THE PROGRESS OE SCIENCE SCHOOLS AND CLASSES. 227 
lectures), besides about twice that number of persons of both sexes, and 
drawn from every grade of society, who had become subscribers, either 
annual or to the course on geology, and who are regular attendants at the 
lectures. There are now in this school, class-lectures delivered on geology, 
mineralogy, zoology, and botany. 
It must not be supposed that the selection of these few eminently suc- 
cessful institutions has been an invidious one ; for although we have chosen 
those with the operation of which we are the best acquainted, to illustrate 
the progress of the movement, we believe that nearly every class which has 
been established has been attended with a success more or less marked ; 
and we shall now conclude these observations with a few hints to those who 
are able and willing to lend their co-operation in the good cause. 
First, then, we may mention, that the State requires that a proper room, 
with tiring and lighting, be provided for the reception of the class to be estab- 
lished, and that a Committee be formed for the purpose of taking charge 
of the diagrams and apparatus, of which Government defrays half the 
cost. It is hardly necessary to suggest that the best course which can be 
adopted with regard to the first-named stipulation, is that the “ Science 
School ” or class should be established in connection with some already 
existing institution, such as a Mechanics’ Institute, Literary, or Mutual 
Improvement Society, or Public School. With respect to the Committee, 
it will be found that the State requires at least five members, one of whom 
must be the Mayor, Alderman, or a Member of the Town Council, or a 
person who is at the head of a Grammar School or other Public School. 
This is easily managed, for the difficulty is not to find men of position who 
will lend their names , but such persons as will give their time for the work. 
If the movement originates with a teacher who desires to start a class, 
the duties of the Committee are nominal, as they merely act as a medium 
by which the State can recognize and reward his labours ; but in 
large towns, where there are to be several teachers or lecturers paid by a 
Committee of Management, the originators must proceed precisely as 
though they were establishing a Mechanics’ Institution, first raising a 
small fund to defray preliminary expenses, and then seeking the co- 
operation of gentlemen to act as teachers (certificated or otherwise) in the 
school. The Mayor (for the time being) should be induced, if possible, 
to act as the nominal president, and a connection formed with the Town 
Council (a precaution necessary to prevent the institution from degenera- 
ting into a political or sectarian establishment), so that the school may be 
a recognized medium of instruction for all classes and denominations. 
We believe that when such measures are taken it will be found that 
the school will be maintained, to some extent, by the donations and 
subscriptions of persons who will be merely honorary members, and it will 
then be for the Committee to secure the attendance of the industrial 
classes by admitting them at the lowest possible charge. Pupil-teachers 
in schools under inspection should be admitted free (for it must not be 
forgotten that it is for the education of those who are unable to pay for 
tuition, that the State affords its aid), and teachers in schools, as well as 
the “ industrial classes ” should be admitted at a low charge , — not gra- 
tuitously, or they will not value the instruction. 
