commercial side, and instruction in technical science was to be given in Daniel Stewart's Institution to such pupils as desired it. In both schools male teachers only were to be employed, and the number of pupils in each class was not to exceed a maximum of forty, so that the education of every one of them might be fully attended to. The fees for the whole course have been fixed at from 10s. to 308. a quarter. In the upper girls' school ("The Edinburgh Educational Institution") the course of study was to embrace all the branches usually taught in the principal institutions and boarding-schools for young ladies, and to include the English, French, German, and Latin languages; lectures on literature; writing, arithmetic, bookkeeping, algebra, mathematics, physical science, drawing, vocal music, instruction on the pianoforte, drill, calisthenics, dancing, and needlework: As in the upper boys' schools, the classes were not to contain more than forty pupils. With the exception of the elementary department, where female teachers only were to be employed, the institution was to be taught altogether by masters, with a governess attached to each class, to be constantly in attendance upon it. The fees for the whole course have been fixed at from 12s. 6d. to 50s. a quarter. In the second quarter of the session, when the numbers were counted, the whole of the 1200 girls in this school were being taught English, arithmetic, vocal music, needlework, and dancing, 1120 writing, 1032 the pianoforte, 850 French, 672 drawing, and 352 German. In all the schools religious instruction was to be given. A "conscience clause was put in operation. At first, only about ten children took advantage of it, but as the session advanced no exception whatever existed on behalf of even a single pupil. " It will be seen that, for the education to be given in the schools, the fees are very low. The principle upon which they were fixed, as regards the three upper schools, is, that they be sufficient to cover the expense of the additional teaching required, without anything being charged as against the rent of the hospital buildings, which were to be turned into day-schools, or for the expense of the teaching staff formerly kept up for the foundationers when the buildings were used for the double purpose of giving board and education, and which was expensive if reckoned at so much a pupil. Take, for illustration, the upper girls' school (the Edinburgh Educational Institution), with its 1200 pupils. Of these, about 70 were foundationers, and 1130 day-scholars. For the latter, the number of teachers and governesses was sufficiently increased, the expense of this new staff being defrayed by the fees which these day-scholars pay, and which amount to between £7000 and £8000 a year. Thus, if there had been no other new expenses consequent upon the changes, the education of these 1130 day-pupils would have been productive of neither gain nor loss to the Trust. But there was the rent of the new houses to pay for, in which some of the foundationers were to reside, and those of them who were to be boarded out in families would cost somewhat more than when they lived in the hospital building. Then money had to be found for the bursaries and fellowships, &c. To meet these new expenses the number of foundationers was partially to be reduced. Gillespie's Schools, being established for the children of the humbler classes on payment of low fees, are, of course, productive of a small annual loss, which is, however, met by the growing income of the foundation. The money required for the expenses of the new purposes of the Scheme was to be obtained by reducing the number of foundationers of the three educational hospitals. The reduction, which was to be effected as soon as convenient, was as follows, viz. the foundationers of the Merchant Maiden Hospital to be reduced from 75 to 61, those of George Watson's from 86 to 60, and those of Daniel Stewart's from 69 to 40. The preference claims of children who bore particular names were altogether abolished. Great evils arose from the obligation to admit such children to educational hospitals. Their education was too often neglected by their guardians in their earlier years, who thought that there was little use troubling themselves about it, or paying school-fees since they would be sure of getting them into a hospital where everything would be done for them. The consequence was, that these children were generally unfit to be placed in the same class with others of a like age; they required an unusually large amount of labour to be expended upon them, and, as a rule, were a drag upon the whole institution. In regard to the presentations given over to the general community, it may be proper to notice here that the apparent loss to the privileged classes is more than compensated by the solid advantages given to foundationers, not only by their attending the day-schools while being boarded either with their friends or in the boarding houses of the Governors, but also by the spirit of meritorious emulation from without, which works so beneficially upon them as upon all the other pupils of the institutions. Further, the special identity of foundationers is now lost, and a spirit of merit runs through all. Moreover, neither children nor grandchildren of members of the Merchant Company, except those who were in reduced circumstances, could formerly get benefit from the foundations; but now, under the altered state of things, the schools and all the advantages connected. therewith are of course open to them. The Scheme, as formerly mentioned, contemplated the removal of the whole of the foundationers from the hospital buildings. Of those connected with the three Educational Trusts, it was decided to maintain a portion in boarding-houses, under the superintendence of the Governors, and to board out the remainder with persons of whom they might approve. Accordingly, suitable houses were rented, and the plan as to the foundationers carried out. It was agreed that the aged foundationers of Gillespie's Hospital were to have the option given them of either accepting a pension of £25 a year, or of continuing to be supported at the expense of the Trust, under the protection of the Governors, in a smaller house; with the exception of ten, who were old and frail, they all preferred the pension. For these ten, as well as for others whom the Governors may elect from time to time on vacancies arising, the building formerly used as the Primary School has been fitted up. As to the future, it is of course intended to continue the system of giving outdoor pensions, as well as to maintain the Hospital Home for old people. An important feature of the Scheme, in addition to providing the general community with a superior education at moderate fees, is to give children of great merit, who attend any one of the schools, a high-class education, without almost any expense to their friends. This feature was introduced not only with the view of stimulating the exertions of all the pupils, but also of enabling children of great ability (even those whose friends were only in circumstances to place them at the lowest grade schools) to turn their intellect to the best account, so that they might be fitted to occupy a high position in life, and possibly render important services to the country. Towards this end there are to be given up for competition amongst the pupils of all the schools a portion of the reduced number of presentations to the foundations. That number is to be not less than a fourth of those of George Watson's and the Merchant Maiden Trusts, and not less than a half of Daniel Stewart's. The ages at which the pupils are to compete for the presentations are, for boys, under 10, 12, and 14 years; for girls, under 12, 14, and 16 years. The successful competitors are to be maintained and educated at the expense of the foundations-boys until they are 16 years of age, when they should be ready for the University, and girls until they are 18. These ages may be afterwards altered if the Governors see fit. Then, in order to enable meritorious pupils further to prosecute their studies, power has been acquired to found twenty-two bursaries of £25 a year, tenable for four years; and eight travelling scholarships of £100 a year, tenable for three years, all of which are to be awarded also by competitive examination, Estimating the value of a presentation at £50 a year, the gross amount of benefits which a pupil may derive are a presentation for six years £300; a bursary on leaving the schools of £25 a year for four years = £100; and thereafter a scholarship of £100 a year for three years =£300; making altogether £700. I need scarcely again state that these benefits have the advantage of being open for competition to female pupils as well as male. The Governors have also the power at the end of each session, on the recommendation of the examiners of the schools or head-masters, to give substantial rewards to pupils of distinguished merit; and the plan intended to be adopted in carrying out this part of the Scheme is to present those of them who do not succeed in gaining places on the foundations with school bursaries, equal in value to the amount of their fees for the following session. In the upper boys' school the education was to branch off at a certain stage into the two divisions of what are called the Classical and Modern or Commercial sides; and while, of course, there is provision in the Edinburgh University for the completion of the former, there was greatly needed, in the interest of the latter, a Chair of Commercial and Political Economy and Mercantile Law. Under the powers embraced in the Scheme, such a Chair has been endowed and a Professor appointed. There was yet another sphere of usefulness which it was contemplated to overtake. While power was asked which would enable the Governors so greatly to benefit the general community by the establishing of these schools &c., by means of which meritorious children of the humbler classes could receive an education of the best kind, fitted to advance them in life, and while power was also asked to do something for the University, it was thought right to look with a kindly eye on the very poorest of the community-to include in the Scheme powers for establishing Industrial Schools, to assist in gathering in the neglected boys and girls of the city. The carrying out of this work is under consideration, great difficulty having been experienced in view of the Government Education Bill for Scotland (which was expected to pass this session) containing express provisions for industrial schools, compassing the whole wants of the city by levied rates. The author then described the favourable reception of the Scheme by the Government, the press, and the public generally. The advertisements announcing the opening of the day-schools appeared about the end of July last year, and in about a fortnight no fewer than 2600 children had passed the entrance-examination. Shortly afterwards the number which could be accommodated in three of the four buildings was made up, there being, inclusive of about 200 foundationers, 3400 pupils enrolled. The head-masters then, seeing the size of the schools which they were to have, advertised for teachers. The plan of selection which they adopted was, while engaging those whom they thought most suitable, to give a preference to such as would be likely to suffer by the new schools. They could not do more in their interest, without running the risk of sacrificing the efficiency of the schools for the benefit of individuals, however deserving otherwise, and thereby imperilling the success of the entire educational Scheme. In carrying out a great reform like this, it could not be otherwise but that inconveniences and partial losses to some teachers would occur. There was, however, the satisfaction of knowing that, by the limited number of pupils in each class, an increased number of teachers were employed, and that their salaries were considerably greater than they previously had been. It is understood that, in consequence of this, good teachers in some other schools in Edinburgh have since been better paid than they formerly were. The schools had only been opened for a few weeks when their success as efficient institutions seemed certain. The large number of pupils enabled their being grouped according to their attainments so thoroughly, that those placed in the same class were all but equal. Their individual teachers therefore, instead of having to give separate instruction, as it were, to children in different stages of progress, of which most classes are composed, when speaking to one pupil were addressing themselves to the capacity of all. Thus the classes had a much greater amount of instruction given them than would have been the case in other circumstances. Again, the large benefits to be obtained by competition at the end of the session had a wonderful effect in stimulating the exertions of both pupils and teachers. The consequence was that rapid progress was made in all the schools. Parents, not slow to observe this, in calling at the institutions, said that since their children attended them, they had worked at their lessons in a way which they had never done before, and expressed themselves satisfied with the schools in the highest degree. Persons interested in education from many parts of the country visited the schools, all of whom, the author believed, were most favourably impressed with what they saw; and applications for the admission of other children became so numerous, that at the end of the first quarter the number on the supernumerary roll was very large. The Scheme provides that a general examination of the institutions has to be made once a year by examiners appointed for that purpose, who are to report upon the proficiency of the scholars, and on the position of the schools as regards instruction and discipline. The examination is to be conducted by a person wholly unconnected with the Institutions. The first examination was conducted by Professor W. B. Hodgson, who reports thus regarding the upper girls' Institution:-"Probably there is nowhere to be found so large a school for girls so admirably organized and so efficiently conducted. The large number of pupils, far from causing an excessive number in any one class, actually facilitates the work of classification, and by the multiplication of classes, meets the difficulty of unequal progress in pupils about the same age. Where all deserve commendation, it is hard and perhaps invidious to select. But I may truly say that, while the usual branches of a girl's instruction are vigorously attended to, while English, and what it implies, and French and German, and Music and Drawing, hold each its proper place under zealous and efficient teachers, Arithmetic is taught with unusual care, and there are special classes for senior pupils in Latin, Geometry, and Algebra; and the progress and manifest interest in these subjects fully refute the notion that they are unfit for the study of girls. On the whole the state of this school reflects very high credit on its Principal, Lady Superintendent, and Teachers; and it must do much to raise the standard of women's education throughout the whole country." Regarding the schools generally, Professor Hodgson states:-"It is altogether an astounding organization, and one is quite overwhelmed by the attempt to estimate its results in even the near future. It is something to have lived to see this sight: it is more to have done aught to bring it about." Professor Oakeley inspected the Music-classes of the upper girls' schools, but no report from him has yet been received. The author then described the arrangements made for affording increased accommodation, and which include the opening of another girls' school. For next session the number of pupils already enrolled in the different schools is somewhat as follows, viz. : James Gillespie's Schools for boys and girls (full) Total 1200 1100 .... 1000 500 300 4100 or already 700 more pupils than attended the schools last session, while new applications for admission are constantly being received. From what has been said, it will be seen that the annual income of these four foundations is about £20,800. Before the changes which came into operation last year, they maintained and educated about 230 children, maintained 40 old persons, aided a Primary School containing 150 boys, and employed 23 teachers, who received about £1736 a year. In the beginning of next session they will be maintaining 175 children, and educating probably about 4500, while they will be paying teachers and governesses not less than £18,000 a year. It has been estimated that the annual saving to the public, by the reduced cost of education given in these schools, will be about £30,000. Further, the number of the aged foundationers attached to Gillespie's Trust has already been increased, and it is anticipated that in twelve months its funds will admit of a still greater number being placed on the roll. There will also be funds for the payment of the annual endowment of £450 a year for the new Chair in the University. In a short time the Governors will be in a position to decide whether or not the Scotch Educational Bill of the Government will take up the whole field of Industrial Schools in the city. In conclusion the author expressed the hope that what the Merchant Company have done in using the funds at their disposal to extend the blessings of education, may be the means of inducing the Governors of similar foundations to endeavour to increase the usefulness and extend the public benefits thereof, and in such a manner as may be supposed would have been commended by the generous founders themselves, had they lived in these our days of progress and reform. 1871. 14 On the Measurement of Man and his Faculties. By SAMUEL BROWN, F.S.S. The science of probability, which in the course of 200 years has been perfected by the great mathematicians of England, Germany, and especially of France, and has rendered such service in astronomical researches, is still in its infancy as regards its application to the problems of political and social economy, which directly concern the growth of civilization, and the physical, moral, and intellectual progress of man. James Bernoulli by its aid proposed to investigate questions of interest in morals and in economic science; but his work was not published till 1713, eight years after his death, and in the meantime his nephew, Nicholas Bernoulli, in an essay in 1709, had treated of such questions as the number of persons living after a certain number of years out of a given number born, of the period of time at the end of which an absent man of whom no tidings have been heard may be considered to be dead, of the value of an annuity on human life, of marine insurance, the probability of testimony, and of the innocence of an accused person. Not to mention the extension of the science in the writings of Condorcet, Laplace, and Poisson to the questions of decisions of legal tribunals, of elections, of the relative force of opinions in the minority of voters, the credibility of history; the Census, tables of mortality, marriage, and insurances, to illusions and mental phenomena, we find in recent years the greatest impulse given to scientific methods of collecting and comparing statistics has been by M. Quetelet, the Director of the Royal Observatory at Bruxelles, President of the Central Statistical Commission of Belgium, and the Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Sciences. He was one of the early founders of this Section at the Meeting at Cambridge in 1833, and was the originator of the International Statistical Congresses which have been the means of effecting such vast improvements in the collection, publication, and comparison of Government Statistics in every country in Europe. In the application of scientific methods of observation to study the physical and moral qualities of man, an essential part of the inquiry is as to his growth, and the relative proportion of the various parts of the body at different ages until his complete maturity. The last work of M. Quetelet, entitled "Anthropométrie, ou mesures des différentes facultés de l'homme," recently published, comprises the results of many years of observations, in which, by the assistance of scientific friends, artists and medical men, he has succeeded in collecting sufficient and trustworthy facts to trace the law of growth in every portion of the human body at all periods of life. The methods formerly employed to ascertain the true proportions which constitute the typical man were not satisfactory. Naturalists did not sufficiently study the averages to discover the laws of their agreement or divergence on certain points; artists selected such types of beauty or strength as suited their special purpose. But if some model of the human race existed the proportions of which were so fixed that any deviations from it in excess or defect could only arise from accidental causes, the observations recorded may be divided into groups at equal intervals, and according to the theory of probability the specific number which ought to be found in each group may be predicted beforehand, with a very near approach to accuracy. The greater the number of observations the more certainly will the observed number in each group agree with the number calculated by the theory. The group which approaches nearest to the mean will be the most numerous, and the other groups will be found to contain numbers, as they differ from the mean in excess or defect, in exact proportion to the coefficients of the terms of the binomial theorem. In accordance with this law dwarfs and giants cease to be casual monstrosities. If out of a sufficient number of observations, taken in any country, of the number of people measured at regular gradations of height, the dwarfs and giants had been purposely excluded, we ought by means of this law to be able to predict nearly not only the numbers which had been omitted, but their relative statures as compared with the rest of the people. A remarkable confirmation of this law was given by Mr. E. B. Elliott in the measurement of the height of 25,878 volunteers to the United States Army during the Civil War. The intervals of height were taken at every 25 millimetres. At the mean height, 1·75 metre, the number found by measurement was 4054, or 157 |