1865.] The Science and Art Department. 3 



Committee of Council on Education, took a deep personal interest in 

 the movement, and visited some of the provincial towns, where efforts 

 were being made to establish schools. But even at this early stage of 

 the proceedings, there were indications that the movement was not to 

 be characterized by that high tone of morality, by that scrupulous 

 honour, which should distinguish all philanthropic schemes, more 

 especially such as are undertaken by the State. 



In their efforts to establish classes, the heads of the Department 

 sometimes pushed their zeal beyond the limits of discretion. The 

 lectures delivered by the officials, as, for example, that of Captain 

 Donelly, the Science Inspector, which was read on tie 4th February, 

 1861, at South Kensington, and was afterwards published along with 

 several others by the examiners, were all well adapted to secure the 

 desired end ; although, in reference to Captain Donelly's lecture, we 

 cannot help remarking, that it sounded the first note of disavowal, 

 and was calculated to shake the confidence of those who read it, in the 

 bona fide intentions of Government. But in the selection of its emis- 

 saries to the provinces, the Department was by no means so happy as 

 in that of its metropolitan advocates ; and a certain Mr. Buckmaster, 

 who called himself the " organizing teacher," but whose name will not 

 be found in any of the printed lists of officials attached to the 

 " Directories," was the chief instrument employed for the establish- 

 ment of new classes. This gentleman, who possesses a high degree of 

 energy combined with an equally large amount of volubility, suc- 

 ceeded by the promises which he held out on behalf of the State in 

 promoting the establishment of several new classes. We have heard 

 it said, however, that the Department could not always recognize the 

 validity of these promises, as some of them were not in strict accord- 

 ance with its regulations ; and although complaints were made to the 

 highest authorities, this gentleman was subsequently retained by the 

 Department, " unattached," it is true, and has been rewarded for his 

 services in a somewhat equivocal manner, to be described hereafter. 



The result of the efforts made by the Department to establish 

 classes — the impetus given by the first swing of the pendulum — has 

 been astonishing ; and notwithstanding the serious drawbacks which 

 followed, we find this result to be represented by the following 

 data : — 



In the year 1859, the classes were five in number ; in 1864, 

 ninety-five. In the Beport of 1859 we find mention made of five 

 students who had taken certificates as Science teachers ; in 1864, the 

 list of certificated teachers comprises 332 names, some being of men of 

 the highest standing and intelligence ; and whilst we find no record 

 of the number of students taught in the five schools which were in 

 existence in 1859, the number of those who attended the 95 classes 

 of 1864 was 3,560. 



But we must review cursorily the action of the State in the inte- 

 rim, and we fear that some features will present themselves which 

 will tend materially to qualify the admiration wherewith every one 

 must regard this effort to improve the intelligence of the industrial 

 classes. 



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