EDINBURGH WATT LITERARY AND DEBATING THIS association, which is perhaps the largest and most popular of its kind in Edinburgh, not having as yet been noticed in this magazine, it may not be out of place at present to bring its nature and claims before our readers. The society is connected with the Watt Institution and School of Arts, which was founded in the beginning of the century, and in which Sir Walter Scott, Horner, Jeffrey, Cockburn, and other learned and philanthropic men of that time, took a practical interest. For upwards of forty years it has been the only institution where working men could obtain, at a nominal rate, the advantages of a scientific and technical education. The thoroughness of the knowledge imparted in it has long rendered it famous-many men who have risen from the workshop to eminent positions having attributed their success in life principally to the instruction received in it. Somewhat late in its history, classes of English literature, French, and German were added to the syllabus of the institution. As a consequence of this a number of young men of literary tastes were brought into contact, and in 1868 the question of forming a debating society was mooted. On application to the directors, the lecture hall of the institution was at once freely granted as a place of meeting. An inaugural address was then delivered by Mr. David Pryde, M.A., lecturer on English literature; and the society was successfully brought into operation. The rapidity of its growth was astonishing, and showed that such a society had long been a desideratum with the students of the institution. Its second year has just been completed, and the roll book shows that the number of members was nearly 150. An additional impetus was given to its progress by the admission of ladies into the institution, a number of whom at once took a warm interest in it, and not only claimed but exercised all the privileges of male members. The summer session has just been concluded, and the programme which is given herewith will show that the subjects discussed are of varied interest. It may be mentioned that the association is open only to those who are or have been students of some class in the Watt Institution. Young men of literary tastes in Edinburgh could scarcely do better than join the English Literature class, and thus make themselves eligible as members of the association. Should any act upon this hint, we are sure they will afterwards confess themselves indebted to the British Controversialist for being the means of introducing it to their notice. Syllabus, Session 1870. May 3rd, essay, "Novels," (to which the first prize was awarded in the English Literature class), Mr. James Dowie. 10th, debate," Ought Britain to adopt the Non-Intervention Policy in its Foreign Relations ?" affirmative, Mr. J. Mitchell: negative, Mr. J. Burden. 17th, essay, "Solitude and Society," Mr. S. Kinnear. 24th, debate, "Should Spinsters and Widows (otherwise qualified), possess the Political Franchise? affirmative, Mr. John Young: negative, Mr. P. Mathewson. 31st, essay, "Shelley: his Character and Works," Mr. Wm. Turnbull. June 7th, debate, "Is Beauty a Quality inherent in the Object? affirmative, Mr. R. A. Marr: nega tive, Mr. Robert Hume. 14th, essay, "Female Education," Miss Ella Burton. 21st, debate, "Is Anonymous Criticism advantageous to Literature ?" affirmative, Mr. Edward King: negative, Mr. Thos. Martin. 28th, essay, "Mary, Queen of Scots," Mr. C. D. Butler. July 5th, debate, "Does the present Multiplicity of Periodicals tend to retard Intellectual Progress ? affirmative, Mr. J. Allison: negative, Mr. D. L. Shepherd. 12th, essay, "Genius," Mr. Geo. Addison. 19th, debate, "Ought a National System of Compulsory Education to be purely Secular ?" affirmative, Mr. Alexander Frazer: negative, Mr. D. W. Walker. 26th, Annual Business Meeting. Recess till November. SUBJECTS SUITABLE FOR DEBATE. Does the human soul, on quitting its present abode, become the tenant of another material vehicle ? Is the possible annihilation of any spiritual being opposed both to Scripture and reason? Does a national church necessarily imply persecution, either actively or passively? Has the volunteer movement conferred any benefit on the country, or on those connected with it? Is the National Debt as injurious to the country as it is generally supposed to be? Should laws be framed for the preservation of animals not naturally domestic, or restricted to locality? Or, Game laws-are they just? Was there ever a period, after the first blow was struck in the great civil war, when a reconciliation between Charles the First and his Puritan subjects was possible? Was Cromwell justified in the measures he adopted with the parliaments elected during his protectorate ? Is the literary character of the articles written in modern magazines adequate to the advancement of the age generally ? Is the present organization of our police force excellent on the whole, or should it be reconstructed ? Should the State repress immoral and infidel literature ? Is there marked advantage derivable from the study of the dead languages? Does the judicial system of this country require a thorough reform ? Should the English Church be disestablished and disendowed? Are the writings of Thomas Carlyle worthy of national admiration? Or, Is the tendency of the works of Thomas Carlyle beneficial? Which is the greater writer, Charles Kingsley or Lord Lytton? Would the present state of affairs in Greece taken in connection with the recent massacres justify the interference of the protecting powers ? Should it be in the power of a M.P. to exclude strangers from the House of Commons ? Was sin predestined d? Which 18 the greater writer, George Eliot or Mrs. Beecher Stowe? Which is the greater writer, the author of "John Halifax, Gentleman," or Mr. Disraeli ? Do the land laws of this country require alteration ? Does the ecclesiastical system of this country require to be reformed? Do our Newspapers form the new (true) Church of England? Is the Influence of the Pulpit on the Wane? Has the Immorality of France been influencive in its failure in War? Which is the greater loss, Sight or Hearing? Is the Influence of War more ennobling than debasing ? 472 QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS. 914. The writer has not read the famous (or notorious?) work called "Essays and Reviews," but he finds it mentioned so often in newspapers and conversation that he would like to get some idea of the book, and also the reason why its authors appear to be all marked men.L. DE C. 915. Did G. H. Lewes complete and (or) publish separately his interesting papers on the "Principles of Success in Literature." If they are to be had separately from the Fortnightly Review, will any reader kindly say where ?-L. DE C. 916. A leading article on Herbert Spencer has long been promised. The undersigned waits patiently for some estimate of this philosopher.L. DE C. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 861. I am in a position to state that in 1855 the proprietorship of the British Controversialist changed hands for a time, as indeed did the editorship. In 1858 this temporary alteration ceased. During that space much was lost, and among the losses were continuation of that essay on "Byron," and of the contributions of E. W. S. Of this crisis it is not expedient to report more now.~ S. N. 906. Issue a small circular calling a meeting, and get it brought under the notice of working men, shopmen, clerks, &c. At the meeting make a few remarks on Bible inquiry, its importance, necessity, and advantage, enrol members, and begin with any number attainable, however few. These when once engaged in the work will bring their com panions. Let the Bible be read systematically and studiously, "with diligence, preparation, and prayer; let the style be free and frank, and allow the utmost latitude of inquiry and remark within the limits of good taste and common politeness; encourage thoughtfulness and discourage talkativeness; let informing matter lead the way to remarks tending to reformation; keep close to the topics suggested by the por tion read, and be as varied in the kind of matter and the range of illustration as possible; be regular, and never be unprepared to fill up the time properly, and with God's blessing all will go well.-R. R. R. 911. This, though a new phrase, is expressive of an old principle, though it has recently been brought into marked prominence. It means simply this: that in every trade or pursuit each man or woman therein engaged should understand the most important facts, actual and historical, connected therewith; not merely, like semi-automata, performing a daily routine of processes unintelligible to the mind. And as in the bustle of life few can afford sufficient time to acquire this knowledge properly, the advocates of technical education would have it decided while a lad is at school what his occupation is to be; and then would make his education bear upon it. The inquirer is referred also to Scott Russell's work on technical education.-J. R S. C. Technical education signifies a course of training intended to bring into combined operation the theoretical knowledge which the results of science yield with the manipulative skill which practical industry induces. It is not a scheme for promoting and extending the study of pure science. It accepts of the investigations and researches of the highest thinkers, and assumes their results to be accurate; and these results, taken as the firstlings of a practical system, are brought together into a form in which they may be learned as rules and applied as tests. It is such an education as may give to the practical industrial arts the fullest benefit to be derived from the wide diffusion of a correct knowledge of the ascertained facts of the several sciences. In fact, it is knowledge suited to the workshop, the factory, the warehouse, the forge, the loom, and the laboratory; and might be fairly explained as such an education as may make a working man more useful in his daily labour by making known to him such facts, results, and pro cesses of the exact sciences as have been agreed upon and determined as guiding information in the employment in which he is engaged.— R. M. A. Technical education means instruction in the practical application of the arts and sciences to the improvement of manufactures. Our workmen are only skilled by experience, and in most cases cannot work beyond it. By educating them in the principles of mechanics and the nature of materials; by teaching them drawing and designing, and encouraging them to cultivate their taste, it is expected that processes of manufacture and manufactured articles will be greatly improved, while at the same time the workman acquires new powers and pleasures, and becomes a more valuable member of society. "A Learner" may be interested in the issue of a complete course of technical education. On the 16th of the present month (November, 1870) Messrs. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, commence the publication in 1d. weekly numbers and 7d. monthly parts of the "Popular Educator, Technical Series." A prospectus of this interesting and most important work can be had free of charge at any bookseller's.L. DE C. 920. In the British Controversialist for 1861, Jan.-June, two articles occur which contain abstracts of each of the papers in "Essays and Reviews," biographical notices of their authors, and criticisms of the papers from "a logical, not a theological" point of view. They bear the signature S. N.-E. B. C. 921. They have not been republished. Their author intends to expand, revise, and complete them. -S. N. 923. The paper is in preparation, but the attainment of reliable facts regarding popular living authors requires time and research.-E. B. C. Literary Notes. MR. MURRAY now positively, we believe, announces the first volume of a long-promised new edition of Pope's works, illustrated with portraits, with numerous introductions and notes, by the Rev. Whitwell Elwin; also, several hundred unpublished letters, the suppressed satire on the Duke of Marlborough, and many new lines and various readings from the original manuscripts of the principal poems. A new Illustrated Literary Review is announced; thirty-two pages quarto; is to review literature, the arts, the drama, &c., and to be profusely illustrated. The Jews are reported to be desirous of producing an Anglo-Jewish Translation of the Scriptures. A second edition of the Marquis of Lorne's "Trip to the Tropics and Home through America" has just been issued, à propos of the projected alliance of the princess and the marquis. The papers on Military Life in Cornhill and St. Paul's are said to be the work of A. Forbes, editor of the London Scotsman. Miss Fox is engaged on a History of Holland House and its Proprietors, Guests, and Associations. It will contain specimens of many literary curiosities. James Key has won the Early English Text Society's prize, given yearly to the University of St. Andrew's, Fife, for the best examination in English up to Chaucer's death. The essays will be adjudicated upon by Dr. Edmunds, 4, Fitzroy Square, London, W. Dr. Jeremie, Dean of Lincoln, has offered £1,000 for the establishment of two Greek Septuagint prizes in the University of Cambridge, where he had held the Regius Professorship of Divinity. A prize of 100 Friedrichs in gold has been gained by J. H. Ferguson, an Englishman at Aruba, in the Dutch West Indies, for the best essay on "The method of succouring the sufferers in a naval engagement." The theme was proposed by the Prussian Society for the tending of the Wounded. Robert Moffat, who has acted as missionary in South Africa for more than half a century, has returned, and intends to devote the evening of his days to the printing of a Dictionary of the language of Bechuana and the preparation of a new edition of the Bible in that tongue. "Life Studies of Character," by John Kelso Hunter, a self-taught painter and poet, though a working shoemaker and an able humorist, will be published about Christmastime, and contain a considerable amount of unpublished information regarding those who were satirized by Burns. George Moir, LL.D., formerly professor of Rhetoric in Edinburgh University, translator of "Wallenstein," author of "Poetry and Modern Romance," &c., died 20th October. A new vol. of De Quincey's "Works," to contain "Sequel to the Confessions of an English Opiumeater," is in the press. |