6i6 
The British Association. 
[October, 
that if the higher officials of the Department were paid by 
results there would be weeping and wailing at South Ken- 
sington. But Sir Lyon Playfair does not see all this : we 
fear he is too deeply committed to the competitive and 
examinational system. We have, with unspeakable i egret, 
found him connected with the attempt to resist the move- 
ment against over-pressure. For one of the characteristics 
of the English system of education is, that it wastes not 
merely time and money, but nerve-power and intellect. 
If we were asked how to reform this vicious system fiom 
top to bottom, we would say — Disband in the first place the 
Committee of Council on Education and the Science and 
Art Department, and commit their duties to a Minister ol 
Public Instruction, who must, whatever other qualifications 
he possesses, be an eminent physician. Do away , with 
payment by (pseudo)-results and with the “ standards, and 
with every other feature which aims at stereotyping human 
beings. Divide the universities from the very outset into 
faculties, each student to declare the faculty which he 
selects. No student to be compelled to take up any subject 
not included in his faculty. Examinations to be required 
merely in the case of candidates for professions undei 
State control, such as lawyers and medical men. Degrees, 
fellowships, and other honours to be earned only by success- 
ful research, and not by mere proficiency in producing the 
results of others. Rise in the professions, such as the Army 
Medical Service, not by renewed examinations, but rebus 
gestis. Finally, laboratories— physical, chemical, biological 
—under competent instructors everywhere ; preparing for 
examinations, coaches, and cram-books nowheie. Let these 
changes be made, and there will be no scope foi alien men 
of Science in Britain. 
But why dream of the nation thus coming to its senses ? 
We shall go on establishing more and more examinations, 
training youth to talk about things in place of doing them, 
until we take the place in the civilised world which China 
seems likely to abandon. 
