rogress made in subsequent years gives an appearance of backwardness to
what was really a great advance upon previous opinion. The plan of
compulsory or free education was summarily dismissed; and a minority of
the Commission were of opinion that all State aid should be gradually
withdrawn. The majority, however, decided that the system rather
required development, although the aim was rather to stimulate voluntary
effort than to substitute a State system. They thought that the actual
number of children at school was not unsatisfactory, and that the desire
for education was very widely spread. Many of the schools, however, were
all but worthless, and the great aim should be to improve their quality
and secure a satisfactory teaching of elementary subjects. They
proposed that provision should be made for allowing the formation of
boards supported by rates in towns and counties; and that the national
grant should be distributed on better principles, so as to secure more
efficient results. As Mr. Rogers points out, the 'revised code' soon
afterwards issued by Mr. Lowe, and the principles adopted in Mr.
Forster's Act a few years later, carried out, though they greatly
extended, the proposals of the Commission.

It is impossible to say precisely what share my brother had in these
results. I find, however, from a correspondence with his old friend
Nassau Senior, that he was an advocate of the view finally adopted by
the Commission. He also prepared the report, of course under the
direction of his superiors, and the labour thrown upon him during the
three years of this occupation must have been considerable. He was,
however, writing with his old regularity for the 'Saturday Review,' and
was attending sessions and circuits with slowly improving prospects. In
a letter written at this time I find him remarking that he is at work
all the day and half the night. This is in reference to a case with
which he was much occupied during 1858-9, and which is characteristic
enough to deserve a few words. His articles in the 'Saturday Review'
show the keen interest to which he was aroused by any touch of heroism.
He is enthusiastic about arctic adventure, and a warm review of Kane's
narrative of the American expedition in search of Franklin brought him
the friendship of the author, who died during a visit to England soon
afterwards. Another arctic explorer was Captain Parker Snow, who sailed
in the search expedition sent out by Lady Franklin