1841-1886
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PRESENT STATE
gained by the first six on the list were respectively 683, 669, 669, 855, 643, and 633. After these, nine had over 500, six over 400, and four over 360 marks.
9. The other classes were examined on the same subjects,- Algebra, Chemistry, and Geometry excepted, these being confined, at present, exclusively to the senior class. The general result of the examinations, previously referred to, must suffice, in this Report, for indicating the way in which these classes passed.
10. The Chemistry class, after a full year's experience, can now be reported on with some confidence. The course for the year embraced the most important of the non-metallic elements. No text-book has as yet been used, and it is a doubtful point whether one should be used, because the oral instruction given both ensures attention on the part of the class, and is also a test of their knowledge of English, the only language which is spoken. The class has been conducted in this way :-On Saturday a lesson is given with experiments. On Monday the boys bring in English an account of what they have heard and seen,-an exercise which serves the double purpose of fixing the lesson on their minds and of practising them in composition. In the course of the week, an hour is devoted to oral examination on the last, and a revisal of the preceding, subjects. There can be no hesitation in saying that this part of the school work is thoroughly enjoyed, and if one may judge by the papers written at the examination, not unprofited by.
11. The three junior classes are now taught the elements of Music, but this has been too lately introduced to permit of any report on the progress made. One lesson of one hour a week is all that has yet been attempted, although it is very questionable if such short time gives either class or subject fair play. At the same time, it is impossible at the Central School, where a language has to be acquired, to give the same time to such subjects as is given in schools where only one language is required of the scholars, and that their mother-tongue.
12. Drawing will be commenced in the three senior classes as soon as the materials arrive from England. There will then be an extra subject for each of the English masters,-for the Head Master Chemistry, for the Second Master Drawing, and for the Third Master Music. I need not say that these will be treated strictly as extra subjects. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with, or at least to impede, the learning of English.
13. The number of boys other than Chinese is gradually increasing, and, in a few years, will necessitate another master and an additional class-room. There are now 5 English, 2 Portuguese, 2 Japanese, and 14 Indian boys. The number of half-caste boys, too, has lately increased considerably. With this difference, that they are of a livelier temperament, owing probably to a less restrained up-bringing, and that they can enunciate more easily and clearly than their Chinese schoolfellows, due no doubt to their being accustomed from their infancy to the jargon which passes for English here, there is not much to distinguish them from those of purely Chinese descent. If anything, they are rather worse to manage, but when one considers the extreme docility of Chinese boys, this
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