188 REPORT— 1870. 



Middle-Class Schools as they are, and as they ought to he. 

 By C. H. W. Biggs, F.B.G.S. 



This paper contained a sketcli of some of tlie failings, witli suggestions for their 

 removal, which may be found in our so-caUed educational system. In reality we 

 have no middle class educational system, every man being at perfect liberty to 

 cany out his own ideas, whether they be good, bad, or inditferent. Many eminent 

 men of undoubted talent have advised the introduction into this country of sys- 

 tems similar to the most complete of those to be met with on the Continent. This 

 would never answer ; for the system to be adopted in England must be adapted 

 to native circumstances and insular peculiarities, must be capable of expanding 

 with the gro-n'th of education, and of incorporating aU that may hereafter be 

 proved beneficial. 



Man is necessaiy to man, and every man ought to fill a sphere wherein he should 

 by his acts benefit the whole community as well as himself. This he will never 

 do whilst imperfectly educated ; and although not able to attain perfection, we are 

 capable of aiming at it. One of the first objects of a community, of a nation, 

 should be to insist that the men engaged in educating the rising generation were 

 equal to their task. Whilst, however, the masters in our primary schools are 

 compelled to undergo a long and arduous training, both in the practical and theo- 

 retical parts of theii- profession, any one is allowed to become a teacher of the great 

 commercial class. Again, some means should be taken to ascertain whether the 

 instruction given was such as to fit the pupils for their futiu-e positions. This 

 coidd be best done by a system of Government supervision and examination, as no 

 other body would be equally imbiassed. An annual blue book could be issued, 

 containing the reports of such examinations, together with suggestions for better 

 achieving what is required. There ought to be some means provided whereby 

 talented students should not be compeUed to leave their studies just at the time 

 when most progress was made, but should be able to get the best education the 

 country could give. Briefly, then, we require a system to train and ensm-e the 

 competency of the masters, and to ascertain that theu' duties are efficiently per- 

 formed. 



On the Economy of Large and Small Farms. By William Botlt. 



First, as regarded the interest of the landed proprietor. 



Secondly, as to that of the tenant. 



Thirdly, vnXh reference to that of the labourer ; and 



Fourthly, as to which are the most advantageous ncdionully. 



After a tabular statement of the acreage, rent, buildings, capital, &c. of various 

 sized farms, with extracts from the survey of Belgium, by Dr. Voelcker and Mr. 

 H. M. Jenkins, F.G.S., also of Mr. Howard, M.P., and others, the author gave 

 his own, from personal observation in various parts of the United Kingdom, 

 France, &c. 



In conclusion, the author observed that he was of opinion (though he would by 

 no means have farms aU of one size) that large rather than small were most bene- 

 ficial to the landlord, tenant, labourer, and nation at large. 



On tlie Duties of the Government of India and of the 3ferchants of England 

 in promoting Production in India. By Geoege Campbell, D.C.L. 



The writer said that he fully recognized that it was the duty of the Government 

 in India, and of the collectors and other officers, to promote the productions of the 

 soil in India by eveiy means in their power. The point to be aimed at was not so 

 much an increase in the area of production as in the productive powers of a given 

 area. In India the Government was the great head landlord, and the collectors 

 were the agents of the great State landlord, and ought to perform a landlord's 

 duties. They had created native landlords, but to suppose that they would per- 

 form the duties of a landlord was one of the anachronisms which we English were 

 apt to cling to in the face of fact. The farmers (the ryots) were, in truth, good 



