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ogy, Dr. Rassaw; elementary insurance mathematics, with practical exercises, Dr. Hausdorff; countries and cities of central Europe, Prof. Dr. Ratzel; general history of modern times, Prof. Dr. Marks; introduction into the knowledge of plastic arts, Prof. Dr. Schmarsow; history of the German literature of the generation of Klopstock and Lessing, Professor Witkowsky; commercial and political arithmetic, Mr. Lambert; bookkeeping, Mr. Lambert; correspondence and office work, Dr. Döll; mechanical technology, textile industry, with excursions, Dr. Pritzch.

Lectures in foreign languages and exercises in commercial correspondence in foreign languages will be arranged as they may be needed.

LEIPSIC, March 25, 1898.

B. H. WARNER, Jr., Consul.

COMMERCIAL EDUCATION AT GERA, GERMANY.

Consul Warner sends the following from Leipsic, July 28, 1898: Subsequent to writing my report upon the Leipsic Commercial University my attention was called to another very prominent technical institution.

The Amthor Higher Commercial School at Gera, Reuss, affords young men a most excellent opportunity for acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge of business and business methods. There are now 200 students, and the course of instruction is as follows:

The preparatory course comprises German, French, and English, with correspondence; history and geography (general and commercial), botany and zoology, and caligraphy and arithmetic.

The first commercial course embraces: German language, literature, and correspondence; French and English languages, and correspondence; arithmetic, bookkeeping, commercial science, history, and geography (general and commercial), higher mathematics, physics, caligraphy, and stenography.

The second and third courses take up the same subjects in a more advanced form. The length of each course is one year.

In response to a long-felt want a class has been added to the school course which affords apprentices of the mercantile calling an opportunity to perfect themselves in a theoretical way.

WEAVING SCHOOLS IN GERMANY.

Under date of August 3, Mr. Warner transmits the following report from Consular Agent Neuer, of Gera:

Continually increased attention is given in Germany to the question of technical and industrial education. The Government as well as mercantile corporations and municipalities are aiding this movement in every possible way. Schools are to be found in nearly every large trader-center, where the details entering into the manufacture of various classes of goods are taught, and the latest discoveries of science and practical experience are employed. Of this widely spread system of technical and industrial education the weaving school in Gera forms a branch. Wealthy manufacturers take a deep interest in the institute and have a ded it from time to time by donations and bequests. Moreover, the institute is supported by subscriptions, the fees of the students, and an annuity of 2,000 marks ($476) granted by the Government. It has a principal and seven assistant teachers, who possess special qualifications and are skillful weavers themselves. The board of administration consists of five expert merchants, who watch over the school's progress, examine its work, and report to the city's association of manufacturers.

The pupils are partly young workmen and partly young merchants engaged in weaving mills, and are divided into four classes. The school is open twice a week; on Sundays from 7 or 8 to half-past 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning, and on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 8 to 9 o'clock in the evening, thus not interfering with the usual working hours of the students.

The course of study lasts four years, and instruction in the single classes comprises the following subjects:

Class 1.-Calculation and pattern designing; origin and development of weaving; mode of sorting and classifying the raw material; method of rating goods by ascertaining the quantity and price of material used, and also cost of labor required in the production of a given length and width of goods, or from given data of values of material and labor.

Class 2.—Weaving in its present state of perfection; weaving and designing of jacquards; nature and properties of the various kinds of wool.

Class 3.-Machine construction, with special regard to the power loom; comparative merits of power looms; consideration of the principal parts which are common to all power looms.

Class 4.-Construction of various kinds of hand looms; weaving by hand looms; technical designing; weaving of fancy articles, etc.

Theoretical instruction is given from various works on weaving, and from a large collection of designs and models. For practical instruction there are in use 13 power and 17 hand looms adapted to the weaving of various standard fabrics, besides other appliances for demonstrating the processes of preparation and of plain and fancy weaving.

A voluminous library connected with the school proves a most valuable factor in the promotion of technical knowledge.

An exhibition embracing woven articles, sketches, designs, and writings of the pupils on textiles, machine construction, etc., is held every year. The last exhibition, on March 27 of this year, was considered an extraordinary success, and showed the great interest taken by all classes of people in the institution.

On the other hand, it made evident the diligence and zeal which both teachers and scholars devote to their task in pursuance of one common object-the advancement of industrial and technical knowledge. Prizes were awarded on this occasion, consisting of books on designing and weaving, cases of mathematical instruments, diplomas, etc.

The fee to be paid monthly by each pupil amounts to only 50 pfennigs (12) cents), hence enabling the working classes to share the benefits of the training. I need not take up space in this report to call the attention of our manufacturers to the advantages derived from technical education, as these are already known and appreciated by many of our educators and manufacturers. My present purpose is simply to call attention to the means that are being applied to generalize and perfect the system of technical education in this country, in order that our people may be advised of the methods adopted to strengthen manufacturing industries.

EDUCATION IN RUSSIA.

During August this year the first special meeting of school directors was held in St. Petersburg. Invitations were sent to all the schools, both church and otherwise, for their members to take part in the conference. As far as can be gleaned from the somewhat scanty reports, the subjects considered were very interesting. At one of the meetings it was particularly noticeable that no protests were heard to the effect that matters to be discussed should be dealt with by the clergy alone, as was the case in previous years, and it was generally agreed that only the

cooperative and friendly work of the ministry for national education and the clergy could give the people proper and thorough education. Provincial and county councils that before were considered incapacitated were this time specially invited to join in the work of the ecclesiastical party.

The head of the church schools at the first meeting announced that provincial and county councils desiring to assist the clergy in educating the people would always be met with assistance and consideration from the local and central church school establishments.

It was then agreed, with the exception of special cases, to admit as guardians over church schools members of another faith. The subject of increasing present resources was then fully discussed. The reporter stated that were it possible for the state exchequer to add in the course of eight years to the school budget 200,000 roubles ($100,000), in ten years it would be possible to open 80,000 properly organized schools, with 4,000,000 scholars, and 100,000 ungraded national and parochial schools, with 5,000,000 scholars.

To help increase the state budget, it was proposed to impose a 2 per cent levy on the revenues of all monasteries and churches (excepting those with special appointments), also on insured church capital, and on revenues derived from the manufacture of church candles. On several previous occasions funds were raised by the above plan.

Several other questions were touched upon, among them the matter of teachers, which was pointed out as of great importance.

From the above it is to be seen that at present great interest and activity are being centered on the matter of public education.

Moscow, September 30, 1898.

THOMAS SMITH, Consul.

SCHOOL FOR THE MERCHANT MARINE IN RUSSIA.

I transmit a translation of the regulations, established by imperial authority, for the management of an institution recently organized in this city, which has for its object the training of young men in the theory and practice of navigation, in order that they may become competent to take command as masters and mates on Russian merchant vessels.

The studies make of those who successfully pass the course highly educated men, familiar with the English, French, or German languages, physics, mathematics, theoretical mechanics, commerce, political economy, bookkeeping, physical geography, nautical astronomy, shipbuilding, commercial geography, law, hygiene, etc.

I have thought it advisable to bring the knowledge of this establishment to the attention of the Department at this particular time, for the reason that it would in my opinion be highly advantageous to our future commercial and merchantmarine interests if similar institutions could be successfully established throughout the United States, either in connection with educational institutions or as separate establishments.

As we shall furnish the world with food and manufactured goods, both patriotism and profit demand that these products be carried in American ships, and that these ships be manned and officered by competent Americans.

We move quickly in the United States, and it requires but a slight knowledge of our people to predict that in ten years' time we shall have the largest merchant fleet afloat.

I have been told by Americans who have traveled much in European and Asiatic waters that an American ship is rarely met with, and certainly my own experience as consul at Odessa during the past thirteen years confirms the statement.

I have never on a single occasion seen an American ship in the Odessa harbor, and yet during the year 1897 the official returns show that 1,192 steamers and 34 sailing vessels, having an aggregate tonnage of 1,761,339 registered tons, entered this harbor. Of these, 663 steamers, having a registered tonnage of 1,050,028 tons, were British.

Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that the Russian Government is now admitting ships for the Russian foreign and domestic trade free of duty, and is also establishing and endowing marine schools for its coming merchant-marine officers. THOS. E. HEENAN, Consul.

ODESSA, December 2, 1898.

[Translation.]

STATUTES OF THE CLASSES OF MERCANTILE NAVIGATION AT THE ODESSA COMMERCIAL SCHOOL.

(1) The object of these classes of mercantile navigation at the Odessa Commercial School is to give to young men who are preparing themselves to perform the duties of ship masters and mates on board of trading merchant vessels a corresponding theoretical and practical education.

(2) The classes are under the care of the department of trade and manufacture of the ministry of finance.

(3) The revenue for the support of these classes consists of (a) sums given by the Government for their maintenance according to the statutes; (b) annual subsidies from the municipality of Odessa, out of the sums received from the tax levied on exports; (c) subsidies from steam navigation and from other companies, and (d) payments by students for their instruction.

Remark.-The sums received by virtue of b and d form the special means of revenue of the classes, and are disbursed for their maintenance in addition to the sums granted by statutes; so that the payment for the instruction is exclusively applied to such expenses in connection with the teaching as have not been provided for by the statutes.

(4) The course of instruction extends over three years, and is subdivided into three classes.

(5) In these classes will be taught: (a) Religion; (b) Russian language and literature; (c) English; (d) French or German; (e) physics; (f) mathematics (practical calculation, plane and spherical trigonometry); (g) theoretical mechanics; (h) commerce, with elementary particulars of political economy and bookkeeping; (i) physical geography (hydrology and meteorology); (j) navigation, with pilotage and fundamental particulars regarding deviation of compasses; (k) nautical astronomy; (1) fundamental principles regarding the construction of a ship: (m) practical seagoing; (n) steamship mechanics; (0) commercial geography; (p) knowledge of cargo: (q) law, and (r) hygiene.

Remark.-The subjects enumerated in g-r, as well as spherical trigonometry, are considered special; the remainder relate to general instruction.

(6) During the course of education, in addition to theoretical teaching, practical instruction takes place on vessels. The superintendence of this instruction is intrusted to the captain of the training ship.

(7) Students of all conditions and religions, who are Russian subjects, are received into these classes.

(8) For admission into the classes is required: (a) The presentation of a certificate showing that the applicant has passed through the general course of education given in the commercial schools of the ministry of finance, and must pass an examination in the English language and in mathematics, to the extent of the course of instruction as given in the general classes of the Odessa Commercial School, and (b) the accomplishment of a trial voyage of not less than two months on board of the training ship belonging to the classes.

Remark.-Those who do not present certificates as mentioned in a are subjected to an examination to the extent of the course of instruction as given in the general classes of the Odessa Commercial School-in all subjects excepting chemistry. Those who have passed through five classes of a regular school or of a classical gymnasium are accepted after passing an examination-the first named in mathematics and in the English language, and in the French or German language to the ED 98-104

extent of the course of instruction as given in the general classes of the Odessa Commercial School, and the last named, in addition to this, in physics.

(9) Inconnection with these classes of mercantile navigation, there may be established, with the consent of the ministry of finance, a boarding and lodging house for the students at the expense of such students, or on special donations for that purpose, or on the joint revenue derived from these sources.

(10) The general management of the classes of mercantile navigation is vested in the council of wardens of the Odessa Commercial School; the immediate management of the same is intrusted by them to the manager of the classes.

(11) For the purpose of participation in the discussion of matters concerning the classes of mercantile navigation, in addition to the council of wardens of the Odessa Commercial School, are added as members (a) the manager of the classes; (b) a representative from the Odessa municipality, and (c) representatives of the steam navigation companies and of those institutions which subsidize the classes, appointed in rotation and to the number prescribed by the minister of finance. (12) The manager of the classes must accompany the students during the time they are pursuing their practical studies on the training ship at sea, for the purpose of watching their progress and morality, as well as for the immediate supervision of their practical studies in steersmanship. The manager of the classes may also be charged in accordance with instructions from the council of wardens, with the command of the training ship; but in that case the immediate guidance and supervision of the practical studies of the students must be intrusted to one of the teachers or to one of the captain's assistants (mates), who is selected by the manager of the classes with the consent of the council of wardens.

(13) As assistant to the manager of the classes in the execution of the duties of inspector and in the supervision of the students, one of the teachers is appointed with the title of instructor. In the event of the illness of the manager of the classes, the instructor takes his place.

(14) The subjects of instruction in these classes of mercantile navigation are distributed among the staff of teachers who are in the Government service and those who are only engaged temporarily. The number of the first named must not exceed six, and they can only be on the following subjects and groups of subjects: (a) Mathematics (practical calculations, plane and spherical trigonometry) and physics; (b) navigation and pilotage and fundamental particulars regarding the deviation of compasses; (c) nautical astronomy; (d) theoretical mechanics and fundamental knowledge of the theory and construction of a ship; (e) steamship mechanics, with other practical studies, and (7) English language.

Remark.-The manager of the classes of mercantile navigation, if he so desires, may instruct in one or more subjects of the course, but not more than eight hours a week.

(15) The manager of the classes, as well as the captain of the training ship, is appointed by the council of wardens from among persons who have received a special naval education and who have served either in vessels of the imperial navy or in the merchant marine.

(16) The manager of the classes, as long as he occupies that office, is reckoned as being in the fifth rank, and is confirmed in that rank after serving in the same for nine years. He may, however, be raised to that rank or grade before the expiration of that term by virtue of the general rules established for the civil service.

(17) The instructor and teachers are chosen by the manager of the classes after consultation with the council of wardens and are confirmed in their positions by the department of trade and manufactures.

(18) The teacher of religion is selected by the manager of the classes and, after receiving the recommendation of the council of wardens, is confirmed in his position by the department of trade and manufactures, with the consent of the adininistration of the archdiocese.

(19) As teachers of the subjects of general instruction, such persons may be appointed whose education and training qualify them for positions in regular schools.

(20) Teachers of the special subjects, other than those relating specially to naval matters, are appointed from among persons who have finished the course of study in the highest educational establishments and have received from the department of trade and manufactures certificates granting the right to teach these subjects in the commercial schools. Teachers of nautical subjects must have passed through the naval cadet corps of the technical school of the marine department or have taught in mariners' schools of the higher grade for not less than five years. Persons who can not qualify under these conditions may be admitted to act as teachers after reading three trial lectures in the presence of a special committee appointed

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