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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
of encouragement already commenced in the Department of Practical Art to local institutions for Practical Science.
The minutes further say, that "the Treasury agree that that object will be best attained by the creation, in the metropolis, of a school of the highest class, capable of affording the best instruction and the most perfect training, which can alone be hoped for from an institution which has the command of the most eminent and distinguished talent, the advantages of which will be experienced by minor institutions throughout the kingdom, not only as furnishing a central source of information, but as a means of furnishing competent and well qualified teachers for local institutions, and of completing the education of pupils who desire higher accomplishments than can reasonably he expected from minor schools.”
That creation of a central Science School exists at present only in words. There is no Science School, but it looks as if this minute would be carried out ere loim.
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It is even proposed in England to create a National Institution of Science, or college of the highest class, at which shall be assembled all the great authorities in this domain who can be got to act as professors, and such students as desire the highest training that can be received. It is only a proposal as yet, but serves to indicate which way the tide is running.
Various attempts were made, after the passing of this minute, to create what were then called Trade Schools. For a few years they did not succeed very well, and when the late Lord Salisbury became Lord President of the Council, lie firmly determined either to abolish the word Science out of the title of the department, or to cause some Science to be given to the country. Accordingly, about the year 1859, certain principles were laid down which enabled the department to encourage the teaching of certain sciences assumed to have a direct bearing upon industry throughout the country.
The principles then established have been carried much further. The Science-classes were, in 1860, nine in number, and have increased since to twelve hundred and fifty. They