V IN HUMAN SOCIETY 225 



there is much difference of opinion ah to the best 

 way in which the technical instruction, so generally 

 desired, should be given. Two courses appear 

 to be practicable : the one is the establishment of 

 special technical schools with a systematic and 

 lengthened course of instruction demanding the 

 employment of the whole time of the pupils. The 

 other is the setting afoot of technical classes, 

 especially evening classes, comprising a short 

 series of lessons on some special topic, which may 

 be attended by persons already earning wages in 

 some branch of trade or commerce. 



There is no doubt that technical schools, on 

 the plan indicated under the first head, are 

 extremely costly; and, so far as the teaching of 

 artizans is concerned, it is very commonly objected 

 to them that, as the learners do not work under 

 trade conditions, they are apt to fall into ama 

 teurish habits, which prove of more hindrance 

 than service in the actual business of life. When 

 such schools are attached to factories under the 

 direction of an employer who desires to train up 

 a supply of intelligent workmen, of course this 

 objection does not apply ; nor can the usefulness 

 of such schools for the training of future em 

 ployers and for the higher grade of the employed 

 be doubtful ; but they are clearly out of the 

 reach of the great mass of the people, who have 

 to earn their bread as soon as possible. We must 

 therefore look to the classes, and especially to 

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