Uses of Industrial Exhibitions. 159 
its separate field, will not merely continue, but redouble its 
exértions to promote the diffusion and enhance the character 
of industrial training in Ireland. For the great amount of 
good, which may be done by our existing institutions will 
appear, to even a cursory survey of the portions of the general 
educational system already in action, disconnected and some- 
times interfering, as they are, and therefore destitute of the 
harmony and energy of action which full administrative unity 
would produce. 
The progress of industry in Ireland will be found specially 
facilitated by the admirable training which the young people 
of the labouring and artizan class are now receiving in the 
primary National Schools. This education, it must be recol- 
lected; is not by any means confined to reading, writing, and 
arithmetic, but embraces by the lesson-books, and otherwise, 
the elements of natural and physical science, general notions 
of political economy, and other subjects of practical interest, 
together with (in the higher schools) the elements of drawing, 
of agriculture, and(for females) of embroidery. To this nothing 
exists equal in Great Britain, and scarcely in Europe ; and, 
moreover, in what are called the Model Schools, originally 
intended as model primary schools, but which have become 
really secondary schools of a very high class—as, for instance, 
in Clonmel,;—the instruction given furnishes the sons.of the 
middle class with the best: and most practical:education that 
ean be had anywhere for a mercantile career, where the 
parents do not propose putting the boy through a complete 
University course. 
The facilities for imparting industrial instruction do not, 
however, cease with the primary or model schools; special 
provisions have been made in the constitution of the Queen’s 
University, and of the colleges belonging to it, for providing, 
in two very important departments, the means of instruction, 
and of verifying proficiency by University examinations and 
diplomas. So far as these professional courses are con- 
cerned, a means exists, which can be developed hereafter to 
any necessary extent; and the important principle has been 
conceded, that the branches of industrial education may pro- 
_ perly take their place in a University course; and rank toge- 
