one of an academical character," and from what the Governor says, we do not think he will regret if the result should be a recommendation "to put an end to the teaching of those subjects which are requisite for the Foochow Arsenal." It would, we think, be a mistake to curtail the education provided in the school. If the "many other things" now taught, and which specially fit the scholars for service in the Arsenal, occupy too prominent a place in the boys' studies, let them be diminished, Or it might be made a rule that boys should not be taught mensuration, or the "many other things," until they have passed a satisfactory examination in all that is comprised in a sound English education.
That great improvements must be introduced into the Central School is made manifest by the results of an examination of the pupils recently held by persons appointed for the purpose, and not, as formerly, by the teachers. Only fifty-six per cent of the boys passed, which makes the Central School compare very unfavourably with all the other educational institutions in Hongkong. This is admitted by the Governor to have been partly owing to no notice of the examination having been given to teachers or pupils, but after all allowances have been made for that, we are compelled to believe that the condition of the Central School must have been very unsatisfactory; probably owing to those in charge of the school attempting to do too much. They appear to have undertaken the education of children as well as those of maturer years. It will be better if beginners and children are in future excluded from the school, and it is reserved for the higher branches of education.
The report of Dr. Chalmers, which was adopted by the other examiners, shows that in translation into Chinese the pupils were as backward as Sir John Hennessy said they were in rendering Chinese into English. The failure to produce either decent English or Chinese translations may have been partly owing to no notice of the examination having been given, and to the mode in which it was conducted. But to outsiders it will appear as if the true cause was that time was not given in which the pupils could be examined. The higher classes in mathematics did well and fairly well, and they no doubt contain the youths from whom the Arsenal and Chinese Government will pick and choose their employés.
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one of an academical character," and from what the Governor says, we do not think he will regret if the result should be a recommendation "to put an end to the teaching of those subjects which are requisite for the Foochow Arsenal." It would, we think, be a mistake to curtail the education pro- vided in the school. If the "
many other things" now taught, and which specially fit the scholars for service in the Arsenal, occupy too prominent a place in the boys' studies, let them be diminished, Or it might be made a rule that boya should not be taught mensuration, or the "many other things," until they have passed a satis.! factory examination in all that is com- prised in a sound English education.
That great improvemente must be introduced into the Central School is made manifest by the results of an examination of the pupils recently held by persons appointed for the purpose, and not, as formerly, by the teachers. Ouly fifty-six per cent, of the boys passed, which makes the Central School compare very unfavour ably with all the other educational institutions in Hongkong. This is admitted by the Governor to have been partly owing to no notice of the examination having been given to teachers or pupils, but after all allow. unces have been made for that, we are compelled to believe that the condition of the Central School must have been: very unsatisfactory; probably owing to those in charge of the school attempt. ing to do too much. They appear to have undertaken the education of children as well as those of maturer years. It will be better if beginners and children are in future excluded: from the school, and it is reserved for the higher branches of education. The report of Dr. Chalmers, which Was: adopted by the other examiners, shows that in translation into Chinese the pupils were as backward as Sir John Hennessy said they were in rendering Chinese into English. The failure to produce either decent English or Chinese translations may have been partly owing to o notice of the examination having been given, and to the mode in which it was conducted. But to outsiders it will appear as if the true cause was that time was not given in which the pupils could be !examined. The higher classes in mathematics did well and fairly well, and they no doubt contain the youths from whom the Arsenal and Chinese Government will pick and choose their employés.
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