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Proceedings of the Itoyal Society 
course, be feeble in their nature, and limited in their results ; but 
many of the noblest schemes of philanthropy have sprung from 
one willing heart, and been achieved by one brawny arm. In the 
field of education there may be many labourers, and there is hardly 
an educated person who may not throw some seeds into its soil, 
and glean in return a portion of the harvest which it yields. Each 
of you must feel some interest in a parochial or other school, in 
which the youth receive no instruction respecting the material uni- 
verse around them, and the productions of nature and of art which 
are daily within their reach. At a very moderate expense you can 
furnish a telescope and microscope, a barometer and thermometer, 
a stereoscope, a magic-lantern, a magnet, a burning-glass, and a 
small electrical machine such as that little globe of revolving 
glass with which Faraday began his illustrious career ; and with 
this apparatus, during an hour or two in each week, phenomena 
could be displayed and illustrated, which would be a source of 
instruction and amusement, relieving the monotony of the school, 
and giving the teacher a new power over the minds and affections 
of his pupils. Important as this step would be, it is but a small 
part of what might be done in conveying scientific instruction. 
people here, by schools, mechanics’ institutes, and lectures, given or promoted 
by benevolent persons, have wearied the souls of all those who have co-oper- 
ated or even looked on with interest. In Germany, without any commotion, 
calmly and pleasantly, the youths have been trained in schools and colleges 
without number, and so thoroughly, that they are able to supply foremen 
and managers to their own manufacturers’ establishments, and to send a sup- 
ply also to foreign countries. In other words, whilst we have failed with our 
most violent efforts, and with much noise, to teach our own people, they have 
succeeded not only to teach their own citizens, but to assist in educating the 
rest of the world. In this matter of education the governments have been 
able to mould the nation’s mind, and to alter the habits of a leading portion 
of it in a few years. A careful education would probably show its influence 
in less than ten years We require education in the fundamental 
'principles of physical science ; the moral principles, as found in literature, are 
not alone sufficient either for the higher cultivation of the mind or every 
pursuit of the useful arts. This applies to the rich and not merely to the 
poor.” — Proceedings of Manchester Phil. Society , Nov. 12, 1867. 
In reference to the provincial lectures , which, Dr Smith says, “ have wearied 
the souls of their promoters,” there can be no doubt that, if properly organ- 
ised by a committee in our University seats, such as the Committee for Local 
Examinations, a valuable course of scientific and literary instruction might be 
provided for every class of the community. 
