CITY OF LONDONDERRY. 
in which the private tutor communicates instruction is, to all intents and purposes, a school), 
another and much neglected branch succeeds—practical instruction, or that which is to fit the 
boy for the duties of the man in that class of society in which circumstances may place him : some 
are destined for a handicraft trade ; of others the provincial city ceases to he the theatre of instruc¬ 
tion, and their course is comparatively difficult to trace ; but it has been ascertained that at present 
there are— 
In the university of Dublin 
In that of Belfast . 
In that of Maynooth 
In the Military College of'Sandihurst 
There are likewise 334 apprentices in Derry. Gwyn’s Charitable Institution, from its nature and 
rules, peculiarly promotes the last class of practical instruction : 27 have been already apprenticed 
out of it. 
The N. W. of Ireland Society, which was established in the year 1821, extended its opera¬ 
tions in favour of practical instruction throughout the counties of Londonderry, Donegal, and 
Tyrone. It originated at a meeting of gentlemen residing in Derry, whose views were warmly 
seconded by a number of the nobility and gentry of the above counties. 
The prime object of the society was to investigate the condition of the district, with a view to 
the development of its various resources ; and thus attention was specially directed to the state of 
the fisheries, manufactures, agriculture, and cattle breeding. 
A school for the instruction of boys of the middle classes, in the agricultural knowledge neces¬ 
sary to fit them for farm stewards, was established in the neighbouring parish of Faughanvale, 
with which it will be noticed in detail. 
The business, as well of the parent society as of its various branches, was conducted by a 
committee, who met quarterly in Derry, and whose proceeding's were reported half-yearly to 
general meetings of the society, which were convened in April and September. At these general 
meetings shews of cattle were held,—specimens of agricultural produce and rural manufactures 
exhibited,—challenges issued for future competition,— and premiums awarded for past success. 
These last consisted, in the parent society, of silver medals, and challengeable silver cups—in the 
branch societies, of money and a magazine published by the parent society. Among the minor 
articles exhibited on such occasions were butter, cheese, flax, woollen cloth, and imitation Leghorn 
bonnets. No member of the parent society was admissible to pecuniary competition in any of the 
branches. 
Premiums were also offered for the best statistical reports on the parishes of the three 
counties. 
In the first year the number of the subscribers was 220 ; and in the second, when the society 
proceeded to offer premiums, they found that their funds amounted to £959 Is. 11 of which 
the portion allocated for premiums was £609. 
During the first four or five years the society continued to increase in prosperity : it then 
became stationary for two or three, after which it began to decline. Its dissolution was 
occasioned by various causes. Some of the members died,—others neglected to pay in their 
subscriptions,—and others again withdrew in disgust at not having obtained premiums. A few, 
however, kept together, until they felt the inefficiency of strenuous efforts, unsupported by 
numerical strength, or percuniary aid. The society, however, continues to exist in at least one of 
its branches (see Parish of Clondermot). The magazine and newspapers published by this society 
have been noticed already. 
The late Mechanics' Institute was organized early in 1829. At its first meeting, held on 
the 19th of March, it was resolved that a library of reference should be formed, lectures delivered, 
and a philosophical apparatus provided. The two former resolutions were carried into effect; 
however, the attendance was bad from the outset: in 1830 it had decreased to three or four 
members, and in the July of that year the institute was dissolved, the library continuing in the 
hands of the ex-secretary. This was the only society existing in Derry for the encouragement of 
useful arts and sciences, (except so far as the N. W. society was subservient thereto), and its 
history may serve to corroborate what is generally admitted—that such institutions are suited for 
manufacturing districts alone. 
Sub-section 3.— Moral. 
Although from the nature of this branch of education it is impossible to adopt any distinct 
classification, similar to that in sub-section 2, there are still certain shades of difference incident to 
the state of religious opinion in the community. 
The parish, in its limited acceptation, is divided by the three curates of the Established Church, 
into three districts, to each of which one of them peculiarly devotes himself, visiting all the 
