Schools. The paragraptis in question are, however, so “lawyer-
like” in their phraseology, that it must certainly be left to the
respective teachers to make the best out of them for their subject.
The passage reacls thus : “ Stage I. Linear drawing from draw-
ings upon the blackboard by the teacher, reference being made to
their geometrical basis; Stage II. Geometrical views of objects
of simple form, according to a given reduced or enlarged scale ;
copying of simple shaded examples of various kinds ; Stage III.
Elements of perspective ; drawing of wooden solids, plaster mod-
els, and natural objects ; shading in black crayon, India ink, and
sepia ; copying of flnished Ornaments, heads, &c.”
The complaints frequently made by the teachers of the higher
technical schools of Prussia, that the pupils coming from the Mid
dle Schools are not sufficiently grounded in linear drawing,
apply equally well to freehand drawing, with this difference only,
that the latter follows no further practical aim above the Middle
Schools, while, in the present condition of things, an ideal aim
can be reached least of all. But, however isolated the subject may
still be in the Prussian schools, and however it may languish,
especially for want of time, it is all the more pleasant to notice
the zealous activity of the drawing-teachers, who have labored
incessantly, especially of late years, to obtain for their subject
that position which its importance derqands. For this purpose
they have formed the “ Society for the Promotion of Instruction in
Drawing,” which is to enable them, by united action in matters of
method, copies, &c., to give a secure basis more especially to elemen-
tary instruction, and which, by means of periodical exhibitions of
the work of pupils and of aids for teaching, is to keep them informell
of the condition of this branch of education, as well as to provide
the opportunity for the discussion of innovations which may pre
sent tliemselves. The society also submitted the report of its
I Committee on the last of these exhibitions, held in 1870, which, in
its critical review, gave a clear presentation of the state of draw-
' ing-instruction in Northern Germany. As this report owes its
origin to specialists, some notices taken from it may serve to Sup
plement the deficiencies of the following review, which deficiencies
necessarily resulted from the absence of speeimens by the pupils
in the Exhibition of 1873.
f