at £31,000. The remainder of the sum required will be borrowed for a period of thirty years on the security of the 1 d. rate.

As its name implies, the school is now a municipal institution, governed by a committee consisting of 36 members, 24 of whom are members of the city council, and 12 are chosen from the general public interested in the progress of commerce and manufactures. The new school may be looked upon as amongst the first fruits of the technical instruction act of 1889, and of the local taxation (custom and excise) act of 1890, which placed so large a sum at the command of local authorities for the purpose of technical instruction.

It will be the aim of the authorities of the school to provide a practical scientific training of the highest kind in the chief industries of the district, so as to make it nnnecessary for its youth to take advantage of foreign technical schools, leaving to the school board and other institutions the duty of providing for the subjects of a general education. Certainly no effort or expense will be spared to make the school efficient, alike in respect of its staff of lecturers and in the provision of the best appliances. The numerous technical schools which are springing up so rapidly in the smaller towns in southeast Lancashire will, it is to be hoped, create a liberal supply of students, able to take advantage of the splendid opportunities the new municipal technical school will offer for advanced instruction in the science and practice of its commerce and industries.

LEEDS.

Leeds is in the northwestern part of England, county of York, on the river Aire. Population (1891), 367,506; enrollment in elementary schools (1891), 69,432; (board schools, 45,844; voluntary, 23,173; board industrial schools, 415).

Yorkshire College, Leeds, affords provision for higher technical training; it includes an engineering school, chemical laboratory, and physical departments, an excellent dyeing school, and a weaving school. The Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary Society maintains art schools, a science school, and a school for theoretical instruction in mathematics, botany, iron and steel manufacture, mechanics, engineering, steam, physics, etc. Languages and shorthand are also taught. The school board for Leeds has shown a progressive and liberal spirit in respect to education. It has been active in urging the Government to do away with the policy of payments on the results of individual examinations, a policy abandoned in 1890. Its influence has been exerted in favor of the bill raising the age for the half-time employment of children to 11 years; and it was one of the first school boards to take advantage of the free school act. Almost immediately after the passage of the act the board declared all of its schools free, excepting the higher grade school, in which the fee was reduced by the full amount of the fee grant, i. e., 10 shillings per capita yearly. The evening schools were also allowed the benefits of the act; all scholars who attend every session of a term having the whole of their fees returned, and others whose attendance is regular having a large portion returned. Provision has also been maintained in the schools for the subjects for which grants are made by the science and art department. In 1891 the amount secured from this source was about $9,000.

The bill has just passed, and takes effect January 1, 1894.

Immediately upon the allotment of the surplus from the liquor duties to the county councils, the Leeds board took steps to secure funds (1) for the development of manual and technical instruction in day and night schools, and (2) for scholarships to enable promising pupils to continue their education in higher technical schools. The Leeds council accorded $15,000 for this purpose.

The Central Higher-Grade School for boys and girls was installed in a fine new building in 1889; here ample provision has been made for scientific and technical instruction suited to the grade. Accommodation is provided for about 2,500 pupils, and at the end of the second year (1891) the actual enrollment was 2,157.

The school prospectus sets forth the aim of the board as follows:

On a basis of elementary education, it is intended to superadd a system of higher education, which, at a moderate charge will train pupils for industrial, manufacturing and professional pursuits. This system of instruction will have its beginnings in the elementary school, but will be practically carried out in a three years' course beyond the standards (i. e., seven elementary years).

It will embrace such courses as

I. The classical (or professional), in which Latin, mathematics, science, and drawing form the chief subjects.

II. The modern (or mercantile), in which French or German, commercial geography, mathematics, science, and drawing will receive most attention.

III. The scientific (or technical), in which mathematics, science, and drawing form the leading subjects.

Each course will in addition contain all the subjects of a sound general education in English. It is intended that pupils who have attended the full course shall be prepared for the matriculation examination of the London University, and the preliminary examination for arts, law, and medicine of the Yorkshire College, Victoria University; as well as for the preliminary examinations of the Law Society, Pharmaceutical Society, veterinary colleges, and for the Oxford and Cambridge senior local examinations. The work of the higher section will be found to embrace all the subjects for thoroughly preparing those who desire to become pupil teachers at the end of the first or second years' apprenticeship; and such a preparatory course, giving instruction in languages, science, and art, as well as in English subjects, should enable such students to pass well the pupil-teachers' examinations, and to take an honorable position in the examinations for admission to training colleges. Classes of boys and girls have already been formed for these examinations, and the text books used in the various courses are selected from those prescribed for such work.

It is the board's earnest wish that no promising child in the borough should be debarred from having a chance of securing a place in the higher-grade school, and therefore, 60 free scholarships, tenable for three years, making 180 in all, are open to competition each year to children of the public elementary schools of the borough, as an encouragement to continue the education of promising boys and girls, who might otherwise, from the circumstances of their parents, be removed from school. These free scholarships admit successful competitors to all the classes of the school, and text-books are provided for them free of charge.

The services of teachers having special qualifications have been secured for the school, and the teaching staff generally made as efficient as possible. With the school fees and Government grants, the working of the school will involve no cost to the rate payers. During the last financial year the school brought a "credit" to the rates on school maintenance account, amounting to £154 58. 9d., in addition to having provided free scholarships worth £2 each to 180 children.

The opening of the higher grade school has also, the board are pleased to observe, given an impetus to higher education in other public elementary schools in the borough, both board and voluntary. At Bewerley street, the board have felt it incumbent upon them to make supplementary provision for the south side of the river. A well-appointed laboratory, with 40 working benches, is provided, in order to make the study of chemistry practical as well as theoretical. There is an excellent workshop for manual instruction, containing benches for 60 students. The board have also in course of erection at Bewerley street, an assembly hall and school gymnasium, which they hope will be available for general use. The Bewerley street school will shortly be equipped with the necessary appliances for instruction in chemistry, practical geometry, machine construction and drawing, mathematics, etc., in accordance with the syllabus of the science and art department, and by means of the special accommodation now afforded, large advantages are expected to accrue to this important school, which has already 1,531 scholars on the rolls.

The report for 1888-1891 gives the following account of the new building of the Central Higher-Grade School:

The utmost attention has been bestowed on the lighting, warming, ventilation, and sanitary arrangements of the building. The fittings are of the most approved designs calculated to insure the comfort of the pupils and to secure the best educational methods. The chemical laboratory is one of the largest and best equipped in the Kingdom. The physical laboratory is fitted and furnished for enabling pupils practically to perform what the demonstrator has shown in the lecture theater. Commodious playgrounds are provided for recreation; and pupils coming from a distance can have their luncheons, warm if desired, in comfortable dining rooms. The highest testimony as to the suitability of the buildings and the efficiency of the fittings was supplied by one who, from position and opportunities, may be regarded as the greatest English expert on school buildings and appliances, E. R. Robson, F. S. A., the consulting architect of the education department, to whom all the plans of schools in Britain have to be submitted for approval. As he has visited professionally the best European and American schools, special importance should be attached to his opinion: "I think this is the best and most completely organized I have seen."

Sir Lyon Playfair, K. C. B., M. P., formerly vice-president of the committee of council on education, on a visit to the school last year, pronounced it "the finest and best equipped school in this or in any country ”—a testimony of the highest value from one who has visited the principal schools in Europe and America. On the occasion of the visit of the British Association to Leeds in September, 1890, the school was visited by many of the most eminent scientific and educational authorities, and it is a matter of gratification to know that the visitors were unanimous in lauding the school and its equipments. Sir Henry Roscoe, M. P., said: "I think that this is the best school I have yet seen in the Kingdom;" while Sir Philip Magnus expressed himself as "highly delighted with the structure and organization of the school; I have seen nothing better."

The gymnasium has been fitted with a great variety of apparatus, affording every gradation of exercise for young people of both sexes; and the greatest care is taken to prevent overstrain or accident, all the exercises being conducted under the personal supervision of a thoroughly qualified instructor and in the presence and with the assistance of the teacher of the class. The board, anxious to avail themselves of every opportunity for benefitting the scholars, have taken advantage of the recent circular on manual instruction issued by the science and art department, and have erected and equipped a commodious workshop, in which the training of hand and 'For a detailed description of the building see Record of Technical and Secondary Education, March, 1893, pp. 300–307.

eye will lead to that union so much to be desired in all industrial occupations-the union of drawing and practical handiwork.

The interest displayed by every boy in this practical workmanship will lead to that accurate perception of form and correct execution of hand which all manual and technical occupations require. It is the aim of the board to carry on in this school under the most healthful conditions the education of children to the fullest extent from clementary to secondary subjects, and yet without undue pressure. In order to give a practical training also to girls, cookery and needlework have always received attention in the elementary section; and arrangements have recently been made to secure efficient instruction for the pupils of the higher section in cookery and in the cutting-out of garments.

BRADFORD.

Bradford is in the northwestern part of England, County of York. Population (1891), 216,361. Enrollment in board schools, 23,305; average attendance, 19,981; (voluntary schools, no data).

THE BRADFORD TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Bradford is the seat of a technical college which is the pioneer institution of its class in England. It was organized about fourteen years ago, and in 1880 was installed in a building built and equipped for its work at an expense of about $200,000. The institution comprises a day school, an art department, chemistry and dyeing department, textile department, engineering department, and evening science classes. The day school is intended to prepare youths for industrial, manufacturing, and commercial pursuits, and for the examinations preliminary to professional studies. Boys are admitted at 12 years of age if they have passed the sixth grade of the elementary schools, or upon examination. The course combines modern languages, Latin, science, mathematics, and drawing, with technical instruction. The last named includes designing, weaving, manufacture of cloth, dyeing, engineering and metal work, building, woodwork, advanced drawing, modeling, and bookkeeping.

The attendance in 1890 was 261 students. The fees in the day schools range from £1 58. to £4 48. a term, or £3 15s. to £12 12s. per annum. The school earns a large proportion of the grant from the science and art department on the results of examination, receiving in 1890 £1,156 168. out of a total of £1,500 in the entire institution.

The art department, which is open to both men and women, is intended for students who contemplate art as a career, and also for designers, modelers, and art teachers. Three distinct courses are offered, i. e., a course of general art study; drawing and designing for textile students; architectural drawing. Instruction is given in both day and evening classes. The courses of the technical departments are conducted with special reference to the industries of which Bradford is a leading center, i. e., woolen manufactures and transportation. The total number of students in 1890 was 1,100, of whom 400 were enrolled in the day classes.

The inclusive fee for all day classes in the general art course is £111s. 6d. a term; in the architectural £5; in the day classes of the textile department £2 108.

In 1892 the Bradford County council created 90 day scholarships, and 60 evening scholarships, each tenable in this school for two years, and open to competition. Previous to this action between 80 and 100 scholarships were available in the different departments.

SCOTLAND.

The movement for technical instruction has not advanced so rapidly in Scotland as in England. In the northern division, Glasgow and Dundee are the chief centers of activity in this respect.

The former is the seat of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, organized in 1886 by the union of several existing institutions. The Dundee and District Association has for its purpose the promotion of technical and commercial education in accordance with the recent laws. A great variety of classes, art, science, and technical, have been established under its auspices.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

The agricultural interests of the country have not been overlooked in the recent efforts to provide for the training of the industrial classes. The demand for graded and systematic instruction in the sciences applicable to agriculture as well as in its processes is widespread. At the same time the very nature of the districts in which this instruction is needed makes it difficult to meet the needs by local action. Prior to 1888 the work had been left wholly to private initiative, save that the principles of agriculture were recognized among the extra subjects for which grants might be allowed in elementary schools. In 1888 the proposition for an annual appropriation for agricultural education was passed, the same to be distributed by the board of agriculture. The fund distributed has increased each year, being £2,930 in 1888-'89; the following year £4,588, and rising to £6,705 in 1890-'91. Seventeen institutions in England and Wales, and 14 in Scotland, have shared in the grant. Of the former 8 and of the latter 7 are agricultural, including dairy associations. The remainder are distinctly educational. In their application of the funds recently placed at their disposal the county councils are doing much to foster this particular interest. University College of North Wales (Bangor), which was founded in 1883, and receives an annual grant of £4,000, has made extensive provisions for this subject.

The scheme of work at this institution includes "the establishment of three dairy schools at Welshpool, Denbigh, and Bangor; the delivery of 'extension' lectures on agricultural subjects over six northern counties of Wales; the conduct of field experiments; the establishment of classes for schoolmasters in agricultural subjects; and of a complete col