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Inquiry, but they feel persuaded that the greatest advantages would result to this Country from Parliament taking proper measures, in concurrence with the prevailing disposition in the Community, for supplying the deficiency of the means of Instruction which exists at present, and for extending this blessing to the Poor of all descriptions.

Although your Committee have not been instructed to examine the state of Education beyond the Metropolis, they' have, in addition to what has appeared in Evidence, received communications, which show the necessity of Parliament as speedily as possible instituting an inquiry into the management of Charitable Donations and other Funds for the Instruction of the Poor of this Country, and into the state of their Education generally, especially in the larger Towns: and your Committee are of opinion, that the most effectual as well as least expensive mode of conducting such an Inquiry, would be by means of a Parliamentary Commission.

20 June 1816.

SECOND REPORT.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

Taken before The SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the EDUCATION of the Lower Orders of the Metropolis.

Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 18 June, 1816.

Lunæ, 3° die Junii, 1816.

HENRY BROUGHAM, Esq. in the Chair.

Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHS called in, and examined.

Where do you live?-Saint Katharine's, near the Tower. Are you a schoolmaster in the neighbourhood?-Yes. Of what school?-Saint Katharine's charity school. Upon what foundation is that school?-It is supported by voluntary contributions.

Have you any other funds?-There is a fund established by the contributions, which is placed in the bank.

To what does it amount?-The last purchase that was made has made it up to 1550.

What is the amount of annual subscriptions?—It has varied very much within the last seven or eight years; it formerly used not to amount to more than sixty or seventy pounds, it has in the last six or seven years amounted to upwards of 100%. by subscriptions and donations.

What is the whole amount of the yearly income?—I am not prepared to state that exactly.

Is it 2007.-Yes, it must be that, because our expenses amount to that.

How many children are educated there?-Fifty.
Boys and girls?—Yes.

What are they taught?-Reading, writing, and arithmetic, and clothed.

What is the master's salary?-The master and mistress, 601. a year between them.

Are there any other salaries than the master's and mistress's?-Nothing more than a trifling salary, for teaching psalmody, of four guineas a year.

Have the master and mistress any perquisite ?—None. A house?-A house to live in, and coal, but no candle. Are there ever fewer children than fifty ?-No.

How long have you been master?-About eight years. How many were there when you came?-Fifty.

Have there never been fewer, at any one time of the year, since the time you have been there ?-There may have been so for a month or six weeks; the committee meet the first Tuesday in every month, and if there is a vacancy they admit whatever child is next in rotation to come in,

How long has the school been established ?-Since the year 1707.

Had it never any more property, besides the money in the funds?-The chapter of St. Katharine's has made it a present, at several times, of the leases of three houses towards its support.

Have they that leasehold property at present?-They have.

At what are the houses underlet ?-Sixty pounds a year, the three.

Then the school has this 60%. a year in addition to the interest of 1550. in the funds, and 100%. a year subscriptions? The increase of stock has doubled since I have been schoolmaster, owing to a lady who died and left us 500.

In what stock is it?- Navy 5 per cents.

Then instead of nearly 2007. it appears the income of the school is above 2507. a year?-I was not aware of any question of the kind being asked, or I would have been prepared to answer it.

Is there any other property whatever belonging to the establishment?-None.

Any other salary paid, besides the master and mistress's? -None.

How are the children clothed ?-They are completely clothed at Midsummer, and extra shoes, stockings, and linen, at Christmas.

Do the premises belong to the institution ?-During the lease; the school-house is a gift of the chapter of St. Ka tharine's, during their pleasure, for which no rent is paid; there is a ground-rent paid for the other property.

Are there any occasional contributions and donations, besides the annual subscriptions ?-1 include those in the annual subscriptions.

Any charity sermons?—Yes, we have about one a year. Is that included in the former account of 100/.?-No, that is not, so that the produce of this is to be added to the former sum.

What are the hours of teaching?-From nine to twelve, and from two to five; six hours a day.

Have you any other occupation than schoolmaster ?—I am parish clerk.

Any other occupation?-As parish clerk, I do a little business in the undertaking line, which I employ other people to do.

Any other?-I do make a trifle as a musician; I am chorus singer to his Majesty's ancient concert of music in Hanover-square.

Have you any other employment?-No.

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