III. 



TECHNICAL EDUCATION. 



ANY candid observer of the phenomena of modern 

 society will readily admit that bores must be classed 

 among the enemies of the human race; and a little 

 consideration will probably lead him to the further ad- 

 mission, that no species of that extensive genus of nox- 

 ious creatures is more objectionable than the educational 

 bore. Convinced as I am of the truth of this great 

 social generalisation, it is not without a certain trepi- 

 dation that I venture to address you on an educational 

 topic. For, in the course of the last ten years, to go 

 back no farther, I am afraid to say how often I have 

 ventured to speak of education, from that given in the 

 primary schools to that which is to be had in the uni- 

 versities and medical colleges ; indeed, the only part of 

 this wide region into which, as yet, I have not advent- 

 ured is that into which I propose to intrude to-day. 



Thus, I cannot but be aware that I am dangerously 

 near becoming the thing which all men fear and fly. 

 But I have deliberately elected to run the risk. For 

 when you did me the honour to ask me to address 

 you, an unexpected circumstance had led me to occupy 



