the usual prayers and grace, the boys then sat down to a substantial dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. It was at first intended that a glass of wine should have been added; but it was deemed advisable that the company present should be witnesses of the ordinary fare of the house, rather than be led to imbibe an impression of an extraordinary display, much beyond the customary supply of provision. Perhaps there was no great danger of so unfair an inference, and many were disappointed at the omission; but the intention was at least good, if the reason was not satisfactory. Dinner being concluded, and the second grace said, an anthem was sung by the choir with very great effect; and “God save the King" followed in full chorus. The children gave three cheers for "the King:" and, after making their obeisance to the company present, retired.

Such was the last occurrence, marked by any particular solemnity, which has diversified the ordinary routine of scholastic discipline within the walls of CHRIST'S HOSPITAL. The governors are still proceeding with the great work of rebuilding; and a line of dormitaries in the same style of architecture, but on a less splendid scale than the New Hall, have been erected at right angles with it, on the site lately occupied by the old hall. Of these, as well as of the Hall itself, and the new Schools erected on the north side of the Ditch, an architectural description will be given in the chapter specially devoted to that purpose. Turn we now from the history of the rise and progress of the Hospital, to a delineation of the plan of education pursued in its several departments of classical, commercial, and mathematical learning.

CHAPTER VIII.

System of Education pursued in Christ's Hospital in early times not to be ascertained— Plan at present pursued-Upper Grammar School-Grecians-Deputy Grecians-Great and Little Erasmus-Selection of Scholars for the University-Scheme of Lessons in the two higher Classes-Anomalous constitution of the head Class-Eminence attained by Deputy Grecians-Adaptation of the present system to its proposed ends-Constitution of the Under Grammar Schools-Laborious duties of the Masters-Day's work with each class-Writing School-Its original constitution and importance-Extent of instruction there given-Specimens of Penmanship-Spelling by dictation-Mathematical Schools -Proficiency acquired in the Under or Travers' Department-Course of Nautical Education on King Charles's Foundation-Drawing School-Mathematical Studies of the Grecians and Deputy Grecians-System pursued at Hertford-Girls' EstablishmentHalf yearly Examinations-Prizes-Rewards in the Grammar School-Donation to a Grecian on leaving the Hospital-Examination in Reading-Hertford Visitations— Private pupils Restrictions upon the Masters-Inadequate compensation-Ecclesiastical Preferments-Religious instruction-Office of Catechiser-Sunday Exercises-Markers -Religious duties-Attendance on Divine Service-Daily Devotions-Bishop Compton's Prayers-Psalmody-Music Master-Choir and Chorus Boys-Vacations and Holidays --August Holidays-Conditions of absence-Leaves-Tickets-Hours of Recreation— Libraries--State of the Books in the Classical and Mathematical Libraries -The old Observatory Subsequent advantages to those educated in Christ's Hospital-Apprenticefees-Gifts.

It is now impossible to ascertain the plan of Education pursued, and the extent to which it was carried, in Christ's Hospital, at the period of its foundation. That there were two distinct systems, adapted to the very different descriptions of children at first received under its care, sufficient proof has already been produced; and it is now of little moment to inquire into the nature of that branch of instruction, which has ceased with the object to which it was applied. Notice has also been taken of the proficiency of the boys in the Grammar School at a very early period, and of the reputation acquired at the Universities by some of the first scholars sent thither upon exhibitions from the House.

From a very ancient date, however, it appears that the Grammar School was under the direction of an upper and under master; nor can any material alteration in the subjects taught, and the mode of teaching them, be traced, prior to that entire change in the system, of which an account was given in the last chapter. Nor indeed did this change materially affect the established routine of the upper school, upon which the academical credit of the Institution mainly depends. The system pursued by the present master with the two higher classes, distinguished as heretofore by the appellations of the Grecians and Deputy Grecians, coincides in all material points with that of his predecessor, who adopted it with little variation from Mr. Boyer; and its utility is sufficiently borne out by its results. Since the present regulations have been in force, the two lower forms, called the Great and Little Erasmus,* divide their time, as do all the forms in the under schools, between the grammar and the writing masters; so that their classical studies have been necessarily modified, with reference to the smaller portion of time which is now allotted to them. It is not, therefore, until a boy has attained the rank of Deputy Grecian, from which class the selection is for the most part made, on the score of merit and attainment, of those who proceed on exhibitions to the Universities, that his course of reading is exclusively directed to this object. This choice rests entirely, as it obviously ought, with the Head Master, without any interference on the part of the Governors; and is conducted with the strictest impartiality. Where talents are equal, merit has the preference; and, should there be still a doubt, seniority turns the scale. The weekly scheme of lessons, assigned to these two head classes under the regime of Dr. Trollope, will furnish a ready means of estimating the degree of proficiency attained by the Senior Grecian, at the time of his election to the University.

* Doubtless, these names originated in the circumstance, that the larger and smaller Colloquies of Erasmus were formerly read in the two classes respectively; as those of Grecian and Deputy Grecian designate a progress, more or less advanced, in the knowledge of Greek.

Hebrew Psalter.

English speaking.

Horace or Juvenal.

English and Latin Theme, in alternate weeks.

Huntingford's
Greek Exercises.

Greek Translation. Translation from

Greek Verses, and
English into Latin.

Latin Translation.

Latin and English verses alternately; with an Abstract.

Homer by heart.

Greek or Latin
Grammar.

Cicero.

Xenophon or De-
mosthenes.

Greek Grammar.

Horace.

Theme.

Latin Translation. Greek Translation. Latin Translation. Greek Translation.

Verses.

As the time of continuance on the Grecian's form is always three, and generally four, years, a very considerable acquaintance with the higher classics, as well as a readiness in the composition of English, Greek, and Latin, verse and prose, is easily attainable within this period, and forms a substantial ground-work for the more extensive researches of academical study. There is, however, a considerable drawback upon the means of instruction afforded to the master, in the necessity of classing together four boys of widely different ages in the same course of reading; for when the senior Grecian is about to leave the school at the age of nineteen, the junior, who is just entering the class, has

Generally Livy, or one of Cicero's Philosophical Treatises.

Each boy made choice of a work of some standard English author, of which he was required to furnish an abstract, at the rate of a foolscap sheet per week. The historical works of Hooke, Robertson, Gillies, Gibbon, and Crevier, were more generally selected.

From Thomson's "Seasons."

scarcely attained perhaps his fifteenth year. To remedy this anomaly, by attending separately to each individual, is manifestly impossible ; nor would such a plan be advisable, even if it were practicable. By the recent increase in the number of exhibitions, and a corresponding enlargement of the form, the difficulty is not materially lessened; inasmuch as the same gradation in age still exists, though there are two, instead of one, of the same standing; and a subdivision of the class, according to the respective ages, is quite as much out of the question as All that can be done, is to make due allowances for the gradual developement of the intellectual energies; which will thus be enabled, by steps almost imperceptible, to grapple with difficulties more formidable in appearance than in reality.

ever.

In addition to the scholars intended for the University, some few of those who leave the school at the appointed age of fifteen, find their way into the Deputy Grecian's form; and are well qualified, at the time of their discharge from the Hospital, for the medical or legal professions, or for scholastic pursuits. Frequently indeed, having completed their education elsewhere, boys from this class have subsequently proceeded to the University, and acquired a degree of credit and reputation not inferior to those who have gone thither directly from the House.* For the most part, however, the great mass of the children are destined for some trade or mercantile occupation; and it was with a view to fit them thoroughly for the parts which they will hereafter take in the different walks of commercial life, that the system of education now pursued was constructed. With respect to the classical portion of it, it has already appeared, that each of the three under masters has two divisions, consisting of five classes. The books at first appointed to be read in these classes were found by experience to be ill adapted to the capacities of the boys of whom they were composed, and various modifications have

* Among these, I cannot but mention with satisfaction and pride the name of my old schoolfellow, and highly valued friend, the REV. THOMAS DALE, M. A. of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Eminent as a scholar, a poet, and a divine, it is only in the higher importance of the latter character that we trace his superior excellence therein.