Nothing now remains but to state the methods taken to provide employment. The greatest difficulty was in respect to sewing. In order 'to bring this kind of work within their reach, handbills were distributed in the neighbouring towns and villages, giving notice that it would be carefully performed at one half of the usual rates; and, by the good management of the mistress, it was so well executed, that work soon came in, and still continues, from all quarters, as much as can be executed, if not more. And the reduction in price, in respect to young servants and unmarried labourers, is found to be as much a charity to the purchaser, as to the children employed.

The flax is bought on the best terms; and, when spun, it is woven and bleached in the parish. By the care of the mistress and the weaver, in sorting the thread according to its quality, the cloth has been all very good and serviceable; and, after allowing the children the usual spinning prices, has abundantly repaid all the charge of materials and workmanship.

Wool is purchased of the farmers after shearing time; and a large room, with all pro. per conveniences, is appropriated to the use of

a manufacturer, who is employed in sorting, dying, and combing it. The jersey, when spun, is doubled by some of the children; and then brought back to the combing room, where there is also a twisting mill for finishing it as worsted. Part of this is sold, part employs the knitters, and some is sent to two stocking weavers at Berwick; and it does not appear that there will be any difficulty or loss in the sale, either of the stockings, or of the worsted.

The produce of the tickets at Bamburgh school, is distributed in money. In general, it is preferable to bestow it in articles of clothing: as, in many parts of England, the fathers would carry the money to the alehouse, or the mothers buy finery for themselves. In Northumberland, such are the good habits and economy of the poor, that there is no danger of such a misapplication; and, upon the first introduction of work into the school, it was found expedient, by the allurement of a payment in money, to engage the parents' consent to it, instead of their children being employed, as at first, in reading, writing, and arithmetic, the whole day.

The manner in which work has been provided for this school at Bamburgh Castle, is

extremely deserving of attention, on account of its being practicable and beneficial in every part of England. It not only removes the great difficulty in the support of schools of industry, that of obtaining regular employment for the children, but affords a cheap supply of clothing for the neighbourhood.

The providing of dinners for the day scholars of schools of industry, at a very cheap rate, is very useful in other counties; but it is not so much so in Northumberland, as the poor in the North have the advantage of possessing more management and economy with regard to their food, than those in the other parts of England.

There is also a school at Bamburgh for sixty boys. The account of that, and of some other

* This school at Bamburgh Castle, is one of a great variety of charities, established, under the will of Nathaniel, late Lord Crewe, and Bishop of Durham, who died in 1722; having devised considerable estates, in the counties of Durham and Northumberland, to five trustees; charged, in the first place, with the annual payment of some noble and well known benefactions to the university of Oxford, and to Lincoln college, of which his Lordship had been Rector; and of several sums for the augmentation of livings, and the institution of schools, almshouses, and for other beneficent purposes, in the several counties and parishes, with which he had been connected; the residue being applicable to such charitable use and uses, as the trustees should from time to time appoint and direct. This surplus was accordingly applied for various purposes of charity, as opportunity offered; but, during more

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.

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No. XII.

INDUSTRY SCHOOL AT FINCHAM,

IN N 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.