Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/185

 The Public Library in Relation to Education. 173 vanced ist class ; inorganic chemistry, advanced 2nd class ; sound, light, and heat, steam, practical plane and solid geometry, and theoretical mechanics, advanced 2nd class ; mathematics, stage ii., 2nd class ; practical metallurgy, elemen- tary, 2nd class ; and freehand drawing, 2nd class. This was in the year 1891. In 1892 he entered again, and was successful in gaining from the Science and Art Department a Royal Exhibition scholarship, value ^"50 a year, for three years, with free tuition, travelling expenses, &c., at the Royal College of Science, Dublin. It may be interesting to you to know that this young man was successful in obtaining certificates for the following subjects : Practical inorganic chemistry, honours ist class; practical metallurgy, honours 2nd class ; in the subjects practical plane and solid geometry, theoretical mechanics (solids and fluids), light and heat, he obtained advanced ist class ; in mathematics, stages iii. and iv., 2nd class ; in sound, physiography, and practical organic chemistry, advanced 2nd class, and elementary 2nd class in theoretical organic chemistry. Another case with which I am well acquainted is that of the son of a shopkeeper, who entered the mathematics and mechanics classes before his elementary education was finished. He plodded along diligently and was successful in gaining bronze medals from the Science and Art Department for a ist class honours pass in mathematics, stage iii. ; for a ist class honours pass in theoretical mechanics, and for a second class honours in mathe- matics, stages v. and vi. In addition he has obtained a scholar- ship, valued at ^"30 a year for three years, at St. John's College, Cambridge, and since entering upon a university career he has increased his sizarship from ^"30 to ^"40 a year, and has gained an exhibition scholarship of 20. Is it not likely, gentlemen, that if no such classes had existed this promising youth would have remained in some inferior position ? As it is, however, he is exciting some interest among those who have watched him so far, and it is their belief and hope that he is laying the foundation of a most useful and prosperous career. Numerous examples of remarkable success at the Wolver- hampton Library classes could be cited, but I may weary you if I do more than state that many students are now holding im- portant positions which are clearly traceable to the training they