UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD.-University Extension.-Various new schemes have been brought forward to effect this object. Professor Plumptre would have the authorities of the Oxford colleges take a hint from those of King's College, London. "The latter," he says, referring to the Theological department, "receive one free student for every ten who pay the usual fees. The circumstances of applicants are carefully investigated, and the free studentships either given in their completeness, or divided between two, so as to reduce the payment from each by one-half. There is no publication of the names of the recipients, and they stand on the same footing as the other

students."

A further method is brought before the public by "Olim Socius." It is a scheme for the utilisation of the Oxford "plant." The long vacation would cease to exist. A new set of students would then inhabit the colleges, and have the use of the Museum, the Museum Library, and the Camera Radcliviana of the Bodleian. Classical Castor and physical Pollux would appear, with perpetual alternation.

Mr Neate, at the Oxford meeting, called attention to the great and growing wealth of the colleges. These vast endowments were, in fact, designed for the very purpose now contemplated. There are many fellowships wasted, and worse than wasted, on old bachelors permanently non-resident, who would have been more useful members of society had they never been pensioned off this way. If each existing college were to increase its numbers by ten, and Christ Church by twenty, two hundred under-graduates would at once be added to the books of the University at a very trifling cost.

It should be known what Lincoln College did in 1855. In a Special Educational Fund (specialis cista ad promoverdam eruditionem et disciplinam collegii nostri adhibenda), particular mention was made of provision for increase of the number and the value of the scholarships, for a gratuitous supply of out-college lectures, if at any time expedient, and for the foundation of college prizes. Two out of twelve fellowships were suppressed for thirty years as they became vacant (this occurred very soon after), leading to the prospect of a great increase in the college revenues, and limiting the future average value of each of the fellowships to £300 a year, with a saving clause on behalf of vested interests. During the thirty years the Educational Fund gets the moneys which would have been paid to the two Fellows, that is, two-fourteenths of the sum divided among the Rector and the ten Fellows (the Rector is reck

oned as two Fellows); at the end of the thirty years the original number of the Fellows is resumed, but two-sixteenths of the sum divided are to be placed to the account of the Educational Fund.

CAMBRIDGE.-21st December.-The annual commemoration of benefactors at Trinity College took place on Saturday last, accompanied by the recitation of prose declamations and the distribution of prizes by Dr Whewell, the master. The commemoration sermon in the chapel was preached by the Rev. W. G. Clark, M.A., Public Orator of the University, and Tutor of the College, who took the opportunity to express a hope that the College would follow the example of the neighbouring College of St John's, in erecting a magnificent chapel. All members of "Old Trinity" will know the signifi

cance of this hint.

The subject for the next Hulsean prize is, “The province of faith in convincing men of the being of God, and of his government of the world." Two exhibitions of £50 and £60 will be open at Trinity Hall in April. Six open scholarships and one close (for Uppingham and Oakham schools) will be open at Sidney in October.

LONDON. The Council of University College, London, have resolved to appoint a lecturer on mental diseases.

IRELAND. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has received at the Viceregal Lodge a deputation from the graduates of the Queen's University in reference to university changes. The views of the deputation were set forth in an elaborate statement. In this a sketch is given of public education in Ire land from the year 1791, shewing that the opinions of committees, and the action of Parliament and of successive governments, have been for many years in favour of united education. It proceeds to argue against the substitution of sectarian for united education. Figures are quoted to demonstrate that the union of the several religious denominations in the Queen's Colleges continues satisfactory, and that the representation of Catholics is more adequate than is supposed by many. A comparison is instituted be tween the Queen's University and the London University, the result of which, it is contended, justifies the proposition that the Queen's University, by itself, and without any reference to the Queen's Colleges, has been a success. The graduates espress their unwillingness to interfere in the matter, but they say, "they cannot silently allow the adop tion, in connection with the National University of

the Queen in Ireland, of a principle which, more than any other, will perpetuate sectarian difference amongst those who ought to be the leaders in what would promote friendship and social peace." They insist that it is the duty of the state not to recognise or encourage sectarianism in Ireland; and they submit that if any modifications of the existing system of collegiate and university education shall appear practicable, they shall be referred to the Convocation of the Queen's University before final approval; but that if any such modification shall appear impossible without destroying the cause of non-sectarian education, it would seem to be the duty of those entrusted with the Government of the country to maintain and develop a system already fruitful of good. His Excellency promised to submit the views of the graduates to the Government; and he expressed a desire that it should be understood that whatever might be done with respect to the question laid before him, he and the chief secretary considered the united system of education in itself the best.

THE CITY MIDDLE CLASS EDUCATION SCHEME.Although little more than six weeks have elapsed since the Rev. Mr Rogers propounded his scheme of middle class education for the City at the meeting at the Mansion House, the munificent sum of £38,000 has been voluntarily contributed by a few of the principal citizens, or more than half the amount (£50,000) suggested as necessary for carrying the plan into practical effect on the footing of a school for the education of 1000 children, in the first instance. The sum so raised has been collected simply by thirty-three banking and mercantile firms, including, in some instances, single individuals, in the City, each contributing £1000, and others giving

£500.

It is understood that the Mansion House Committee, of which Mr Alderman Hale is the chairman, contemplate raising a sum of £100,000 for the purpose in view, or twice the amount that was roughly estimated at the meeting in November. The estimate of £50,000 had reference to a school for 1000 children. Two schools with that amount of accommodation are probably now intended.

THE ADULT EDUCATION SOCIETY AND THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION.-The Adult Education Society having memorialised the Lords of the Privy Council, praying that the examinations of the Committee of Council on Education should be extended to evening schools where there is not a certificated master or mistress, and payments be made on the results, the following answer has been received:

Committee of Council on Education,
Council Office.

REV. SIR,-In answer to the memorial which you have presented from the members of the Southern

Counties' Adult Education Society, praying the Committee of Council to examine and allow grants for evening classes which are said to be unable to afford a certificated master or mistress, I am directed by my Lords to request you to remind the memorialists that the Committee of Council has undertaken to make grants to evening classes only so far as they may be regarded as third meetings of day schools. See Articles 38 and 39 (R.C.), and Instructions on the Administration of the Revised Code, paragraph 25. My Lords consider that it is one thing to encourage the extension of the ordinary teaching of day schools to evening classes composed of somewhat older scholars, but quite another thing to make direct and independent grants to such classes for the elementary education of adults. My Lords are not prepared to take the latter course, and continuing to regard evening classes as parts of day schools, they are not prepared to give up the condition which confines aid to schools under certificated teachers.— I have the honour to be, Rev. Sir, your obedient servant, R. R. W. LINGEN.

The Hon. and Rev. S. Best.

THE Thirty-first Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, 1864, Vol. I., has been published, and records the increase of schools, to which it relates, to the number of 100 within the twelve months in question, also the addition of about 12,000 in the daily average attendance of pupils, and 30,994 in the average number on the rolls, Besides this, the Commissioners report the erection of fifty-one national school-houses, comprising seventy-one separate schoolrooms, also two model school-houses, the whole offering accommodation for 7260 children. Seventy-four schools have been struck off the rolls during the year referred to, and seventy schools have been "suspended." An extensive series of tabulated statements appear in the Report, shewing the application of State aid to new schools, the religious denominations of the managers, among whom the Roman Catholics figure highest, and local appropriations of schools. Voluminous reports from inspectors of schools throughout Ireland complete a blue-book of 320 pages octavo.

THE Civil Service Commissioners have issued their Tenth Report, and state that the total number of nominations for preliminary test examination has been 29,763. The annual average has been 3185; those received in 1864 were 4151. Of the candidates nominated for examination in Class 1 (those who aimed at superior situations, clerkships, &c.), 204 passed and 160 failed. On the average there were 31 competitors for each vacancy; this proportion is further reduced by the fact of the failure of many to pass the preliminary test examinations; this allowed for, the average was not more than 1.7 for each situation. The number of situa

tions offered in competition was only 251 in this class. Of Class 2, inferior situations (letter-carriers and the like), the men examined were not submitted to the test of competition. 2384 nominations were dealt with; of which number 144 candidates did not appear, 1931 obtained certificates, and 309 were refused on account of various disqualifications. Out of 771 persons who, on different grounds, have been pronounced disqualified during the year recently ended, only 6 can be said to owe their rejection to requirements of a "scholastic" or educational character. The results of the method of selection adopted for the Civil Service of India competitions, are stated to be, considering the shortness of time given for it, highly satisfactory. Abundant statistics, a list of certificated persons, examination papers for Indian apointments, and a great deal of correspondence, make up the volume, which comprises nearly 300 pages.

THE CONSCIENCE CLAUSE AND PRIVY COUNCIL. -Resolution to be moved in Lower House of Convocation of Canterbury, February, 1866, by Archdeacon of Taunton: "That it is the opinion of this house, that to insist upon the insertion of any manner of Conscience Clause' in the trust-deed of a parish or other school of the Church of England, as a condition of assistance out of the Parliamentary grant, is not just; and that to accept any manner of 'Conscience Clause,' on the part of such school, is neither just as respects future managers of the school, nor is it safe as respects the teaching of the church."

The Daily Telegraph makes the following judicious remarks upon this subject::-"The phrase 'conscience clause' has the same effect upon Archdeacon Denison as the red cloth shaken by a matador has upon a bull when the darts are sticking in his hide. The mildest of Arcdeacons is evidently eager for the fray, and is troubled to endure the interval which must elapse before he can rush into his favourite arena. To men of Archdeacon Denison's stamp the

pos.

mere presence of Dissenters in a Church school is an intolerable evil; he looks upon them as good Mussulmans look upon the Giaours; nor is it sible to reason with men who hold such extravagant opinions. The Archdeacon ought, in consistency with his own views, to object to dine at the same table with a Scottish Presbyterian or a Roman Catholic, or to do anything else which might be construed as a mark of spiritual toleration. But there are more reasonable opponents of the conscience clause, and we have endeavoured to explain the general character of their opposition. The great omission on their part appears to be, that they do not suggest any alternative plan of their own. They reject the Privy Council scheme, but they offer nothing in its stead. Such a course is in itself an error, even as a matter of mere tactics. The whole

dispute seems to us eminently a proper subject for compromise. Surely there must be some plan by which half-a-dozen little Baptists or Wesleyans in a small country school could be taught the rudiments of secular knowledge without offending the conscience of others, or impairing the discipline of the school. The zealots on either side enjoy the fight too much to listen to suggestions of the kind; yet for the sake of peace in the church, already too much shaken by the storms of controversy, it would be a national benefit if some statesmanlike scheme could be devised for settling the pending quarrel between the clergy and the Privy Council."

BRITISH MUSEUM.-Government has decided to reform the constitution of the British Museum, and Mr Panizzi has been induced to remain in his office until the beginning of March. Mr Panizzi resigned last. summer, and obtained a superannuation allowance of a special character. He was to have left the Museum at Christmas. What the nature of the reform is to be-whether a small council, as recommended by Lord Ellesmere's Commission in 1858, or a director as recommended by Lord Langdale, or a Parliamen tary minister as advocated by Lord Henry Lennox→ is not known. Many different kinds of successors to Mr Panizzi have been named, some of them obviously unlikely. We have heard the names of Sir Edmund Head, Sir Francis Sandford, Sir Frederick Madden, Mr Winter Jones, Mr Newton, and others mentioned. A new refreshment room has been opened, under the direction of Mr Panizzi, for the use of visitors to the British Museum, The entrance to it is from the Greek and Roman Galleries, and we understand that the tariff of prices is by no means an exorbitant one.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT EXHIBITION.-The arrangements in connection with the exhibition of national portraits are in rapid progress at South Kensington. The Galleries are calculated to contain 800 pictures, which is nearly the number of British oil paintings exhibited in 1862. They are perfectly dry, and the measures taken to ensure a proper and unimises-and for a constant watch by the police, give form temperature-excluding all fire from the preevery assurance of security that can be desired. From therance of the project, and many family treasures all quarters a cordial response has been made in farwhich have never before left walls where they have hung for generations have been placed at the disposal of the committee. It has been proposed that the first year's exhibition, which is to open in April next, should extend to the Revolution of 1688; but, from the number of fine portraits offered, it is deemed not improbable that the committee will be compelled to terminate the first exhibition with the portraits of the Commonwealth.

ENLARGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY.The land required to enlarge the National Gallery

has been purchased. The site includes St Martin's Workhouse and Archbishop Tenison's School. The price given to the parish is said to be £86,000.

SCOTLAND.

ST ANDREWS.-Mr John Stuart Mill, M.P., has accepted the office of Rector of the University of St Andrews, to which he was recently elected.

MR JOHN BUTLER, teacher, Woodside, writes to us, stating that the assertion made by Mr Keillor, as to the numbers attending his school, is untrue. Instead of fourteen at the conclusion of last session, the

of the session, was nearly three times that number, as my school registers will shew."

High School. The High School of Edinburgh

has now lost the services of Dr Schmitz, who has

accepted the office of Head Master of the International College in London. He was Rector of the High School for exactly twenty years, and during that time he made many friends in Edinburgh, chiefly in the liberally thoughtful and rational sections of society. The school books of which he is the author are well known. He did not a little to introduce to the English world the historical views of Niebuhr, one of whose students he had been at Bonn, when Prince Albert also was studying at that university. So much did the late Prince Consort trust and respect his old fellow-student, that he sent the Prince of Wales to study under him; and in the course of years Prince Alfred also came.

They, no doubt, both attended the University for

the sake of Dr Lyon Playfair and others; but it is pretty certain they would not have come to Edinburgh had Dr Schmitz not been here. The young Prince of Condé, the Duc de Penthiévre, and the Duc d'Alençon, also were among his pupils at the High School. On Dec. 18. he was honoured by a public dinner, at which a great many eminent citizens were present. Lord Provost Chambers presided, and spoke to the point with his accustomed directness and brevity. Dr Schmitz himself gave a candid account of the state of the High School, which is worth the study of those who manage public academies. The Lord Advocate discoursed upon the ideas with which High School boys regarded "the University of Edinburgh," which formed the subject of his toast; and he spoke of their contempt for students with a vividness of recollection, and an insight into boy-nature, that could hardly have been expected from one who has done so much work, and learned and forgotten so many things, since he was at the High School himself. Mr Adam Black proposed "The High School." He was the oldest "boy" present, having outlived eighty years. He spoke with the vigour and intellectual clearness of a young man, and displayed the wisdom of a seventy years' personal acquaintance with the subject of his toast. We believe that all those who know Dr Schmitz wish him every success in the new International College.

DEPOSITION OF A PAROCHIAL SCHOOLMASTER.entrusted to him by the Parochial Schools Act of The Sheriff of Forfarshire, in virtue of the powers 1861, has deposed Mr Marshall, parochial schoolIn a communication to a local newspaper, Mr Marshall master of Kinnettles, near Forfar, for drunkenness. says that he was strongly urged to plead guilty to some of the counts, on the understanding that the agents on both sides would concur in requesting the Sheriff to confine the sentence to censure. This, however, he declined to do. The working of the

Act of 1861 tends to shew that it is not at all favourhe labours under these disadvantages:-He has no able, if even just, to the schoolmaster. For instance, right of appeal; he is not tried by jury; and the pro

secutors, whether they succeed or fail, have their expenses paid by the public, while the schoolmaster, although he has been successful in repelling an attack

on his character or status, has himself to bear all the cost.

WORKING OF THE REVISED CODE.

[As the Code has now been sufficiently long in operation to give the means of forming an impartial opinion on its practical character, and as it is of the greatest moment that information should be accumulated from those best able to afford it, we invite teachers to send us short notices of any points they may deem important. Everything, whether favourable or adverse to the Code, that throws light on its actual working, is valuable. We append a few notices we have already received.]

A. B., FORFAKSHIRE.-Pupil teachers cannot be got here for love or money. I have advertised over and over again, but the replies I got were from boys who were utterly hopeless. My intercourse with the people, mostly of a manufacturing class, has shewn me that they have taken a lively and intelligent interest in the education discussion, and appreciate most thoroughly the effects of the Code on education.

C. D.-LARGE SCHOOL NEAR LONDON.- We have had two examinations under the Code, both very successful. But none of the teachers, viz. an infant mistress, a sewing mistress, and myself, have received a penny of the government grants. The managers have imbibed an extraordinary taste for improvement. Our staff is reduced by four P. T's.,

and I am beginning to think that we are fools to labour so hard for so scanty a share as ours is. We wait with impatience to see what is to be done this year. E. F.-COUNTRY SCHOOL NEAR EDINBURGH.-I have discarded P. T's., but find that I am thereby no great loser. I have harder work, but the parents have evidently more confidence in my labours than in those of "boys," as they were accustomed to call them. I had no idea that there was so strong a feeling against them. In place of the hour and a-half devoted to teaching them, I have now classes for Latin and mathematics. The former is well attended, and I think that by the year's end I will be no loser in that respect.

G. H.-NORTHUMBERLAND.-Oh, that standard I.! What an idea of little children must the concocters of it have! How I wish they had a year's trial of some of my young ones. At my first examination, most of mine failed from sheer fright. I have determined rather to lose than risk so many.

J. R.-GLASGOW.-Why won't the Privy Council give us the names of those who fail and those who pass? I think that, could teachers secure this point, taken up by an energetic M.P., the Privy Council would be compelled for very shame to give in. Nothing would tend more thoroughly to test the whole system.

APPOINTMENTS.

The Rev. C. C. Ward, B.A., late Scholar of Queen's College, Cambridge, has been elected to the Head Mastership of the Lymm Grammar School. Mr Ward graduated in honours in 1854, and has held the appointments of Second Master in Sutton Valence Grammar School, and Senior Mathematical Master in the Royal Naval and Military Academy, Gosport.

The Principalship of the North Wales Training College, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. R. Williams, M.A., has been conferred upon the Rev. John Sydney Boucher, M.A. of St John's College, Cambridge, Master of the Holly Bank School, Birkenhead, formerly Second Master of the King's School,

Warwick.

Mr Henry, Morley, author of "English Writers before Chaucer," has been appointed by the Council of University College, London, Professor of English Language and Literature, in place of Professor Masson.

The Queen has been pleased to present Mr Andrew Robertson, Rector of the High School of Brechin, to the Preceptory of Maisondieu in that city, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. George Alexander.

FRANCE. Organisation of Public Effort by a Government Official.-In educational reports, the department of Haute Vienne has always occupied one of the lowest places. To improve the state of matters, M. Rendu, Inspector-General, invited the most influential persons in the department to meet him at Limoges, where he read to them a report carefully prepared after personal inspection of the existing schools, and induced them to form a society for the promotion of the following objects: 1. To stimulate the zeal of teachers, male and female, who, whilst securing good results in other respects, should draw together the greatest number of pupils in proportion to the population of the district. 2. To encourage the pupils by giving to those who might be found, on competitive trial, the best in each canton, prizes either in books or in the shape of a Savings Bank book with a nest-egg in it; by founding bursaries in connection with special professional schools, to be enjoyed by those who might shew marked aptitude for particular studies; and by supplying books and school materials to the indigent. 3. To promote the establishment of schools in villages and hamlets which are inconveniently far from existing schools, yet offer unitedly a considerable population. 4. To

award special prizes to that teacher in each canton who should have displayed the greatest zeal, and achieved the best results in connection with adult classes. 5. To establish school libraries.

Students' International Congress.-The Paris Academy was not long in following the example of the University of Louvain, by expelling from all its Faculties seven students, viz., five of medicine and two of law, who attended the Students' International Congress held at Liege in the end of October and be ginning of November last. The general charge against the students is, that they insulted the French flag, hoisted the red one, and extolled the reign of terror; that they violently attacked religion, and the principles on which society is based; that they invoked insurrection and civil war, and outraged, either by word or by deed, the Government of their country,

More particularly, No. 1 is charged with being one of the first to unfurl the black flag at Liege, and with having called upon the students to reconquer their lost liberties, and organise themselves in opposition to tyranny. No. 2 is charged with having been vice-president at a meeting which declared against the present Government of France; and with having mounted the orchestra at a ball, and sung songs in