E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

Summary. Facts therefore warrant at least doubt as to the pre-eminent merit of the system, as a whole. 1 I went to Belgium on three occasions in 1884, enjoyed the opportunity of meeting the Minister of Public Instruction and other educational authorities, and visited, with Dr. Michel Mourlon 2 at Brussels, infant-, primary-, and secondary-schools. I also saw a normal school for training mistresses. I express my thanks to the State authorities for many attentions and opportunities of information; and especially to the Honourable the Premier, M. Beernhacrt, who, in response to a request that the statements in this section might be repcrused, has recently sent to me some valuable notes, which I have incorporated.

Opportunities of judging.

1 Note statistical results by M. Jottrand as above, and remarks of Belgian delegates ; also of— (a) M. Couvreur, vol. 13, pp. 324-32G ;

(b) Mr. Mundella, 1.E.C., vol. 13, p. 195. 2 Agrege de l'Universite, membre de VAcademie Koyalo des Sciences.

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