Classification of European Technological Schools.

All the European schools in which engineers or artisans are trained may be reduced to the following groups:

I. Polytechnic or technical high schools, in which the principles and practice of engineering are taught, sometimes with the aid of a workshop, but generally without it. The graduates aspire to be managing engineers of mines, railroads, manufacturing establishments, &c., each according to his special preparation.

II. Intermediate technical schools, subdivided into (1) general technical schools, (2) weaving schools, (3) industrial art schools. The general technical schools may be classified into (a) higher elementary technical schools, (b) secondary technical schools, (c) building and mining schools. The graduates of these schools expect to become foremen in shops and works, with the possibility of attaining to a manager's position.

III. Apprenticeship schools, for the training of skilled workmen.

IV. Evening schools, available for artisans. These are attended by men who during the day follow their craft. The Fortbildungsschulen, or continuation schools, belong in this category.

V. Trade and professional schools for women.

This classification may be still further simplified in relation to mechanical engineers, foremen, and artisans, and all schools devoted to their service will fall under one of the following heads: (1) polytechnic schools, with or without workshops; (2) secondary technical schools; (3) apprenticeship schools; (4) trade schools.

It is convenient to speak of these in order, and it is better to point out the actual organization, management, and results of one or two typical schools of each class than to rely upon a general description of page 7 the whole to convey to the reader a clear impression of technical education in Europe.

For admission, the Polytechnics require sometimes more than the equivalent of an American college course, as the École Polytechnique; sometimes, the equivalent of a full course at the Realschule, as at the German Polytechnics; sometimes, the best that the preparatory schools can give, as at the Imperial Institute of Technology at St. Petersburg. The range and severity of the requirements for admission gradually diminish till in the apprenticeship schools only the rudimeuts of knowledge are demanded.

The question whether the course at the Gymnasium or that at the Realschule is better as a preparation for the Polytechnic is now much discussed in Germany. It involves the great question of the value of the classical (Gymnasium) course as mental gymnastic as compared with the mathematical and scientific (Realschule) course.

Professor Hofmann is in favor of the Gymnasium training rather than that of the Realschule, but admits that the superiority of the classical men may be due in part to the fact that they are drawn from a class who, for several generations, have enjoyed superior culture. Dr. Victor Meyer, of Zürich, and many others of equal eminence, agree with Professor Hofmann; Professor Lunge, of Zürich, Professor Wisleceuus, of Würzburg, and others as able, oppose him. The question must be left open for discussion.

The continuation schools (Fortbildungsschulen) are an admirable device for enabling artisans who by misfortune have missed any essential of an elementary education to recover their losses by attending classes for three hours a day, usually in the evening.