236 AGRICULTURE OX THE RHINE. 



conduct, he has a powerful motive to exert himself. The 

 expectation of promotion is ever before him. All the 

 higher scholastic charges are filled by men who rise as it 

 were from the ranks. In the grammar-schools young 

 men from college enter as ushers and rise to be head 

 masters. In the village schools skilful masters are pro- 

 moted from places with small salary to larger schools 

 where the remuneration is better. A meritorious teacher 

 is sure to obtain an increase of salary where no opportu- 

 nity of promotion presents itself. 



By this excellent system not only is a vast amount of 

 talent secured for the important office of public teacher, 

 but the hope of advancing to the higher posts in the 

 scholastic career induces a number of clever young men 

 to devote their time to the tasks of ushers or under-teachers 

 at low salaries. Thus a sufficient number of teachers can 

 always be found, and the schools are well supplied with 

 men who, not being fatigued with incessant labour, carry 

 a freshness and cheerfulness to their classes that is highly 

 beneficial. It is in this manner that with a very small 

 expenditure a highly valuable course of education is now 

 at the command of every German. The system of in- 

 struction at the village schools is admirable, and at the 

 grammar and polytechnic schools in the larger towns it 

 must be pronounced first-rate. 



The common principle in Germany is to recognise no 

 distinction of rank. The school is open to all, and the 

 small fees (in villages, not amounting to many shillings ; 

 and in towns, but to one or two pounds annually) are 

 ])aid by all alike. In the Duchy of Nassau a change has 

 been attempted at Wiesbaden, which, by giving a select 

 education to those who are willing to pay the small sum 



