PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. XI 



"we may say that in the family of knowledges, science is the household 

 drudge, who in obscurity hides unrecognized perfections. To her has 

 been committed all the work ; by her skill, intelligence and devotion, 

 have all conveniences and gratifications been obtained ; and while cease- 

 lessly ministering to the rest, she has been kept in the background, that 

 her haughty sisters may flaunt their fripperies in the eyes of the world. 

 The parallel holds yet further. For we are fast coming to the denoue- 

 ment, when the position will be changed, and while these haughty 

 sisters sink into merited neglect, science, proclaimed as highest alike in 

 worth and beouty will reign supreme." 



The Duke of Devonshire has introduced a bill into the House of 

 Lords which is practically a bill for the establishment of science schools. 

 In Scotland, Sir Henry Oaik's latest educational circular aims at the 

 encouragement of Science and Art in combination with a sound scheme 

 of general education. The course of instruction extends over three years 

 -as follows : 



1. Experimental Science. Not less than four hours a week, of 

 which two hours must be experimental. In the third year at least three 

 hours of practical work will be required. 



2. Drawing. At least two hours a week. 



3. Mathematics, including Geometry, Mensuration, Arithmetic and 

 Algebra. At least four hours a week. 



4. History and English Literature. About five hours a week. 



5. Geography. About two hours a week. 



6. Manual Training At least three hours a week. 



7. One Modern Language. 



8. Various other subjects of Practical Interest such as Bookkeeping, 

 Phonography, &c. 



It will be seen at once that the course very much resembles our 

 imperative course, except in that it gives one-sixth of the time to science 

 while we give only one-eight. 



Coming to America we find that the recommendations of the 

 Committee of Ten, of the Committee of Fifteen and of the Committee 

 on Science Teaching in Schools to the American Society of Naturalists, 

 all agree in recommending a course of study substantially like ours, 

 like our ideal course, but not like the actual course. 



A consideration of these facts leads us at once to conclude that our 

 prescribed course of study fairly well represents the best ideals of the 



