Notes on German Schools. By William H. Winch. (Longman and
Co. 6s.)—" The characteristic feature of this book," writes the author in his introduction, " is the reproduction, in outline, of actual lessons heard by me." These outline lessons are curiously interesting, at least to all who have a practical acquaintance with the subject. The writer of this notice, who has a fairly wide experience both in teaching and in testing the results of teaching, owns himself surprised by them. We believe, indeed, that any schoolmaster, after seeing what these German boys and girls were able to do, would own to something like consternation. This remark applies especially to foreign languages. We cannot pretend to rival in French and German the results obtained in German schools in French and English. In mathematics, on the other hand, we are superior, and very much so in drawing. On other matters there is interesting information, on salaries, for instance, which, one learns with surprise, are higher in Germany than here. County Councils, by the way, are showing a lament- able disposition to cut them down. Hours, too, are shorter. The preponderance of male teachers over female is great. It is curious to be told that "older girls prefer men teachers." The women are too kleinlich, though this, we are bound to add, is a man's explanation.
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