144
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
îïo. of Schools.
Ko. under Instruction.
1860, .
9
500
1862, .
70
2,543
1864, .
91
4,666
1866, .
153
6,835
1867, .
212
10,230
1868.
300
15,010
1869, .
516
21,500
1870, .
810
27,956
At present, as before stated, there are 1,250 Science classes in Great Britain in direct connection with the South Kensington centre. It is stated that 212 schools, in 1867 had 560 classes in different subjects; of these 10,230 scholars, 4,520 went up for examination, besides 400 persons not taught in classes aided by the Department.
It was stated by Mr. N. McLeod, one of the South Kensington masters, "That whilst the pupils who attended the Drawing classes belong almost entirely to the working class, the proportion of ladies and gentlemen being very small, on the other hand, those who attended the Science classes belong entirely to the laboring class.”
Mr. Cole said, in the course of his statement before the Royal Commission, in reply to a question concerning the earlier pupils who had been educated at these schools :—
“ The best of them come to the surface and get scholarships, and I should hazard the prediction that they turn into Science teachers, who make teaching the business of their life. (In some instances within my recollection are young people whose ability has first been manifested at those examinations, who, taking several high positions ■ in different examinations, became qualified to obtain scholarships, and studied afterwards, either in the London School of Mines, or at the College of Science in Dublin, and now earn their living wholly by teaching.) Manufacturers also employ them, on account of their scientific attainments.”
It has not been the policy of the State in England to aid or interfere with the education of the middle classes, except to some slight extent, and that indirectly, by State endowments in colleges.