APPENDIX E. owe their origin and subsequent support to local patronage and eleemosynary aid, to put forward the statement with perfect confidence, because it is supported by facts which have come within my own experience. But, as regards the Carrickmacross Industrial School, the sound simple principle has always been kept prominently Carrickmacross. in view, that continued success can only be attained by producing no other kind of work than that for which (it has been previously ascertained) a remunerative price can readily be obtained; added to this, the producers of the work know, from personal experience, that their portion of the profits altogether depends on their own diligence and promptitude, in making the most of the time left at their command. Hence they spare no efforts to produce work of the best finish, and of the most novel design, with what result last year's accounts sufficiently testify. How gratifying to know, that the work thus tastefully executed has commanded so much attention, solely on its own merits; and that, in many cases, it has been found impracticable to supply the demands of private individuals, owing to the large orders on hands from the wholesale purchaser. Money received in this way is regarded as a just recompense for one's time and labour, and not in the light of an alms or gift conferred by private benevolence; for, after all, it is well to bear in mind that kindness is misplaced, when, through its injurious, yet well-meant influence, the young lose that laudable feeling of independence which springs from a salutary shame of mendicity. It is probable, that in very impoverished localities, this principle cannot be adopted in the management of Industrial Schools, nor would it have been possible to carry it out to such an extent in Carrickmacross, but for the assistance of Mr. Kennedy, (former agent of Lord Bath,) by whom this school was first established in 1849, and who still continues to take the greatest interest in its well-doing. Owing to that gentleman's continued efforts in its favour, I think it certain that the accounts for the current year will present still more favourable returns than those now published, as I find from an accurate return handed me by the Teacher, that the orders now on hands will, when completed, exceed £400. It will, of course, require great attention and application to get through so much work within the time required, but the late change made by Mr. Kennedy's suggestion in the drawing and copying of the patterns will effect a great saving of time. Until recently the tracings were drawn by an experienced hand with pen and ink, and, although all possible dispatch was used, still the operation was necessarily tedious, because requiring extreme accuracy and neatness. Under the new arrange Industrial ment, the patterns are carefully lithographed, so that copies APPENDIX E. of them to any extent, and a very trifling cost, can be struck I. Reports off at a moment's notice; by this means, neatness, accuracy, of District and cheapness, are equally secured, and the workers are no Inspectors on longer kept idle, waiting, in turn, to have their patterns Schools. drawn, which frequently occurred under the old system owing to the small number capable of drawing accurate Carrickmacross. patterns, and the large quantity of those tracings required for the current use of the school. Owing to the improved method of procuring an adequate supply of patterns, an increased amount of work has been completed, during the last three months of the year, as compared with the quantity finished, during a corresponding period when the drawings were made with pen and ink. Literary Instruction.-It now remains for me to describe, in a few words, the nature of the literary instruction imparted to those who attend the Carrickmacross Industrial School as daily pupils. It may be needless to state, that as the great portion of the day is devoted to needlework, the time available for literary instruction does not much exceed a few hours each week, and consequently much proficiency cannot be expected. It is, however, but just to add, that of forty-six pupils present, on the day of my inspection, nearly the onehalf read in the advanced Lesson Books of the Board, viz.— Third and Fourth Class Books, with accuracy and intelligence; their handwriting was free and legible, and one out of six wrote the following sentence from dictation with tolerable correctness:-"We find that every species of animal is provided with the instruments best suited for obtaining, and devouring, and digesting the food which its nature requires, and is also furnished with the means of self-defence." Their knowledge of Grammar, Geography, and Arithmetic, proved on examination very limited and superficial; but, (taking into consideration their respective periods of attendance, and the short time allotted for literary instruction,) their general answering indicated a painstaking, attentive Teacher, and persevering, intelligent pupils. Before terminating this Report, I feel called on to notice the quiet gentle bearing of the Teacher towards those under her charge, and yet the strictest order and discipline prevail, the more lasting and steady, because the pupils' better feelings and self-respect are appealed to. I also observed, that all present, (mostly of the poorer class,) were scrupulously neat and clean, both in person and dress. I am also in a position to state, that, although the attendance consists of persons professing different religious beliefs, yet no quarrels, no mutual revilings on the subject of religion, have ever occurred to interrupt the harmony of the APPENDIX E. School; on the contrary, all appeared animated with reciprocal feelings of love and charity. In short, the moral tone pervading this admirable institution could not fail to strike the most casual observer. How fortunate for this country if similar schools were spread over the land; the good resulting from their operation would be great indeed. I. Reports Carrickmacross. I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient Servant, The Secretaries, Education Office. Kinsale. No. 4.-REPORT of MICHAEL COYLE, Esq., District Inspector, on the KINSALE CONVENT INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. Cork, 31st December, 1851. GENTLEMEN, I beg to inform you that I inspected the Kinsale Convent Industrial School, on the 1st instant, but delayed this Report till now, that the accounts for the year might be completed by the addition of the disbursements and receipts for this month. The average attendance for the last six months was 370; the number present the day of my visit only 240, many being absent in consequence of the severity of the weather and the approach of the Christmas vacation." The school accommodation, the number of Teachers and amount of their salaries, and the time devoted to instruction, continue the same as when I reported last year. The different descriptions of work then specified are still taught, except cushion lace, which was found unprofitable, and was, therefore, given up. Guipure, an imitation of point-lace, was lately introduced, and promises to be profitable. Artificial flowermaking, which was commenced last year, has been continued, and great proficiency has been acquired in it. To every branch, the same zeal and skill that won for the institution such a wide spread reputation, are still steadily devoted. The spirit of industry awakened by it, and the high-toned moral feeling which it evoked, go on increasing, bringing comfort and hope to many a desolate hearth. Most of the pupils having graduated from the Infant through the Literary school, were instructed in vocal music. At intervals they relieve the tedium of work by singing hymns and songs. often heard 300 voices merrily chanting together. I have The Nuns expended this year no less than £647 0s. 5d. in the purchase of materials, and the sales effected amounted to £608 0s. 3d., which, together with the £30 paid by the Board, APPENDIX E. was distributed among the Teachers, Monitresses, and pupils. I. Reports Industrial I regret to have to state that they have received no aid, in of District the shape of materials or otherwise, from any quarter except Inspectors on from Mr. Wallace, of Glasgow, who supplied the material for the Schools. embroidery; but the miserably low prices allowed, form so small an item of remuneration, as scarcely to deserve mention. The Kinsale. three Teachers, paid 8s. a week each by the Board, are very diligent and painstaking; and, considering that the benefits of the work are so remote, and the time necessary for learning it so long, a good many are attending to it. I would recommend that it be still encouraged; it is an advantage to pupils who might have no other work, and prevents any from being idle ; but I beg to express my opinion, founded on my own observation, and that of more competent judges, that greater good would be effected by the Board allowing the salary of two Teachers to be expended on the encouragement of other branches more immediately advantageous, and at all times more remunerative. If this were done (and I entreat the Board to do it), but not otherwise, one Teacher would suffice for the embroidery. Taking credit for "materials on hands, wrought and unwrought," estimated at "£320," my Report of last year showed a balance, or surplus over the expenditure, of £54 68. 44d. in favour of the institution. I have been told that my statement of the accounts was misunders. od. To prevent further mistakes, and to show clearly the financial circumstances of the institution, I beg to state that, allowing for all receipts, the Nuns are out of pocket to the large amount of £319 13s. 9 d. This sum was expended in fitting up the rooms, providing the necessary apparatus or machinery for the several branches of work, and purchasing materials. It is true they have some materials still on hands as a set-off; but so much capital is sunk, and the want of it greatly impedes their operations. In addition to the labour of teaching, working, corresponding, rousing the indolent, and giving hope where deep poverty creates despair, they have thus devoted, from funds required for their own support, £319 13s. 93d. to the industrial school. This circumstance should procure them assistance and cooperation. I beg, then, to recommend to the Commissioners, that an increase be made to the small sum of £30 per annum, at present granted to this useful institution. I remain, Gentlemen, your most obedient Servant, MICHAEL COYLE, The Secretaries, Education Office. APPENDIX E. No. 5.-REPORT of EDWARDS. CLARKE, M.D., District Inspector, on THURLES INDUSTRIAL NATIONAL SCHOOL. I. Reports of District Inspectors on Industrial Schools. Thurles. Clonmel, 20th November, 1851. GENTLEMEN,—In obedience to your instructions of the 18th August, I have this day visited this institution, and have the honour to report as follows: This charitable institution was founded in the year 1847, by the religious ladies of the Presentation Convent of Thurles, and the Rev. Dr. Leahy, of that town, with the object of providing food and employment for young females dismissed from service during the famine of that year. It is essentially a small manufactory of textile fabrics (chiefly coarse), and needlework (plain and ornamental) is also done there. It is divided into three branches, each conducted by one of the religious ladies already alluded to. One of these superintends the manufacture of hemp and flax into sacking, coarse sheeting, shirts, &c.; another directs the manufacture of wool into frieze, flannel, stockings, gloves, &c.; and fancy-work in wool, cotton, and thread, is directed by a third. This establishment is conducted in three rooms, which form part of the premises attached to the Thurles Female National School. The apartments are sufficiently spacious to admit of the machinery necessary for spinning, winding, warping, and weaving of the hemp, flax, and wool, and for the plain knitting; but the fine needle-work and embroidery are performed in one of the rooms belonging to the Literary school, which, however, does not suffer any inconvenience therefrom. The workers receive from 10d. to 3s. per week, and probably average 1s. 6d. The arrangement of the time devoted to labour and instruction is as follows: Secular Instruction-Half an hour each day. Religious Instruction-Half an hour each day. Work-Ten hours daily in summer, and nine in winter. The grant made by the Board (£6 per year) is applied to the maintenance of Eliza Day, aged 20, as a superintendent of the workers. The highest amount of literary attainments amongst the pupils is reading. Writing, geography, and grammar are not attempted. The person paid by the Board acts rather as a clerk and superintendent than as a Teacher of any branch of trade. She is also the literary Teacher in the industrial department, the ladies having employed competent Teachers, at their own expense, to instruct the pupils; but these being for some time unnecessary, have been discontinued, On the day of my visit, now reported, 49 pupils were pre |