tion and simultaneous instruction. Every school-room should have a gallery at one end of it, sufficiently large to contain all the children.* The school opening and closing with singing and prayer; the gallery should be used for that purpose, as well as for all catechetical instruction and general examinations. This would be found a much better plan than having the children scattered over the floor of a school-room. The two lowest classes might be instructed in the gallery, when not required, which would give more room in the body of the school.

§ 2. The books in use, of which specimens will be given hereafter, should embrace a continuous system of scriptural and general instruction. Unmeaning words, connected with the ab, id, ud-system, should be excluded altogether, and short monosyllabic sentences substituted in their place. In spelling also, the child should be confined to the works he is reading, or about to read, which would afford an ample scope for this kind of exercise, and so on throughout all the classes; for, a child in the lower grades would be as little likely to comprehend the meaning of com-prise in two syllables, as one more advanced would, the word com-pli-ca-tion. Through the medium of catechetical instruction, however, children most advanced might be taught the

there will scarcely be a town or large village without one. Where an Infant school cannot be established, a Dame's school might, under the superintendence of the parochial clergyman, which would prove a nursery to the larger school, and materially conduce to the more rapid advancement of the elder children.

* The gallery must be constructed upon the principle of those used in Infant schools, from which the plan has been adopted, and is certainly deserving attention.

composition, as well as the etymology of words. Much might be said upon this subject, but more will be brought under our notice presently.

A remark or two may be here made, respecting the division of time. It will be desirable to divide it less frequently in the course of a day, for little can be done where only a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes is allowed for any one subject. It would be far better to appropriate certain days for certain subjects, so as to enable the children to devote more attention to such branches of instruction as they are least acquainted with.

IV. In a general way, I am persuaded that neither the clergy nor the laity are backward in supporting Parochial schools; nevertheless, much time is lost, and frequently the best intentions sacrificed, for the want of uniformity and organization.* It is not enough that the noble and the esquire give their countenance to our system of national instruction; as members of the Church of England, they are bound by the sacred ties of our common faith, to aid both by their presence and personal exertion : A better state of things is being introduced, and God grant it may continue to increase; for, although the duty devolves upon the clergy, to look after the infantine, as well as the adult portion of their respective flocks, although they are legitimately quali

* In many schools, the National system as it now stands, is but partially adopted; and what is the consequence? Why, that lay persons will frequently go into the schools, and interrupt the order of instruction, by the introduction of books not in general use. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of lay assistance; bu. it would be far better, as it materially interferes with discipline, that any 'ind of extraneous instruction should be given out of school hours.

fied for such a task-and should ever, in conformity with their spiritual responsibilities, take the first place in the conduct of these matters, they require the assistance, and are entitled to the support of the laity, whatever their rank in life may be.

§ 1. The Central school in London, might be designated the Metropolitan school. Similar schools, if such shall be established, the Diocenal Central schools. The Parochial and District schools should render an account to the Diocenal Central boards of the respective dioceses; and the Diocenal boards, again, should report to the Metropolitan board.* The Sovereign, Archbishops, and the Lord Bishop of London, to constitute the patron and presidents of the Metropolitan institution; the rest of the bishops, dignitaries of the church, and the nobility, to become vice-presidents; and a managing committee, to be annually elected from the subscribers, consisting of such clergy and laity of the metropolis, as are most conversant with the subject of education.†

After this manner should committees be organized in all dioceses, having the Bishops at their head. The several Parochial and District schools, would have

* The committee of the Metropolitan school should also undertake to arrange, get up, and publish all the works necessary for the use of our schools, as well as to supply private and public schools with the same works, if required. Reward books should also be published and issued from the same depository; in fact, every thing educational should be brought under their cognizance and management. Books might be published, as at present, by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, but all orders should pass through the educational department.

I am quite aware that the Central school and its kindred associations have their committees; the subject is merely alluded to, in connexion with Diocenal and Associate boards.

also their committees formed in like manner, amenable and reporting to Diocenal committees.

§ 2. In order to the well regulating of our district schools, two things are absolutely necessary, unanimity and conformity. These principles kept in view, must tend to increase a regard for, and extend the influence of the Church of England. A faithful, fearless, and concentrated combination of exertion, must be employed in our rural districts; an effective and simultaneous movement must be made, not only in towns, but in the village, the hamlet, the moor, and the mine.* Every child taken from our educational nursery will, in time, wield the sword of opposition against us; by such means, secession is promoted to a much greater extent than by preaching. In every parish or district, therefore, where there is a school, there must also be a committee selected from the place or neighbourhood, whose duty it shall be to visit such school by rotation, not less than once a week; two or three should form such visiting committee, one of whom ought always to be a clergyman, in order that he may conduct the religious part of the examination; not that we would underrate the piety, zeal, or ability of lay persons, but would that the clergy should take their proper place.†

*The Wesleyans have done much among the adult and infant population connected with the mines, both in the North and in the West of England.

As the ministers of Christ, the ark is entrusted to their keeping. It augurs badly, when lay persons by any act compromise the authority of those who minister at the altar, and those who tacitly yield to it, are unworthy the charge committed to them. In all secular matters the services of laymen, from the prince to the peasant, are of great value, and cannot be too highly esteemed.

§ 3. The mode of conducting Diocenal, Central, or Parochial and District schools, must be in strict conformity with the Metropolitan Central school; regulated by the same rules, conducted with the same order, and using the same kind of books.

The conducting of Sunday schools should likewise. be uniform; it is not so at present; but we have every reason to believe, that if we had an improved class of books, there would be no want of uniformity. Clergymen introducing other works, than those published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, into their schools cannot, strictly speaking, unionise with the National Society. In many instances, teachers and lay-assistants are permitted to introduce for the use of their respective classes, catechisms, hymn, and other books, all, doubtlessly very good, although the practice is exceptionable.* The book-market is burthened with works, professedly published as helps to education;useful indeed, many of them are, but in a general way they might be designated, with great propriety, helps to ignorance. They too frequently conceal the shal

lowness of an ignorant teacher.

In the Day schools, a weekly examination should take place in the presence of, and by the visiting committee; in addition to this, an annual examination ought to be instituted, to attend which the residents of the whole neighbourhood, rich and poor, ought to be invited. If

*It has often been said, that a clergyman is the best judge of what books ought to be used in his Sunday school; we do not impugn his judgment, even should we condemn the practice. If the parent institution will publish suitable works, the irregularity may easily be removed.