1880.] 



President's A cldress. 



87 



instruction is given in various art subjects, such as Painting and 

 Drawing, Modelling, Designing, and Wood Engraving. These schools 

 are attended by both sexes, and are under the immediate direction of 

 Mr. Sparkes. The numbers in attendance last term were as follows : — 



Wood Engraving 8 Students, 3 Men, 5 Women. 



Modelling 28 „ 26 „ 2 „ 



Drawing and Painting from Life. 42 ,, 19 ,, 23 ,, 

 Designing 33 „ 3 „ 30 „ 



The Central Institution for instruction in the application of the 

 higher branches of science to industrial pursuits is about to be erected 

 on a plot of ground in Exhibition Road, granted by the Commissioners 

 of 1851. The construction of this building, which, when completed, 

 will cost £50,000, has been entrusted to Mr. Alfred Waterhouse, who 

 is now engaged in the preparation of plans. 



2. In the year 1879, the examinations in Technology, which had 

 been initiated by the Society of Arts, were transferred to this Insti- 

 tute. Various changes were introduced into the regulations. New 

 subjects were added, and, in order to stimulate the teaching of 

 Technology throughout the country, the principle of payment to 

 teachers on the results of the examinations was adopted. The en- 

 couragement thus afforded to teachers gave a great impetus to the 

 formation of classes throughout the country in technological subjects. 

 Last year the number of candidates- for examination was 202, while at 

 the recent examination, held in May, 816 candidates presented them- 

 selves, of whom 515 satisfied the Examiners. During the last few 

 months the number of classes throughout the country, in which 

 technical instruction is being given, has considerably increased, and, 

 judging from the returns already received, there is reason to believe 

 that the number of candidates who will present themselves for exami- 

 nation next May will be much greater than in either of the preceding 

 years. The new programme, which is just issued, contains a syllabus 

 of each subject of examination, and every effort has been made, short 

 of" testing the candidate's practical skill, to make the examinations as 

 efficient as possible. To obtain the Institute's full certificate, each 

 candidate is required to give evidence of having obtained some preli- 

 minary scientific knowledge. 



3. In order to take advantage of efforts that are already being made 

 to advance technical education, the Institute has given sums of money 

 for specific objects to several institutions in which technical instruc- 

 tion is provided. The schools, colleges, and other bodies to which grants 

 have been made by this Institute, are University College and King's 

 College, London, the School of Art, Wood Carving, and Mining 

 Association of Devon and Cornwall, the Nottingham Trade and 



h 2 



