of a School of Mines in Contjoall. 143 



casioii for the knowledge of the pnnciples which ought to 

 guide their practice. 



The art of mining the pupils would be supposed to under- 

 stand from their previous practical education and habits ; but 

 if a proper teacher could be found, to describe and point out 

 the reasons for established practices, to direct attention to such 

 matters as may call for improvement, and generally to sum up 

 the application of the elementary studies to the art itself, it 

 would be most desirable to have such an one. Probably a 

 professor of this sort duly qualified could, at present, be found 

 with difficulty, but the institution itself might very probably 

 supply one at no very distant period. 



2. TJie class of persons who I propose should receive be- 

 nefit from such an institution would be principally those young 

 men whp, after having by actual labour qualified themselves to 

 understand the practice, might be desirous of understanding 

 what it is proposed to teach, and who might thus more per- 

 fectly qualify themselves for the important task of managing 

 mines, or for becoming agents ; to which duty a certain num- 

 ber are continually called. I would not, however, be under- 

 stood to draw an exclusive distinction in this respect ; but, 

 whUe tlie school is intended principally for miners, I would 

 certainly have it open to artisans who work in other branches, 

 and particularly in those which are useful to mining. 



It is probable that a class of pupils of somewhat higher rank 

 might desire to avail themselves of instruction, fitted not only 

 to such as may wish to understand mining, but to those who 

 follow other occupations in which the sciences taught might 

 be usefully applied. 



Such students might be admitted, but under special provi- 

 sions that the great object of the institution be not impeded or 

 weakened in its effect. 



I would jM-opose that each miner and artisan should pay a 

 small sum for each course of lectures, and be permitted to 

 choose which he would attend. 



Students of a higher class should pay at least so much as 

 that they should be considered to be under no obligation to 

 the funds of the institution. 



As the periods of labour of the working miner are not very 

 long, and so regulated as often to afford them considerable 

 time during the day, the lectures might be regulated so as to 

 be convenient for their attendance, without much interruption 

 to their necessary duties. 



3. The Professors. — Much of the success of the plan must 

 doubtless depend on the choice of teachers ; and though the 

 branches of learning seem to be varied, yet I cannot help 



thinking 



