8 F. lernentary Education in Saxony. taught the religion of the school and be con- firmed, witli the Option of changing their religion afterwards. Parents naturally have an earnest moral interest in the religious education of their children, they will therefore wish that their children should be taught the same religion they hold themselves, and not what they consider to be error. All patronage in the hands of ecclesiastical bodies or private persons is taken away from them and handed over to the State. In the carrying out of these principles the interest of the country and population as a whole has been thought of, not the interest of one particular religious community. Duty of attendance in the School. Sec. 4 {of the School Law). As a general rule every child is required to attend the simple elementary school for eight consecutive years from the time it has completed its sixtli tili it has completed its fourteenth year, in the school district of the place where it lives. The attendance for eight years is the minimum, and required of everybody. When illness or other unforeseen cause inter-