Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London during the Eighteenth Century; Vol. 1 (of 2) / Including the Charities, Depravities, Dresses, and Amusements etc.

by James Peller Malcolm

"V. That, in training up of children, particular regard be had to the business they are most like to be employed in, either as servants, or in husbandry, or else in the woollen, iron, or such other manufactures, as are most used in those places where charity-schools are maintained. And in order thereto, that the children whilst at school be (so far as is consistent with their necessary learning, and the different circumstances of particular places) inured to some kind of work or labour, and in some measure daily employed in

it; so that they may be rendered most useful to the publick; and for this end it may be proper that their earnings be applied towards finding them in diet, lodgings, and other necessaries.

"VI. Whereas Thomas Neale, esq. deceased, did devise part of his estate to be applied for supporting of Charity schools, or for such other charitable uses as his executors thought fit; and Frederick Slare, doctor in physick, the surviving executor of the said Mr. Neale's will, hath, out of the surplus of the said estate, appointed a considerable sum of money for the payment of an annual salary for a master, to instruct poor children in such part of the mathematicks as may fit them for the sea service; and this appointment hath been established by a decree of the high court of Chancery; and a Charity-school for that purpose is erected in the City of London; and the Trustees of the said school have ordered that each boy that should be sent from any of the Charity schools, shall be taught the said science, upon the payment of twenty shillings a year for each boy: It is therefore in a particular manner recommended to the trustees of each school within the cities of London and Westminster, that such boys as may be thought fit for the sea-service, be sent to the said school, to be instructed in an art which will render them so very useful to the publick.

"VII. That the trustees do insist upon it with parents, as a necessary condition on which their children are to be taken into school, that they send them clean washed and combed, regularly and constantly, at the hours of schooling; that they comply with all orders relating to them, and freely submit them to be chastised for their faults, without quarrelling or coming to the school on such occasions; that children be not countenanced in their faults, or masters and mistresses discouraged in the performance of their duty. But if there be any just reason of complaint, that it be made to the trustees, in whose determination they are to acquiesce; or if persons neglect, or refuse to observe these orders, then their children to be dismissed the school; and if they are cloathed, to forfeit their school cloaths.

"VIII. That the trustees do likewise, as far as in them lies, oblige the parents of all such children as they take into their schools, to agree that their children be put out to such services, employments, or trades, as the trustees shall think most proper and advantageous to the publick, and the places where they live.

"IX. And lastly, that the trustees do what they can to engage parents to give their children good examples at home, of a sober and religious behaviour, frequently to call upon them to repeat the Church Catechism, to read the Holy

Scriptures, especially on the Lord's day, and cause prayers to be read morning and evening in their families: so that both parents and children may be the better informed of their duty, and by a constant and sincere practice thereof, promote the pious and useful design of charity schools, and so procure the blessing of God upon them.

"Rules proper to be observed by the Masters and Mistresses.

"I. That the masters and mistresses do themselves attend the school at the times appointed by the founders and trustees, and keep the children diligently to their business, during the hours of schooling, suffering none to be absent at any time, but upon account of sickness, or some such reasonable excuse, unless in the time of harvest, and when the trustees think it proper that they should be employed in husbandry, spinning, carding, or some other manufactures; but, if children are kept away, the trustees to be acquainted with it, that others more conformable may be taken into their places.

"II. That they teach the children the true spelling of words, make them mind their stops, and bring them to pronounce and read distinctly without a tone: and because it is found by experience, that in several places in the country due