of Edinburgh, Session 1870 - 71 . 293 
point out how, as this scientific taste increases, persons will he more 
inclined to join societies of a scientific nature. The practical 
question then arises how this taste can he increased ? 
At a former period I had the faith which many others had in the 
efficacy of mechanics’ institutes. But having had some experience 
of the working of these institutions, I am now satisfied that popu¬ 
lar lectures do very little else than afford amusement,—though in 
that respect they are not altogether useless. But if they are to 
give instruction, and promote habits of observation, or a taste for 
scientific pursuits, they must inculcate and administer the hard 
discipline of personal study. Accordingly, many mechanics’ insti¬ 
tutes have established classes for different branches of study, and 
with much advantage. 
I confess, however, that I have more faith in the instruction which 
begins at an earlier period of life than can be conveniently given 
at mechanics’ institutes. I have seen that boys even under four¬ 
teen or fifteen years of age may acquire a taste for scientific pursuits, 
and habits of accurate observation—very serviceable, in whatever 
field of useful industry they may afterwards engage. No interfer¬ 
ence with essential branches of study would be necessary. In our 
Scottish parish schools, the time now spent in teaching French 
and German* to the children of the working classes, would perhaps 
be more usefully spent in teaching the elements of physiology, 
botany, chemistry, or geology; and as it is now the general prac¬ 
tice in all primary schools to have an entire holiday on Saturday, 
that day of idleness or mischief would be more beneficially spent 
in a walk along the sea coast, or up a hill side, or through a rocky 
dell, or even along hedges and ditches, accompanied by a master 
competent to point out objects of interest. Who can doubt that 
in the course of such rambles, aided by a small amount of indoor 
instruction, seed would be sown in many a boy’s mind and disposi¬ 
tion, which would bear good fruit of a scientific kind in after years. 
I am glad to be able to say, that I know of several parish schools in 
East Lothian and in Perthshire, where the masters, having them¬ 
selves a turn for science, have a class for instruction in the par¬ 
ticular branch with which they are conversant. In one school, 
* I see from this year's Education Report, that in the parochial schools, 
the number learning these languages is 2500. 
