James Clark to Faraday   30 April 1838¹

George Street April 30th | 1838

My dear Sir,

I have long wished to have some conversation with you on the subjects of examination in Chemistry², but I know how much your time is occupied & now intrude upon you reluctantly.

In the first place I have my doubts whether our descriptive schedules will not rather prove a licence to idleness than a stimulus to exertion both to Teachers and Pupils; - whether they may not lead to a system of grinding on particular subjects, than an encouragement to the acquisition of comprehensive information. -

If the extent of the examination on the subjects stated in the schedule applies not only to these but all other subjects of chemistry - these being given merely as examples, to shew the kind & extent of information required, it is all well; otherwise I should fear it would have the effects I have predicted.

In the Classics it is more easy to specify the examination by stating the authors on which the candidates will be examined, and in Mathematics the same thing may be done; but in Natural Philosophy, & more especially in the department of Chemistry, it appears to me that the syllabus of the lectures (& I hope each recognized lecturer will be required to publish a syllabus of his lectures) would seem a good guide for regulating the subjects & extent of examination and better than any partial schedule.

If the Descriptive schedule is preferred I would submit to you whether it should not comprehend some of the practical branches of Chemistry. As our Bachelor's degree is intended for men who ought to be acquainted with the more important applications of the Science, ought he not to be required to possess some knowledge of even the leading chemical manufactures - Might not the following practical subjects be added to the schedule;

The Materials & Process for manufacturing Sulphuric acid.

The same for Carbonate of Soda

The same for acetic acid -

The ores of Iron & the Process for making cast Iron

The same for Lead - for Zinc & for Copper³ -

These are the leading Chemical manufactures of Britain which have passed under the domain of Science, & every man who has received a moderate Chemical education can easily comprehend & ought to know them. What relates to Fermentation also, and the arts depending upon it, might be properly included among the practical subjects of examination - as Malting - the Vinous Fermentation - the acetic -

In the schedules on Physics & astronomy they require a knowledge of the principal Instruments by which the phenomena of the science is shown & exhibited, & for an equally strong reason it appears to me that the practical processes by which chemistry is illustrated & its importance shewn, should form a part of the examination.

I venture to make these suggestions to you with great deference, & would not have done so had you not mentioned to me one day at the Senate that you had drawn up your plan without having had time to consider the subject much. - I beg you not to think it necessary to make any reply to these lo[o]se hints written in haste, they are merely meant to call your attention to the subject.

On looking over the schedules there appears to me a great omission in no notice being taken of Geology & Meteorology - what think you of this? - We require our candidates to know all that is known of the distant planets, whilst he may be perfectly ignorant of the nature of the planet which he inhabits.

Believe me, dear sir, | Very truly yours | Ja Clark