in literature, and French and German books that are laid down by the examiners, even though they may not seem the most suitable in other respects. Many educationalists think this disadvantageous to the general plan of a girls’ school, which should proceed on stated harmonious lines from the lowest to the highest class. Mrs. Bryant, however, thinks that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, since ‘by their means the more advanced body of opinion can be brought to bear on the inert or prejudiced mass, which lags behind in the movement of educational progress.’ In spite of this valuable testimony the consensus of opinion is rather on the other side. The schools of the Girls’ Public Day School Company have almost entirely abandoned the miscellaneous junior examinations, which lead to nothing, in favour of those conducted by the Joint Board of Oxford and Cambridge. This is the test applied to the leading boys’ public schools since 1873, and it is the nearest approach in England to an _Abiturienten_ examination, since the higher certificate, if taken in the required subjects, exempts its holder from the first public examination at Oxford and Cambridge. The Board awards higher and lower certificates, and undertakes a general examination of the schools. The papers are sent to the school, and the examination is conducted there under the supervision of the head-mistress. The lower forms are also examined _viva voce_ by a delegate of the Board, and reports on the general condition of the school and on the paper work are sent to the governing bodies. In this way the progress of different schools can be compared, and a general control kept, while there is little disturbance to the school course, since the questions are set on the work actually done. The Council of the Girls’ Public Day School Company itself awards certificates to girls who gain sixty per cent. of the marks in five papers. The subjects of the higher certificate examination are arranged in four groups:— GROUP I. (1) Latin. (2) Greek. (3) French. (4) German. GROUP II. (1) Mathematics (elementary). (2) Mathematics (additional). GROUP III. (1) Scripture Knowledge. (2) English. (3) History. GROUP IV. (1) Natural Philosophy (Mechanical Division). (2) Natural Philosophy (Physical Division). (3) Natural Philosophy (Chemical Division). (4) Physical Geography and Elementary Geology. (5) Biology.