RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 213, 2 August 1878, Page 2

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Third Course—General Subject : Great TEACHEBB AND SYSTjEMS OF EdTOATIOH.

Lecture ll.—Subject—Education in England prior to the Conquest. Alfred the Greaty King and Schoolmaster. (Concluded.) Next' came Alcusn, schoolmaster and; librarian at the echool of Charlemagne.' Many of. his pupils were very unsatisfactory, described as hunting monks and winebibbing monks, more fond of play than work, but both classes of which he managed to make use-of for good. The story of the and. the devastation caused

by the Danes in plundering and destroying the. monasteries, and thereby almost destroying the cause of Education, was told witii telling effect. During this time learning flourished in Ireland, and from the 7th to the 11th centuries, the lamp of Education burnt brightly in that land. At this time, which may be called the golden age of Irish History, some schools contained about 3000 scholars. MSSL of this period show that children were taught neatness and accuracy, and to contend patiently with great difficulties. The writing taught in the monasteries at this time was remarkable for the excellence of the materials and the colours; and the specimens which have been preserved are almost beyond the conception of the artist of the present day. Ethel wolf was a great patron of learning, but the greatest revival of educational matters took place under the fostering care of Alfred. How Alfred got his first education is a mystery. Mr Howard combated the prevailing opinion of Alfred being taught by his mother, Osberga, as she died when he was only four years old. His father, Ethelwolf, was •60 years of age whe married to Judith at the age of 16, and she had been a playmate of Alfred. Probably he received instruction from his godfather, Pope Leo, at Rome. Alfred had great difficulties to overcome in establishing schools. Schools and schoolmasters could be obtained by no books. Able teachers were brought ■over from abroad. Alfred the Great himself became a schoolmaster, taught his pupils in the Sing's School, and never allowed himself to be undaunted or cast •down by the many difficulties he had to contend with. He was, too, a good disciplinarian. Among others brought over from France, John Erigena deserves mention. He had lived at the Court of Charlemagne, and when became over he brought with him Grimbald, a celebrated teacher in his day. Alfred translated and also wrote books, and his work was continued hy Athelstan, Alfred was never King of all England, and therefore was unable to •carry out his educational reform everywhere. Subsequent to Alfred's time the most celebrated educationalist was Dunetan, Abbot of Glastonbury, who had been much underrated. He was described at some length by the lecturer as a teacher of extraordinary ability, and one who did much good. He was master of all practical and theoretical knowledge of the day, and was full of energy and enthusiasm as a reformer. Lady Godiva and Leofric were patrons of Education, and Edward the Confessor was very favorable .to learning. The next lecture reviewed the Schools and Educationists of the 13th and 14th centuries.