has sent out their poor children with the means and ability of maintaining themselves; -has diminished the profligacy, and improved the habits and industry, of their neighbourhood; and in that class of young persons, who in many other parishes are daily proceeding

Beside the above savings in the maintenance of the children, they have made considerable earnings in labour suited to their ages; the boys, in the heading of pins and sticking them in rows; the girls in weaving straw for ladies' hats, knitting stockings for the workhouse and asylum, mending linen, &c. The smaller children are employed in making oakum from old ropes; the elder females contribute to the general comfort by their labour in the house, which reduces the establishment to a governess, schoolmaster, and mistress, and one female servant. Their habits of industry produce a cheerful subordination, and render them more acceptable when called into any service in active life. Their health is also much benefited by the order in which they live; for many weeks in succession, not one is to be seen on the sick list, and seldom more than one or two at a time; few in such a number have died, and none are oppressed with hard labour, so as to produce deformity, which was not uncommon while under the care of hireling nurses in the neighbouring villages. -It might be observed, that the view in making this report public, is not only to shew the town, that considerable, and not unsuccessful efforts are made to mitigate the burthens of parochial taxes; but at the same time to prevent, in some measure, their recurrence, by uniting profitable labour with useful habits, in this branch of the rising generation—" the children of the poor." It was likewise considered, that it might afford some useful hints to neighbouring parishes, to prove that the moderate labour of children is not only productive of present profit, but of permanent and extensive benefit to the parish, and to society.

from idle habits to atrocious crimes,-has had the gratification of observing a gradual and uninterrupted progress in habits of industry and prudence, and in the practice of morality and religion.

5th Jan. 1805.

No. XIV.

INDUSTRY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AT CHELTENHAM.

THE Cheltenham School of Industry, for girls, under the patronage of HER MAJESTY, was instituted in 1806. The scholars are divided into three classes. The FIRST consists of twelve girls, who are called Fund Girls; being the children of the most deserving parishioners, from ten years old to twelve, selected on its first institution, from among those who had the best characters in the Sunday schools. Two of them are nominated by the Patroness. They are admitted on the fund every three years, and are clothed.

THE SECOND CLASS consists of girls, that are paid for by their parents, at the rate of twopence a week. This class consists of twelve girls, from eight to nine years old. In respect

* This account has been communicated by Mrs. Williams, of Prestbury, near Cheltenham, the founder of this school, and is now first published by the Society.

of their clothing, they have the same advantages as the Fund Girls. They may remain in this class three years; at the end of which, they have the privivilege of being removed into the first class for three years more; and in case of the death, or the removal of any girl from the first class, from any circumstance which may have occasioned it before the appointed time, her place shall be filled from the second class, by one chosen for merit, and referring to the number of rewards which she may have had in the preceding year.

THE THIRD CLASS consists of girls nominated by subscribers. Every subscriber of a guinea is intitled to send a girl to the school for one year. The girls must be able to read before they are admitted into the school. They are taught knitting,-spinning flax, hemp, and jersey-platting whole straw for baskets,— cutting out and making clothing for the poor; -washing, ironing, baking, milking, and household work; so as to make them not only useful in farm houses, but capable of being under housemaids and kitchen maids in large families, or upper maids in small ones.

Any Fund Girl, who has remained two years in her first place, on a certificate of good beha

viour, is intitled to a Bible, marked "Reward "Bible, Cheltenham School of Industry,” and to two shifts, and two pair of stockings.

Girls who have been at the school of industry, and any young woman who may want employment, are supplied with work, and paid for it, by the school; but this is under strict limitations, to prevent their depending on work, when they are capable of going to service. The annual subscriptions defray the current expences of the school; the donations are applied to the benefit of the outworkers, and to the supply of materials for work and clothing. Those who receive parish relief, or neglect attendance on church, are precluded from the purchase of cheap clothing.

For the public rules of the school, and the private regulations, we must refer the reader to the printed account, which is sold for the benefit of the charity. They are directed with considerable attention and arrangement, to give the girls habits of devotion and cleanliness, and to enforce regularity of attendance, care, and exertion, by frequent examination, rewards, and well grounded hope of future protection. A little library is kept, which the upper girls are allowed to borrow for Sunday evening, but to