fact must not be disguised that Latin is irksome, especially when boys begin it late, which with farmers' sons must usually be the case, and that it does take up time.
The answer which I venture to suggest as the true solution of the question is, that the course to be taken should depend on the time the boy is likely to remain at school. Among those youths who are to enter on their future occupation at the age of fourteen, the cases in which Latin can be learned without too great consumption of the time required for other necessary branches of plain every-day knowledge must be very rare. On the other hand, if the education is likely to be continued beyond 14—say, to 16 or 17—presuming that the Latin is well taught by a good scholar, good enough scholar to select what is most important as a means of discipline, and to pass by what is only required in an University course; in short, able to give a thoroughly English character to the Latin training and to make it interesting—then, in such a case I have no doubt that, to learn even the elements of Latin would be a real saving of time during the years spent at school, a gain of strength and clearness of mind for after life. I have it on the authority of a teacher who has been brought up himself under the conditions here indicated, that an hour and a half daily enable him to take his boys through a portion of Caesar and a book of Virgil with considerable advantage to their general progress.
I had arrived at these conclusions after long observation of the effect of Latin on the training of young men intended for school-masters; and after frequent conversations with practical teachers experienced in the education of boys intended for trade, as well as with intelligent men engaged in business both in town and country.
But I am very much obliged to the Rev. J. Penrose, who has taken great interest in the plans proposed by Mr. Brereton and Lord Ebrington for the improvement of "County Education," as well as in the "West of England Examinations and Prizes," for permitting me to quote the result of his experience and inquiries.
"I have asked a great number of persons whose opinions I thought would be valuable, masters of commercial schools, inspectors, and men engaged in business, what were their opinions about Latin. One or two have thought it would be better to have none; but there is a decided consensus among the rest in favour of just the amount which is suggested in the 'Notice to Competitors.' I asked my relations in Lincolnshire to propose the question to their farmers, who were all in favour of Latin to a man."
Mr. Penrose did me the favour to put me in communication with Dr. Boole, the son, if I mistake not, of one to whom some of the best men of Lincoln owe their education, and himself the
