This volume, as will be seen by the Contents, presents a most comprehensive survey of the Institutions and Courses of Instruction, which the chief nations of Europe have matured from their own experience, and the study of each other's improvements, to perfect their officers for every department of military and naval service which the exigences of modern warfare require, and at the same time, furnishes valuable hints for the final organization of our entire military establishments, both national and state. We shall publish in the Part devoted to the United States, an account of the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Newport, and other Institutions and Agencies,-State, Associated, and Individual, for Military instruction, now in existence in this country, together with several communications and suggestions which we have received in advocacy of Military Drill and Gymnastic exercises in Schools. We do not object to a moderate amount of this Drill and these exercises, properly regulated as to time and amount, and given by competent teachers. There is much of great practical value in the military element, in respect both to physical training, and moral and mental discipline. But we do not believe in the physical degeneracy, or the lack of military aptitude and spirit of the American people-at least to the extent asserted to exist by many writers on the subject. And we do not believe that any amount of juvenile military drill, any organization of cadet-corps, any amount of rifle or musket practice, or target shooting, valuable as these are, will be an adequate substitute for the severe scientific study, or the special training which a well organized system of military institutions provides for the training of officers both for the army and navy. Our old and abiding reliance for industrial progress, social well being, internal peace, and security from foreign aggression rests on: I. The better Elementary education of the whole people-through better homes and better schools-through homes, such as Christianity establishes and recognizes, and schools, common because cheap enough for the poorest, and good enough for the best,-made better by a more intelligent public conviction of their necessity, and a more general knowledge among adults of the most direct modes of effecting their improvement, and by the joint action of more intelligent parents, better qualified teachers, and more faithful school officers. This first great point must be secured by the more vigorous prosecution of all the agencies and measures now employed for the advancement of public schools, and a more general appreciation of the enormous amount of stolid ignorance and half education, or mis-education which now prevails, even in states where the most attention has been paid to popular education. II. The establishment of a System of Public High Schools in every state-far more complete than exists at this time, based on the system of Elementary Schools, into which candidates shall gain admission only after having been found qualified in certain studies by an open examination. The studies of this class of schools should be preparatory both in literature and science for what is now the College Course, and for what is now also the requirements in mathematics in the Second Year's Course at the Military Academy at West Point. III. A system of Special Schools, either in connection with existing Colleges, or on an independent basis, in which the principles of science shall be taught with special reference to their applications to the Arts of Peace and War. Foremost in this class should stand a National School of Science, organized and conducted on the plan of the Polytechnic School of France, and preparatory to Special Military and Naval Schools. IV. The Appointment to vacancies, in all higher Public Schools, either among teachers or pupils, and in all departments of the Public Service by Open Competitive Examination. To a diffusion of a knowledge of what has been done, is doing, or is proposed to be done in reference to these great points, the NEW SERIES of "The American Journal of Education," will be devoted. 1. Subject and Methods of Instruction prescribed for Admission, 2. Scientific Course in Lycées and other Schools in reference to, 4. Public Services, Legal and Military, provided for by, 5. Programmes of Lectures and Courses of Instruction, II. The Artillery and Engineer School of Application at Metz, . III. The Regimental Schools of Practice for Artillery and Engineers, III. Present System of Military Education and Promotion, IV. Examinations; General and Professional for a Commission, 3. The United Artillery and Engineers' School, VI. The School for Staff Officers at Berlin, 4. The Noble-School at Liegnitz, III. Remarks on the System of Military Education in Prussia, AUTHORITIES. THE following account of the SYSTEM OF MILITARY EDUCATION IN FRANCE, except in the case of three or four schools, where credit is given to other authorities, is taken from an English Document entitled "Report of the Commissioners appointed (by the Secretary of War) to consider the best mode of reorganizing the system of Training Officers for the Scientific Corps: together with an Account of Foreign and other Military Education." Reference has been had, especially in the Programmes and Courses of Instruction to the original authorities referred to by the Commissioners. I. GENERAL MILITARY ORGANIZATON OF FRANCE. Vauchelle's Course d' Administration Militaire, 3 vols. II. THE POLYTECHNIC. 1. Fourcy's Histoire de l'Ecole Polytechnique. 2. Décret portant l'Organisation, &c. 3. Règlement pour le Service Interieur. 4. Programme de l'Enseignement Interieur. 5. Programme des Connaissances Exigées pour Admission, &c. 6. Rapport de la Commission Mixte, 1850. 7. Répertoire de l'Ecole Polytechnique; by M. Marielle. 8. Calenders from 1833. 9. Pamphlets-by M. le Marquis de Chambray, 1836; by V. D. Bugnot, 1837; by M. Arago, 1853. III. SCHOOL OF APPLICATION AT METZ, AND St. CYR. Décret Impérial, &c., 1854. IV. SCHOOL FOR THE STAFF AT PARIS. Manuel Réglementaire a l' Usage, &c. V. ANNUAIRE DE L'INSTRUCTION PUBLIQUE, 1860. |