166 BERMUDA. 



were the keepers of the rural parochial schools in 

 England; and iihej had an idea (never having been 

 better instructed) that the birch rod, with an occa- 

 sional rap with their horny knuckles upon the poor 

 pates of their unfortunate pupils, was the best, if not 

 the only method, of instilling " the rudiments." But 

 this state of things happily exists no longer. In the 

 place of these (doubtless well-intentioned) worthies, 

 are to be found well-educated and enlightened 

 teachers, of both sexes, who have been regularly 

 trained for their work in colleges set apart for that 

 purpose, in which, it may be said, they graduate — 

 if acquiring a first, second, or third-class certificate, 

 according to their attainments, may be so termed. 

 When a vacancy occurs in a charity school in 

 England, it is, without delay or difficulty, filled 

 up with a properly trained and efficient teacher. 

 Not so in Bermuda. If a vacancy occurs, say in 

 one of the parochial schools, it is perhaps closed for 

 weeks before the rector can hear of any person 

 whatever likely to fill it. When he does, that 

 person may not be one after his own heart; but, 

 rather than the school should remain longer closed, 

 makes the engagement, though, perhaps, at the same 

 time, very dubious of the person's competency. The 

 same difficulty is doubtless experienced by other 



