32 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
chemistry, 21 scholars in mechanics, 15 in physical geography, and 
6 in botany; whilst for Greek there were 433 scholars, for Latin 
438, and for elementary mathematics 458. 
The small amount of scientific instruction given in the English 
endowed schools was ascertained, still more precisely, by the Royal 
Commission, which has only recently framed its report. I mean 
the commission over which the Duke of Devonshire presided. 
From that report it appears that a circular was sent out by this 
commission two years ago to about 250 endowed schools, requesting 
them to fill up a sohedule showing what amount of scientific 
instruction, if any, was given in them. 
Only 128 answers were received'. That fact alone was significant. 
But when these answers came to be examined, it was found that out 
of the 128 answers, only 87 gave any definite information. Of these 
87, 65 confessed to giving no science teaching whatever ; of the 
remaining 22, the utmost time allotted to any kind of scientific 
instruction, was four hours per week, in eighteen of the schools. 
But though it was right to ascertain the truth in this matter 
through the authentic inquiries of royal commissions, the people of 
this country, knowing well enough, from their own experience and 
observation how the matter stood, would not wait for these official 
inquiries. They took the matter into their own hands, and set to 
work at once to supply what was required. I do not know any 
stronger proofs of public patriotism in our country, than what this 
educational movement affords. In all the great centres of industry, 
arrangements were made for having institutions established in 
which not only science in its various branches should be taught, 
but the arts and literature also. 
At Manchester, John Owens bequeathed about L. 100, 000 for the 
endowment of a new college. No part of that money, however, 
being allowed to be expended on buildings, his fellow-citizens 
supplied what was needed. A sum of L. 250,000 was raised; and in 
the year 1870 the foundation stone of a magnificent edifice was laid 
for a Science and Art College, the Duke of Devonshire presiding. 
In the year 1871, a physical science college was established in 
Newcastle, for which L. 35, 000 was raised; and as it was to be 
affiliated with Durham University, that university agreed to give 
L.1000 a year out of its revenue for the institution. 
