South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 15 December 1855, page 3


ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL INSTI-TUTE.

The half-yearly examination of the pupils in this edu-cational establishment, which is conducted by Mr. Young, took place yesterday in the school-room adjoining the Freeman-street Congregational Chapel, in the presence

of a very large assemblage of the pupil's friends and per-sons interested in educational movements. Dr. Davies presided: and among the gentlemen present we noticed the Revds. J Williams, and J.Cheetham; and Messrs. Peacock, M.L.C., Giles, Babbage, Gosse, Moorhouse, Stocks, J. H. Clark, Burford, Carlin, MacDermott, The room was hung with drawings, comprising various mechanical and engineering designs, sketches of scenery and natural objects, with some specimens in crayon. The mechanical designs were generally so well executed and so well selected, with reference to their practical usefulness, as to reflect the highest credit on the draughts-men, and also on the system of education adopted by the principal. The examination was preceded by the half-yearly re-port, read by Mr. Young, as follows :— "Ladies and Gentlemen— Before examining my pupils, I will briefly notice their progress in the various subjects to which their attention has been directed this half-year. "In the senior class many have disappointed me, not having exhibited that perseverance and industry I ex-pected from them, especially as the subjects brought before their notice have been more instructive and inte-resting than during the previous half-years. I have at times felt much disheartened at the apathy displayed by several who were to remain with me but a short time. Their parents will, I am afraid, be dissatisfied with their progress but not more so than I am. The fault is not, I think, in the system of teaching, by which every sub-ject is made as interesting as possible, nor in want of attention on my part, for the whole of my time has been devoted to the school. In some cases I think the parents are to blame, who neglected their education when young, and who do not attach sufficient im-portance to this great work, on which depends the future happiness of their children, which work devolves not altogether on the teacher, but most be divided between him and the parents. The former has to make his pupils, as far as possible, their own teachers ; he is to help them to help themselves; to teach them to study the world in which they live; how to use knowledge well, and turn it to the good of mankind, and to breathe a spirit of humanity into them from all their studies. He must create in them a craving for knowledge, and call forth power of thought, power to observe, to reason, to judge, to contrive. But to succeed, he must be seconded by the parents, who should not only afford their children every facility for pursuing their studies at home, but encourage them to persevere, and reward them for their industry. " But although dissatisfied with several, I am on the whole well pleased with the general progress. Many have highly distinguished themselves, especially George Jamieson, of whose perseverance I cannot speak too highly. Many in the junior class have also done very well, especially Eden Babbage. Of their conduct I have not mnch to complain. Several have been punished for inattention and indolence ; but I am happy to say there have been few instances of gross misconduct. "SURVEYING.— In consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather during the first quarter there has been no surveying in the field, for which has been sub-stituted a course of lessons on isometrical projection, a description of mechanical drawing very useful. Consi-dering the short time they have been learning, the pro-gress of several in this class has been very satisfactory, and many of their drawings do them much credit, some of which are exhibited on the wails. "DRAWING.— In the drawing class many have mnch improved. Several have commenced crayon drawing; a few specimens of what they have done are on the wall. The progress of many in this class has been very slow ; but it is a subject in which those only excel who have a taste for it. "GEOMETRY.— In geometry there has been a slight im- provement ; still I am not satisfied with the class, for, with few exceptions, the lessons have not been studied at home. It requires the use of their reasoning faculties, which I find very difficult to develop. Charles Babbage and Frank Whitby have most distinguished themselves,   the former having solved many geometrical problems, some of them very difficult. Altuough so few have made any great progress in geometry, I have yet hopes that, after a while, others will begin to take a greater interest in this important subject, which Locke says ' should be taught all those who have the time and opportunity, not

so much to make them mathematicians as to make them reasonable creatures.' "ARITHMETIC— In arithmetic, some in the senior class are so well grounded as to commence algebra next quarter; others are so slow that they will have to go through another course with those advanced from the lower class. Those in the algebra class have been for some time in quadratic equations, and have, on the whole, given me satisfaction, especially Philip Santo and Adolph Vosz A few have gone through an elementary course of plane trigonometry. "SCIENCE. — In science a course of lessons has been delivered to the senior class on the manufacture of iron, and its applications to various purposes; and to the junior classes I have given lessons on heat and the loco-motive engine. Of those who have done best in the senior class are Caleb Peacock and Charles Babbage; and in the junior class, Eden Babbage, Wilton Hack, and Frank Hack. "It has been said by some that such subjects are of no importance as they will never be of any practical use ; but as it is impossible to foretel what may happen to a person during the course of his life, it is wise to have the mind well stored with useful information. ' The great fault of the grammar schools in England,' says a writer in the Spectator, 'is that every boy is pushed on to works of genius, whereas it would be far more advanta-geous for the greatest part of them to be taught such little practical arts and sciences as do not require any great share of parts to be master of them, and yet may come often into play during the course of a man's life. I have known a man,' continues the sime writer, 'contract a friend-ship with a Minister of State upon cutting a dial in his window, and remember a clergyman who got one of the best benefices in the West of England by setting a country gentleman's affairs in some method, and giving him an exact survey of his estate.* "MORAL PHILOSOPHY. — For political economy a course of lessons on moral philosophy has been substituted, and I am glad to say that many seem to have taken a great interest in it. "HISTORY. — In history we have gone through the Reigns of James I, and Charles I, the most important period of English history.on which I intended to examine the second class had there been time. "GEOGRAPHY. — The geography of England has occu-pied their attention. In these lessons I have explained to them the causes of England''s prosperity, the importance of her colonies. trade, commerce, manufac-

tures, &c. "My assistants report favourably of the progress made in the subjects taught by them. In French and German there has been a great improvement this year. " Respecting the examination, I may say that there has been little or no preparation. You must not expect a grand display. I should like to examine on several subjects in which many would distinguish themselves, but as the time is short I shall only put a few questions on geography and science. I ought to inform you that the papers that will be read were selected from among those written during the half-year, and were not prepared for this occasion." This report was followed by a clever little paper on 'Science,' read with great propriety of emphasis, and presented with equal clearness of illustration, by Charles Babbage, who must have felt rewarded for the pains he had bestowed on the subject by the meed of applause he received. A lively and interesting examination of the third class (consisting almost entirely of youths about nine or ten years of age) was conducted by Mr. Young on geo-graphy—a branch of study with which the juveniles ap-peared to be very familiar. Their answers to the various questions relating to the British possessions in several parts of the globe, more especially as to the chief features of interest in the British Isles, were prompt and satis-factory. Occasional tests were applied, which proved that tha information was not of a merely superficial character. This was followed by a paper on ' Anger and Revenge — classed under the head of moral philosophy— read by

Benjamin Bullock, in which the subject chosen was treated with a view to the inculcation of senti- ments opposed to the passions of anger and revenge. A comparison was also drawn between them, and ilusirations of the effects of each passion or sentiment given — all very appropriately se- lected. This youth also resumed his seat amid ap- plause. His address was followed by a series of descriptions, under the head of science, the first of which was of the manufacture of cast-iron by Charles Babbage. A description of the conversion of cast-iron into wrought iron followed, which was, in its turn, succeeded by a de-scription of the manufacture of steel. All those were illustrated by coloured drawings, the work of the pupils. An illustrated description of the principle of suspen- sion-bridges was then given, and also of the principle involved in the construction of the bridges on the plan known as Dredge's Patent. The kinds and uses of anchors were then detailed, together with a description of those constructed on improved principles. A youth named Perryman illustrated by a series of chalk drawings on the black-board the principles on which Bramah's hydraulic press was constructed, and the operation of this machine in multiplying power. A class examination on railways and tramways was succeeded by a paper read by Caleb Peacock, on 'The strength of cast-iron,' especially treating of the strength of cast-iron girders, and the manner in which they may be best placed so as to secure the greatest resistance to force as applied by weight. It was one of the best papers read, as far as we could judge, though we confess we were placed in a rather unfavourable position for hear-ing, portions of the proceedings being almost un-audible. Some very pleasing recitations were then given, from the poetical works of Byron, Elisa Cook, Montgomery, Peter Pindar, and others. A German poem, in the origi-nal (recited by a youth who, it was stated, had pursued

the study of German six months only), was followed by an amusing selection from Sterne's writings— a dialogue between Uncle Toby aud Corporal Trim; and several other pieces. The Chairman then distributed the prizes as follows, accompanying the presentation with suitable remarks of approval and encouragement :— PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES FOR HALF-YEAR ENDING December, 1855. First Class.— Good Conduct— Prize, Charles Babbage, Industry— Prize, Joseph O'Halloran. Geometry— Prize, Charles Babbage; certificate, Frank Whitby. Algebra and Arithmetic— Prize. Philip Santo; certificates. 1st Charles Babbage, 2nd Charles Davies. English— Prize, George Jamieson ; certificate, Caleb Peacock. LatinPrize Philip Santo; certificate, Joseph O'Halloran. Moral Philosophy—Prize, Caleb Peacock; certificate. Joseph O'Halloran. Science— Prize. Caleb Peacock; certificate, Charles Babbage. Geography—Prize, Benj.

Bullock: certificate, Joseph O'Halloran. History— Prize, Joseph O'Halloran: certificate, Benjamin Bullock. Poetry—Prize, Adolph Vosz. Drawing-Prizes, 1st, Joseph O'Halloran, 2nd Philip Santo ; certificate, Charles N. Collison. Mechanical Drawing-Prize, Benjamin Bullock. Prizes for the best essay on the "Causes of England's Wealth and Power " have been awarded by J. H. Clark, Esq., to Benjamin Bullock and Joseph O'Halloran. Second Class.-Good Conduct-Prize Henry Styles. Arithmetic-Prize, John Little; certificate. William Linklater. English— Prize, Benjamin Burford; certif-cate. Henry Styles. Latin-Prize, Henry Everett Pace ; certificate, Louis Giles. History-Prize, Robert Ruff ; certificate, Benjamin Burford. Geography— Prize, Eden Babbage- certificate Frank Pitman, Science— Prize, Eden Babbage; certificate, Wilton Hack. Writing

Prize, James Moorhouse. A prize fcr the best essay on the 'Civil Wars in tho Reign of Charles I.' has been awarded to Frank Pitman. Third Class.- English — Prize, Henry Clausen. 'Writing— Prize. Louis Giles. History and Geography— Prizs. Henry Vickerman. Arithmetic—Prize, Thomas Moody. Science-Prize, Henry Vickerman. With reference to the prizes awarded by him, Mr. Clark remarked that eighteen essays were sent in ; out of which he selected four, which were decidedly better than others. Of these there were two which excelled, but which was the better of the two was scarcely possible to decide; for while one evinced a more close investigation and ex tended reading, the other was written in better style, and with greater attention to composition. He had therefore determined to award two prizes instead of one only, as he originally intended; and he trusted that the books he had selected would be found instructive and

pleasing, and afford an incitement to renewed exertions. On the conclusion of the distribution, Mr. Peacock. addressing the pupils said they must not separate with- out giving to Mr. Young, their kind preceptor, some mark of acknowledgment for the anxiety and care he had evinced in their welfare and the cultivation of their minds- neither could they refrain from thanking him for the valuable presents he had bestowed on the successful competitors.- A like mark of gratitude should be given to their friend Mr. Clark, for the interest he had manifested in thair success; and a further acknowledgment should be made to their Chairman, who had evinced so much kind feeling towards them while presenting them with their prizes. He would therefore propose that they should give these three gentlemen a hearty vote of thanks.

The EeT. J. ttmnuar seconded the proposition, which was received verj warmly, and earned by acclamation. Mr. Young, in acknowledging the compliment, remarked that three years ago he had fifteen pupils; he now had 107. That might fairly be considered as an evidence that the system pursued by him in the education of youth met with at least some amount of approval. There were many persons who yet preferred the old plan of education iu which hard work was the most striking feature ; but he believed that instruction conveyed in an interesting and pleasing manner was most productive of success. He thanked the ladies and gentlemen present for their attendance on this occasion, and would add his aknowledgmcnts for the vote just awarded to him, and also to the other gentlemen who had taken part in the proceedings. The assembly then dispersed.