"The Night Schools connected with Holy Trinity Church having been successful, it may be as well to enumerate any important points connected with the practical working of the same, as also to name in proper order the various books the Incumbent has introduced and commented upon, in the nightly half. hour's reading, after writing, arithmetic, sewing, knitting, &c. has been put aside.

There have been 416 boys entered on the books, giving a total attendance of 7198, or an average of 24 per night; 549 girls entered on the books, give a total attendance of 13,190, and a nightly average of 43. In the Boys' School, the average of teachers' attendance is three, or one teacher to every eight scholars. In the girls' school there is the same average

of teachers' attendance, or one teacher to every fourteen scholars. In the Boys' and Girls' Schools there have been 965 entered on the books, giving a total attendance of 20,388, and a nightly average of 68. The average attendance of teachers in both schools has been seven, or one teacher to every nine scholars. In the first year there were nine male teachers, only two of whom entered upon the second year; in the second year there were two of the first year's teachers, and seven others; only one of the former entered upon the duties of the third year, and four of the latter. Out of eleven female teachers of the first year, five resumed the duties of the second year; out of these five, with two others, five resumed the duties of the third year, one only

of the five who resumed the second year's duty, failing at the third; two also of the first year's teachers who had not assisted in the second year, resumed the duties of the third year. The attendance of teachers in the Boys' School has been gradually declining; in many cases this has been unavoidable, in consequence of business, removals, &c., but I am sorry to say there have been those who have entered upon the work with zeal, but who have gradually cooled down, and not had the requisite perseverance to continue in the good work. In the Girls' School it has been different, there having been four steady, persevering pains-taking teachers; in fact, had it not been for them, the Girls' School would have been obliged to close, as I could not alone undertake to manage and instruct girls. By the efforts of those connected with these schools, the word of instruction has been given to 965 boys and girls, many of whom have attended regularly the whole of the three years. It frequently happens that when scholars remove from the neighbourhood, or go out to service, and after being away some time, again reside near the school, they voluntarily resume their attendance. The ages of the scholars vary from eight to twenty-one years: the majority of them range from twelve to nineteen; say one-half under fourteen years old, and the remainder about or above that age. Having no rent or gas to pay for the School Rooms, and the labours of the teachers being voluntary and gratuitous, the subscription of one halfpenny per week from those who attend the Sunday or Day Schools, and one penny per week from others, has enabled us to find pens, ink, copy books, slates, &c., and to have a surplus left, at the end of the three years, of £8 138. 54d. By deducting the donation of £1 given by the Incumbent, and adding the sum of £6 8s. paid for gas fittings, it will be seen there has been a clear profit of £14 1s. 5 d.

"During the quarter ending 29th Sept., 1849, the Incumbent commenced the reading and explanation of Esop's Fables, which was well understood by the scholars, in the simple manner in which they were explained, and no doubt the reading of them would store their minds with valuable information as to what they would meet with in their daily intercourse with the world. The fables were got through in May, 1850, when Gay's were tried, but in consequence of their being in verse, they did not answer. In June, 1850, a very useful little work was commenced with, viz., Little Arthur's History of England. It is written in a simple and masterly manner, and it has been a matter of surprise and gratification to find that most of even the junior scholars retain the leading facts of the history of their own country from the earliest period. In April, 1851, another very useful little work

was commenced with, viz., Papa and Mama's Easy Lessons in Geography. It is written in a very simple style, and fully answers the purpose of imparting to the children the language of geography, which is so essential for them to know before they commence with Modern Geography simplified, in October next.

"In December 1850, one of the Girls' Nights was changed from writing, &c., to sewing, knitting, mending, cutting out, &c., which has proved a very desirable change. Those who can do so, bring their own work, but the Incumbent has to find it for about one-half the scholars. Materials are bought and made up in various useful and necessary articles of clothing, and sold to the parents of the scholars at the bare cost, thus answering two purposes of utility, viz: Finding work for the scholars, and selling clothing to the parents at a much lower price than they could be obtained elsewhere. Articles of clothing are also made free of expense for the poorer portion of the congregation. It is lamentable to see the deficiency of the majority of the scholars in this necessary domestic qualification; most of the grown-up portion of the females being very poor sewers, and as to making a shirt, petticoat, or any other useful article, it is out of the question. It is fully as necessary to have Sewing Schools attached to mills and manufactories, for the use of the female hands, as it is to have Writing and Arithmetic Schools for the males. Teach our female population to become good housewives, and a beneficial result will soon manifest itself. The only thing that will keep the artizan and labouring man out of the public-house, is a cheerful hearth at home: but how is the wife to do this, when she has never been taught?

"We think we have fully shown the importance of Night Schools, and trust they will become more general, more especially as the Committee of Council Education are about establishing them in London. But this is not enough. They are wanting in the manufacturing and other populous districts. The writer hopes to re-open the schools in October next, and trusts teachers will be found to commence and persevere in the good work. William Lomas, Secretary. 11th August, 1851.

To the Rev. T. Todd, M.A.,
Incumbent of Holy Trinity Church.

IN Vol. III, page 273, the subject of Week Evening Classes, or Night Schools, was brought before our readers, and in the same Volume, page 373, is a paper on the same subject, giving the results of an experiment at Manchester, where, in conjunction with the Sunday school

of the Holy Trinity Church, these classes had been tried. We then gave an abstract of the Reports for the two first years of their existence; we have now given, in extenso, the triennial Report, and we do so in the hope that this endeavour to impart useful instruction, and at the same time to attach scholars to the Sunday school, will be followed up extensively. If done with the zeal and intelligence which seems to have animated the projectors of this night school, we cannot doubt but that a blessing will attend the endeavours. We hope that the Report will be well and carefully read; it is well worthy the attention of all, as something practical; it is an example well worthy the imitation of every one desiring the promotion of the best interests of the

rising generation.

In connection with this important subject, we also lay before our readers what has been said about it in the "Minutes of the Committee of Council on Education," for 1851. The Rev. H. Moseley, in his general Report, says:

"In several instances my attention has been directed to the subject of Night Schools. I have in some cases found them taught by the Clergyman, assisted by the schoolmaster, and in other cases by the schoolmaster alone, and in many instances, I have been told of the great good which might be done if such schools could be maintained."

He then goes on to give sound reasons why it is "unreasonable," to expect the schoolmaster to conduct these schools, and then submits to their Lordships whether the establishment of Night Schools might not be promoted by giving gratuities to the masters of them,

"Whose competence had been ascertained by examination of Her Majesty's Inspectors, whose characters were attested by the Clergy, and whose schools were conducted under their supervision."

He points out the class from which such masters might be expected to rise, and whom he proposes to register, viz: small tradesmen, or intelligent and well conducted workmen. And adds:

"The expedient appears to offer a means which, if judiciously employed, might promote morality and religion, and diffuse knowledge and intelligence extensively among the labouring classes."

Might not their Lordships be induced to grant aid for the material of such schools, when carried on to the satisfaction of the inspectors, by the unpaid services of Sunday school teachers? The Rev. H. Bellairs says:

"The next point I would mention is, that of Night Schools. A great deal has been done, and is still doing in this direction; but more remains to be done. One great impediment is the difficulty of raising funds for a teacher; this might probably be effected more extensively, if, with the office of a night-teacher some of those other functions which exist in many of our parishes, e. g., that of manager of Sunday schools, Secretary of the Provident Society, &c., were combined.”

The value of such schools becomes more apparent when we read such testimony as this. Will Sunday school teachers, who have, as far as we know, been the promoters of them, permit obstacles such as are mentioned in these extracts, to stand in the way of carrying out a scheme fraught with benefits to the ignorant poor children they instruct week by week?

Further, the Rev. N. Watkins reports thus:

"I have to report that Night Schools, as their importance is now more fully recognized, are increasing both in numbers and intelligent provision. It has always been quite out of my power to visit any of them, and it will be a matter of grave consideration, if pupil-teachers be allowed by your Lordships to these schools, how they may be properly inspected, as it will evidently be impracticable for the Inspector, after his day's work in the day-school, to devote any further time to the evening or Night Schools."

Such are the opinions expressed, by men well qualified to judge of their importance, on night schools, or as we call them, Week Evening Classes. It is our belief that the work can be done, and well done, by Sunday school teachers: we ask their careful thoughtful attention to the subject, and we hope in our next Number to record