82 Mr. G. Asdersox on the Education of the Working Classes, 



producing nearly pure iron, it was not in the mechanical state which is 

 reqviisite for toughness and malleability ; and that in order to bring it 

 into that condition, the process of puddhng, or some one analogous to 

 it, was necessary. 



An experiment such as here described cannot be regarded as conclu- 

 sive of the failure of Mr. Bessemer's patent ; but it is probable that 

 before it can become practically useful some modification of the process 

 must be adopted. Tlie subject is well worthy of further investigation. 



March 11, 1857. — The President in tlie Chair. 

 Mr. George Anderson read a paper " On the Best Means of Pro- 

 moting Education among the Working Classes." 



The Education of the Working Classes, and the Best 3feans of Pro- 



vioting it. By Mr. George Axdersox. 

 Hitherto every scheme that has been proposed for the better education 

 of the masses seems to take for granted that the masses not only require, 

 but demand such a measure ; but it appears worthy of consideration, 

 whether the failure of every such scheme does not go far to answer that 

 question. 



That there is a loud cry through the country for extended education, 

 no one can deny, but so far, that cry proceeds only from the educated 

 classes — from those who have themselves learned the value of education ; 

 and, unfortunately, that is not a large proportion of our people, and, 

 more unfortunately stUl, that limited proportion is weakened by dissen- 

 sion, and thus perpetually neutralizes its own efforts. 



It appears to me, that at this juncture it may be well for the real 

 friends of education to pause before renewing the contest — to look about 

 them and consider whether, after repeated failures in one direction, it 

 might not be better to inaugurate a new com'se ; and I will endeavour 

 to point out what course I think holds out some hope of success. 



Educatioxai State of Great Britain as compared with 

 OTHER Countries. 



By the census of 1851, we find that the population of England and 

 Wales (with the Channel Islands) was 18,070,735, of which total there 

 were at school 2,124,324 being 1 in 8^ of the population. The 

 population of Scotland was 2,888,742, of whom were at school 368,517, 

 which is 1 in 7| of the population, or 1 per cent, better than England. 

 Taking the two together, we have — 



Population, 20,959,477 



At School, . . _ . . . . . 2,492,841 



Or about 1 in 8^ of the population. 



