ae 
Method of Public Instruction, &c. 199 
dents. All these establishments were frequented, in 1819, 
by 31,401 pupils. These institutions are under the direc- 
tion general des etudes, but there are many others devoted to 
special instruction. ‘The Royal Academy of Sciences at 
Lisbon, publishes every year a volume of transactions. 
33. Contagion and Infection—The Roya) Society of 
Sciences at Rouen, in France, offer a premium of 300 francs, 
or a gold medal of that value, to the person who shall best 
solve the following question. 
“Is it proved by exact observation that there are fevers 
which can be communicated by infection, without being con- 
tagious? In admitting the existence of these fevers, what 
are the principal causes which give rise to their develope- 
ment, and to their propagation? What are the means proper 
to prevent them, or to arrest their progress ?”’? The memoir 
is to be addressed to the perpetual secretary of the class of 
sciences, before the Ist of June, 1823. 
34. Public Instruction. Method of M. Ordinaire.—In 
conformity to a special ordinance of the Rector of the 
Academy of Paris, the pupils of the Institution Morin, in- 
structed upon the method of M. Ordinaire, were examined 
With the most scrupulous attention on the 28th of September 
last. The results even far surpassed the expectations that 
a knowledge of the theory had excited. It appears to be 
proved that, by the employment of this method, a child 
may acquire in fifteen months all the positive knowledge 
usually required of a pupil of the fifth year. It is to be re- 
marked that this method changes neither the customary de- 
nominations, nor the class book actually in use, and that it 
not oppose the progress of the course of instruction 
enerally established. 
relative to the object of the society. M. Jomard, the sec- 
retary, gave a luminous account of the proceedings ries 
Past year. He congratulated the society on the estab - - 
Ment of 156 schools during the year 1821, notwithstanding 
