31 JANUARY 1903, Page 32

THE LADDER OF LEARNING.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]

should like to be allowed to offer statistics from Bradford Grammar School in support of tbe remark made by your correspondent, Mr. L. J. Roberts, who in the Spectator of January 24th says that "it [the ladder of learning] is climbed to its highest rungs by those beginning at the ' elementary ' step far more frequently than is commonly supposed." Of thirteen entrance scholarships gained last month (December) by pupils of this school at Oxford and Cambridge, no fewer than seven were gained by pupils who received their early education (to the end of their twelfth year) in elementary schools, Board and voluntary, and who then won admission to the Grammar School by means of local scholarships. Of these University scholarships, four were for classics (including, of course, historical and literary criticism), and three for natural science. At Oxford, Atkins and Wright gain classical demyships at Magdalen, while Davies and Baxter gain classical exhibitions at Queen's and Jesus respectively. At Cambridge, Robert Shaw gains a major scholarship for natural science at Trinity College, Milburn a science scholarship at Clare, and Shorter a science exhibition at Trinity Hall. These successes point to the wisdom of the city authorities of Bradford in sup- porting by monetary aid from the local taxation fund a scheme approved by the Governors of this school for pro- viding an adequate number of scholarships for promising boys of the elementary schools. Thus, to quote the encomium of the Royal Commissioners, "Bradford Grammar School shows how a first-grade school may be in thorough touch with Oxford and Cambridge on one side, and with elementary educa- tion. on the other,—receiving, no less than conferring, benefits by its link with the elementary schools."—I am, Sir, &c., Bradford Grammar School. C. T. KRAUS. [The example of the Bradford Corporation is most en- couraging.--ED. Spectator..1