26 TRINIDAD. 



In the year 1875 Sir Henry Irving made further changes, 

 and schools of primary instruction became entitled to the 

 advantages which Sir Arthur Gordon had granted to secondary 

 schools. Private individuals may, if they choose, establish 

 schools of primary instruction, provided these schools are placed 

 under the control of local managers, are open at all times to 

 inspection by officers appointed by Government, and the average 

 daily attendance during the scholastic year is not less than twenty- 

 five. The aid to which they become entitled consists of a 

 capitation grant, (a) for every scholar present on the day of 

 examination who is above the age of five years and under 

 the age of seven years, who has made no less than 200 atten- 

 dances at the school in the course of the school year, the sum of 

 ten shillings ; or, if taught as a separate department, the sum of 

 fifteen shillings ; (b) for every scholar above the age of seven 

 years, present on the day of examination, who has made no less 

 than 200 attendances at the school in the course of the school 

 year, and who passes the inspector's examination satisfactorily, 

 the sum of twenty-five shillings; {c) and in addition, where 

 plain needlework is regularly taught to the girls in a satisfac- 

 tory manner, for every girl above the age of five years, who has 

 made 200 attendances, the sum of two shillings. 



This system, though taxing to the utmost private resources, 

 has nevertheless been received with approbation, as the most 

 impartial that could be devised. Wards or Government schools 

 are continued wherever they have not been superseded by 

 voluntary or free schools. 



It may be truly said that wherever Christianity has obtained 

 an ascendancy, there civilisation has penetrated together with 

 all its blessings ; for it seems that Christianity alone holds the 

 secret of man's destinies ; and it is remarkable that the civilising 

 influence of religious institutions is in proportion to their 

 accordance with the Christian doctrine. It is the privilege of 

 Christianity to educe civilisation from any material : it is the 

 grand and tried agent which can, with certainty, be brought 

 into operation in all cases and under any form of government. 



It may be well for those who have imbibed the truths of the 

 Gospel, who bask in the sunshine of Christian civilisation, and 

 who relish the savoury fruits of the tree planted by their fore- 

 fathers, to pretend or assume that Christianity has done its 

 work, and must now give precedence to other systems or institu- 

 tions resulting from, and better adapted to, the progress of ages ; 

 but those who pause to consider the progress of humanity in 

 general under the reign of Paganism and Idolatry, or even of 

 Islamism, who witness the supernatural results of Christianity, 

 particularly in its taming and civilising influence on the wildest 



