Introduction. 5 ing a more extensive knowledge in order to be better fitted for the fulfilment of their new duties. Certain cbanges were made in 1848 and 1851, but in 1869 a more extensive revision was made, in consequence of numerous pe- titions wliicb demanded a reorganization as soon as possible of the system of populär education. The fundamental idea of the new law of 18/3 was that the whole system of education in the country should be placed under the sole control of the State, and that the direc- tion of the schools was to be taken out of the hauds of the clergy, as clergy. The words of the report of the committee were, “ The Ecclesiastic, as such, can have nothing to do with the supervision of the school, which be- longs to the State alone.” For it was said, that though at present the clergy of all de- nominations in Saxony keep out of political strife, one cannot say how long it may con- tinue so; it is therefore better in times of peace to arrange what is most suitable and right for all cases than to be obliged later in times of commotion to bring in more stringent measures. If it be right that the supervision