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Another lesson is learning to tell the time by the clock, which forms a good test of power. Out of one hundred and thirty-four pupils attending together, three could tell the time to a minute, twelve to a quarter of an hour, while twenty-two could be certain only of the hours, and the rest were unable to say what o'clock it was at all. Several who can tell the hours will only name them with regard to particular occurrences of the day, as 'time for dinner,' 'time for tea,' or other similar references.

As the pupils advance, of course the teaching advances also, to writing from dictation, to reading in classes, to object lessons, and to introduction into the writing, arithmetic, and drawing schoolrooms. New expedients for instruction at the Earlswood Asylum are continually called into action by Dr. Down, whose ingenious and intelligent mind is always at work to find out something for the welfare of his anxious charge. The pains, too, taken by Mr. Millard at the Colehester Asylum, are unremitted and effective in the same way. Dr. Down's great desire is to elicit observation and to cultivate all possible habits of order and usefulness. He has had fitted up numerous neat cabinets with specimens of natural productions, and these are used as objects for lessons to be described in simple language, and the class is questioned on them, which tends very much to strengthen the powers of inquiry and observation. Pieces of wood, coloured in different ways, and cut into appropriate shapes, are found useful to be united to form figures and plans likely to be attractive, the putting them together making a good exercise, and the whole becoming objects of use for description of form, colours, shape, and other properties. To these it is probable will soon be added a printing press for the advanced pupils, and there is no doubt of its being of much value to them. Advantage is likewise taken of the fondness of idiots for dumb animals, and aviaries are provided, and these also are made to become instructive. Canaries, gold and silver pheasants, and other birds, as well as rabbits or squirrels, or guinea pigs, are great favourites, and become beneficial aids to the general design.

The same variety is provided for the girls, and there cannot be a more interesting sight than a school of these poor imbeciles under a skilful and zealous governess. Imitation is invaluable, that whatever is done to instruct may be duly copied. They are fond of marching round the room, singing or repeating after their leader. Stories well told are listened to by those who have thrown off their torpor, with extreme delight, and nothing awakens their attention more completely. Everything is done that can make learning enjoyable, and the powers are never overtaxed by dwelling on any one thing too long together. The useful needlework accomplished is surprising, and the most proficient are allowed certain times for making fancy articles, the beauty of which has astonished those who have attended bazaars for the benefit of the charity. When a visitor goes into a workroom, the girls exhibit their sewing most eagerly, and are enchanted by expressions of approbation. All the fittings of the rooms have a tendency to keep the pupils in a state of pleasant feeling, and they are provided with cases of ferns, flowers, pictures, maps, giving the apartments a most cheerful aspect, which tells well upon their occupants. Indeed, there is scarcely any easily procurable attraction which has not been more or less brought into this benevolent service, and never in vain. Even the feeblest seem calm and contented, while those who are capable of improvement form such a joyous family as it would not be easy to find elsewhere. Persons who have had opportunities of examining classes of the more advanced pupils, have invariably been astonished at their answers, and especially in the historical and simple practical truths of the Scriptures, which they read and are questioned on daily. Nothing is more striking in many idiots than their susceptibility of religious impression and instruction, happily verifying the beatitude uttered by the Savioor in reference to the poor in spirit. Every observer of these bereaved imbeciles attests this, from Calamy, when he wrote his affecting story of 'Poor Joseph,' down to the present moment. Mr. Sidney dwells emphatically on these impressions on the idiot pupils, and gives instances of a discriminating and tender conscientiousness, and of hope and consolation under the pressure of sickness, such as can never fail to be cherished in the memories of those who have witnessed such hallowed brightenings of the feeble mind. The thoughts consequent on these results of pious labours to raise the depressed spirit are happily expressed in the lines prefixed to Mr. Brady's pamphlet: --

'... to us is lent --
To us on whom the ends of the world are come --
New miracles of love, when sages said
That miracles were o'er, like life from the dead,
Water from rocks, or' music from the dumb;
For lo! to thoughtful touch of Christian care
The idiot's babbling lips breathe forth a prayer.'