6i 



thought to be a mere spirit of the time crystallized into poetry. 

 But the modern writer's hypochondriacal ego is imminent in 

 every page. 



Dr. Hime, of Foyle College, Londonderry, criticises my 

 views in a letter published in the Northern Whig of 23rd 

 January last. He is of opinion that the intermediate exam- 

 inations do a great deal of good to the boys and masters 

 concerned, and no harm, and he " seldom or never heard of 

 any successful Irish intermediate schoolmaster who condemned 

 the present intermediate system." The opinion of a man of 

 Dr. Hime's experience and ability necessarily carries weight. 

 I have, however, so far as I know, only met with one 

 intelligent parent, not a professional teacher, who held the 

 same view. I have met very many, both in and outside 

 the profession, who were of an opinion exactly opposite. One 

 could scarcely expect a " successful intermediate schoolmaster," 

 who was not more than human, to quarrel with his bread 

 and butter. I would advocate a liberal supply of these, but 

 given on a different method. 



Dr. Hime says the " intermediate examinations stimulate 

 and encourage us all immensely : " I would ask — towards 

 what do they stimulate ? He speaks again of the increased 

 percentage of "distinguished University students." I would 

 ask — for what are they distinguished? And I do not 

 ask these questions in any cavilling spirit, but to point to 

 what I believe to be a continually growing tendency on 

 the part of the profession, one which I think is fostered by the 

 examination and prize system ; a tendency towards a definition 

 of the goal or aim of school-work quite different from that 

 adopted by the intelligent laity. 



I think schoolmasters, and consequently schoolboys, would 

 be nearer the perfection which Dr. Hime also desires, if the 

 former were chosen out, not so much for their knowledge, as 

 for their power of true education, which is a very different 

 thing. 



Dr. Hime, as would be expected, is with me in condemning 

 corporal punishment. 



