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POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Dedham, &c., there were classes, and schools in Banbury and Wigan, yet there 
were not even classes in Leeds and Hull ; and that in Manchester and Bir- 
mingham a commencement had only been made by individual teachers, but 
that there are no recognized 'public schools. To this statement our Birmingham 
correspondent takes exception, affirming that science classes have been esta- 
blished in connexion with the Midland Institute since 1854, and the writer 
seems to think that they have been successfully conducted. 
So far as the expression, “ recognized public schools,” is concerned, we may 
say, that although it was intended to refer to schools specially devoted to 
science-teaching only — “ science schools,” in fact — we must apologize for not 
recognizing the connexion of the science classes with so valuable a public in- 
stitution as the Midland Institute, concerning whose operations we treat 
elsewhere at greater length ;* but as regards the more important part of our 
statement, namely, the position occupied by Birmingham (amongst other 
places) in the movement, we are bound to confess that a comparison of the 
details given by our correspondent, with the results of the recent State 
Examinations, shows that, however humble the position of this important 
manufacturing town was in 1861, it appears this year to have retrograded 
still further. With all the resources of the Midland Institute, at which, 
our correspondent tells us, “ 800 pupils are receiving class instruction,” and 
notwithstanding that the science classes have been in existence since 1854, 
only twelve students passed the government examination this year, of whom 
four have taken inferior prizes. A comparison, moreover, of the results of 
this with those of last year reflects very unfavourably, in other respects, upon 
the condition of these classes. We cannot suppose that the teacher is re- 
sponsible for this state of things, for he holds high certificates, and is spoken 
of in terms of praise by the committee. 
Having been compelled to say thus much (and we might have said more) 
in defence of our position, we may now add that we feel sure that if greater 
publicity were given to the advantages to be derived from joining the science 
classes, and if our correspondent would exercise his influence (which is not 
inconsiderable, for we understand that he takes the lead in all intelligent and 
progressive movements in Birmingham) in their favour, a science school would 
spring up and flourish in his town, which would be second to none in the 
kingdom. 
The new school, inaugurated by Earl Granville, in Liverpool, last autumn, 
has been moderately successful ; for although the session was a short and 
imperfect one, forty-three out of about a hundred students presented them- 
selves for examination ; of these forty-one passed, and seventeen took prizes 
of various kinds, chiefly, however, as might be expected, of the lower grades. 
In the first and second Numbers of this Journal we drew attention to the 
advantages, pecuniary and otherwise, derivable from a connexion with the 
department of Science and Art, by teachers and students of science ; and feel- 
ing that too much publicity cannot be given to the benefits offered to those 
who are disposed to join in this excellent movement, we will once more 
refer to the career which lies before those who possess and feel disposed to 
take advantage of scientific attainments ; and it must be clearly understood 
* See “ Provincial Institutions and Societies.” 
