 

 period of marbles and hardbake. 



Geology, Botany, Chemistry , Physical Science, Sfc, may best 

 be made the subject of clear pleasant evening lectures, with 

 diagrams and experiments to illustrate the lecturer's remarks. 

 Easy textbooks on these subjects might, however, be in use 

 during school-hours, and prizes might be offered for the best 

 portfolio of dried wild flowers and grasses (systematically ar- 

 ranged as to order and class), and the best cabinet of geological 

 specimens collected in the neighbourhood ; every boy being 

 obliged so to exert himself as to show weekly a sufficient collec- 

 tion of some sort, or the competition would soon become too 

 narrow. Pursuits of this sort give a charm to country walks, 

 and are a bar to mischief. To ensure greater attention to the 

 lecture than the fascination of the moment may elicit, questions 

 should be set on the subject of each lecture at the quarterly 

 examination. 



Of Fencing, Drill, Dancing, S^c, I say nothing. Such accom- 

 plishments give grace and ease of manner, but are scarcely 

 essential to success on the agricultural arena. 



Singing and Music. — With our present social habits, and the 

 increasing interest taken in the choir of almost every parish, it 

 must be an advantage to the young farmer to be taught class- 

 singing and music, as far as native ability allows. Every head- 

 master, on his part, must be thankful to have boys of a musical 

 turn under his charge ; a valuable centre for innocent amuse- 

 ment in a school is the youthful pianist. 



For Gardening a taste may be encouraged during play-hours, 



