form, "that the course of studies should at each stage, be in harmony with and adapted to the natural development of the child's mind and body; and that all teaching should proceed from the unknown to the known; from the particular and the concrete to the general and the abstract and from the empirical to the natural and scientific."

We have not much faith in the practical value of abstract resolutions or general propositions such as these-we expect that if the framers of the present, or of any one of the twenty Codes that have been since Mr. Lowe introduced them, were challenged on these propositions, they would cordially assent to them, and be happy to prove how each of these differing instruments was the elaboration of those uncontroverted principles. What in our opinion is of tenfold more value in the work of the Conference, are the schemes and schedules attached as appendages to their memorial, enumerating the principles just quoted: as it is in them that the real Reform lies.

area.

To our Readers.

As the time is drawing nigh when candidates for the Queen's Scholarship Examinations will have to face the ordeal of continued bard work, and as those intending to sit at the forthcoming Examination for Certificates must be girding up their loins in earnest, the Editor desires to offer a few suggestions. The first is to fix definitely on the Text Books to be used, and to let these be as concise as possible: many students fail because they spread their efforts over too wide an Instead of this the work should be so well done that on the day of Examination the knowledge of the student should be at the tips of the fingers. There is little time then to think-it is the time for reproductions. Moreover, young students have not that power of condensation and concentration of thought which enables a man or woman to spread their reading over a wide surface and yet digest it. The compilations of successful teachers who have already gone through all the subjects with their pupils, and who have by experience learned how to sift the chaff from the wheat will be useful to the student (See Advertisement, p. 192). The other suggestion is to work in the early mornings: the time of year will now allow of this being done; and one hour so spent is worth two or three later. Lastly, write out the sum and substance of everything read, and get this up thoroughly by reading it again and again.

Sketches in English History.

(Continued from page 140.)

WAR WITH REVOLUTIONARY FRANCE-1793 to 1802. The three chief causes of this war were-first, the publication of decrces by the French Convention encouraging all opponents of monarchy; second, the violation of treaties by the French in opening the Scheldt for navigation; and third, the execution of Louis XVI.

The chief events of the war were as follows:-In the spring of 1793 the Duke of York took the command of the allies in the Netherlands to check the French aggressions in Holland and Italy. General Dumourier, the French commander, issued inflammatory addresses inciting the lower classes to rebel against their rulers, and join the revolutionary republicans.

This was followed by a series of military manoeuvres ending in the capture of Breda, Williamstadt, and Gertruydenberg. The Dutch, fearing to lose their capital, united their troops with the Austrians, and after a sanguinary encounter at Aix-la-Chapelle (March 8th), defeated Dumourier with the loss of more than five thousand killed, wounded, and prisoners. This was immediately followed by another defeat at Neerwinden, still more disastrous than the previous one.

A convention was signed in which the French general agreed to evacuate Holland and return to Paris, but this was only done to gain time for fresh troops. The revolutionary government hearing of the treaty, took the command from Dumourier and gave it to Dampierre, a better general. The new commander defeated the British and Austrians near Rheims (May 8th), but was killed in the midst of the engagement. The command then devolved on General La Marche. On the 23rd the Duke of York captured the important fortress of Valenciennes. On the eve of the surrender of the town the French seized the heights of Famar, overlooking Valenciennes. The allies marched silently through the woods under cover of darkness, and when within a few yards of the summit opened a tremendous cannonade on the French, who, being unprepared, retreated behind the walls of the town. After undergoing the horrors of a siege two months, Valenciennes surrendered on the 26th of July.

The Duke of York, emboldened by his success, imprudently separated his troops and the Germans from the Austrians, Dutch, and Hanoverians, marched to West Flanders, and after suffering a series of reverses from the French under General Jourdan, had to retreat into Germany.

About this time Southern France, dissatisfied with the revolutionary government, rose against their oppressors, but after losing thousands, had to submit. The brutalities committed by the French military form one of the darkest pages of this sad history. Lyons, the most stubborn, was nearly destroyed; Toulon declared in favour of the English; Admiral Hood unsuccessfully fought, being defeated by Napoleon Bonaparte, a native of Ajaccio, Corsica, who now first comes into notice. This man afterwards became Emperor of France.

Stirring events meantime had taken place in India. The French lost Chandernagore and Pondicherry; and Lord Cornwallis, the Governor

General, to strengthen his hold, made a complete reform in the Company's Civil Service, by the introduction of the Permanent Settlement of the Land Revenue in Bengal.

In the West Indies the British captured Tobago.

Next year (1794) hostilities were resumed by the Duke of York in Flanders. He was defeated at Turcoing, but afterwards gained a victory at Port Achin; but had to evacuate the Netherlands, and give up the fortresses of Utrecht, Rotterdam, Dort, Haarlem, &c.

These misfortunes were, however, counterbalanced by a naval victory of Lord Howe off Brest (June 1st). The French government or Directory, anxious for the preservation of their possessions in the West Indies, despatched a fleet there, but this was intercepted by the British admiral. The forces on both sides were nearly equal. The battle was long and obstinate, but the courage of Howe overcame all obstacles. No less than one-half of the French vessels were captured and destroyed, and the rest so crippled as to be useless for war.

In 1795 the French formed a directory of five, of whom Napoleon Bonaparte was the head. The British gained another naval victory off Cape L'Orient (June 22), under Lord Bridport. This year the British took Cape Colony from the Dutch, but restored it at the Treaty of Amiens. It was re-captured in 1806, and finally ceded to England in 1815. A sad blow befell our fleet; the greater part was wrecked off the Isle of Portland by a violent storm which had raged inore than a week. In the latter part of 1796 General Hoche and Vice-Admiral Joyeuse, French commanders, attempted to invade Ireland by disembarking in Bantry Bay, but failed through a storm. A few landed, but were made prisoners. At the same time the French landed near Bristol, but were defeated by the energy of Lord Cawdor at Ilfracombe.

In

On February 14th, 1797, Nelson and Admiral Jervis defeated the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. As this is the first mention of Horatio Nelson, we give a brief account of our greatest admiral. 1758 Burnham Thorpe, a small town in Norfolk, became distinguished as the birthplace of our hero. Nelson's father, who was rector of Thorpe, sent the delicate Horatio on board his uncle Suckling's ship Raisonnable, as midshipman. His industry and attention to duties endeared him to his messmates. Great sorrow was expressed when he left his ship to serve in a West Indiaman. After a few months' service he went through the ordinary routine of the Royal Navy. This gave him a great insight into naval affairs, which proved of such eminent service in after years. While still a youth he went to the North Pole, and assisted in the capture of the West India Islands. In 1793 he was appointed captain of the Agammemnon, and while cruising in the Mediterranean in pursuit of the French lost an eye at Calvi, and shortly afterwards an arm. Step by step he rose to be admiral, and second in command to Jervis. The splendid victory of St. Vincent was entirely due to the heroism of Nelson. The Spanish fleet of twenty-seven vessels sailed from Cordova to join the French to make a descent upon the English, but the English, who were only fifteen, challenged the enemy. Nelson, ably seconded by Collingwood, pierced through the centre of the Spanish, and after a desperate encounter of four hours captured four of the largest ships. Jervis surrounded the rest, and

achieved an easy conquest. Jervis was raised to the peerage, while Nelson was made a knight and a Companion of the Bath.

In the autumn of 1797 Admiral Duncan, who was sent to watch the Dutch, who were accused, and not without just cause, of coquetting with the French Directory, of invading England, espied the Dutch admiral, De Winter, off Camperdown, preparing to sail towards the Kentish coast. Knowing he had not a moment to lose, Duncan commenced fighting, and by a skilful movement made De Winter keep close to the Texel. At noon Onslow led the English van, Duncan following in his rear. The Dutch tried to shake off their pursuers by spreading all their canvas, but the British kept near them. A long and bloody fight took place, which lasted until four. Many of the Dutch men-of-war were captured, and some fled a distance of twenty miles. The most memorable encounter took place between the Venerable, 74, Duncan's ship, and De Winter's. For nearly three hours these brave seamen were in close action, neither willing to give way, although almost blinded by smoke. A well directed shot from the English man-of-war split the mast of the Dutch ship, but still fighting went on. At last, after finding most of his men either killed or wounded, De Winter was obliged to strike. This victory inspired universal joy throughout Great Britain. Though Duncan cannot claim so high a name as Horatio Nelson, yet he taught the Dutch that British hearts are hearts of oak. These victories were saddened by the mutinies mentioned below:

1797 was a gloomy year in this country through the mutinies of seamen at Spithead and the Nore. The causes of this outbreak were threefold, viz., bad pay, unfair distribution of prize money, and cruelty of the officers. Representations were made to Admiral Earl Howe by means of anonymous letters, and as no notice was taken of the grievances, the men chose delegates from each ship, who drew up petitions to the House of Commons and the Admiralty, and by timely concessions the mutiny was crushed at Spithead, but at the Nore disaffection increased.

Richard Parker, a native of Devonshire, was appointed president of the Nore mutineers. He was an intelligent man, but ambitious and disloyal. Being gifted with a rough kind of eloquence, he soon led. away his comrades. The men violently seized their officers, and set them ashore. Vice-Admiral Buckner's flag was hauled down on the 23rd of May, and a red one hoisted. For a month the mutineers kept the power in their own hands, but the passing of several laws by Pitt, the prime minister, and the energetic measures of the government, appeased the tumult. Parker and thirty of the delegates surrendered, and on the 30th of June the ringleader was hanged in chains from the yard-arm of the Sandwich.

In 1798 Lord Malmesbury made proposals for peace, but as the French Directory wished Great Britain to give up all possessions taken in the war, negotiations fell through. The French made gigantic efforts for invading England, but Lord Nelson shut up the "Army of England," as it was boastingly called, in the ports of Calais, Boulogne, &c. Thousands of men enrolled themselves to drive back the foe; the southern counties were one large military camp. All capable of bearing

arms were united as one man. The loyalty, zeal, and chivalry shown preserved us from all dangers.

Finding himself foiled, Napoleon conceived the bold idea of conquering Egypt, and accordingly despatched a powerful fleet and military force from Toulon, in the middle of May, to Alexandria. On the way the French captured Malta. Information reaching Nelson of the sailing of the French fleet, he immediately pursued them. On the 1st of August the French were descried near the mouth of the Nile, in Aboukir Bay, where an engagement took place known as the battle of the Nile. Captain Hood, of the Zealous, first communicated news of the enemy, whom he found drawn up in battle array. The French had thirteen men-of-war, four frigates, and numerous gun boats, commanded by Admiral Brueys. The English had about the same number of menof-war, but smaller, and not in such a good position as the French. Shortly before the battle commenced H.M.S. Culloden struck upon a shoal, where she remained the whole day. About six o'clock in the evening Nelson bore down upon the enemy, and a fierce struggle immediately followed between the L'Orient, flag-ship of Brueys, and two British vessels. The smoke from the huge French ship of 120 guns caused a total darkness. For three hours the struggle was carried on, the Orient losing most of her crew. In the midst of a deathly silence, the flames reached the powder magazine, and a terrific explosion ensued, and in ten minutes the Orient was shattered to pieces. Many of her unfortunate crew who had escaped the horrors of the battle perished in the water.

In the meantime, the Vanguard of the French surrendered in twelve minutes, and before half-past eight o'clock four others struck their flags. About ten o'clock Nelson received a severe wound in the forehead from a splinter, and had to go below during the rest of the fight. At three o'clock in the morning the battle was over; the French fleet destroyed, except two vessels captured by the British. This naval victory produced unbounded joy in Britain. Nelson was created Baron Nelson, and received a pension of £2000 per annum. Its immediate effect was to produce a union between the King of Great Britain and Ireland and the Emperors of Russia and Germany against Napoleon Bonaparte. This year Minorca was captured by Stuart.

(To be continued.)

School Method and Management.

GRAMMAR.

The object of teaching grammar is:-I. To train the mind by inductive and deductive processes. II. To teach the child to speak and write correctly. Children unconsciously learn, by constant repetition, the syntax and inflexions used in specch, but grammar will teach them the laws on which these are dependent.

Grammar was made for language, not language for grammar; and so the laws of grammar of any language can be deduced from any classical work in that language without referring to a treatise on grammar, and the language should never be bent to suit the grammar; thus: "No one went except John." "No one went excepting John."