matter of exultation, than the thousands of poor children, who at present receive no benefit whatever from our public charity schools, would be matter of deep regret to the philanthropic observer.

Some individuals have entertained an apprehension, that it is possible

Reasons for

them.

that the prevalence of other extending schools than those of our own persuasion,* and the zeal and activity of the conductors of those schools, may produce, on the rising generation, effects unfavourable to our national and established church. If it should appear to temperate men, that such an apprehension is not entirely groundless, the consequences will be too important to be neglected: and the causes will appear to be too deeply founded

*This case has come within my own observation,— where a parent, zealously attached to the doctrines and ritual of the established church, and having long waited for her child's admission into the parochial school, has at length accepted the offer of admission into a Methodist school; preferring the benefit of a Christian education there, to the continuance of an hopeless application to her own church.

*

in real and existing circumstances, to admit of any other prevention, except what I trust all our Christian brethren will rejoice in, the adoption, on our part, of the same extended and general system of EDUCation, regulated according to the rites and doctrines of the church of England. Whoever, indeed, is anxious for the duration and prosperity of our establishment, whether in church or in state, must be interested in the adoption of a prudent and practicable extension of

* If I should be asked how it would be practicable to extend, at a small expense, the means of education to all the children of the poor, I should refer to the first extract in this volume, and cite the instance of THE SCHOOLS IN WEST-STREET. If the charity and other schools in England were opened to all the poor, on the same weekly allowance, as is regularly paid by the poor in that instance (presuming the master's duty to be properly performed) there would be very few of the poor, whose moral and religious improvement would be neglected. In cases where extreme poverty hath made the parent an object of parish relief, I can see no more objection to the magistrate being authorized to direct the weekly payment of three-pence each for children, between the ages of 9 and 12 years, towards their education and the improvement of their morals, industry, and religious habits, than to his having the power of granting a much larger sum towards their mere animal subsistence.

the means of education ;-so that its benefits may be offered to every individual; as a preservative, not only for youth, but for the other ages of the poor, against the taint of sedition and the poison of infidelity.

Conclusion.

No fairer claim to glory does this world afford the statesman, than that which may be founded on the improvement of the morals and situation of the poor.-HE, who amid the convulsions of Europe, and the crash of empires, -the MINISTER, who, by his superior and undaunted mind, hath preserved our civil and religious establishments from the ravages of anarchy and infidelity, will live for ever in the grateful hearts of his countrymen.-But not less happy-not less enviable-will be the lot of that MAN,who, having seized the moment of restoring peace to Europe, shall have employed the period of tranquillity, in meliorating the character and condition of his fellow-subjects;-of HIM, whose administration shall have been marked by a systematic arrange

ment of measures,-for preserving the great mass of the people from vice and contagion, for effectually promoting and encouraging their virtue and industry,—and for extending the benefits of education to every individual, impartially and universally like the glorious light of the sun, so as to make the rising generation a blessing to themselves, and to their country.

I have the honour to be, with sentiments of the highest respect and esteem,

My Dear Sir,

Your obedient

and faithful Servant,

THOS. BERNARD,

Feb. 15, 1803.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

HENRY ADDINGTON,

&c. &c. &c.

No. C.

Extract from an account of the Free-Chapel Schools in West-street, Seven Dials. By JOHN DOUGAN, Esq.

N

On the gd of May 1802, there were opened in West-street, in the parish of St. Giles, day schools for 200 children of the poor in that neighbourhood. They have since been increased to the number of

240 children. The schools are of the established church, and connected with the free-chapel in West-street; and are either kept in the house adjoining the chapel, and belonging to it; or in the chapel itself, where the children attend at the times of divine service on Sundays, morning and evening, and Tuesday evenings; and also on Thursday mornings, from nine o'clock to one, being the time fixed for their public examination.