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with the boys' school at the end next the road; and, at the other the dwelling house, comprizing the school of the girls, and looking into the garden. It is built on a healthy and beautiful situation, with a gradual descent to Lymington river. It cost 210l. On the walls of the school room are various texts of Scripture inscribed in tablets. The children stand round the table at particular times, and read them over, with a view of imprinting on their memory some of the most useful precepts in the Testament.

For the permament endowment of these schools after his death, Mr. Gilpin proposes to provide by the sale of his Drawings and Sketches, which, when I was there, he had formed for that purpose intó eighty-nine lots, each lot containing several Drawings. How valuable an addition they will make to the collection of the artist, the connoisseur, and the lover of the fine arts, it will be unnecessary and presumptuous in me to endeavour to explain. The value of the Drawings, enhanced by the object to which the produce is destined to be applied, must render them an enviable possession to every one, whenever (in consequence of that event, which the friends of humanity hope

may be long delayed) they shall be offered to the public.

The benefit of such schools, as those founded by Mr. Gilpin, at Boldre, is important in every situation, and at all times; but, in the New Forest, where the children of the poor have too much disposition to partake of the natural wildness of the place, they are peculiarly necessary and beneficial.-In point of justice, it is due to the poor of Boldre to observe, that they are very sensible of its utility, and very desirous that their children may participate of the benefit of it. The requisite qualification of some progress in reading, has contributed to a general advancement of learning and civilization in the parish, and (which is of great use) to the support of several little schools there for the first rudiments of instruction.-I have only to add my earnest wish, that these schools may long flourish, according to the benevolent will of the founder; and that his example may produce many imitators, in every part of the kingdom.

5th April, 1798.

No. II.

MENDIP DAY SCHOOLS AT CHEDDAR, &c.

THE Mendip schools are situate in the part

of Somersetshire, between Wells, Bristol, and the channel which divides Wales from England. They extend over twelve parishes, which are dispersed throughout a district of country, about twenty-five miles in diameter. They are intended not merely for the education of youth, but for the instruction and reformation of mature life, and for the improvement and consolation of the aged; and, according to the circumstances of each parish, are opened daily, or twice or thrice a week, or on Sundays only. The early part of the Sabbath is devoted to the instruction of the young, who afterwards proceed to church in a body, to attend divine ser vice. Towards the close of the day the room is frequented by others; chiefly by the aged, who come to take the benefit of the evening readings and discourse, and attend with great pleasure and eagerness, to derive from religious Reports, No. LXIV.

information and society that solid relief, which alone can give comfort to declining life, and smooth the path to their grave. Their stay in the school is for half an hour, an hour, or more, as their convenience or inclination directs. The number of those who frequent the schools, including children and parents, is about three thousand.

Ten years ago that neighbourhood exhibited a very different appearance. There are few gentlemen's seats; scarcely any resident clergy; and there was little to be seen in that country which could distinguish it as in civilized society, or within the pale of Christianity. In the populous and extensive parish of Cheddar, the congregation at the parish church on an average did not exceed the number of twenty: -the regular attendants at that church are now eight hundred, and sometimes more. The precepts of Christianity were almost unknown and disregarded in that district :-they are now the comfort of the aged, and the guide of the young; and the contemplation and observance of them have been attended by a rich and abundant harvest of moral virtues ;-of honesty, sobriety, diligence, industry, and chastity.

All this has been effected by the labour of
I

two individuals, who, fortunately for this country, fixed their residence there, about ten years ago. As the means of relieving and assisting their uninstructed neighbours, they hired an house at Cheddar, one of the twelve parishes, and in this they established a school; they engaged for it an intelligent master and mistress, and opened the doors, not only to uneducated children, but to all the poor of the parish. The young were allowed to attend for instruction during an hour or two, or such other time as their daily labour, or ordinary occupations of life, permitted. On the Lord's day the house was opened as a Sunday school; and in the evening of that day a Sunday aged society, the first example of the kind; where the two patronesses of the school were present, read a sermon, and conversed with the old people who attended.

When such benefit and satisfaction were attainable, it is no wonder that, in despight of ignorance and prejudice, and of every opposi tion which they could make, the scholars became more numerous, and the audience increased. The schools were extended to other places and in the poorer parishes female societies, under the direction of the two

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