3. The dates of the respective foundations of such schools; and by whom, or in what manner, they were established.

4. The will, deed, or other regulation, by which they are governed, and where deposited, proved, or registered.

5. Whether any, or what, practicable improvement, or extension, can be safely and properly adopted, as to the beneficial effects of their respective schools.

This return may be made to the Clerk of the House of Commons: but it is conceived, that it would be better that it should be made to the Privy Council; and that the arrangement and application of the evidence to be obtained, and the report upon it, should be prepared by, or under the direction of a Special Committee of the Privy Council. The object of the report would be to point out any measures proper to be adopted for extending, either by the exist ing means, or by additional establishments, a proper and useful system of education for the benefit of all the lower classes.

The education of all the children of the poor may, it is conceived, be provided for ;

1. By opening the charity schools, or those established on charitable foundation, to all the original objects of the founder.

2. By engrafting on them day schools for the admission of all the other poor children of the vicinage, on limited terms; such as those adopted in West-street, Seven Dials, of three pence a week.

3. By opening parochial schools (where wanted) for admission of the children of the poor, on terms of similar limitation.

4. By official application to the Lord Chancellor, where uncorrected abuses of charity schools are continued.

5. By enabling the magistrate (in certain cases and ages when the parent is not able to pay the three pence a week for his child's schooling) to order the payment of it, as an act of parish relief.

The whole system of education in this country may be thus completed with a trifling alteration of the mode, and none of the principle of the present system, and with very little if any increase in the parochial charges.

10th Jan. 1804.

No. XIII.

Copy of the Statement of the progress of the Repository at Manchester for the benefit of persons reduced in their circumstances.

THE

HE Managers of the Manchester Repository are happy to inform the public that the utility and success of this establishment have been greatly extended since their report which was printed last May. From that period to the present time the sales made have amounted to £2,822. and more than two hundred individuals have been employed by the institution, some of whom are indebted to it for their principal support.

The object of the Repository* is now so well understood here, that it is unnecessary to explain it to the inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood; but it but it may be proper to repeat, for the information of strangers, that it is principally designed to furnish well-educated

* See an account of this Repository in the third volume of the Reports, No. 98.

women, who have been reduced in their circumstances, with the means of earning a livelihood, without losing that station which they have hitherto maintained in society.

To-accomplish this purpose, apartments have been provided, where ready-made dresses and linen, various articles of millinery, and fancy works are received, and disposed of for the benefit of the owners. Sets of child-bed linen are lent to poor lying-in women, at the recommendation of subscribers, who are responsible for their being returned clean, and in good order; in which case, a present is made to each poor woman for the use of her child. Clothing is also sold, at reduced prices, to subscribers, for the service of poor women and children.

It is a particular object of attention with the managers, to provide the most fashionable patterns from London, for the advantage of the persons connected with this institution.

As there is always a considerable stock of goods in the Repository, and proper measures are adopted for enabling the superintendant to get articles, wanted in haste, made at a short notice, the public may be assured that their orders will be executed with dispatch and punctuality. The managers have scrupulously and

invariably adhered to their resolution of permitting no goods to be offered to sale at any other than the most moderate prices, for they have been convinced that this regulation was essential to the benefit of the parties for whose advantage the establishment was originally formed. When the convenience and interests of the public are in this manner made consistent with their support of a charitable institution, and even promoted by it, the managers cannot doubt that the Manchester Repository will continue to receive the same liberal patronage which it has hitherto experienced.

Applications must be addressed to Miss Smalley, at the Repository, No. 46, Marketstreet lane, where subscriptions to an amount not exceeding half a-guinea each, and benefactions, will be received as usual.

It may be proper to remind the public, that this is the period when the annual subscriptions are expected to be paid.

Manchester, 15th April, 1804.