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DAY SCHOOLS AT BOLDRE.

THE two schools at Boldre, in the New Forest, were established and opened on the first of July, 1791, by the Rev. Mr. Gilpin; one. for twenty boys, the other for twenty girls, to be selected from the children of the day-labouring poor of the parish; a preference being given (in order to encourage reading) to children who have learnt to read a chapter in the Testament: but, if the prescribed number of such scholars cannot be found, the deficiency is supplied by such children as cannot read.`

Sixty-three boys and fifty nine girls have already been admitted, including those at present in the schools. Their attendance commences at nine o'clock, when all the scholars are assembled for prayers. From twelve to one is allowed for dinner, which the children bring with them to school; they are dismissed in summer at five, and in winter at four o'clock;

Reports, No. XXXV.

except on Saturdays, when the school breaks up at twelve. If any one is absent, or is beyond the fixed time, without a proper excuse, such child is punished by an hour's confinement and employment, at noon in winter, and in the evening in summer: and if the children were to be kept at home, so as to continue absent without leave (which leave is to be entered in a book for inspection of the visitors) they would be dismissed the school, and their places filled up by such as would attend and make a better use of their time. As to vacation, a week is allowed at Whitsuntide, a fortnight at Christmas, and a month at harvest, in order to give them an opportunity of benefiting by harvest work.

The girls are taught to read, knit, spin, sew, and mend their own clothes, so as to fit them to be useful daughters, and good wives; the boys (besides being improved in their reading) are instructed in writing and arithmetic; in the first, so far as to write a legible hand, for which one copy a day is thought sufficient: and in arithmetic, so far as the four first rules, and particularly in the tables that belong to those rules.

No precise time is fixed for admission; in

order that the children in the parish may be encouraged to an early proficiency in reading, as the qualification for a place in the school: nor is any precise time fixed for the removal of either the boys or girls; as it is presumed that as soon as they are made really useful, their parents will wish to take them away, and thereby room will be left for the admission of other children. They usually come from seven to nine years of age, and quit the school at thirteen or fourteen. As an incitement to industry, a separate account is kept of the duce of each girl's sale work; and such produce is laid out for them, in clothes and necessaries, at the end of the year. Petty offences are punished by a little extra confinement in play hours; but no corporal correction is allowed, except for lying, swearing, stealing, indecent language, or immorality.

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At the end of November, the annual account of the work of the girls is made up; and, from thence to Christmas, their working hours are employed, gratis, in making up shirts and shifts for the children in the school, and in knitting stockings (a pair each for the boys and girls) the worsted for which is given them.-At the end of the year, all the children attend at the

vicarage; where their clothes are examined: if there has been neglect on their part, it is noticed and additions are, at the same time, made to their clothing.

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The great object of the founder of these schools is to promote in these children the knowledge and practice of religion; in order that they may be able therein to instruct their own children, when they have families; an instruction, that, from local circumstances, is much wanted in the neighbourhood of the New Forest. For this purpose, Mr. Gilpin has drawn up an easy explanation of the duties of religion,* by way of question and answer. This the children are taught to repeat, as well as their catechism, and are examined in it on Tuesday and Friday after dinner, and on Sunday afternoon.

In the course of a visit to-day at the schools, I had the pleasure of observing the progress of the boys in arithmetic and writing, of the girls

*This explanation of the duties of religion would be a very useful book in all parochial schools. Mr. Gilpin has complied with a request of having a cheap edition of it sold by Messrs. Cadell and Davies, in the Strand. I trust it will prove of great service, in opening and improving the minds of parish children, by religious and moral instruction. B, 30th April, 1798.

in reading and work, and of all of them in decency and propriety of deportment. I heard part of Mr. Gilpin's explanation of the duties of religion read in the school; and was extremely struck with their attention, and apparent intelligence as to what was read. The manner contributed to fix the sense in their minds the mistress first reads the question; and then each girl, in turn, the answer; and I am much deceived by appearances, and extremely mistaken in my conjectures, if the religious instruction, which they are now receiving at an early age, is not so fixed and im printed in their minds, as to remain a permanent blessing to the latest hour of their lives, and to descend as an hereditary benefit to their children.

The annual expense of this useful establishment does not exceed forty guineas a year. The master, who lives in the house, has for salary and finding fuel, &c. 217. a year, and the habitation and garden. The mistress lives in the village; she has ten guineas a year: and Mr. Gilpin's donations of clothing to the children: and some other incidental expenses, amount to nearly ten guineas a year more.

The school house is a neat brick building,

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