[1142a] Our school, in Knox’s time was rendered very remarkable by having Eugene Aram for its usher; a man of uncommon acquirements and learning, but still more distinguished by his unhappy and miserable exit, and the horrid flagitiousness of at least one part of his life. He was apprehended here in 1759, under a charge of murder, committed in Yorkshire, 14 years before, and tried and convicted at York the ensuing assizes, and soon after executed. His defence at his trial was plausible and masterly; but it could avail against the preponderating evidence of his guilt. The extent of the learning in which he had made eminent proficiency was wonderful, considering the disadvantages under which he acquired it; and he died a melancholy proof that a very learned man may yet be desperately wicked, and commit the most heinous crimes.
[1142b] It is remarkable that this seminary, founded about 232 years ago, has had but three masters for the greatest part of that time—viz. Edw. Bell, John Horne, and David Lloyd: who presided here in the whole 125 years—and all the rest but 107.
[1146a] It ought to have been for a much larger number.
[1146b] The amount of the expenditure for the last year was 73l. 19s. 3d. ½ which seems a large sum for a mere Sunday school. Half the sum, it is presumed, would go much further, and do far more good, if the Lancasterian plan were adopted.—Some such measure is understood to be now in the contemplation of some of our good townsmen.
[1147] Mr. Keed, senior, and Mr. S. Newham, were two of the most active promoters of this institution, and the late Dr. Bagge, much to his credit, was one of its very zealous patrons, and used to subscribe for the support of it Five Guineas a year.
[1150] At some former periods, and especially before the reformation, our corporation members or officers appear to have been more numerous than at present, and some of them differently denominated. Hence in some records of the time of Henry V. we read of aldermen of the Gilds, twenty four Jurats, twenty seven Common-council-men, TWELVE burgesses annually elected, whose business it was to choose the new mayor, and nominate divers other officers, including even the town-clerk and chamberlain. These twelve were chosen as follows: The Alderman of the gild of merchants chose four burgesses: those four chose eight more, making their whole number then twelve.—These twelve chose the mayor, &c. for the ensuing year, after taking an oath which was tendered to them thus—
“Serres [i.e. Sirs,] ye shall well and truiye, upon your discressions, without affection, favour, fraude, or male engyn, chese our mayster the Mayre for the yeear coming from Mighelmass forth, a burgess of the 24, abyll, sufficient, and profitable, for the worship and profitt of the commons; and also ye shall chese 4 sufficient burgesses to occupye the office of Chamberlein for the same yeear, a comon Clerke and two Sergeants, thereof one shall be clerke of the Markett and keeper of the East Yates, a porter for the South Yates, and anoder for Doucehille’s Yates: which officers chosen, theyr names with my mayster the Mayre that shall be, ye shall present; so God ye help at the holy dome.”
The oath tendered to the said four burgesses was worded thus.—
“Serres—ye shall well and trulye, upon your discressions, chese and call to you eight abyll burgeys, without any affection, fraude, or male engyne, of the most indifferent, and not suspect persones, for the election of my mayster the Mayre that is to come; so God you help at the holy dome.”
The oath tendered to the Gild alderman (or rather, as it would seem, aldermen) empowered to choose the above four burgesses, was thus expressed—