review of that branch, as studied in the previous years, is recommended, Drawing and vocal music are intended to be carried so far as that the pupil may follow them to advantage if his tastes incline that way.

The ministry recommends that where several hours per week are devoted to a subject, more than one each day should be given to it, so as to concentrate the attention upon a few branches every day.

5. Study out of school hours. On this subject the ministry remarks, that while it is highly important that the pupil should have preparation to make, requiring the exercise of his own resources, it is not less so that the amount of private study should not be carried to an injurious extent. The regulations, therefore, provide that at the beginning of each term there shall be a conference of the teachers, to determine the due amount of such work in the different classes, in detail. Every teacher should keep a book, in which the exercises actually given are accurately noted, so that the director may see at any time how far the decisions of the conference have been conformed to. The written exercises of the pupils must be regularly corrected by the teachers, and at least once a month they must review the exercise books, to ascertain the progress and the propriety of the exercises. German and Latin compositions are to be especially attended to. Themes on subjects with which the pupils are not acquainted, so that they must labor both for the matter and language, are forbidden. The teacher should not only select subjects known to the pupils for these exercises, but should also explain the manner in which he expects them to be treated.

6. Duration of the courses. The six classes should, according to rule, be passed through in nine years: the three lower, each, in one year, and the three higher, each, in two years; thus a pupil entering at ten would leave the gymnasium at nineteen. The provincial school board may determine the period of the year for the examinations for passing from class to class. In the gymnasia, where the classes are subdivided on account of numbers, and the pupils pass from one section to another at the end of six months, the arrangement is permitted to be continued.

Superior excellence in a few departments is not to warrant the promotion of the pupil to a higher class; he must be reasonably proficient in all.

7. Examination for the university. The regulations of 1834, on this subject, are confirmed by the present; certain erroneous constructions, which have been put upon the former, being pointed out. The first of these is, the supposition that the amount which the pupils are able to go over, during the time fixed for examination, determines the character of their certificate of capacity, while, on the contrary, this is given for the general knowledge of the subjects which they show. The fact that this examination requires a previous attendance of two years in the first class, is considered as indicating positively that the course of that class can not be intended to drill for the examination. The next refers to the specific direction in regard to the extent of examination on the different subjects, which being intended as a general guide to the examiners, has been misconstrued so far as to be supposed to furnish teachers who are preparing pupils the means of imparting the least amount of knowledge consistent with their passing. The ministry considers that the qualifications for the final examination have stood the test of experience, having been found not too high, and calculated to promote sound instruction and not hasty preparation. As, however, the excitement of these examinations appears to act injuriously on certain temperaments, the ministry authorizes the examining commissions to reduce the viva voce parts of the examination, in cases where they see cause to do so. The

ministry declines omitting the examination on the course of religious instruction.

8. Supposed defects of teachers, &c. The ministry states, as the remark of many intelligent persons, that while so much progress has been made within the last twenty years in the elementary schools, many of the teachers of the gymnasia, neglecting the progress of the science of teaching, still follow the old routine methods; that the teachers overrate the importance of their special branches, and thus destroy the harmony of the system; that they imitate the style of lecturing of the university professors, which renders their explanations ill adapted to the age and state of progress of their pupils, and when, in consequence, their pupils get on slowly, instead of seeing in this fact the necessity for a change of method, they charge the fault upon the classes. The ministry remarks that it has not the means of judging personally whether such criticisms are well founded or not, but that the provincial school boards, to whom they have been submitted, are of opinion that, in general, they are too severe. They are made public, however, that the teachers of the gymnasia may reflect upon them.

No specific method of instruction, it is remarked, applicable to all varieties of age, preparation, and subjects of study, can be pointed out. Every teacher should observe, closely, the results of his instruction, and adopt freely the advice or example of teachers of known ability in their art. The directors of gymnasia are especially enjoined to visit the classes of their teachers frequently, and to make such suggestions as may seem to be required; they are further expected to set an example themselves of thorough teaching. The ministry considers that the system of class teachers, already described, facilitates the course of observation recommended, by giving the teacher a thorough acquaintance with all the members of his class. The importance of making the science of teaching one of observation is thus directly inculcated.

The probation of a year, required by the decree of September 26th, 1836, before the admission of a teacher to full standing, being intended to prevent the admission of incompetent teachers, the provincial school boards are enjoined to give effect to the provision, by promoting to the situations of ordinary or class teachers (ordinarii,) those only who have shown decided capability in their art. The ministry promises to give such an extension to the normal schools for teachers of gymnasia, as shall insure an adequate supply from them.

The provincial boards are enjoined to see that suitable books are provided for the gymnasia, and to attend to regulating the details of the programmes of the different classes. This authority obviously leaves the most essential points of instruction within their power.

9. Physical education. On this subject, the document from the ministry states that representations have been made from many of the directors and teachers of gymnasia, that physical education should be introduced as an essential part of their systems. The necessity for due physical development is admitted; but it is argued, that in the gymnasia which receive day scholars alone, an attention to it forms no part of the duty of the teacher, who is merely bound to furnish the requisite time for recreation, and to take care that the health of the pupils is not injured during the hours of recitation by causes depending upon the school. In the boarding gymnasia the case is admitted to be different. A continuance of gymnastic exercises in these establishments, when they have been tried and found beneficial, is allowed, but the compulsory attendance of day scholars upon them is not permitted. When regular gymnastic exercises are introduced, it is made the duty of the

school board to see that a proper teacher is provided, and the exercises must be conducted under charge of the director of the institution.

I confess, that the idea of leaving the physical education of children entirely to their parents, especially in the cities and towns where the day gymnasia are usually established, seems to me very unwise; particularly so in Prussia, where all else is regulated, and where the youth are always glad to engage in gymnastic exercises, when the means are furnished to them.

10. Religious education. It is enjoined that this contain the whole doctrine of Christian faith, and that the instruction be given according to a regular plan.

The provincial authorities are charged with the communication of the foregoing regulations to the directors and teachers of the gymnasia, and with the superintendence of their execution.

Each instructor manages his class in his own way, subject to the advice of the director, and hence, of course, there is considerable variety. Harsh punishments, and personal violence, are discountenanced in all the classes. Appeals to the moral sentiments and feelings, and admonitions, are the favorite methods of discipline. I nowhere saw the discipline in better condition than in these schools, the youth of the upper class, especially, going through their duties without the necessity for more than occasional admonition, and exhibiting the decorum of gentlemen in whatever situation I met them. The director is the supreme resort when a teacher fails in being able to produce proper conduct on the part of a pupil, and he may dismiss from the institution. This, however, is rarely necessary.

The means of securing attention to study do not differ from those in other countries, and already often alluded to. The system of excitement is carried to a far less extent, in general, than in the French colleges. Emulation is encouraged, but not stimulated into ambition. In the lower classes, the pupils change places during the daily recitations; afterward, they are arranged by monthly trials of composition, and at the examinations; and in the higher classes, from the same compositions, and from the results of their marks for daily recitation, and at the half yearly examinations. Prizes are not given as a general rule, though there are some special ones in certain gymnasia.

This outline of the system of the gymnasia, as regulated by the central authority, requires, to complete it, some account of the regulations for the final examination prior to passing to the university (abiturientenprüfung,) and of the means of providing teachers. The regulations for the final examination occupy fifty sections, and enter into very minute details; it will be sufficient for the present purpose to present an abstract of the more important of them under the following heads: 1. The persons to be examined, the object, place, and time of the examination. 2. The authorities by whom, and under whose direction, the examination is to be conducted. 3. The character and subjects of the examination. 4. The kind of certificate obtained on passing the examination satisfactorily, and the privileges attached to it.

1. The persons to be examined, &c. Those who intend to embrace one of the professions requiring a course of three or four years at a university, must, before matriculating at the university, pass the ordeal of this examination; the object being to ascertain whether the candidate has made himself duly master of the subjects required for successful entrance upon his university career. The examination must be made in a regular gymnasium, and in some part of the last two months of the scholastic year.

To be admitted to the examination, a pupil of a gymnasium must

have been in its first class at least three terms of half a year each, except in cases where pupils have especially distinguished themselves during a year in this class. Three months' notice of their intention to stand this examination is to be given by the pupils to the director of the gymnasium, who advises with them on their intention, but has no right to prevent any pupil of three terms' standing in the first class from coming forward.

Persons who are educated in private undergo this same examination in any gymnasium which their parents may select. They are required to present beforehand the certificate of their masters as to moral conduct and proficiency, and are examined at a different time from the regular students.

2. By whom the examination is conducted. There is a committee for each gymnasium, consisting of the director, the masters who have charge of the higher classes, a member of the ecclesiastical authority of the place, and a member of the provincial consistory. This latter member presides, and his appointment must be approved by the ministry of public instruction. The ecclesiastical member must be approved by the provincial consistory. Besides these, there is a royal commission appointed by the ministry, and consisting of professors of the university and others, who are present as inspectors at the examination. The teachers of the gymnasium and the local authorities of the school are also present at the oral examinations.

3. Character and subjects of examination. The examinations are of two kinds, written and oral. The subjects are, the German, Latin, Greek, and French languages,* for students in general, and in addition, the Hebrew for those who intend to study theology. Religion, history, and geography, mathematics, physics, natural history, and the elements of mental philosophy. The subjects of the written examination are chosen by the royal commissary present, from a list furnished by the director of the gymnasium. These subjects must be such as have never been treated specially in the class-room, but not yet beyond the sphere of instruction of the pupils. All the candidates receive the same subjects for composition, which are given out at the beginning of the examination. The candidates are assembled in one of the halls of the gymnasium, and remain there during the period allotted for their exercises under the charge of one or other of the examining teachers, who relieve each other. The only books allowed them are dictionaries and mathematical tables. The written exercises consist, first, in a German prose composition, the object of which is to discern the degree of intellectual development, and the style of composition of the candidate. Second: of a Latin extemporet and a Latin composition on some subject which has been treated in the course, the special reference in this exercise being to the correctness of the style. Third: a translation from a Greek author, which has not been read in the course, and from Latin into Greek. Fourth: a translation from the German into the French. Fifth: the solution of two questions in geometry, and of two in analysis, taken from the courses in those subjects. Candidates who desire it, may be examined further than is required for passing.

Those who intend to study theology or philology, translate a portion of one of the historical books of the Old Testament, or a psalm, into Latin, adding a grammatical analysis. The time allowed for the several written exercises is as follows: For the German, five hours; Latin composition, five hours; Latin extempore, one hour; Greek translation,

In the grand duchy of Posen, the Polish language is also one of the subjects.

† An exercise in which the master speaks in German to the pupil, who must render the German into Latin, in writing.

three hours; translation from Latin into Greek, two hours; French composition, four hours; mathematical exercises, five hours; Hebrew exercises, when required, two hours. Four days are allowed for the examination in these subjects, and they must not immediately follow each other. The viva voce examination is conducted by the masters who have given instruction in the first class on the subjects of examination, unless the royal commissary directs otherwise. The subjects are, first, the general grammar and prosody of the German language, the chief epochs of national history and literature, and the national classics. Second: the translation and analysis of extracts from Cicero, Sallust, Livy, Virgil, and Horace; the ability of the candidates to render the author with judgment and taste being put to the test, as well as their grammatical and archeological acquirements; parts of the examination are conducted in the Latin language. Third: the translation and analysis of Greek prose and of portions of Homer, with questions upon Greek grammar, Grecian history, arts, and mythology. Fourth: translations from the French classics, during which an opportunity is given to the pupil to show how far he can speak the language. Fifth: questions upon the Christian doctrines, dogmas and morals, the principal epochs in the history of the Christian church, and the Bible. Sixth: arithmetic, the elements of algebra and geometry, the binomial theorem, simple and quadratic equations, logarithms and plane trigonometry. Seventh: in history and geography, on ancient history, especially that of Greece and Rome, and modern history, especially that of the conntry, on physical, mathematical, and political geography. Eighth: in natural history, on the general classification of its subjects. Ninth: in such portions of physics as can be treated by elementrry mathematics, and on the laws of heat, light, magnetism, and electricity. Tenth: on the elements of moral philosophy, psychology, and logic. The future theological student must, besides, translate and analyze a portion of one of the historical books of the Old Testament.

Those

4. The kind of certificate obtained, and the privileges attached to it. When the examination is closed, the board already alluded to as conducting and superintending it, deliberates upon the notes which have been taken during its course, each member having a vote. students who are deemed to have passed a satisfactory examination, receive a certificate called a "certificate of maturity," (maturitäts-zeugniss,) the others are remanded to their class, and may present themselves, after an interval of six months, for another examination, unless they are deemed entirely incompetent to continue a literary career. Proficiency in all the subjects of examination is, in general, required to entitle a candidate to a certificate, but exception is sometimes made in favor of those who show great attainments in the languages or mathematics; and in the case of students of a somewhat advanced age, the direct bearing of the different subjects upon the profession which they intend to embrace is considered. The daily records of the class-rooms are presented by the director of the gymnasium to the examiners, as showing the character of the candidates in regard to progress and conduct, these points being specially noted in the certificate. The certificate of maturity contains, besides, the name and address of the pupil, and of his parent or guardian; the time during which he has been at the gymnasium, and in its first class; the conduct of the pupil toward his fellows and masters, and his moral deportment in general; his character for industry, and his acquirements, as shown at the examination, specifying the result in each branch, and adding a statement from the masters of drawing and music of his proficiency in their respective departments; the studies which he proposes to prosecute at the university,