CHAPTER XIV. "A pearly gem lies hid within the human mind, "From education, as the leading cause, Cowper. THE COLLEGE GATEWAY. Ir a man has passed the meridian of his youth, whether he has glided on smoothly down the stream of time, or has been 4 tossed on the troubled ocean of life, if he have any recollection of his former days, he may with satisfaction reflect on the great change which has taken place in the mode and manner of instructing the youthful mind. The grandfather may in these days congratulate his grandchildren on the present advantages they possess over their ancient parents, both as to the printing, type, and paper, as well as in all the elementary books for education, now expressly written to suit the taste and tender age of the infant character; whilst in former times the child was first sent to an old madam's school to learn his alphabet from a horn book. "Neatly secur'd from being soiled or torn, Beneath a pane of thin translucent horn, A book (to please us at a tender age; 'Tis called a book, though but a single page) Let us hope that the present easy method for gaining the top of the ladder of learning, may make our youths better sons, better fathers, better subjects of his Majesty, and in short better Christians; for unless human learning be founded on Christian knowledge and the virtues of prudence and charity, the man who possesses it, however great are his abilities, may be compared to a man-of-war in a storm deprived of her rudder. 1 Maria Williams, when speaking in page 32 of the Italian Santa Croce, or Christ's Cross-row, has the following note: "This name, pronounced criss cross-row, was given to the alphabet when the sign of the holy cross preceded the letter A, and was learned by the little Christian before any thing else. Its original title is now almost forgotten, as well as that of the horn-book, which it derived from being covered with transparent horn to keep it clean. Modern primers and spelling-books have superseded our old friend, but we still remember it with gratitude."-Three Months in the Mountains East of Rome, 1819. The present writer must also speak in praise of the hornbook, as that was the first to which he was introduced more than half a century ago.-Edit. This is certainly clear, that the above ladder is made more easy of ascent, and elementary knowledge at least is attained by the young at an earlier age than formerly. Before the dissolution of the monasteries in England, the only learning in the world was taught by the Roman Catholic priests, monks, and nuns, and generally within the walls of their respective convents. When these religious societies were dissolved public colleges were increased, foundation grammar-schools and charitable seminaries were established and endowed by crowned heads,' and by worthy individuals; although it appears that the three great national foundation schools of England-Westminster, Winchester, and Eton,' were established previously to the dis-⚫ solution of the monasteries. St. Paul's School in London was erected by Dr. Collet, in the reign of Henry VIII, anno 1510.2 The King's School at Canterbury was also founded in the same reign. 3 Edward VI founded Christ's Hospital in 1552.4 Merchant Taylor's was established in 1560, and Harrow School in 1585, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 5 the great patroness of learning, and who endowed most of the grammar schools of her kingdom; among which may be reckoned this of Guernsey, commonly called the College School; although by the report of the late School Committee, it does not appear from any written document now in the island to have been styled any other than the Grammar School. 6 To speak in praise of such foundation 1 Westminster, in the time of William the Conqueror, anno 1070. Refounded by Queen Elizabeth in 1560. Winchester, in the reign of Richard II, anno 1387. Eton, in the time of Henry VI, anno 1441. In 1824, the number of scholars were stated at Westminster, 250; at Winton, 270; at Eton,550; at the Charter-House, established 1611, 450 boys. 2 Stowe's Chron. p. 894. 3 Gostling's Walk through Canterbury. 4 Stowe's Chron. p. 1055. 5 Stowe's Chron. p. 1116. 6 The Rev. N. Carey's and Rev. Elias Crespin's appear to be the schools would be superfluous, when we behold the high offices in the kingdom filled by persons of exalted talent, who have been thus educated; when we see a Scott, an Abbott, 2 and a Middleton, 3 rising from the humble walks of life to the summit only two licences in which the name of free-school is mentioned. See School Report, page 17.-Edit. 1 The Lord High Chancellor and his brother, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty. 2 Lord Tenterden, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench. 3 Bishop Middleton, the first Bishop of Calcutta. The following extract, descriptive of the character of Lord Tenterden, as applicable to this subject, cannot fail to prove interesting to the reader. Before we attend Mr. Abbott to the university, we may be allowed to record some of the expressions of his gratitude to the institution, the Free Grammar School of his native city, Canterbury, in which his education so auspiciously commenced. In addition to an annual contribution of five pounds to the School Feast Society, Lord Tenderden presents the school every year with two prizes, one for the best English essay, and the other for the best Latin verse. All the scholars are allowed to contend for the acquisition of these prizes, and the award is determined upon the judgment of the masters. In the year 1819, the centenary of the school, his Lordship accepted an invitation to Canterbury, witnessed the examination of the scholars, addressed the successful candidates, and after attending the usual service and sermon at the Cathedral, dined with the masters and members of the institution at the principal hotel of the city. In his speech on that occasion, he delivered himself with much feeling and effect: he spoke of the charitable foundation on which he was educated with the greatest frankness and gratitude; and declared, that to the Free School at Canterbury he owed, under the Divine blessing, the first and best means of his elevation in life.”—Public Characters, part 4th. Thos. Marrable, Esq., raised from an humble sphere to be the present Secretary to the Privy Purse of his Majesty, was also educated at the King's School, Canterbury. The following testimony to the character of this gentleman (extracted from the will of the late Right Hon. Sir John M‘Mahon, Bart., a Privy Counsellor and late Private Secretary, Secretary Extraordinary and Keeper of the Privy Purse to the Prince Regent), is worth recording; among many other bequests, Sir John M'Mahon makes the following: "To Thomas Marrable, Esq., a dear and esteemed friend, the sum of 2,0007. And with my last prayers for the glory and happiness of the best-hearted man in the world, the Prince Regent, I bequeath him the said of their professions from their high attainments, their abilities, and integrity, it speaks volumes in their favour. But the value of public foundation schools has in many places not been duly appreciated; such was the case in this island when the grant for a school was well intended, but like many other beneficent grants from the Crown, was not ordered to the best advantage. Happily, however, the charter has been lately examined, and from this inquiry much good has arisen. At the end of the year 1823, a committee was appointed to investigate the state of the endowed schools of the island, under the direction of our worthy Lieut.-Governor, his Excellency Sir John Colborne, K.C.B.; to whom every praise is due from the inhabitants, not only for his attention to the object of education, but also for his paternal care relative to all the public affairs of the island. On the 27th of December, 1823, the Governor's Secretary informed the following gentlemen of their appointment by a letter to Major Havilland, their President: A Sub-Committee having been named, they, on the 7th of May, laid before the General Committee the fruits of their research, in a printed report consisting of two parts; the first, containing the history and circumstances of the institutions up to the present time; and the second, their suggestions for the Thomas Marrable as an invaluable servant."-Gents' Mag. 1817, part 2nd, p. 371. |