MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. TRAINING COLLEGES AND PUPIL TEACHERS.-At Christmas, 1863, the number of male candidates who presented themselves for admission to the training colleges was 789, of whom 691 passed their examination; female candidates, 1,042; passed their examination, 791. The number of males who entered training colleges in January of this year was 594; females, 694. In 1863 the number of pupil teachers apprenticed was 2,971; and in the same year the numbers of pupil teachers in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th years were, males, 7,043; females, 7,137. SIR ROWLAND HILL AND THE PENNY POSTAGE.-In proposing to the House of Commons that a grant of £20,000 be made to Sir Rowland Hill on his retirement, Lord Palmerston stated that in 1838, the period before which his plan came into operation, the number of letters transmitted through the post in the course of the year was 76,000,000, while in 1863 the number transmitted was 642,000,000. In 1838 the amount of money orders at the Post Office was £313,000. In 1863 it was £16,494,400. The gross receipts in 1838 were £2,346,000, while in 1863 they were £38,700,000. The net revenue of the Post Office, as stated by his lordship, was, for the year 1863, £1,793,000, after paying expenses. NORFOLK AND NORWICH BRITISH TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.On the 4th of June a large company of teachers and assistants met in the splendid schoolrooms lately built by J. J. Colman, Esq., at Carrow, Norwich. Mr. Milne, the British and Foreign School Society's Inspector, presided. A Gallery Lesson was given by Miss Giles, of Lakenham, which was afterward criticized in a friendly manner by some of the company. An interesting quarter of an hour was then spent in looking over the school premises, which are of a most beautiful and complete character; after which Mr. Milne, in an interesting lesson to a class of children, endeavoured to show the use that might be made of the Reading Lesson, in quickening the intelligence of children and imparting stores of general information. This gave rise to a friendly discussion as to the policy of such exhaustive analysis as a general rule, some teachers thinking that it might fix the teacher too much in the upper part of the school, and not tend to the bringing up of the school in the art of reading, which was more readily imparted by imitation and constant practice; while others, equally impressed with the importance of constant practice from good models, contended that the cultivation of the intelligence by pursuing Mr. Milne's method was, at least, of equal importance; and suggested that both might be combined by keeping to a lesson till it could be well read and thoroughly comprehended. After a substantial tea grateful mention was made of obligation to the society and its valuable and friendly agent, Mr. Milne, and a very general expression of the pleasure and advantage derived from the intercourse afforded by the quarterly gatherings of the Association. Half an hour's practice of school music amongst the teachers brought to a close a very happy day. BANGOR TRAINING COLLEGE.-An interesting meeting was recently held at the Penrhyn Hall, Bangor, for the purpose of presenting the Rev. John Phillips with the Testimonial subscribed for him by the people of Wales, in recognition of his long and faithful service in the cause of popular education, having special reference to the recent successful completion of the Bangor Normal College, which owes its existence mainly to his energy and indomitable perseverance. The presentation was made in the presence of a large assembly, and was accompanied by the following address:-"In the name of several hundreds of your countrymen, I have the honour of presenting to you the sum of £502 4s. 4d. as a token of their respect and esteem, and especially of their appreciation of your long and faithful services in the cause of Popular Education in Wales. Your arduous labours in connection with the establishment of British Schools, and the erection of the Bangor Normal College, eminently entitle you to the gratitude of your country. The work which you have accomplished cannot fail to be an enduring monument to your perseverance, zeal, and devotedness, as well as prove a blessing to multitudes both of the present and future generations. It is the earnest prayer of your countrymen that Almighty God, who has enabled you to perform so much, may long preserve your useful life, and continue to prosper the work of your hands." BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. DONATIONS AND NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS, Dons. Ann. Subs. £ s. d. £ s. d. 110 BIGGS, Miss, 34, Borough Road, S.E. FRIENDS SCHOOL, Croydon, S., per Mr. SAUNDERS (for Inspection) SCOTT, Rev. C. G., 9, Westbourne Park Villas, W. 0 10 0 550 5 0 0 220 Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received by Messrs. BARNETT, Hoares, HANBURYS, and LLOYDS, Bankers to the Society, 60, Lombard Street; and at the Society's House, Borough Road, S.E. J. & W. RIDER, PRINTERS, 14, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, LONDON, E.C. THE EDUCATIONAL RECORD. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. TRAINING DEPARTMENT. THE "Examination for Admission," lately known as the " Queen's Scholarship Examination," will be held at the Borough Road for young men, and at Stockwell for young women, during the week commencing December 19th, 1864. Candidates should make an early application. The entrance fee for those admitted will be £3; this payment includes board, lodging, laundress, and medical attendance for two years, which is the term for training now required in all cases. PRACTISING SCHOOLS.-GIRLS.-STOCKWELL. THE annual examination of these schools took place previously to the Midsummer vacation. The chair was occupied by Samuel Gurney, Esq., M.P., and the room was much crowded. At the close of the examination, which embraced the subjects usually taught, the Chairman congratulated the teachers and the taught on the excellence of the reading, and on the amount of intelligence and information displayed by the proceedings. Special reference was made to the questioning on domestic economy, including the duties of servants, health, ventilation, and household management generally. At the close of the proceedings the company passed to the Infant School, and through the College buildings, which, with the students' class-rooms, were thrown open to inspection. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney kindly invited all the students and the children of the girls' school to spend a day at their residence at Carshalton. By arrangements subsequently made, 100 students and officers, and 150 of the girls belonging to the Practising School, accepted this invitation, and were most kindly and sumptuously entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. AGENCY DEPARTMENT. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. WESTERN DISTRICT.-ROSS, HEREFORDSHIRE.-The annual examination of the Boys' British School here has recently been held, with its usual measure of success. The examination was conducted by Mr. Baxter, the chair being occupied by Thomas Blake, Esq. At the close of the proceedings a large number of prizes were distributed among those children whose attendance and diligence during the past year enabled them to pass a successful examination before H.M. Inspector. The attendance was large, and the visitors appeared to be greatly pleased with the proceedings. ATHELHAMPTON.-The Society's Inspector has lately been invited to conduct the annual examination of this school. The Rev. W. Miles presided, and William Tice, Esq., of Sopley, questioned the children in their Scripture knowledge. The remainder of the examination was conducted by Mr. Baxter and the masters of the British Schools at Dorchester and Wareham. The school-house was crowded with a very interested audience, who appeared to appreciate most thoroughly both the sharp questioning of the examiners, and the no less sharp replies of the children. The proceedings extended over nearly four hours, but the interest in them appeared to be unabated to the last. Prizes were awarded to many of the most advanced pupils, and to others whose progress had been satisfactory. BRIXHAM.-The examination of the scholars of the Brixham British School took place recently, at the Assembly Rooms. T. Lakeman, Esq., presided. There was a large and respectable attendance of persons who are interested in the education of the young. The scholars were examined in the Holy Scriptures, history, geography, arithmetic, and grammar, and evinced a ready knowledge of each of the subjects, which showed that a large amount of labour must have been bestowed on the boys by the master, Mr. H. Harris. The examiners—Mr. T. Vicars, of Torquay; Mr. T. Price, of Dartmouth; and Mr. Wilton, of London-expressed themselves much gratified with the answers of the boys. The Rev. H. Cross, secretary, read the annual report, which stated that 787 boys had received education in the school during the twelve years it had been established; 51 had entered during the past year. Out of 58 scholars who had been examined under the Revised Code, 46 passed; 33 had attended the evening class during the winter months. The average attendance at the day school was 59. The general report showed a small balance due to the treasurer, which was attributable to the loss of the capitation grant under the New Code. WOOTTON BASSETT.—The anniversary of this school was observed in the usual manner on Sunday and Monday last. Sermons were preached in the Primitive Methodist, Independent, and Wesleyan Chapels, by the Revs. J. Towlson, T. Bampton, and D. Williams. On Monday afternoon a goodly company assembled in the British Schoolroom to take tea together. At the public meeting in the evening Mr. Samuel Humphries was unanimously voted to the chair. The meeting was a very cheerful and encouraging one, some of the speakers dwelling on the nature and advantages of a good education; others, tracing the history of this school, showed how it had risen to its present state of efficiency and usefulness, and exhorted all true friends not to be weary in well-doing. This was the first school in Wootton Bassett to put a good education within reach of every one. It is unsectarian in character, and its managers' chief delight is in its usefulness to all. It is the people's school, supported by the people (with subscriptions varying between £5 and sixpence), and has been used and appreciated by the people for nearly a quarter of a century. Since the present British Schoolroom was erected, five others have been built in the immediate neighbourhood, yet the Committee are happy to say their school is full, and never in a single instance has a child been asked for out of another school. Toward the close of the meeting the Rev. D. Williams (Independent), who was urged to speak, dwelt very appropriately on the importance of unity of action, and besought all to unite in one common effort for the general good. About twenty new subscribers were added to the list. LEAMINGTON.-The examination of the boys of Spencer Street Day School recently took place at the Public Hall. The Rev. T. Greenfield presided, and the examiners were C. F. Vardy, Esq., and W. R. Baxter, Esq., Inspectors of the British and Foreign School Society; and Mr. Sims, of Coventry. The boys occupied the platform, and the audience was large. After prayer had been offered, the Rev. Chairman said that that was the first time that he had had the pleasure of being present at one of these public examinations, for they had generally taken place at an earlier period of the year, when his infirmities and the weather had kept him a prisoner at home. He had been present at the public recitations of those lads given in that hall, and he could freely witness that they gave great satisfaction to the audience, and he had no doubt that the boys would that evening give equal satisfaction to the audience assembled. He had always felt the deepest interest in schools, wherever he had been, and he rejoiced that there were present that evening two gentlemen who were connected with a society whose operations in diffusing the principles of unsectarian education throughout this country and the world had been promotive of the greatest blessings. He referred to Mr. Vardy and Mr. Baxter. He rejoiced much at the prosperity of the Spencer Street School, and he need not say one word as to the excellent management and teaching enjoyed by those boys who had Mr. Coles for a master. He was glad that that school still retained the good opinion of the inhabitants of Leamington, and that it received a large measure of support from all. He trusted that the school would ever receive that support, and that it would, under its present able superintendent, continue to flourish. He need not occupy their time in speaking of the great advantages of education, although the subject was extensive and inviting. They were all agreed that it was good for the young to be instructed in elementary knowledge, and also in the principles of their holy religion.-The boys were then examined in Scripture, the geography of England, reading, arithmetic, spelling, English history, grammar, general geography, and mental arithmetic. The answers were very creditable, especially in English history. Specimens of writing and ornamental penmanship were exhibited, and most of them were exceedingly |