120
14. Remarks on Individual Subjects-
Reading. Generally careful, and very good. I must still complain of want of imitation in intonation, without which Reading is merely perfunctory, and loses the opportunity of being an aid to acquiring conversational power in a foreign language.
Colloquial.-Very good in the Upper School with the exception of the two lowest sections of the non-Chinese classes. Good in the Lower School.
Dictation.—With the exception of I.B, who utterly failed, very marked improvement, chiefly due to more drill in spelling exercises, which is much needed, as Chinese beside confusing vowel-sounds, are perplexed with double final consonants.
Composition.-Deserves high praise. Boys in the Upper School require however to utilise laws of Syntax and principles of Analysis in finally correcting their own sentences.
Grammar. Here all the non-Chinese sections were lamentably poor, otherwise the work is of a far higher order of merit than usual.
History. Two classes marred what would otherwise have been an excellent record. In Classes I.A and N. 1, I could not refuse full marks to two boys.
Geography.—Generally good, a decided improvement on 1894.
Map Drawing.-This is a test from memory in the Lower School. The result is quite up to the average, several maps being marvels of re-production. In the Upper School, the drawing of a map forms one of the questions in Geography, but as the portion selected is uncertain the test is severer and but few boys satisfy it.
Translation into Chinese.-Lower percentage than 1894.
Translation from Chinese.-This is chiefly mechanical, being memoriter work. Where boys attempt independent translation, they are seldom successful, as their ignorance of Chinese leads them to guess-work.
General Intelligence.--Considerable improvement in the highest classes.
Arithmetic.-Good, but comparing the work of the year with the results of the examination, the effect produced is disappointing.
Algebra.-Good; but exceedingly poor in non-Chinese sections.
Euclid.-Excellent in II.A; Very good in I.A and III.A; Good in I.B; Bad in the three non- Chinese sections..
Book-Keeping.-Taught by Messrs. BARLOW and BARCLAY, is good; the work of several boys being excellent. Some non-Chinese boys tried this year, but though none of them passed, they showed fair acquaintance with the principles.
French. Introduced as a substitute for Latin in non-Chinese sections cannot be expected to have attained a high standard in so short a time.
Short-Hand.-Non-Chinese boys in all four sections passed a very creditable test, restricted at present to transcription.
Shakespeare.-Very good in I.A and N. 1, Total collapse in I.B and N. 2.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
The Honourable
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
GEO, H. BATESON WRIGHT, D. D. Oxon,
Head Master.