A COMPETITION IN IMPERIAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY. ITO THE Emma
or TUN ,SegorsTort.") SIR, I have read lately with much interest of the recent institution of the " Roberts trophy," open by competition to
all school rifle corps of boys—under fourteen—within the Empire. Much as I approve of the exhibition of this Imperial spirit, yet I believe an equally popular (and far more extended) mode of welding together the various parts of the Empire would be the institution of prizes for educational tests throughout the schools of the Empire, with particular reference to proficiency in British history and geography. (I believe no such scheme, though perhaps occasionally suggested, has ever been put into any practical form.) If a small endowment were made to found one or two hundred, or more, prizes for proficiency in British history and geography, and possibly English literature as well, of the value of about £5, in the form of books or medals, as well as certificates of merit for those who had done well, but failed to gain a prize, such awards being open to all boys under a certain age educated at public secondary schools throughout the Empire, such a foundation would meet, I am sure, with general approval. The examination for these prizes could be held simultaneously at the various schools (or cenbres) within the Empire, and after the examination the papers sealed up and posted back to London for adjudication,—much the same procedure as in the case of the Rhodes Scholarships. Each school desirous of the entry of its pupils to the examination might make a small annual subscription—say from £1 to £5, according to number of pupils—to the general fund ; probably then very little endowment would be necessary. If you cared to give publicity and encouragement to any such Imperial scheme in the columns of your valuable journal, I am certain many would be willing to subscribe to such a patriotic object.—
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