132 REPORT— 1866. 



ence on the Institution. In 1862 the subject of science classes was brought under 

 the notice of the committee by Mr. Buckmaster, the organizing teacher of the 

 Science and Art Department. Subsequent inquiry and deliberation led to the 

 commencement of a class in October for the study of inorganic chemistry, Dr. 

 Thomas Wilson midertaking the duties of teacher. An introductory lecture was 

 deli^-ered on the advantages of a knowledge of chemistiy to workmen occupied in 

 dyeing, bleaching, and dressing lace and hosiery goods, the manufacture of which 

 forms the two staple trades of the town and neighbourhood. Theclass numbered sixty- 

 one students, to whom forty lectures were delivered during the six months from Octo- 

 ber to March inclusive ; and in the May follo^^^ng prizes were awarded to those stu- 

 dents who had passed the examination appointed to be held by the Council of the 

 Science and Art Department. In 1863 the class was resumed by the same teacher, 

 when, as might be expected, the novelty of the movement having passed away, the 

 students were reduced to seventeen. In 1864 two classes were organized, one for 

 the study of human physiology being added to the inorgonic chemistry class, and 

 both being conducted by the same teacher. In this year there was a considerable 

 accession of students, the inorganic chemistry class having sixty-five, and the phy- 

 siological class thirty. In 1865 a further step was taken, three science classes 

 being organized, namely, an inorganic chemistry claas, with twenty-five students; 

 a physiological class, with thirty- two students ; and a geological class, with thirty- 

 seven students. A former student in the chemistry class, Mr. Sissling, who had 

 passed the examination for teachers required by the Science and Art Department, 

 took charge of this class, and Dr. "Wilson superintended the classes in geology and 

 physiology. From these figures it will be seen that in the session which has 

 recently closed, there were ninety-four students in the Science Classes of the Not- 

 tingham Mechanics' Institution. The Avi-iter next proceeded to show by the yearly 

 returns, that during the period in which these classes have been organized, a large 

 number of persons, especially young men, who are employed in the various branches 

 of local nianufactm-es, have become members ; in fact, that the institution has 

 steadily increased in numbers since the time when the committee adopted science 

 classes as a part of the plan of instruction to be followed. In 1862, the year in 

 which the Chemistry class was first commenced, the number of ordinary members 

 in connexion with the Mechanics' Institution, paying a subscription of 6s. per 

 annum, was 7o2 ; in 1863 the number rose to 913 ; in 1864 it was 922 ; in 1865 it 

 advanced to 1025 ; and at the beginning of the present year there were 1105 ordi- 

 nary members. The conclusions arrived at from these facts were : — 1st. That these 

 classes draw the attention of the more intelligent among the working population to 

 the institution in which they are conducted, and in this way lead to an increase of 

 members. 2nd. The discipline of mind required to follow the teacher through a 

 course of lectures creates a taste for reading and study, which it was the aim of 

 those who founded Mechanics' Institutions to develope and gi'atify ; and therefore 

 the formation of science classes is the legitimate outworking of these institutions, 

 in providing the education as contemplated as desirable to place within reach of 

 the working-classes. 3rd. The establishment of science classes is calculated to 

 exercise an important influence on the manufacturing interests of the commimity, 

 by bringing to bear on production a higher degree of intelligence acquired in the 

 class-rooms of mechanics' institutions, and so utilizing it for the general advantage 

 of the community. 4th. That the systematic teaching of the sciences in mechanics' 

 institutions is essential to the full development and successful pursuit of many 

 branches of trade, and follows naturally in order the establishment of Schools of 

 Art as a means of improving the character of manufactures in which design and 

 decoration form important features. 5th. That the organization and maintenance 

 of science classes are rendered necessary by the keener competition among nations 

 which spring out of that unrestricted commercial intercourse towards which all 

 countries are gradually approximating. 6th. That any outlay on the part of the 

 Government in the more general and effectual difixision of scientific knowledge 

 among the people through the instrumentality of these classes, will be returned a 

 thousandfold in the multiplication of resoui'ces through the extension of trade 

 which invariably residts from higher excellence in production. The paper con- 

 cluded with remarks , on the practical application of the knowledge acquired in the 



