164 
On Technical Education . 
[March, 
arithmetical problems — as thoroughly as possible the condi- 
tions under which combinations and decompositions take 
place. This method I made known in one of my works, 
“The First Step in Chemistry.” The arithmetical problems 
have been almost universally adopted in the teaching of the 
Science in these countries, and also in America : the teaching 
of the language as laid down in my work has also been fol- 
lowed to a certain extent ; but the plan of teaching the ex- 
perimental portion of the Science by elucidating, by 
means of suitable experimental fadts, the conditions under 
which combination and decomposition take place, has not 
been followed to any extent in these countries : and yet it is 
not only a very important part of my system, but it is more 
in accordance with the principles of all sound teaching than 
the one which is substituted for it ; for whilst the information 
the students obtain by the latter system is mere empirical 
knowledge, by my system reason , language, and observation 
are cultivated together, and therefore the mind is disciplined 
for thought and action. It is as successful and efficient as a 
discipline for the mind with boys as with young men, and I 
have found, in the rather large experience I have had in 
practical working in different kinds of chemical factories, 
that many processes fail or work badly although correct in 
principle, owing to those who have the management of them 
not knowing or discovering the proper conditions for working 
them successfully. 
(To be continued.) 
