those for the grades of Licentiate and Fellow correspond as nearly as possible to those required for an Ordinary Degree and for an Honour Degree in Arts, respectively, at the principal Universities of Great Britain and Ireland. A distinctive feature of these Examinations is, that in all cases the "Theory and Practice of Education" is an obligatory subject for each grade.

The Pupils' Examinations were established in the year 1854, four years before the institution of the University Local Examinations, and two years before those instituted by the Society of Arts, both of which may justly be regarded as more or less the fruit of the efforts and example of the College of Preceptors in leading the way in the improvement of the Education of the Middle Classes. They have been carried on half-yearly, since that time, with steadily increasing success; and during the past year the number of candidates examined for certificates amounted to more than 13,000; and about 2,400 schools, both public and private, in all parts of the country are now brought under the influence of the College Examinations. Visiting Examiners are also appointed by the College, for the inspection and examination of Public and Private Schools.

The Higher Certificates awarded by the College at the half-yearly examinations of pupils in schools are recognised by Her Majesty's Judges, and by the General Medical Council, as guarantees of a good general education; and consequently the holders of them, who may intend to enter the Legal and Medical professions, are exempted from the necessity of submitting to the Preliminary Literary Examinations held by the Incorporated Law Society, and by the various Medical Corporations of the United Kingdom. The Pharmaceutical Society also recognises, in a similar way, all the College Certificates above the Third Class, the holders of which have passed an Examination in Latin.

The Examinations, both of Teachers and of Pupils, are open to both sexes. Women form a large proportion of the candidates at the Examinations for Diplomas, and the number of Girls' Schools from which candidates are sent up periodically to the Examinations for Certificates is now very considerable, and is rapidly increasing.

The total number of persons at present examined annually by the College, at the various Examinations which have been mentioned, and the Pupils examined at their own Schools by Visiting Examiners, amounts to about 17,000—a number which, it may be observed, greatly exceeds that of the candidates who present themselves annually before any other examining body especially concerned with the improvement of the education of the Middle Classes.

The Council in the year 1873 instituted a Professorship (the first which has been established in this country) of the Science and Art of Education, as a special subject of instruction; and a Training Course of Lectures and Lessons for Teachers, extending over the whole year, under the direction of competent Lecturers,* is now in full operation.

The course for the year 1882 comprised-(1) Mental Science for Teachers, by James Sully, M.A., Examiner in Mental Science in the University of London; (2) Practical Education and Methods of Teaching, by the Rev. Canon Daniel, M.A., Principal of St. John's Training College, Battersea; (3) The History of Education, by the Rev. R. H. Quick, M.A.

Courses of Lectures upon Education, and upon methods of teaching various special subjects, have also been delivered on several occasions at the College Rooms, and are now published.

Evening Meetings of the Members of the College are held monthly (except during the Christmas and Midsummer vacations), for the purpose of reading and discussing papers upon subjects connected with Education. Members also have the use of a Library of Educational Works, consisting of about 5,000 volumes, to which additions are constantly being made.

The legal Registration of Teachers has long been advocated by the College. A proposal for a Scholastic Registration Act, analogous in its provisions to the Medical Registration Act, was brought before the public in 1861 by a Circular of the Council addressed to the Heads of the principal Schools throughout the country; it has formed the subject of repeated memorials and deputations to the Government since that time, and continues to engage the attention of the Council as a much needed reform, and a first step towards making teaching a distinct and recognised profession.

The Annual Subscription to the College is 17. 18.; a single payment of 10. 10s. confers the privilege of Life Membership. All persons engaged in Education are admissible as Members, subject to election by the Council; but all candidates are required either to give evidence of having passed an Examination satisfactory to the Council before some recognised Examining Body, or to pass an Examination at the College.

A Teachers' Examination is held half-yearly-viz., at the Midsummer and Christmas vacations. The Diplomas awarded are of the following grades:-(1) Associate; (2) Licentiate; (3) Fellow; must have had one, two, and five years' experience in teaching respectively, and the Fee is 17. 18. in each case.

The regulations for the examination of pupils and of candidates for Diplomas and Membership may be obtained of the Secretary.

COUNCIL AND OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGE.
Fresident of the Council.

Rev. T. W. Jex-Blake, D.D., Head Master of Rugby School.

Life Members of the Council as former Presidents.

Rev. W. Haigh-Brown, LL.D., Head Master of Charterhouse School, Godalming.

Rev. G. A. Jacob, D.D., late Head Master of Christ's Hospital, London, E.C. Rev. B. H. Kennedy, D.D., Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge, and Late Head Master of Shrewsbury School.

Vice-Presidents.

R. Wormell, D.Sc., M. A., City Middle Class Schools, E.C.
Miss F. Buss, F.C.P., North London Collegiate School for Girls.
And a Council of forty-eight Members.

Dean.

H. Weston Eve, M.A., Head Master of University College School, London.

Solicitor.

John Scott, 60, King William Street, E.C.

Treasurer.

E. E. Pinches, Esq., B.A.

Secretary.

C. R. Hodgson, B.A., 42, Queen Square, Bloomsbury, W.C.

TRINITY COLLEGE, LONDON.

13, MANDEVILLE PLACE, MANCHESTER SQUARE, W.

The particulars of this College of Music, and the Examinations held therein, are given in the Musical Section of this Work.

THE BIRKBECK LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC

INSTITUTION,

SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, W.C.

This Institution was long known as the "London Mechanics' Institution." It was founded in 1823, by the late Dr. Birkbeck, aided by the active co-operation and private liberality of Mr. William Ellis, who felt that instruction in social science should be a leading feature for our industrial classes. Among the many friends of education who zealously supported Dr. Birkbeck in his work may be mentioned His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Bedford, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Althorpe, Lord (then Mr.) Brougham, and Sir Francis Burdett. The Institution was intended to supply facilities for evening education for the occupied and working classes, and at a more recent date for both men and women, at a moderate cost. Its operations have kept pace with the growth of education, and its curriculum has gradually expanded, until now it embraces a wide field of study, including Languages, Mathematics, Natural, Applied, and Mental Science, History, Literature, Law, Art, etc. Its enterprise and liberality are seen in the fact that it was the first educational institution in the country to open its doors to women, and one hundred classes meet weekly in the subjects taught at this Institution.

Since its foundation, the Institution has had over 70,000 members, many of whom have become eminent in Art, Science, and Literature. At the present time there are more than 3,500 Students. Moreover, the list of classes shows that no subject has been omitted which can be useful

to the Students, and will, at the same time, prove that this Institution has successfully encouraged and supplied the demand for higher education. From the very commencement of its existence, technical education formed an important part of its scheme, and the success which has attended this portion of its work has been most encouraging.

The influence of the Institution's labours soon spread in different parts of the kingdom, and it is the parent of nearly 1,000 similar institutions in England, besides many in the Colonies. There are now more than 200 Mechanics' Institutes, with 37,600 members, in Yorkshire alone.

This Institution, which for fifty-nine years has been carrying on an important educational work in the metropolis, has issued its prospectus for 1884. The evening classes are open to both sexes, and ample opportunity is afforded, as above stated, for the study of Ancient and Modern Languages, Mathematics, Natural, Applied, and Mental Science, Art, Law, History, Literature, Music.

The advantages it offers to its members include a library of 9,000 volumes, reading and studying rooms, weekly lectures and evening classes, with fifty professors and thirty examiners. The present President, Mr. W. L. Birkbeck, M.A.. is the son of the founder. The prizes competed for by the students are those given by the Science and Art Department and the Society of Arts, as well as those offered by the Institution and its patrons.

The success which has attended the students at examinations has been most marked, and the highest rewards open to such institutions have repeatedly been carried off by the members. It may be mentioned that in one year three of the six "Whitworth Scholarships," open to the entire kingdom, were gained by the students of this Institution; while nearly one-half of the Society of Arts' prizes were also obtained, including the Prince Consort's Prize," given by Her Majesty the Queen; and the "Council's Prize," instituted for the encouragement of female education. At the last examinations, 489 certificates and 178 prizes were obtained from the Science and Art Department, fifty-one candidates obtained certificates or prizes from the Society of Arts, and 143 from the Educational Council of the Institution.

For some years past it has been found extremely difficult to provide accommodation for the large numbers seeking to avail themselves of the advantages of this Institution, and a movement is on foot to obtain premises suitable to its great and important work. The sum required was 20.0007., and with improved accommodation it is supposed that the present number of members, 3,500, would be considerably augmented. Considering the great advantages which the Birkbeck Institution has conferred upon the cause of education for more than half a century, it is to be hoped, in order to enable the Committee to meet the increasing demand for space, funds will be readily forthcoming for the erection of new and more suitable premises. Since this was in type, His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany laid the foundation stone of the new buildings on an adjacent site in Bream's Buildings on the 23rd April, 1883. It is a matter of great educational importance to give facilities to establishments of a similar kind throughout the kingdom, where evening classes can be attended by young men and young women who are occupied during the day, and wish to increase their learning and acquire special subjects of knowledge in their leisure time.

The fifty-fifth anniversary was presided over by His Royal Highness

the Duke of Albany, K.G., and many eminent noblemen and gentlemen have occupied a similar position. Amongst those of late years may be mentioned the Marquis of Ripon, the Earl of Carnarvon, Earl Lytton, the Earl of Northbrook, the late Earl Russell, the Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord Aberdare, the late Lord Chief Justice, the Right Hon. Sir Stafford Northcote, the Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P., and other well-known friends of education.

OFFICERS.

Patron.-His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, K.G.
President.-W. Lloyd Birkbeck, Esq., M. A.

Manager and Hon. Sec. of Educational Council.—Mr. George M. Norris.
Bankers.-Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smiths. Lombard Street.
Secretary. Mr. William H. Congreve.

THE SOCIETY OF SCHOOLMASTERS

FOR THE

RELIEF OF DISTRESSED SCHOOLMASTERS AND USHERS AND OF THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS,

7, ADELPHI TERRACE, STRAND, W.C.

The Society of Schoolmasters was instituted in 1798, and is maintained by voluntary contributions. It was first formed on a principle of Life Assurance, for the benefit of such subscribing members as were Masters of Endowed and Boarding Schools. A Charitable Fund was at the same time instituted for the relief of distressed Subscribers, their Widows, and their Orphans.

The Society was continued on the original plan for twenty-three years, during which nearly 7,000l. were paid to forty families for claims that accrued or were surrendered, and several hundred pounds were distributed in charitable donations.

In 1821 the Assurance Society was dissolved, and the surplus of the joint stock, amounting to more than 14,000l., was divided among the surviving shareholders, many of whom gave up their portion to the Charitable Fund. The Society, possessing 4,000l. 3 per cents., then became a purely charitable institution; and its aid, which had been previously limited to Subscribers, was extended generally to the Masters of Endowed and Boarding Schools. It subsequently enlarged its design in order to include the Masters of Proprietary Schools.

By the present rule it gives relief to distressed Masters of Endowed, Proprietary, and Boarding Schools, who have subscribed to the Society, their Widows and Orphans; secondly, to distressed Ushers and Assistants of Subscribers, their Widows and Orphans; and thirdly, so far as the funds will allow, after the claims of Subscribers have been considered, to other distressed Masters, Ushers, and Assistants of Endowed, Proprietary, and Boarding Schools, their Widows and Orphans.

VOL. I.

35