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parts of the establishment at Bamburgh, may form subjects of future communications to the society.

than thirty years after the testator's death, it does not appear that any permanent and regular system was adopted. It was about that period that the ancient castle of Bamburgh, once the residence of the kings of Northumberland, and situated on one of the trust estates, began to be repaired; first for the purpose of holding the manor courts, and as a habitation for the minister; and afterwards as the fixed seat of several charitable establishments of great extent and utility, chiefly planned by the late Dr. John Sharp, Archdeacon of Northumberland, and Prebendary of Durham, who was elected a trustee, in the room of his father, Dr. Thomas Sharp, in the year 1758; from which time, till his decease, which happened in 1792, he was employed in arranging, with the concurrence of the other trustees, these plans, which he carried into execution with great zeal and promptitude, superintending every part of this administration with indefatigable perseverence: for which purpose he resided in Bamburgh Castle during several months in every year. And, in order that his successors might find every encouragement to continue these good works, he not only expended a good part of his own property, in his lifetime, on the improvements and accommodations of the place, but at his death, bequeathed to the trustees all his furniture there, and a large and valuable library, besides a freehold estate, and a considerable sum of money, to be vested in the funds, for. the perpetual repair of the great tower or keep, which he occupied, and intended for their use.

No. XII.

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INDUSTRY SCHOOL AT FINCHAM.

IN October, 1802, a school* was opened at Fincham, in the county of Norfolk, for the education of the children of that and the adjoining parishes. They are instructed twice a day in reading, and eight of them in writing. The rest of their school time, being seven hours of the day, is employed in the platting of split straw; for which, in addition to the advantage of education, they receive pay, according to the amount of their respective earnings.

There are at present in the school sixty-four children. Four have left it to go into service, and seventeen have acquired a competent knowledge in the straw platt, and have returned home to their parents. The school is under the care and direction of three sisters; who have divided it into three classes, making the undermentioned weekly payments on the aver

Reports, No, CXII.

age to each of the children, for the time they

are employed in the platt.

Nineteen children, from seven to nine years old, average each per week

Twenty-seven, from nine to twelve years

each

Eighteen, from twelve to fourteen years each

1 6

3 0

4 0

All the children are in good health, clean and orderly. The produce of their work is sufficient to supply (after the first month) the average payments before mentioned, without any deduction, except 3d. a week for each child who learns to write. These allowances for children who really work but seven hours a day, and whose ages are from seven to fourteen,* amount on an average to as much as 2s. 10d. a week for each child, exclusive of the benefit of instruction and education.

The school is very frequently visited by the Rev. Mr. Forby, the vicar of Fincham. He very kindly allows himself to be referred to, as a kind of judge or arbitrator, upon any matter

* Children who live near the school, go home to dinner, from twelve to one o'clock, and lodge at home: of the others, some bring their dinners, and return home at night; others lodge at Fincham, and are at home only from Saturday to Monday.

arising in the school; and, in case any of the children have been neglectful and inattentive, he makes use of his influence to amend and improve them, and to prevent a repetition of the cause of complaint.

In the fourth volume of the Reports of the Society, the reader will find some observations on the manufacture of split straw, with instruc tions for those, who may be disposed to introduce it into parishes, for the employment of poor children. To such persons this account of the Fincham school is addressed; as affording an example of the manner, in which provision might be made, in almost any part of England, for the education of all the poor children, and particularly the females,* of a neighbourhood, with very little trouble or expense.

The benefit which the children receive from their admission into this school is very considerable; inasmuch as, without that excess of labour or confinement which is exclusive of amuse

* Dr. Briggs has introduced the split straw manufacture, as a part of the girl's employment, in the Kendal schools. Several of the girls now earn two shillings and sixpence a week by it, though they give up part of the day to needlework. He observes that, if it be sufficiently lucrative to keep the girls at school, that will be very satisfactory; and it promises to do that, even at as low a price as one shilling and sixpence the score.

ment and injurious to health, it provides for their education, and prepares them for their course through life, by early habits of ORDER, CLEANLINESS, AND APPLICATION,-the three most essential articles of acquirement.-To parents it is of no small importance; in that it fits their children to get their own bread, while young; and by the profits of their work, supplies, at present, almost all the expense of their food and clothing, at an age when they are too young to go into service. What are its advantages to the public, will be obvious to those, who are aware, how much we all suffer by the pilfering and profligate habits of our little parochial pensioners; and how large a portion of our parish funds (sufficient, perhaps, to give education and employment to all the poor in England), is annually expended in breeding up and nourishing in idleness, those who, in mature and advanced age, are destined to form the helpless and noxious part of the community.

The beneficial influence on this school, from the frequent visits of the clergyman, is of too much moment to be passed by without notice. In all ages and ranks of life, it is

very essential, very that we should respect the justice and impartiality of the government to which we are sub

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