TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS, 209 



tlio proficiency of tlie scliolaa'3, and ou the position of tlie scliools as regards instruc- 

 tion and discipline. The examination is to be conducted by a person wholly uncon- 

 nected -with the Institutions. The first examination was conducted by Professor 

 W. B. Hodgson, who reports thus regarding the upper girls' Institution : — " Pro- 

 bably there is nowhere to be found so large a school tor girls so admirably organized 

 and so efficiently conducted. The large number of pupils, far from causing an 

 excessive number in any one class, actually facilitates the work of classificatiop, 

 and by the multiplication of classes, meets the difficulty of imeq[ual progress in 

 pupils about the same age. Where all deserve commendation, it is hard and per- 

 haps invidious to select. But I may truly say that, while the usual branches of a 

 girl's instruction are vigorously attended to, while English, and what it implies, 

 and French and German, and Music and Drawing, hold each its proper place under 

 zealous and efficient teachers, Arithmetic is taught with unusual care, and there 

 are special classes for senior pupils in Latin, Geometry, and Algebra ; and the pro- 

 gress and manifest interest in these subjects fully refute the notion that they are 

 unfit for the study of girls. On the whole the state of this school reflects very 

 high credit on its Principal, Lady Superintendent, and Teachers ; and it must do 

 much to raise the standard of women's education throughout the whole country." 



Regarding the schools generally. Professor Hodgson states : — " It is altogether 

 an astounding organization, and one is quite overwhelmed by the attempt to esti- 

 mate its results in even the near future. It is something to have lived to see this 

 sight : it is more to have done aught to bring it about." 



Professor Oakeley inspected the Music-classes of the upper girls' schools, but nc 

 report from him has yet been received. 



The author then described the arrangements made for atfording increased accom- 

 modation, and which include the opening of another girls' school. 



For next session tlie number of pupils already enrolled in the difitirent schools is 

 somewhat as follows, viz. : — 



James Gillespie's Schools for boys and girls (full) 1200 



The Edinburgh Educational Institution for girls 1100 



George Watson's College-Schools for boys 1000 



George Watson's College-Schools for girls (full) 500 



Uaniel Stewart's Institution for boys 300 



Total 4100 



or already 700 more pupils than attended the schools last session, while new appli- 

 cations for admission are constantly being received. 



From what has been said, it will be seen that the annual income of these four 

 foundations is about £20,800. Before the changes which came into operation last 

 year, they maintained and educated about 230 children, maintained 40 old persons, 

 aided a Primary School containing 150 boys, and employed 23 teachers, who 

 received about £1730 a year. In the beginning of next session they will be main- 

 taining 175 children, and educating probably about 4500, while they will be paying 

 teachers and governesses not less than £18,000 a year. It has been estimated that 

 the annual saving to the public, by the reduced cost of education given in these 

 schools, will be about £30,000. Further, the number of the aged foundationers 

 attached to Gillespie's Trust has already been increased, and it is anticipated that 

 in twelve months its funds will admit of a still greater number being placed on the 

 roll. There will also be funds for the payment of the annual endowment of £450 

 a year for the new Chair in the University. In a short time the Governors will 

 be in a position to decide whether or not the Scotch Educational Bill of the 

 Government will take up the whole field of Industrial Schools in the city. 



In conclusion the author expressed the hope that what the Merchant Company 

 have done in using the funds at their disposal to extend the blessings of education, 

 may be the means of inducing the Governors of similar foundations to endeavour 

 to increase the usefulness and extend the public benefits thereof, and in such a 

 manner as inay be supposed would have been commended by the generous founders 

 themselves, had they lived in these our days of progi'esa and reform. 



1871. 14 



