The following are some of the questions put to the Upper Form:—
"Where was Jesus Christ before He came on earth?"—"In heaven with His Father."
"What should Cain have done when he knew he was wrong?"—"He should have prayed to God."
"Did God make man in His own image?"—"Yes."
"How did they lose His image?"—"By eating the forbidden fruit."
"What was the text Mr. Dove preached from last Sunday?"—"The Parable of the Ten Virgins."
"What happened to the Five Foolish Virgins?"—"They were kept out of the Bridegroom's Chamber." (?)
"Do you remember the Prodigal Son?"—"Yes, sir."
They answered well upon the life and death of Jesus Christ.
The examination of the males—thirty being present—terminated in two days.
The female intellect was now to be exhibited, and twenty-three candidates for honours were found. Mrs. Dickenson's class was the first. I regret to say that the report, though brief, is not commendatory: "Clara reads—Daphne attempts to read—Emma attempts to read—Rose attempts to spell—Sophia attempts to spell—Sabina imperfect in the alphabet—Henrietta imperfect in the alphabet—Lucy imperfect in the alphabet—and Wild Mary imperfect in the alphabet." It may be presumed that Wild Mary was a step above Queen Adelaide, as that lady, though present, did not enter the lists. My particular friend, Lalla Rookh or Truganina, was not examined in literature.
In the course of questions a slight variation once appeared, evidencing the superior originality of the feminine mind, as the sable lords never altered their replies. When it was asked, "Will you die?" Caroline cried out, "I will;" while Lalla Eookh contented herself with "Yes." Again, "Have you a soul?" Daphne said, "I have;" and Wild Mary uttered "Yes." All the questions on Scripture History were very simple. Several of the pupils repeated the Lord's Prayer and the approved Collect.
The senior women's class, under Mrs. Clark, distinguished themselves. Bessy reads the whole of No. 1 Spelling-book. Patty attempts to read. Paulina spells words of three letters,
