improvement, and been again recommended to schools, proves the anxiety of the patrons of education to obtain good teachers. Teachers find that they must no longer be satisfied to remain in the quiet, unaspiring state with which they were content a few years ago. It was then very difficult to persuade one who had been trained to re-enter our institution; now the difficulty is to find accommodation for those who press for re-admission."

The Report presents the following list of institutions to whom certificates of merit have been awarded by the Committee of Council on Education, after examination by Her Majesty's inspectors-Christmas, 1853:

The auditors in their Report say that "they feel and would express much gratitude to the subscribers and friends of the Society, that notwithstanding the advanced price of provisions, and the consequent increase in its expenditure, their liberality has been equal to the emergency-the year's income has not been exceeded. The committee has now completed its buildings; on that account, therefore, no further outlay will be required."

It appears that the committee have an idea that even boarding-school misses in the Celestial Empire require a better system of education. We are informed, that "since the last Report the committee have had the satisfaction of hearing of the safe arrival at Ningpo, in China, of two teachers trained at this institution, sent out by the 'Ladies' Society for Promoting Education in China and the East.'

"These young persons are to be employed at a boarding school for

* We have added the students who left this institution in 1853, after completing one year-though they are not included in the printed account of the committee of council, according to the practice in former years.

+ Two out of these ten came for examination from the Truro Training School.

The balance-sheet shows an expenditure of 62767. 9s. 5d.

fifty Chinese girls—an institution in which Miss Aldersey so energetically devotes herself, and which has already been so successful." The following qualifications of candidates are required :—

"1. Religious and moral principles.-The primary object of early education is to cultivate in children religious principles and moral sentiments; to awaken in their tender minds a sense of their evil dispositions and habitual failings, before they become callous by daily intercourse with vice-to lead them to the Saviour; to accustom them to trace the hand of their heavenly Father in his works of providence and grace; and to impress them with the truth that his eye is ever upon them since such is the primary object-an object which, if unattempted, early education is valueless-the committee consider that in addition to an unimpeachable moral character, sincere piety is indispensable; indeed without it they think no teacher can be fitted for the work.

:

II. Natural disposition and abilities.-There are certain qualifications of temper to be looked for in the teacher of young children. The power of sympathy is felt by all, but its effect upon children is almost incalculable; on this account an animated, lively manner, tempered by selfpossession, and a cheerful good humour combined with gentle firmness, are very important. To these should be added that natural fondness for children, which leads to a participation in all their little pleasures and pains, and bears patiently with their infirmities and ill-humours. It is also particularly necessary that infant school teachers should possess, besides an aptitude to teach, the ability to draw out and direct the powers of children, a quickness of perception to see the effect of the instruction they are giving, and a readiness in availing themselves of accidental circumstances to awaken moral sentiment, or draw out some intellectual faculty.

Acquirements. Under this head the committee think it right to publish the following account of the subjects in which students are to be examined. They are aware that they must not expect to find even an elementary knowledge of all the subjects referred to in every candidate; but they think it desirable not to admit any one in whom there exists any decided impediment to their acquisition:

Teachers of Schools for Older Children.

According to the Minutes of the Committee of Council, mistresses of girls' schools are to train girls who are pupil teachers, so as to pass an examination in

The Holy Scriptures (in those schools in which religious knowledge is examined); in English grammar and composition; in general geography; in the historical geography of Great Britain; in the outlines of English history; in arithmetic (written and mental); in the com

position of the notes of a lesson, in an account of the organization of the school and the methods of instruction used, and of an essay on some subject connected with the art of teaching; in their skill in the management of a class under instruction, and in their ability to give a gallery lesson; probably also in singing and drawing.

Infant School Teachers.

The examination will be confined to simple questions on the following subjects:

1. The Holy Scriptures, the Catechism, and the Liturgy of the Church of England (in schools connected with the Church of England); 2. English History; 3. Geography; 4. Arithmetic (including Vulgar and Decimal Fractions); 5. English Grammar and Composition; 6. The Theory and Practice of Teaching.

The object of the examination will be to ascertain sound, if humble, attainment,

(To be continued.)

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS."

SIR-It were vain to refrain from expressing the pleasure and gratification derived from the perusal of the leading article in numbers I. and II. of "THE GOVERNESS;" it is of itself sufficient guarantee for the success of so valuable a periodical. The study of it cannot be too strongly recommended-the word study is used advisedly, because it is the spirit of any subject which must be received before theory can become practical. All will allow that theory and practice are as nearly as far asunder as the poles; and yet, to attain to any desired end, theories must be methodised, so as to render them practical. The truths and statements so plainly and candidly brought forward in your observations upon Education will doubtless prove of inestimable value, not only to Teachers in general, but to all who take an interest in the well-being of mankind; for, unconscious as we may be of the fact, it is nevertheless true, that there exists not one in the world's vast creation that is not an educator, exclusive of those who are more particularly engaged in the work, from the nursery to the professor's chair. The child in the national or charity-school should be instructed upon the same grand principle—for the principle of education should be the same from the cottage to the throne-then we might hope the present deficiencies would in some measure be removed. It cannot be denied, that the basis of thought and action of the future man, be his position ever so high, and whatever may be his advantages of after education, is formed in the nursery; and who is it that has sway there?—who is it blots and mars the fair page of the infant mind? Experience testifies, and instances might be quoted, of impressions of evil propensities imbibed at that early period, which have never been effaced, destroying the happiness both of the possessors and those within their influence. A pleasing biographer of Bishop Wilson remarks:-" It is difficult to estimate how large a portion of the evil and the good which exist in the world, flows from the early management of children." Then, should we not forget how great is our influence either for good or evil. And can any pretend to say how great? It is beyond the ken of human knowledge, how far into futurity the onward impetus will continue to roll is unknown to mortal man. How careful should we be to fulfil to the utmost the duty of cultivating the faculties of the heart and mind

aright, that generation after generation may arise and call us blessed. And here an answer may be given to an interesting query from a correspondent who wishes to learn Latin. It has been tritely observed, knowledge is not burdensome; and, therefore, presumptuous as it may appear, we cannot agree with that agreeable writer, Sir Bulwer Lytton, in thinking that humdrum women are the most appreciated; but woman, to fill the appointed lot assigned her by her Maker, must combine wisdom with her knowledge; for "knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, have ofttimes no connection;" and if she neglect to cultivate the one, she will find the other only a too troublesome cargo, making shipwreck of her happiness; but let not woman fear to increase her powers of intellect, if she will as assiduously study to improve the graces of her heart; then shall her light so shine, "that her children shall arise up and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he shall praise her." All knowledge is therefore useful, when united with wisdom; it is then hoped all the subscribers will agree in accepting the kind offer of lessons upon geology our ideas are contracted and our prejudices confirmed, because we refuse to look into the wonders around us, and hear the Creator's voice in his works. What says St. Paul, in his 1st chapter of the Epistle to the Romans?-"For the invisible things of Him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." A more general knowledge of chemistry would also prove a great benefit, as its utility is recognised in the minutiae of every-day life.

If so small a testimony to the value of your periodical, which it is a pleasing duty to make, can be of any service, pray use it as you shall judge its worth. Time will only admit of requesting the favour of your forwarding "The Governess" to the addresses inclosed.

Feb. 9th, 1855.

I remain, &c.

Your Obdt. Servt.

ALMA.

To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS."

SIR, I cannot allow another month to pass without bearing my testimony to the excellence of your new periodical "THE GOVERNESS." I believe I express the opinion of hundreds when I say that it is in all points exactly what we wanted. You may, I think, anticipate for it a brilliant position in the literary world, for the Governesses of England will not, I feel convinced, prove unmindful of the good feeling shown towards a class hitherto so entirely neglected.

I have for many years committed to paper any incident I thought worth noticing in my career as a governess. Encouraged by your kind answers to correspondents, I have ventured to forward one to you, feeling convinced that, should it merit nothing but your censure, even that will be kindly given. Wishing your valuable work all possible

success,

Aldersgate-Street.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

HELEN L

"THE CARLOW POST" AND "THE GOVERNESS."

To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS."

MADAM, or SIR,-Feeling deeply interested in the subject of Education, and especially that branch of it which has for its object the preparation of the future wives and mothers of Englishmen, I ordered your publication for twelve months. I perused the first number

with much pleasure, and anticipate similar gratification when I receive the next. I regret that my numerous engagements have prevented my bidding you God speed in your new undertaking; may you have the blessing of God on your labours, and may you live to see it accomplishing all that the most sanguine temperament can desire!

I cannot close my intrusive epistle without adverting to a critique on your publication in the Carlow Post, which has fallen into my hands, in which the ingenious writer has made some of your remarks and his own conclusions therefrom a sort of stalking-horse for the introduction of a commendation of nuns and nunneries as educators and seminaries for our juvenile female population. Now I look upon your Repertory as thoroughly PROTESTANT, and I hope you will not be ashamed of the character; and I feel confident that you did not intend to intimate that those noble instructresses and promoters of instruction, Osburgha and Margaret Beaufort, were nuns. Such an insinuation would be in contradiction to all the historical relations which we possess. Allow me to quote a few words from the article I allude to :-" The most extraordinary feature, however, in the whole of this article, is that the writer seems not to know that nunneries still exist; that they contain ladies of fortune, of rank, and high literary attainments-women that have given up everything, as their co-religionists did before the suppression of religious houses, for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind." Alas! that you should have seemed to ignore this fact, in alluding to the suppression of religious houses. I am of opinion that you were not ignorant of the pretensions of these ladies, but that you justly consider that ladies, who from mistaken ideas of what is necessary to enable them really to glorify God, have taken upon themselves vows to renounce all intercourse with the world, are thereby rendered incompetent to educate the heart, to direct the affections of those who are hereafter to fill the most interesting, as well as the most endearing positions that mortals can fill. By those vows they are bound to repress all the most beau tiful affections which our Maker has implanted in their breasts, and how is it possible that they can direct them in others?

Again, I am at a loss to ascertain how the said writer can think that you have expressed an opinion, that "few of those private instructresses who are engaged in educating females, are either qualified for the important office, or entertain any other view respecting it, than that the force of circumstances has compelled them to adopt it as the only means of subsistence within their reach."

、 This would be an accusation as cruel as it is unjust. There is undoubtedly great need of improvement in a great portion of those who are called to this employment, and particularly should the teacher be certain that she possesses an aptness to teach—the ability to communicate information being of far greater importance than the possession of most extensive knowledge.

But I will not trespass on your patience and that of your readers, but, if encouraged, may look in again.

Believe me,

Yours, &c.

A CLERGYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.

“THE GOVERNESS” A MAGAZINE FOR MOTHERS.

To the Editor of "THE GOVERNESS."

SIR,-Your very useful periodical was, at the commencement of this month, first brought under my notice by the receipt of a circular respecting it, on which was written "Re