{

the school children of this and the adjoining parish, in number about one hundred and twenty, with their school mistresses; after them the clergyman, who was to preach, the vicar of the parish, and some of the neighbouring clergy, two and two. Then followed Miss Martha More, one of the patronesses, and her sister Mrs. More, of Bath, and the ladies, who were members of the society; followed by the poor who were members, and then the ladies and gentlemen who were introduced by members.

After divine service we had a discourse, exhorting the audience to fulfil all the duties of Christianity, in every rank and condition of society, and to set the example of a virtuous and religious life. The company then returned to the school, where the children were called over; each being noticed in its turn, and receiving the present of a plumb cake, with a particular commendation of every one who had been distinguished for good behaviour. The children were then dismissed; and the poor women, and some of the lesser farmers' wives and daughters, sat down to their entertainment of tea and cakes. The ladies assisted to make the tea, and butter the cakes; and in

1

the course of an hour, in three rooms, about an hundred persons were served with attention and satisfaction. The yearly account of the society was then examined by Miss Martha More, with the assistance of the vicar, and his wife; all the particulars were minutely explained to the members, and the balance in hand, amounting to rather better than 50l. was produced, as their fund for sickness or misfortune. It was stated that 50%. more had, with consent, been lent in the preceding year on government security; which the poor expressed a wish it might be continued. After the ladies and gentlemen present had tendered their benefactions to the society, and some members had been admitted whose character and conduct had been previously inquired into, and others entered, and their names referred for inquiry, the patronesses' wedding present, with some profitable advice, was given to a young woman, who had been married since the last meeting.

Miss Martha More then addressed herself to her poorer friends, with much energy and effect; to mothers, on good order in their families; on decency of conduct, and the efficacy of example: to young wives, on industry, attention, neatness, gentleness of manners, and good

temper to young women, preparing for, or going into service, on obedience, simplicity of dress, and mutual kindness and affection to each other. She concluded with an animated detail of the happy effects of a truly christian spirit; as supplying comfort during life, and at the hour of death, and affording the hope of eternal happiness hereafter.-The poor then departed to their homes, having expressed their gratitude, for the comforts they had derived from the institution during the late severe winter, and having poured forth their earnest wishes and prayers for the health of their absent patroness, Miss Hannah More, who by severe illness was prevented attending this anniversary meeting, which she had originally founded.

In giving this short and, I fear, imperfect detail of what has been done for the benefit of the poor and the ignorant, and for the promotion of true Christianity in the county of Somerset, I do not presume to express an hope that individuals will come forward in other parts of England, who shall possess the abilities, and will equal the active and persevering industry, of the founders of these schools. They, have devoted the chief part of ten years to this single and desirable object: an object, which

still continues to occupy almost all their attention and time. Such exertions, and so great sacrifices, are not to be expected from others; nor are they necessary. The example of what has been done in this instance, may be adopted upon a lower scale of energy and labour; it may be applied to a single parish, or to a small hamlet. It may (without labour and without a sacrifice of any of the rational pleasures or appropriate duties of life) become an amusement, a gratification, and the means of improvement, to every educated and independent person in every part of the kingdom.

IN

No. III.

DAY SCHOOLS AT KENDAL

In attempting to give an account of the schools*

which have been lately established for the education of poor children at Kendal, a populous manufacturing town in the county of Westmorland, I must previously notice the Blue Coat Schools, and the Sunday Schools, which had existed in that place, prior to the introduction of that system of education, which is peculiarly the subject of this paper. The first of these schools, had been regularly visited by the subscribers, and the children were encouraged to attend the latter, and their parents to send them, by the prospect which has been held out to both boys and girls, of being elected into the Blue Coat Schools, or of ob taining the green clothes, which are the personal donation of a charitable individual in that place. Still, however, there wanted system in the arrangement of the plan; and, in the execution, there was required the impulse of reward *Reports, No. XC.