E.—l2.

BEPOET UPON STATE EDUCATION.

V.—SCHOOLS. 1 In order that it may be realised what schools should exist in each country for the education of deaf-mutes, a tabular statement is here presented, made up according to the latest returns that I have been able to procure.

Tabular Statement of Population Statistics relating to Deaf and Dumb.

Tabular statement of populn.' tion statistics.

1 For " Des conditions d'Admission des Sourds-Muets a l'ecole" par C. Perini, see " Revue Internationale " de I'cnseignement des sourds-muets, Feb., 1886; Paris, G. Carre. And for a recent paper on " School Management," by Mr. Thomson, including the Teacher, the Schoolroom, Classification, Organization, and Discipline, see " Proceedings, London Conference," July, 1885, p. 30, and " Revue Internationale," Feb., 1886, as above, p. 261. 2 Dr. Buxton states that the number of deaf children of the school age is always reckoned as 16 per cent, of the whole deaf population, Sheffield paper, p. 8. But see Dr. Buxton's recent article as above, Q.R., Jan., 1886, p. 18; and also Q.R., April, 1886, p. 43 and seq., and July, 1886, p. 93. 8 C. rep., vol. 2, Gen. Rep., pp. 64 and 65, and vols. 3 and 4, p. 45, and compare with (a) C. rep., 1871, showing 11,518=1 in 1,972; and (b) N.Z. C. rep., pp. 15 and 274, showing only 1 in 4,298. But 1886 returns not yet published. But refer to valuable article by Dr. Buxton, Q.R., Jan., 1886, pp. 17-20. " Statistics : Leading and Misleading," as above, Q.R., April-July, 1886, pp. 43 and 93. 4 Compare with N.Z. C. rep., prior to 1886 ; 1886 returns not yet published. 102 per million. 5 See Times, 4th Sept., 1884, Mr. Barrett's letter. But see (a) C. rep., vols. 3 and 4, p. 26; and (6) Rep. Conference held at London, 22-24 Juno, 1881. " The actual number of deaf children of school age in this country is not known, nor can it be accurately ascertained from any existing data."—Dr. Buxton,

Q.R., Jan., 1886, p. 17. But see "Further Observations on Statistics," Q.R., April, 1886, p. 43 and seq. ; and Q.R., July, 1886, p. 93. The deaf-mute population of London for 1886 is said to be 1,972; see Q.R., April, 1886, p. 63. The number of blind children reported on the rolls of public schools in Great Britain, 21 War., 1884, was 130. These receive special instruction in special classes. c C. rep., pp. 14 and 15, and compare with C. rep., 1871, showing 2,087=1 in 1,610. For what is being done for the blind in Great Britain, see article on " The Normal College for the Blind," " Sunday at Home," March, 18SG, p. 169. The blind arc there taught on the Kindergarten system. ' C. rep., p. 53, but note Dr. H., p, 187, 22,610, 5,652 school age, and note great decrease since 1853 return, lin 1,212 persons. E.B. 8 For further details re Prussia, see Beitmge, pp. 7 and 12, and compare with (a) Statistics in Dr. H., p. 204, for 1875; (6) T. C, pp. 117 and 118; (c) G. R., p. 255, and for 1871 ; Id) K B. But there was a census taken in Germany on 1 Doc, 1885; see preliminary results in "Proceedings of Royal Geog. Soc," April, 1886, p. 270. 9 See T. o.| p. 24, and compare with B. B. statistics for 1835,1,746=1 in 2,226. Note superior average even now. 10 See A. A., Oct., 1884, p. 326, and compare with 1870 statistics in E. 8., 16,150,1 in 2,388, and note Dr. H., 1870, 16,205, p. 188.

102

Name of Country. Date. Total number Deaf and Dumb Malcs- Femalee. of all ages. Proportions and General Remarks. (1.) England and Wales 3 1881. 14,874 8,043 6,831 Between 5 and 15 years of age, 3,508 (1,862 males and 1,646 females), equal to 590 per million. 4 Of all ages the proportion of deaf and dumb to the population is 1 in 1,572 males, and 1 in 1,952 females-—1 in 1,746 persons. Out of equal numbers there would bo 124 males to 100 females. Of the abovementioned 3,508, 488 are in London (344 at public schools, and 46 at private). 3 (2.) Scotland 6 1881. 2,142 1,149 993 Between 5 and 15 years of age age, 447 (226 males and 221 females)=l in 1,744 persons of all ages. (3.) Prance" Deo., 1876. 21,395 11,460 9,935 Between 5 and 15, 6,939 (3,764 males and 3,175 females) —1 in 1,754 persons=570 per million of all ages. (4.) Switzerland .. I am informed that there returns ; but for previous n was n< turn (11 special 170) see ! classification of deaf and dumb in last census >I. H., p 202, 6,544—1,309 of school age. (5.) Italy ,. I 31st Dec, 1881. 15,300 8,707 6,593 Between 6 and 12, about 7,000; but note Dr. H.'s figures, p. 187 : total number of deaf and dumb, 18,070 —3,615 within educational period. (0.) Germany 8 only) (Prussia 1st Dec, ! 27,794 1880. No complete late rcturr. all Germany ; see partial c 32, 184, 185", and 203. 15,168 I .s obtain >nes, Dr, 12,026 table for . H., pp. The proportion is 102 in every 10,000 persons— i.e., 99 Protestants, 10'4 Roman Catholics, and 14'4 Jews. (7.) Belgium 9 Jan., 18S3. 2,934 1,003 ' 1,331 i The proportion is estimated at 1 in 1,870 persons. (8.) United States'" 1881. 33,878 18,567 15,311 1,437 under 6, 10,046 between 6 and 16, 5,013 over 16 and under 21, and 17,382 21 and over.