Besides a certificate of vaccination and of certificates proving the age (the completed sixteenth year being the lowest year accepted) and the morality of the candidate, those persons who wish to take part in the examination must send to the director of the school before the 15th of October a request to that effect upon stamped paper, declaring their intentions, and also stating whether or not they desire a day scholarship. After the close of the examination the list of pupils admitted is definitely fixed by the council of administration of the school upon the proposition of the examining board, and published in the official journal.

Foreign pupils must furnish references to their consuls. They are admitted to the school in consequence of a special examination intended to determine whether they can follow successfully the course of study.

Special examinations.-The method of instruction in the School of Higher Commercial Studies is based, as we have already said, upon oral lessons and very frequent examinations. A table posted in the school indicates to the pupils the dates of these special examinations, which take place at least twice a week; one upon foreign langnages, and one upon other subjects of instruction in the programme.

The rules of the school prescribe that no pupil may be required to pass more than three special examinations and more than two general examinations in the same week. Two pupils enter at the same time the office of the examiner. The pupil who has just been examined goes out and informs his comrade who stands next to him upon the list that his turn has arrived. The examiner assures himself that the note books of the subject upon which it is his business to examine are kept up to date, that the graphical and statistical sketches are made with care, and he puts to the pupils who come before him such questions as are intended to ascertain whether the lessons in the school room have been studied and understood. He then gives a mark which figures in the certificate of the pupil.

Papers and reports.-Besides their examinations the pupils are required to write twice a month a paper or report upon a topic assigned by the management, and relating to some subject of instruction in the programme. The subjects assigned for these papers are posted up for eight days; they bear the date of the day when they must be presented by the student.

General examinations.-The general examinations cover the entire instruction in the course. They take place at the end of each course. The questions relating to each subject are drawn by the pupil by lot. The marks for the general examinations in each subject are counted individually, as well as the average of the special examinations. The general average of the student is based upon the average of the special examinations and the marks of the general examinations.

Marks.-The value of the marks is fixed according to the table below:

Classification of pupils.-The marks obtained in the general and special examinations servo for the classification of pupils at Easter and at the close of the year, periods at which reports are sent to the parents. The classification at Easter is provisional; the classification of July serves to establish the passing rank from the first to the second year. No pupil can pass from the first to the second year unless he has obtained a general average of at least 9.

The final classification is based upon the combined general average of the examinations of the first year, which count for one-fourth, and upon that of the examinations of the second year, which count for three-fourths. To obtain a certificate one must have reached a general minimum average of 10. To obtain a diploma one must have reached at the end of the second year a general minimum average of 13. The report of classification given to each pupil contains, in connection with the subjects of instruction, two columns of marks; the one receiving the general average of the special examinations, the other the marks of the general examinations. The marks appearing in these two columns are added together respectively, and each of the sums thus obtained is divided by the number of subjects. The quotient gives the average of the total marks of the special and general examinations. For example: The quotient of all the special examinations of a pupil is 107 for eleven subjects; of all the marks of his general examinations is 106 for eight subjects, thus 72; 106-13.25. The general average obtained is the sum of 9.72 and 13.25 2, that is, 11.48. The average at the close of the second year is diminased by the average of the report of the first year. Example: (Giving he first year as 10) [10+ (3 x 11.48)]÷4-11.11, the final mark.

V. VARIOUS REWARDS, DISCIPLINE, DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES, AND PENALTIES.

The diplomas, signed by the minister of commerce, are granted those pupils, foreign or native, who have satisfied in an able manner all the tests of the final examinations at the end of the second year. In August, 1883, 40 diplomas were conferred upon a class of 46 pupils; in August, 1884, 39 diplomas were conferred upon a class of 51 pupils; in August, 1885, 29 diplomas were conferred upon a class of 49 pupils. It is evident that the severity of the examinations for these diplomas is steadily increasing from year to year. There is also for foreign pupils a special diploma intended to testify that they have followed the courses of the school with success. Certificates of capacity are given to pupils of the second year who, although not able to obtain a diploma, have, nevertheless, given proof of sufficient knowledge of the most essential subjects of instruction.

The list of pupils graduated is published in the official journal. There is no formal distribution of these diplomas, but a simple handing over of the diplomas and certificates on the part of the director. This lack of ceremony is not justified, in our opinion, by good reasons. Everything which can contribute to dignify the instruction, to throw into relief the result of the combined efforts of instructors and pupils ought to be utilized for the profit of this instruction, and to increase the faith in it on the part of the public. One should have faith in superior commercial instruction, and should show that one has faith. This instruction is destined to take an official place above secondary general instruction, of which it will be a development. For the present let us mark for it that place which it has been able to secure.

General discipline.-The inspector of studies who is present at the various courses and at the examinations, devotes himself to all the details of the work of the pupils. He is charged, under the authority of the director of the school, with maintaining a careful observation of the programme of instruction, and of insuring the maintenance of discipline among the pupils. He is aided in the accomplishment of his mission by the under-instructors to the number of four.

As a relaxation from mental fatigue the council of the school has decided that the pupils should have at their disposal a hall of sports; a billiard hall; a checkers and chess-room, as well as interesting reading. Up to the present no restrictions have been placed on the various methods of relaxation. Besides this, boxing, fencing, and dancing halls enable the pupils to amuse themselves according to their tastes. Finally, during the recreation hours, the pupils are authorized to smoke in the hall of sports and in the courtyards.

Punishments. The following punishments may be inflicted upon the pupils: Half demerit, entire demerit, temporary expulsion, reprimand pronounced by the director, not in the presence of the council of the school; reprimand in the presence of the council, and expulsion pronounced by the council upon the recommendation of the

director.

The inspector of studies notes all infractions of the rules by the pupils, and the reprimands which they have incurred in consequence of negligence or irregularity in their work. The council of the school takes into consideration the disciplinary marks of each pupil when it makes changes in the divisions, or when considering applications for certificates and diplomas.

VI.-ADMINISTRATION, RECEIPTS, EXPENSES.

The school is administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, which founded it. It receives no subsidy from the State.

The most serious efforts and earnest solicitude are employed by the president, M. L. Hielard; by the administrators, who aid him with their experience; by the director, M. Jourdan; by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, M. Dietz-Monnin, who sits in the council by right of his office, and who rarely fails to be present at its sessions; and, finally, by M. Gustave Roy, in order to insure the development and the success of the School of Higher Commercial Studies. The careful study which we have made of the progress of this school shows that it has passed beyond the difficulties of its early years, and is advancing each year.

Budget. The budget of the school is very large, as the Paris Chamber of Commerce wished to do a handsome thing, and desired that no expense should be spared to call attention to its beautiful creation. Of course, experience can not fail to show reforms which it will be necessary to carry out in the modus vivendi of the various departments, as well as in the construction of the curriculum and its application. Thanks to certain economies which were necessary and which could be carried through without inconvenience; thanks also to the steady growth of the number of pupils, which must be still more marked in consequence of the formation of the preparatory class it is to be presumed that the financial condition of the School of Higher Commerci Studies will be sensibly improved from this time on. This, at least, is the v which we share, being persuaded that there is room in Paris for two great schoolecmorce as flourishing as the rue Amelot.

4

The following table shows the receipts and expenses for the school year 1884-85:

Receipts:

Term fees of the pupils

Profits in the students' supplies

Total.

337, 908. 25

General costs

City water...

Taxes and insurance

Annuity to the crédit foncier..

Total....

This shows a deficit of 157,682 francs, comprising, it is true, the rent of the school buildings, represented by the annuity payable to the crédit foncier for interest and repayment of the loan by this useful establishment to the Chamber of Commerce. The following was the budget for the school year 1885-86:

Receipts:

Term fees of pupils.....

Profits on students' supplies

Sales of material.

Balance

Francs. 217,550.00 4, 067.00 2,400.00 4, 763. 45

228, 780.45

44, 840.00 58,550.00 11, 720.00 2,000.00 63,593.00

7,200.00

Lighting

Laundry.

Advertising.

Library

Laboratory

General costs

Maintenance and repairs

City water..

Taxes and insurance

Total.....

This report differs essentially from the preceding one, as it shows that the school is making expenses and receipts meet, without counting, it is remembered, the annuity to the crédit foncier, which has been assumed by the Paris Chamber of Commerce in consequence of an agreement entered into between the chamber, the city, and the State, and a law relating to the construction of a bourse. By this combination the chamber, by means of additional hundreds levied upon Parisian commerce, finds the necessary means to cover the annuity due to the credit foncier.

By alienating the most certain of its revenues and by mortgaging the future for fifty years, the Paris Chamber of Commerce, consulting only the dictates of a wise patriotism, has not hesitated to extend superior commercial instruction, and to attract to it the sons of our merchants. The fortunate arrangement, of which wo have just spoken, will not impoverish anyone; and Paris possesses, as a result, a

magnificent establishment of commercial instruction, the most beautiful, without doubt, in the world. We may surely say here, if ever, "All's well that ends well." The director, M. Jourdan, an engineer of arts and manufactures, has been at the head of the School of Higher Commercial Studies since its foundation. He had formerly been the director of the Commercial School in avenue Trudaine, and had there attracted the attention of the Chamber of Commerce. M. Huret, inspector of studies, was also a member of the instructing body of the Commercial School, where he had been a professor for five years.

The large scheme adopted by the Chamber of Commerce for its School of Higher Commercial Studies explains the large number of professors. The faculty number forty-four, including seven examiners. The chamber intended that the equipment of the new school should fully correspond to its really grandiose plan. It has succeeded at the cost of large sacrifices, which will be appreciated and which will produce, in our opinion, the results which the chamber expects of them.

VII. CONCLUSION-NOBLESSE OBLIGE.

But certain titles are heavy to carry, and the Paris Chamber of Commerce has furnished us a new proof of this. A part of that which has come to pass had already been forseen in the interesting report of M. Jacques Siegfried, where he says: "If the Paris Chamber of Commerce should count upon a considerable number of pupils at the beginning it would run the risk of being deceived. Experience shows that if the utility of superior commercial instruction gradually makes itself felt more and more, it must, on the other hand, count upon meeting those prejudgments and settled habits of thought over which we can not triumph without inuch patience." With its attention occupied in raising the level of commercial instruction, and consequently the prestige of the commercial career, the chamber cherished more illusions than M. Siegfried. In fact, M. Gustave Roy, its president, said in the inaugural address, from which we have already quoted some passages: "We have confidence in our work; it is proposed to draw into this school young men who have already completed their classical studies, not those who have not succeeded in the colleges, but those who have distinguished themselves there."

The immediate future, however, did not justify the views of M. Gustave Roy, for the reason that classical instruction never turns the aspiration of its pupils toward the commercial career, and the college graduates, notably those who have distinguished themselves, despise commerce and think that they are destined exclusively for liberal or administrative careers.

Thus we see that the necessities of existence turned the school away from the strict observation of a rule which would have brought it to an early death of inanition, and the School of Higher Commercial Studies, which was intended to give only superior instruction, has been compelled, in order to replenish its classes, to devote itself to secondary instruction. It is this same reason which compelled it to create classes preparatory to this latter instruction; that is to say, to introduce a primary element in the very institution where the secondary element was to have been excluded on principle.

We have advised this last measure in the interest of the school, and we hope for its success. In order to insure homogeneity in the classes, and with a view of raising the character of the instruction, it will probably be necessary to double the preparatory year for certain pupils, or to cut this division into two sections. Perhaps it will even be advisable to adopt the same measure for the first year of the regular course, so that the second year may really become an advanced course.

As to the rest, however, we are of the conviction that this measure will be only transitory. The future of commercial instruction is assured because necessity compels it. Under the pressure of economic events whose action on ideas and manners is powerful, as well as under that of better logic, we shall soon see a rapid trausformation in our way of viewing the whole subject of education. A logical reorganization of general secondary instruction will prepare the youth for the professional instruction which they may have chosen, and the schools of commerce, considered on a par with other special schools, will not then be less advanced.

VIII-ASSOCIATION OF THE FORMER GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL OF HIGHER COMMERCIAL INSTRUCTION.

This association was founded on the 12th of July, 1883. Its place of meeting is at the school, 108 Boulevard Malesherbes. This association is primarily a social benefit society. It has for its purpose, first, to maintain and create amicable relations among the alumni of the School of Higher Commercial Studies; second, to come to the aid of former associates who may need assistance; third, to furnish to the varions interests of the association information of every kind. In order to accog these various purposes, first, a place of meeting has been fixed, and these meetin d every week; second, monthly economic conferences and discussions are mbers of the association; third, a quarterly bulletin has just been esta

consisting of four parts, (a) reports of the sessions of the general committee, (b) various studies by former pupils of the school, (c) notices of wants, (d) advertisements for the benefit of the members of the association; fourth, the president can, in case of urgency, give immediate pecuniary assistance; fifth, a committee of employment is established, charged with aiding their former comrades in the choice and obtaining of positions; sixth, as a large number of the alumni have studied law and been enrolled as advocates before the court of appeals, a judicial council has been established. It gives advice upon all legal questions of interest to the members of the association. The idea seems to us excellent. We need lawyers who know how to analyze a balance, a liquidation, etc. Lawyers who have taken a course in the Superior School of Commerce can hardly fail to be successful. The association is administered by a committee composed of 11 members.

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME OF THE COURSES OF THE SCHOOL OF HIGHER COMMERCIAL STUDIES AND THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL CONNECTED WITH THE SAME. [Ministerial orders of July 27, 1891, and July 27, 1832.]

Programme of the course of the preparatory school.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES.

Preliminary definitions.-Magnitude, numbers, measure of magnitude, unity, whole numbers, fractions, fractional numbers.

Oral numeration.-Definitions, decimal numeration.

Written numeration.-Definitions, absolute and relative value of a number. Operations in whole numbers.-Addition and subtraction; definitions, rules, proofs; exercises in rapid calculation, both mental and written, in addition and subtraction. Multiplication; definitions; table of multiplication of the first 15 numbers; different cases of multiplication; theory, and practical rules; theorems relative to multiplication; exercises in rapid multiplication by 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21, 25, 29, 30, 31, 39, 41, 125, their multiples and submultiples. Division; definitions, rules, exercises, short division, theorems relative to division; division by 25, 75, 125, their multiples and submultiples.

Properties of whole numbers.-Divisibility. Preliminary theorems. Remainder in the division of the number by 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 4, and 25. Proofs by 9 and 11 of the multiplication and division. Exercises.

Greatest common divisor.-Definition. Finding the greatest common divisor of two numbers. Fundamental theorems. Rule. Simplification. Exercises. Properties of the greatest common divisor. Greatest common devisor of several numbers.

Prime numbers.-Definitions of prime numbers and of numbers prime to one another. Theorems. Formation of a table of prime numbers. Separation of a number into its prime factors. Rule. Exercises. Divisors of a number. Methods of finding them. Greatest common divisor. Least common multiple.

Fractions.-Definition. Reducing fractions to their most simple form. Reducing to the same denominator. Operations in fractions. Exercises. Decimal fractions. Definitions. Numeration of decimal numbers. Operations in decimal numbers. Estimation of the quotient by means of a given decimal unit. Conversion of common fractions into decimal fractions, and vice versa. Irreducible common fraction giving rise to a circulating fraction. Circulating fractions. Definitions. Finding the generator of such fractions.

Powers and roots.-Definitions and theorems. Extraction of the square root of a whole number. Extraction of the square root of a whole number or fractional number with a certaiu approximation. Square roots of decimal numbers. Squares and