1884.] 
On Technical Education. 
217 
to the kind of instruction given in a school than the mere 
perusal of Examination papers. It was pointed out in the 
last article that the Department entrusted this important 
duty — viz., the Inspection of their Science Schools — almost 
entirely to Officers in the Army. 
Let me show my readers how authorities like the present 
Vice-President of the Science and Art Department, the 
Right Hon. A. J. Mundella, M.P., regard it. In his Exa- 
mination before the SeleCt Committee of Scientific Instruc- 
tion, in 1868, he was asked the following question (4704) : — 
“ Are you aware that only about two-thirds of the sums granted 
for educational purposes are really disposed of for those 
purposes, the rest being absorbed in the Staff of the Esta- 
blishment ?” * Answer : “ It is not to be wondered at, if you 
look at our Inspection : we have three or four classes of 
Inspectors, when one would do the work.” In answer to 
another question he indirectly intimated what he thought of 
the quality of this Inspection by speaking in contrast with it 
of the excellent quality of the Inspection in German schools. 
But before giving the questions and answers it will be as 
well to inform my readers that Mr. Mundella, at the time he 
gave his evidence, had not only a large manufactory devoted 
to the hosiery trade, at Nottingham, but he had also a simi- 
lar one at Chemnitz, in Saxony, where he employed between 
700 and 800 hands ; he was therefore well qualified as a 
manufacturer to express his opinion on the difference be- 
tween the educational systems in the two countries. 
Question (4706) : “ Apart from the question how the Inspec- 
tion should be conducted, do you not think that Inspection 
by a central authority is useful ? ” — “ I think it is very use- 
ful and desirable.” Question (4707) : “ Would that apply, 
in your opinion, to primary education alone, or to scientific 
instruction also ? ” — “ Yes. In Germany even private schools 
must be inspected by the Government Inspector, who has to 
see that no quack assumes the office of teacher of middle- 
class schools, and the result of this system of inspection is 
that the inspection in Germany is first rate.” I will here 
give one more question he was asked, and his answer, as the 
answer very strongly confirms some of the statements in the 
* It is difficult to arrive at the exadt sum expended on the administration, 
including the cost for Examinations and Inspections, in contrast with the 
teachers’ payments (the payments on results) from any of the Department’s 
documents on the subject. But as far as I can make out, after a very careful 
examination of the Estimates, the Appropriation Accounts, and other available 
public documents, I believe I am corred in stating that it is not two-thirds of 
the sums granted for educational purposes that is expended at the present 
time on those purposes, but that it is less even than 50 per cent. 
VOL. VI. (THIRD SERIES. 
Q 
