they otherwise could do.
With sentiment and respect
every
I beg to remain.
Your Excellemy's humble servant, (signed) A. B. Hutchinson.
To the Editor of the "CHINA MAIL," Hongkong, Jan. 24, 1878. SIR-I must leave J. C. E." and "Anglican" to settle Home Education to their mutual satisfaction. The question in which we are concerned is Education in Blongkong. Viewed practically, this re- solves itself into four distinct and separate questions. Coufuse these and the solution of all is rendered impossible.
We have 1st, the question of education for Roman Catholics.
2nd, Education for Protestant and Eng. lish-speaking children.
3rd, Elementary education of heathen children generally.
And 4th, the education of those Chinese children whose parents desire for them a& knowledge of English and Western science as given in the Central School.
Permit me to say a few words showing how this entire subject might be handled in a practical way so as to meet the views and wishes of all parties, and settle the contro. versy and difficulty for years to come.
1st, the Roman Catholics. These have. certainly done their best for themselves during the past 20 years, as is shown clear- ly in the recent pamphlet "Daten and Events." Their efforts deserve recogni- tion. Their objections to the Government School are founded on principles of justice and equity. Their objection to the Grant- in-aid scheme, as it now stands, equally deserve consideration. Bishop Raimondi is perfectly justified, in the administration of his office, in anathematizing Romanists who send their children to a secular school, or to any but a Romish school. If Romish schools give a good secular education, the Government, on its own principles, is bound to assist them. The due measure of assist- auce to be given may be estimated by what is to be done for the secular school.
Suppose the Romanist establishments to be olused, a duty would ve imposed on the Governmont from which it could not escape of providing education for say 600 European children at what coat may be gathered from the returns of the Central School. This is not asked for, nor would it be accepted by the Romanista. Let them then prepare plans for buildings now requisite for schoolN and let the Government provide such buildings with all due regard to economy in the erection of the same. Towards the support of the schools in future, let the grant-in-aid scheme be applied for ascular results only, but let that soheme admirably adapted as it is to Chinese schools be pro- perly adjusted to meet the requirements of European schools. If 200 daily attendances cannot be attained from Portuguese and European children generally, let that stand- ard be reduced for all European schools. Let the values of passes be raised for schools giving a European education to Europeans to a just and equitable rate that shall really be a grant in aid towards the very heavy expenses connected with European teachers. If four hours are the extreme limit safely to be applied to the average of European children here as hours of study daily, and parents demand that some part of that time shall be spent in acquiring definite religious knowledge, let the limit be reduced to 3 or 3 hours consecutive secular instruction.
“These remarks as to attendances, values of passes, and hours of instruction apply equally to the next question.
2nd. Education for Protestant and Eng- lish-speaking children generally.
This has been so well handled by the Government Inspector of Schools in his annual reports, specially for 1670, that 1 need not repeat his words. I can only say
that such a school is demanded now more than ever. The experiment of mixed schools for Asiatics and Europeans is not ac- ceptable to parents generally. Mr Stewari's recommendations founded ouripe experience deserve an attention from the Executive which they have never yet received.
The Governmene might indeed fairly givo both site and building for such a school as he recommends and retain the supervision of it through a responsible official, so as to secure its permanency, aui..st constant changes amongst those whose children would profit by it, whilst a fair scale of fees combined with annual grants, depending upou the results of examination as before said, would go far towards making the school self-supporting. Guarded by a con- science clause there would be nothing in such a school to offhand she most fastidious, whilst if thought desirable child eu from the Coust ports might be eligible as
boarders.
If
Brd, as to elementary education for Chinese generally in this island, it Govera- ment be bound to educace, there remains the problem of foarteou thousand children in Hongkong uut yet provided for. These need vernacular elementary schools. It ia obvious that the efforts of the Missions now at work will be first devoted to the great centros where children are easily to be met with and in sufficient numbers to make a school largely seli supporting by the aid of the Government grunt. education is to be made compulsory in this islaa), sites aad buildings must be provided by Government for school.. These the Missions can work as effectively and far more cheaply than the Government. This is showu first by the impartial reports of the talented Government examiner, and next by the consideration that European inspection and management is provided gratis by Missions carrying on such schools. Let Government prepare annually to extend the Bumzer of available buildings so as to provide schools near the children to ba educated, and the Missions will be ready to undertake the mauagement and support ui them under the grant-in-aid system. Thus the problem will be grappled with in the most effective and the most economical mauner. hot one or two Europeaa In- spectors could efficiently supervise the edu cation of fourteen thousand children where Chinese masters have to be overlooked, This difficulty ought to be met av once, for it incro.ses with years, and even the Mia- sion Societies could not meet it in a moment -successful schools must be established by degrees.
Thed, in the fourth place, remains the Central School problem."
There a difficulty seems to have been un- accessarily creared as to the simple giving of secular to the exclusion of Christian in- struction. We are told "the Bible is go class book," whereas who does not know that it is the oldest class book in the world, the great primer for the schools of Palestinée before ever the educational schemes of China were established. If inciden Gui nese teachers did seek to cast opprobrium on it in days gone by in tho Central School that is no reason why it should not be taught by the English masters to the Eng- lish-speaking classes, whilst the misuse of a book by a heathen teacher is hardly recti fied in the most sapient manner by tho ejection of the book. That is a confession of defeat which might be obviated in au- other way.
That the teaching of Chris tianity in a fair way, as is practised in the present grant-in-aid schools, is no obstacle to the successful teaching of the Chinese, is Proved by the numbers of heathen voluntarily attending those schools. If they will come to learn their own language and submit to be taught, and actually learn as they do a surprising amount of Christian knowledge-It is certain that the teaching of the same in the Central School would not keep them away from that English know-
240