diately flocked from all quarters to enjoy the benefit of his instruction, and, in less than twelve months, the new establishment was submitted to the solemn visitation of the diocesan, Grindal, Bishop of London; when, August 16, 1562, it was declared by that prelate, assisted by other learned divines, that the schoolmaster was worthy of great commendation as some of the boys had made a proficiency equal to that which had been attained by the scholars of any school in the realm.

The visitations of several successive years were attended with similar marks of approbation, when the benefaction of Sir Thomas White gave a consequence to the foundation, which advanced it to a superior rank among the public seminaries of the country. He, as a member of the court, had already been a co-founder of the school, and was now a munificent benefactor to it, by appropriating thirtyseven fellowships at St. John's College, in Oxford, which he had recently founded at his sole expense. Merchant Taylors' School now became as completely connected with the Universities, as the Colleges of Winchester, Eton, and Westminster.*

It cannot be considered as a free-school, because no boy can become a scholar without being subject to the payment of five pounds a year; he also pays the Head-Master a quarterage of ten shillings, and twelve shillings for breaking-up money each quarter. The boys taught there are not confined to any particular class in society, the company having always considered it as open to any persons who wished to bring up their sons decently: according to the statute, they should be recommended to the school by the Master and Wardens of the company, but in general they are put in by the Head-Master promiscuously as they occur. They are taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew: they receive a complete classical education, and nothing more. The boys are considered merely as day-scholars, except when they happen to board with the Masters, which is a private concern.

The School, as it has been already mentioned, was kept in a house which belonged, at an early period of our history,

Fortythree fellowships were actually left by Sir Thomas White to Merchant Taylors' School; but as six of them are subject to the claim of the founder's kin, who are very numerous, the number unreservedly appropri ated to the school is but thirtyseven: for though, in default of a founder's kin candidate, the vacancy is filled up by a Merchant Taylors' boy, the get nl repays the turn at the next election.

to the Duke of Buckingham; and was a residence of the nobleman of that title who was instrumental in obtaining the consent of the mayor and citizens of London to the usurpation of Richard III. But that edifice being destroyed by the great fire in 1666, the present structure was erected upon the same spot by the munificence of the Merchant Taylors' Company. It is a considerable structure, part of which is supported by stone pillars, forming a handsome cloister, within which are apartments for the Assistant-Masters. There is also a library of collegiate appearance, a chapel, which is more particularly appropriated for the solemn halfyearly examination of the scholars, and a house for the residence of the Head-Master.

The School-Room, which ranges over the cloister, is a spacious apartment of handsome proportions, but without any elevated seats, to mark the distinctive characters of the respective Masters. The public instruction of this school, and better instruction is no where given, is conveyed in the peripatetic form; the Masters generally perambulating before their respective classes.

The Chapel does not wear the appearance of a place of worship, though it has all the canonical character which original consecration could give it, when it was the chapel of the ancient manor-house of the Rose; the tradition asserts, that one of its existing walls survived the conflagration which destroyed the rest. On that wall is the whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas White, Knight, Alderman, Merchant Taylor of London, and the munificent Founder of St John's College, Oxford. This room is also decorated with an appropriate display of engravings.

"Much of the useful learning which has so remarkably enlightened the middle ranks of the English nation, and rendered us a wise and understanding people, has proceeded from the public schools established in different parts of the kingdom. It is in these truly respectable nurseries of literature that education has effected its most generous and valuable purposes. The idea, which would otherwise have been confined by sordid habits, has been expanded; genius, which would otherwise have been hidden from itself and from the world, has been called forth to the honor of human nature; while the general manners, which would have otherwise been rude and unpolished, have been rendered easy, courteous, and poli.e.

To those seminaries, however, which are connected with the Universities, England is under particular obligations. In them have been trained the professors of every liberal science that can serve, dignify, or adorn mankind; and to them will an enlightened people never cease to look up with affection and gratitude, as to the sources of every sterling principle that enters into the composition of the British character. If we inquire from what quarters the commonwealth has been furnished with men of abilities to fill the great offices of state, he must have been an inattentive observer who should refer us anywhere but to those foundations, on which enlarged sentiments and notion are acquired from a system of education intimately conversant with ancient learning; and if, in like manner, we ask whence our established church has been supplied with a regular and sufficient succession of qualified teachers for the ordinary work of the ministry, and of able champions of the truth at every conjuncture of controversy and discussion, we can be sent only to those schools, at which a plan of instruction is pursued at once classical and christian, a discipline calculated to produce learning free from scepticism, and belief untinctured with enthusiasm.

Merchant Taylors' School does not indeed affect to enroll among her scholars many of the mighty or the noble. Her worthies have not been distinguished for hereditary rank, though, in many instances, the foundations of greatness have been laid within her walls. Nor has it often fallen to the lot of her youth to fight the battles of her country, though, when occasion has offered, they have shown themselves not deficient in patriotism and valor. But wherever the higher walks of commerce invite the British merchant to honorable enterprise, her sons are to be seen the foremost in pursuits to which the British empire is indebted for its opulence and grandeur. The healing art recognizes some of them among her ablest and most successful practitioners. Law, the guardian of the constitution, and the preserver of every man's reasonable rights and liberties, welcomes in them the most upright and assiduous of her administrators. But, above all, does the church rely on the fidelity of such of them as have devoted themselves to the service of her altars; no inconsiderable portion of the officiating clergy of the metropolis having been educated under the modest dome of Merchant Taylors'."*

• Wilson's Hist. p. 545.

329

MISCELLANEOUS LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

PROSPECTIVE EDUCATION IN ENGLAND.

We copy from an English paper the plan of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed to superintend the application of the money voted by Parliament for the purpose of promoting education.

First, it is resolved to found a School, in which candidates for the office of Teacher in Schools for the poorer classes may acquire the knowledge necessary to the exercise of their future profession, and may be practised in the most approved methods of religious and moral training and instruction. This School is to include a Model School, in which children of all ages, from three to fourteen, may be taught and trained in sufficient numbers to form an Infant School, as well as Schools for children above seven. Religious instruction is to be considered as general and special. It is to be combined with the whole matter of instruction, and to regulate the entire system of discipline: but periods are to be set apart for such peculiar doctrinal instruction as may be required for the religious training of e children. A Chaplain is to be appointed to conduct the religious instruction of children whose parents or guardians belong to the Established Church, but the parent or natural guardian of any other child is to be permitted to secure the attendance of the licensed Minister of his own persuasion, at the period appointed for special religious instruction, in order to give such instruction apart; and a licensed Minister is to be appointed to give such special religious instruction, wherever the number of children in attendance on the Model School belonging to any religious body dissenting from the Established Church, is such as to appear to the Committee to require such special provision. A portion of every day is to be devoted to the reading of the Scriptures in the School, under the general direction of the Committee, and superintendence of the Rector. Roman Catholics, if their parents or guardians require it, to read their own version of the Scriptures, either at the time fixed for reading the Scriptures, or at the hours of special instruction. Instruction in industry is to be included as a special department of the moral training of the children, and such a character given to the matter of instruction in the School as to keep it in close relation

Besides the physical

with the condition of workmen and servants. training of the children in various employments, such exercises are to be introduced during the hours of recreation as will develop their strength and activity, and the moral training of the children is at all times to be attended to as an object of special solicitude. In the Normal School, apartments are to be provided for the residence of the candidate Teachers, and the class-rooms so constructed as to afford the candidate teachers an opportunity of attending each class in the Model School without distracting the attention of the children or of the teacher. It is also resolved to provide means for the instruction of the candidate teachers in the theory of their art, and for furnishing them with whatever knowledge is necessary for success in it. To appoint a Rector to give lectures on the method and matter of instruction, and on the whole art of training children of the poor; to examine the candidate teachers, &c. subject to the rules of the Committee. The religious instruction of the candidate teachers is to form an essential and prominent element of their studies, and no certificate to be granted unless the authorized religious teacher have previously attested his confidence in the character, religious knowledge and zeal of the candidate whose religious instruction he has superintended. The religious instruction of all candidate teachers connected with the Established Church to be committed to the Chaplain, and the special religious instruction to be committed (in any case in which a wish to that effect is expressed,) to the licensed Minister of the religious persuasion of the candidate teacher, who is to attend the School at stated periods, to assist and examine the candidate teachers in their reading on religious subjects, and to afford them spiritual advice. The candidate teachers in all other respects to conform to such regulations of the entire internal economy of the household as may be issued by the Rector, with the approval of this Committee. It is further resolved, that accommodation shall be provided in the Model School for at least 450 children, who are to be lodged in the house, viz. 120 infants, 200 boys and girls receiving ordinary instruction, and 50 boys and 50 girls receiving superior instruction, and 30 children probably absent from sickness or other causes; and to establish a Day School of 150 or 200 children of all ages and both sexes, in which the candidate teachers may realize the application of the best methods of instruction, under the limitations and obstructions which must arise in a small village or town Day School. Respecting the grants heretofore made to different societies, it is decided, that a grant not exceeding 2,500l. shall be made to the National Society, and the