404 2 ranxaetiom. — Miscellaneous. 



the technical schools of England and the Continent the use of tools forms a 

 prominent item in the course of instruction. One of these schools is indeed 

 a workshop, in which the apprentice or artizan is taught the use of his tools 

 and the management of machinery by first-class teachers, while he is at 

 the same time inducted into such branches of science and art as are re- 

 quisite to enable him to understand the principles of his trade. Further, 

 if he wishes it and the time at his disposal allows of it being done, he is 

 taught collateral subjects, such as foreign languages, which are likely to be 

 useful to him in his avocation. The Finsbury College is divided into four 

 departments — viz., the mathematical and mechanical, the physical, the 

 chemical, and the applied art department. In the day school such subjects 

 as French and German are likewise taught. This will give an idea of the 

 comprehensiveness of the course of study. 



In these technical schools, as I have said, the course of instruction is 

 varied considerably, to suit the purses and the time at the disposal of the 

 pupils. There is the richer class of students, who can afford to attend the 

 classes during the day, and are probably looking forward to becoming mana- 

 gers of factories or occupying similar positions. This class of students is 

 able to go through a more elaborate course of instruction than the others, 

 and to compete for certificates of the highest class. Then there is the 

 class of artizans who are engaged in actual labour during the day, 

 whose means are small, and who expect to receive instruction during 

 the evening. To this class workshop practice is of prime import- 

 ance. In Sweden, to meet the wants of artizan students, some of the 

 technical schools are open not only every evening in the week, but on Sundays 

 also. Finally, there is the class of apprentices, of whom the future workmen 

 are to be made, who, like the artizans, are unable to attend classes during 

 the day, although having all their lives before them they can afford to enter 

 upon a more lengthy course of instruction, but at the same time their 

 pockets must be consulted in the shape of reduced fees. For the purpose 

 of dealing with these different classes of students, the City and Guilds of 

 London Institute holds its examination in three grades, (1) honours, (2) 

 advanced, (3) elementary. The first is intended principally for foremen, 

 overlookers, and similar persons, or for persons intending to qualify for such 

 positions ; and the third for apprentices, but candidates for examination are 

 permitted to enter themselves for any grade they choose. 



It will convey a better idea of the eminently practical character of the 

 instruction now being given through the means of the City and Guilds of 

 London Institute, if I enumerate the principal subjects for examination this 

 year : — Alkali manufacture, iron and steel manufacture, lace manufacture, 

 photography, milling and flour manufacture, electro-metallurgy, electric 



