each model school was '_to be authorised to receive a
limited number of boarders at such charge to their parents
and friends as the commissioners might think proper, having
regard to local circumstances'_.

"At the same time, they stated their intention to establish,
generally, schools termed secondary, in which 'scientific
instruction' and 'instruction in manual occupation' should
be given;--a portion of land for garden husbandry to be an
indispensable adjunct to each secondary school.

"In 1839 they modestly announce a model farm, near Dublin,
as only in its infancy, with twelve agricultural pupils,
'deriving much benefit from the judicious system of farming
which they see practised there'.

"In 1840 they determine to establish twenty-five
agricultural model schools--each of them in connection with
an elementary national school. They subsequently establish
twelve pupil-teacherships in their central agricultural
institution--scholarships, in fact, which are competed for
by the most promising students in their rural agricultural
schools.

"I have referred to these establishments in proof of the
assertion that the national system has been gradually
expanded into a vast educational institution, absorbing and
controlling the education of the poorer classes, and, to a
great extent, that of the middle classes of the country.

"The extent to which this has proceeded will be understood
by a reference to the last report of the Commissioners, that
for the year 1864.

"It appears by this report that there are at present in
operation twenty-six model schools (classing the three
metropolitan schools as one establishment). The expenditure
within the year upon these model schools amounts to nearly
L25,000.

"In addition to the Albert Model Farm at Glasnevin, near
Dublin, there are in connection with the Board thirty-six
agricultural schools; nineteen of these are under the
exclusive management of the Board--seventeen partly under
local control.

"The sums expended on this agricultural department amount in
the year to more than L10,000. It will complete this
statement to add that in the same year, 1864, the training
institution of Dublin was maintained at a cost, in its
several branches, of L4,500.

"The cost