The Schoolmasters' Society was still of a very limited nature. In consequence of the great expense and loss of time required in travelling from a distance, it was chiefly confined to those resident in the neighbourhood of Coventry; and the means of instruction were so crippled from the want of pecuniary support, that it was not to be expected that the benefits of this institution could be extended to the distant parishes of the archdeaconry. The importance of the measure was, however, never lost sight of. The Archdeaconry Society were frequently urged to carry out their object to its fullest and most extended scale; they have seen how necessary it is, in an age when a general diffusion of knowledge is spread within the land, that their masters and mistresses should be raised in public estimation above their ancient standard; and although they knew that their present resources would not justify such an outlay, they resolved at all hazards to trust to the generosity of an enlightened public, and to adopt such a course as must, if supported and carried on, lead to the completion of their long-formed hopes. They resolved to assemble all the masters and mistresses of the archdeaconry of Coventry, who were desirous of availing themselves of this opportunity of improvement, and whose schools were under the superintendence of the parochial clergy, at the Central School, Coventry, there to be instructed under an organizing master from the National Society in London (if such could be obtained), and who was to be assisted by their own central schoolmaster and mistress, Mr. and Mrs. Band, under whom, indeed, many of the district masters and mistresses had been originally trained. Application was consequently made to the London National School Society, and with their usual zeal for sound and useful education, and with the liberality which invariably accompanies all their acts, they not only complied with the committee's request in appointing an organizing master, but kindly consented to pay nearly the whole of his salary and expenses. A communication was immediately made to all the parochial clergy of the archdeaconry, informing them that their schoolmasters and mistresses might be sent to the Central School, Coventry, for instruction, there to remain for the harvest month; and that to each master or mistress would be paid by the committee a sum not exceeding 7s. per week, for such term as they should remain for tuition, towards their board, lodging and travelling expenses. Monday, the 12th of August, was the day appointed for their first assembling. Mr. Tearle, the organizing master, had arrived on the previous Saturday. The whole of Monday was consumed in arrangements; and these were most efficiently made under the able guidance of Mr. Wilson, the central schoolmaster of the Sanctuary School, Westminster, whom the National Society had kindly sent down to assist Mr. Tearle at the commencement of the proceedings, and to superintend them for a week: and it would be a culpable omission if we did not say that we think the great success of the measure is much to be attributed to the ability, the tact, the general knowledge of the human mind, the gentleness, and the firmness which he displayed in laying the foundation. On the 13th, the scheme was put into full operation. Sixty masters and mistresses were assembled; and it will be satisfactory to those interested in this undertaking, and not without its uses to our general readers, if we give a detailed account of the proceedings of one day, remarking that, with a few variations, this detail will serve for a general view of the whole. The masters and mistresses assembled at 9 o'clock, A.M., and prayers from the Liturgy were read, they were then arranged in one class till 10 o'clock for religious instruction; during which doctrinal, historical, geographical, and scriptural questions were asked. The mistresses then retired into the girls' school, where the whole of the children were assembled in classes. Half of them were placed as teachers of the different classes, to learn the system of teaching under Mr. and Mrs. Band; each mistress in rotation taking the lowest class, and ascending the next day to a higher. The other half of the mistresses was formed into a class for

study; different subjects were given to them to read and consider-some of them being employed in writing out from memory, or from copies, historical events, geographical circumstances, or arithmetical questions. This continued from 10 to 12. During this time the masters were engaged in the other school in lectures and examinations by Mr. Tearle:-from 10 to half-past 10 in geography; from half-past 10 to a quarter past 11 in arithmetic; and from a quarter past 11 to 12 in the derivation of words and grammar. At 12 they were dismissed, and assembled again at 2 P.M. The masters then went into the girls' school, and were divided into superintending the classes, and in other studies, as the mistresses had been in the morning. The mistresses assembled in the boys' school, and received instruction from Mr. Tearle :-from 2 to three quarters past 2 in arithmetic; from three-quarters past 2 to half-past 3 in reading and explanation: from half-past 3 to 4 in the geography of Palestine; and from 4 to 5 in derivation and grammar. At 5 they were all dismissed, but assembled again at half-past 6, when three quarters of an hour was devoted to the theory and practice of vocal music, as applied by Hullah to psalmody and chanting; and another three-quarters of an hour to lectures and conversations on topics connected with the system of teaching,--such as catechetical instructions; the monitorial system; attendance of children; effects of emulation; and rewards and punishments, &c. At 8 o'clock they were dismissed for the night, with prayers from the Liturgy.

Each master and mistress, at these several times of meeting, entered their names in a book, stating the precise hour at which they came, and if absent at any time, had to account for their absence. There was no meeting on the Saturdays, and such masters and mistresses as had Sunday schools, were allowed to go home to superintend them; and those who remained in Coventry had to enter into the register the manner in which they spent their Saturdays and Sundays. The same system which has now been detailed was pursued throughout the month, with the exception that in the alternate weeks the morning and afternoon courses of education were changed with the masters and mistresses. Their attendance and attention during the whole of this period were most exemplary. There was scarcely a single absence but from sickness or necessity; and their anxiety to be instructed, and the readiness with which they seized hold of all new matter, their desire to assist each other, and above all, their humility and docility in listening to all that was laid before them, are highly creditable to themselves, and must urge on their friends to give them increasing opportunities of obtaining knowledge. And here it cannot be out of place to say a few words of the organizing master, Mr. Tearle. The virtues above portrayed of the masters and mistresses, we believe have been made to shine so conspicuously by the kind and excellent manner in which he delivered his lectures. There was something so able, so conciliatory, and so practical in all he said and did, that it was impossible not respect him, or to hear him without learning something from him. The masters and mistresses gave evident proofs of their high estimation of him: they in a body subscribed, and purchased the "Church Services," and "Cruden's Concordance," and presented them to him as an offering of their gratitude, affection, and regard; and this will be thought, no doubt, the best testimonial that can be given to the National Society of Mr. Tearle's exemplary conduct upon the occasion. During the month the lectures were regularly attended by the sub-committee, and by many clergy of the archdeaconry, who occasionally assisted in them. Several of the nobility and gentry were also frequently in attendance; and it seemed to be the universal opinion that great good was being effected, and that a system so admirably begun ought to be carried on in future years.

On Friday, the 6th of September, the instructions closed, and the sub-committee met at 11 o'clock to settle the accounts. Each master and mistress were desired to send in their actual expenses; and so satisfied were the committee

with the manner in which they had conducted themselves, that in every instance the full amount, according to their attendance, which the committee were authorised to give, was awarded to them. This, however, did not cover half their actual expenses, and the sub-committee deeply lamented that it was not in their power to award them a more adequate remuneration. The sum thus expended, however, when coupled with the organizing master's salary and expenses, and the cost of books, maps, &c., necessarily purchased for the occasion, amounted to more than £80; and this has entirely exhausted the whole of the society's funds. It is to the increased generosity of the friends of the institution, therefore, and to the public at large, that the society must now look, not only for carrying on such desireable meetings in future years, but even for the common working of the central schools.

In the evening of Friday the masters and mistresses dined together in the girls' school. The secretary, the Rev. T. Coker Adams, presided on this occasion; and he was supported by the sub-committee, the Rev. Professor Leigh Cooke, the Rev. J. Sandford, the Rev. A. Clive, the Rev. J. Howells, the Rev. H. T. Powell, and the Rev. F. F. Gooch. Many loyal and appropriate toasts were given, which elicited most admirable hints and advice from those who responded to them. The books purchased by the masters and mistresses were presented to Mr. Tearle after the dinner. The evening was enlivened by several beautiful glees, some of them sung by thirty or forty of the masters and mistresses, and which they had learned from Mr. Tearle, under Hullah's system. The grace before meat was well chanted; "Non nobis, Domine," sung after dinner, by Messrs. Parrott, Jeayes, Steane, and other masters. The anthem of "God save the Queen," was given with full effect; and the labours and pleasures of this happy meeting were closed by the whole of the assembly's joining in Dr. Ken's beautiful "Evening Hymn.

We have now detailed the simple facts of this praiseworthy attempt to improve a body of persons who, as trainers of the youthful mind, stand next in importance to our spiritual teachers; and we cannot but think that every individual in the archdeaconry of Coventry, who really wishes for the improvement of the people by sound religious, practical, and useful education, will not only join with us in hearty thanks to those who have borne the heat and burden of this eventful undertaking, but will come forward promptly and handsomely to remove their difficulties. One word to our fellow townsmen, and we have done. A small piece of land adjoining the schools has been purchased, on their own responsibilty, by the committee. If this had been sold to others and built upon, the light and air, so needed in a large and crowded school, would have been entirely excluded on one side. Should we not then, as citizens, come forward and give them a helping hand? The school rooms are an ornament and an honour to our city: at them have been educated thousands of our children; we see that by works of improvement the resources of the society have been entirely exhausted: shall we not therefore reproach ourselves hereafter if the schools be given up? In the name of charity and good feeling, let a committee be immediately appointed and a collection made. From £80 to £100 would remove their present difficulties and any stigma upon ourselves. It is upon our city, and our city alone, that this claim can be reasonably made; it is to secure the health of our own children that this sacrifice has been called for; and we feel sure that such an appeal will not be made in vain upon our liberal and enlightened townsmen.

[We hail this as an important move in the right direction-the improvement of the existing race of schoolmasters and mistresses. It is to be hoped that so good a work, so well begun, will be as well followed up. ED.]