19 FEBRUARY 1887, Page 23

Manual Training. By Charles W. Horn. (Blackie and Son.)— "

Mr. Smiles," says Mr. Horn in his preface, "has traced the springs of the greatness of England to their true Bourne, the workshop." This is the text of his whole discourse. "The power to do some use- ful thing for man,—this seems to be the last analysis of educational truth." "Tools are the great civilising agency of the world." Avannt, professors of such vanities as philosophy and language! Anita, ye who thought that the world of the future was yours, men of misses! The artisan is the true teacher. Berton nevus incipit ordo. It is quite impossible to treat Mr. Horn seriously ; but we may say that if we eschew his conclusions, his inferences, and his nostrums, he has a good deal that is interesting to tell us.