than once, and the expenfe at the fame time reduced. And it is only by a rigid attention to fuch points, that the charity can be maintained on the frugal and improved footing on which it ftands.

It is much to be lamented, but it is the condition of human affairs, that oppofition is to be made to every beneficial work, especially if new, in proportion to the prejudice it may combat, and to the advantage with which it is attended. But it has hitherto been moft fortunate for this fchool, that its best interests have met with the effectual support of Lordship and the Directors of the institution; and I am confident your Lordship will not be wanting in what remains to be done for this charity.

your

Such is the refult of the effay I have made at this fchool. Whether the fuccefs of these

measures depends upon circumftances pecu

liar to the character or condition of these children, or whether a fimilar attempt would be attended with equal fuccefs in every charity or free school, where the master poffeffes the fame unqualified and unlimited powers

over the scholars, fo as in every cafe to direct their energy in the way which feems to him' most subservient to the general good, I do not fay, "Nec fatis fcio; nec, fi fciam, dicere aufim;" much lefs do I prefume to fay, whether the system might not be fo modified as to be rendered practicable in the hands of masters of talents and industry equal to the task, and poffeffing the confidence of parents, in the generality of public schools and academies. But I am anxious to fee the experiment made in both inftances, with due attention to circumftances. If fuccefsful, I fhould indulge the pleafing hope, that a rational foundation were laid for forming the characters of children, and implanting in the infant mind fuch principles as might, perhaps, continue through life, check the progrefs of vice and immorality, meliorate the rifing generation, and improve the state of fociety. The effect which the Greek and Roman claffics produce upon the youthful mind has been often marked; and the ancient hiftorians, orators, and poets, are known to give a tinge to the fentiments, and a bent to the genius, of those who read them with just relish. On the fame principle the practice of early youth, and fyftematic ar

rangements, could fcarce fail to produce habits, in advanced years, highly favourable to virtue, religion, and good government. But I must not yield to fuch fpeculations, as my object only is to detail, conformably to the inftructions of the Committee, what has paffed here, with a view to perpetuate this fyftem at a fchool where it has proved fo beneficial, and to give it the chance of that diffusion, which may produce a fair trial in other fituations; fo that its comparative value may be afcertained by experiments fairly made, the only just criterion of every theory of science, or politics, or education; but which can only be recommended with fafety when the failure. in fuccefs can be attended with no ferious confequences.

Thus have I endeavoured to perform the part affigned to me at this school; and the further I proceed in this task, the more I confider myself at liberty to confult for my own health and for myself. Still, however, I look upon it as a facred duty, with which no fecondary confideration can come in competition in my mind, to continue, while my ftate of health

will permit, to render my present services to this charity. When it shall be my lot to quit this office, as foon it must be, by reafon of

my ill health, it is a reflection I shall carry with me, that it has been my occupation, for feven years, to rear this favourite child beyond the dangers of infancy. This numerous family I have long regarded as my own. "" I feel all that intereft in its welfare and progreffive fuccefs, which arifes from my fituation, from the years I have fpent, and the toil I have bestowed on this favourite object." Report, ift July, 1795.

These children are, indeed, now mine by a thousand ties! I have for them a parental affection, which has grown upon me every year; for them I have made fuch facrifices as parents have not always occafion to make to their children. And the nearer the period approaches when I muft, for a while at leaft, feparate myfelf from them, the more I feel the pang shall suffer in tearing myself from this charge, and the anxious thoughts I fhall throw back upon thefe children, when I fhall ceafe to be their protector, their guide, and their inftructor.

I

With these fentiments I commend them to ALMIGHTY GOD, and to your fatherly

protection and care.

28th June, 1796.

(Signed) A. BELL.

OCCURRENCES OUT OF SCHOOL.

To this hiftory of the school, I cannot forbear fubjoining certain occurrences out of school, though I am very fenfible that they, on no other account, deserve to be recorded, than as a fpecimen of the manner in which those, who have the charge of youth, must study circumstances and fituations, and adapt even general rules to the genius and disposition of their pupils.

My first example will ferve to illuftrate what I have faid of the effect of climate on the animal fpirits.

When two boys fought, and one of them came to me to complain of being beaten (for otherwise I seldom took notice of what fo rarely occurred, and was fo harmless when it occurred) if there was no particular blame attached to