instance from some public fund, power being given to the public authorities to recover the outlay from the Parents of the Children. "5th.-That legislative enactments are also required in order to establish Correctional and Reformatory Schools for those Children who have been convicted of felony, or such misdemeanours as involve dishonesty; and to confer on Magistrates power to commit Juvenile Offenders to such Schools instead of to Prison. .. "6th. That the following Gentlemen form a Committee, with power to add to their number, to adopt such measures as they may think desirable, in order to obtain the requisite Parliamentary enactments, as well as to prepare a Memorial to the Committee of Council, and for the attainment of the specific objects laid down in the foregoing Resolutions." By these Resolutions, the Committee, of which a list is appended, was appointed to undertake the necessary preliminary steps in London : D. POWER, Esq. Mr. W. LOCKE. J. MACGREGOR, Esq. With the following gentlemen from various parts of the country: Rev. S. TURNER. M. D. HILL, Esq., Recorder of Birmingham; Rev. J. FIELD, Reading; A. THOMSON, Esq., Aberdeen; H. J. GRANT, Esq., Bristol; Dr. BELL, Edinburgh; Rev. W. C. OSBORN, Bath; W. CAMPBELL, Esq., Glasgow; E. W. NUTT, Esq., York; A. M. CAIRD, Esq., Wigton; Rev. E. CLAY, Preston; JOSEPH HUBBACK, Esq., Liverpool; J. CONDER, Esq., Birmingham. At a Committee Meeting held after the Conference, other names were added; and it was resolved, That the result of this Conference, together with a list of the principal gentlemen present, be laid before Sir GEORGE GREY, by a deputation, consisting of Rev. S. TURNER, Rev. J. FIELD, Rev. W. C. OSBORN, D. POWER, Esq., J. MACGREGOR, Esq., and Mr. W. LOCKE; and that D. POWER, Esq., be the Treasurer; also, that the Rev. SYDNEY TURNER, and JOHN MACGREGOR, Esq., be the Honorary Secretaries of this Committee. An interview has already been held with the Home Secretary, and a statement of the objects and desires of the Conference prepared for the more formal deputation; also a memorial to the Committee of Privy Council, in accordance with the Resolutions passed by the Committee. BIBLE IN the Band of Hope Review, a series of questions are proposed every month, which can be answered only by a diligent examination of the Bible, and as a stimulus to children to "Search the Scriptures," prizes are given to those who return the best answers. We intend to adopt a similar plan for the children attending our schools, and we feel sure that the teachers will assist us in carrying it into profitable effect. As a commencement, then, of this new scheme, one of our correspondents begs to offer, with our sanction, six prizes, to be given to the best answers returned by children attending our schools to the questions proposed below, under the following conditions: 1. The answers are to be in writing by children attending Ragged Schools, and being not more than fourteen years of age. 2. The answers to be given from the Bible, and not quoted from any other book. 3. Each successful competitor to be prepared to prove that the answers are his or her own. 4. Answers to be sent in by the last day of each month, and the prizes to be mentioned in the Magazine printed a month afterwards. To the Editor of the Ragged School Union Magazine. SIR,-I hear some talk of your dropping the Magazine on account of the expense. For any sake don't do that, for every one I know reads it with increasing interest and pleasure, and will willingly pay double for it rather than not have it. If all who now get it free would send the small sum of two shillings, and when stamped, three shillings a year, surely it would pay; and no friend to the cause would, I am sure, grudge to do that if earnestly solicited to do so. I send mine for two years, hoping many will do the same; and wishing you every success, I am, Sir, yours most truly, A RAGGED SCHOOL TEACHER. [We have been busy in trying to retrench expenses and to increase the receipts in our Magazine account. We certainly intend to live at least another year. Our work, it is certain, will not in that time be complete, and we do not intend to quit the field till it is. Our anxiety will, however, be greatly lessened, and our power for doing good will be much increased, by the general adoption of the plan so kindly suggested by our Correspondent.-ED.] Intelligence. CROWN SQUARE RAGGED SCHOOL. THE Annual Meeting of this school was held on Thursday, Dec. 4th, 1851, in Lion Street School Room, New Kent Road. The Chair was occupied by the Rev. W. Howieson, who opened the proceedings with an interesting and impressive address. The Report was read by J. E. Tresidder, Secretary. It stated, "the average attendance of boys to be 56, of girls 64, total 120. The average attendance of the Week Evening Classes is boys 25, girls 40. There is also a Girls' Sewing Class, held one afternoon in INTELLIGENCE. each week, at which from 20 to 30 girls attend. A Savings' Bank had been opened, for the benefit of the scholars, on October 20th last. 62 of the children had become depositors, and the savings had amounted to £3. 118. Od. The Meeting, which was numerously attended, was addressed by Messrs. D. Pratt, J. G. Gent, J. Sears, S. Sturge, W. H. Watson, Jephson, and W. E. Beal. The addresses were interesting, and of a practical character. HAMMERSMITH AND CHISWICK RAGGED SCHOOLS. THE Second Annual Meeting of the above schools was held on Tuesday evening, December 9th, at the Albion Hall; Admiral F. E. V. Harcourt in the chair. The children of the schools, who were present, sang an appropriate hymn. The Rev. Mr. Dickenson implored the Divine blessing. The Chairman then observed, That as Christ Jesus came to seek and "to save that which was lost," every professed follower of the Redeemer should in that particular strive to imitate him. He considered that to teach or proclaim the Gospel was one of the greatest privileges a human being could enjoy. He looked upon the class of children for whose benefit these schools had been instituted, as exposed to every vice; and but for such an institution, they would be entirely shut out from instruction. He regarded them as having special claim upon the sympathy, attention, and care of the Christian public. The Chairman then spoke at great length in commendation of that noble institution, the London City Mission, which he said, with its band of faithful and devoted men, had dived into the depths of misery, discovered the wretchedness that existed, and made them known. But he could not say that that Society had been the means of establishing all the Ragged Schools. He, for instance, was connected with one in the neighbourhood of St. Giles's twenty-six years ago, and subsequently engaged in another, and both before the London City Mission was organized. But that institution had been the means of greatly increasing their numbers. The Chairman then spoke very strongly upon the Protestant character of the teaching in the Ragged Schools, as both highly important, and in his judgment eminently calculated to meet the exigencies of the present day. The Secretary then read the Report. It stated, that this was the only school in the locality in which the evening instruction is given. That a paid teacher was employed three evenings in the week, as well as on Sabbath evenings. The receipts for the year had amounted to £38. 28. 3d. The expenditure to £34. 198. 5d., leaving a balance in the hand of the treasurer of £3. 28. 10d. The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Revs. Messrs. Dickenson, Leechman, Leblonde, Isaac, and Mr. W. Ferry, of the Ragged School Union. DUNCAN YARD RAGGED SCHOOL, DEPTFORD. 19 THE Annual Meeting of this school was held in the British School Room, Tanner's Hill, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 16. After a numerous company of teachers and friends had partaken of tea together, and the children had enjoyed a repast provided for them in their own school room, the Chair was taken by Colonel Alexander, of Blackheath. The Rev. John Kingsford having implored the Divine blessing, the children sang a hymn. The Chairman introduced the business of the evening by a lucid and manly address, breathing a healthy tone of Christian feeling. The Report took a review of the progress of the school for the past seven years. It was commenced in a small room in Flood Street; then they had eight voluntary teachers only. They subsequently removed the school to larger premises in Griffin Street, when a paid master was employed, and a Week Evening School commenced. They next took the present school room in Duncan's Yard, and engaged a paid mistress. A Provident Clothing Fund has been set on foot. 129 garments have been distributed among the children, and shoes costing about three pounds. £10 have been subscribed by the children. The Tailoring Class has been found very beneficial. The average attendance of boys is 45, girls 23, and about 38 infants. The Meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Russell, Luey, Pulling, Simpson, Major Rutherford, E. B. Henderhill, and Mr. J. G. Gent, of the Ragged School Union. WOOLWICH RAGGED SCHOOL. THE Lords of the Admiralty having kindly granted the Committee of the above school the use of the premises formerly occupied as a guard house for the Royal Marines, at the east end of the dock yard, on Saturday, October 25th, the children had their annual treat, but which extended only to those who had not been to Charlton Fair, that being the condition previously understood by them. Great praise is due to the Committee who had the management of the room; it was very tastefully ornamented with dahlias and evergreens. The mottos at each end of the room being "Seek Wisdom" and "Love God;" both done with dahlias. There were other mottos at various parts of the room. The meeting was opened by singing an appropriate hymn; the esteemed superintendent, Mr. C. Dutton, then offered a most suitable and impressive prayer; after which, the children commenced with hearty good will the most agreeable part of the evening's entertainment, viz., that of partaking of the store of plum cake, buns, and tea, which had been so liberally provided for them. It was a gratifying scene to witness between two and three hundred poor children thus enjoying themselves. After they had done ample justice to the good things, preparation was made for hearing a lecture from Mr. Beer, who had been engaged for the occasion, on Scripture History, with Pictorial Illustrations. Questions were asked by the lecturer on the subject under illustration, which were replied to with readiness and propriety by the children, evidently showing that much care had been bestowed by the teachers on that important point, the knowledge of the Scriptures. At the close of the lecture, the children sang the hymn, "There is a happy land." The dissolving views then followed, affording, from the variety of objects introduced, a great fund of amusement to the juvenile assembly: the whole concluded with a very striking likeness of her majesty, which was received by the little auditory with hearty cheers. The whole of the assembly then sang the national anthem, which terminated the proceedings of the evening's entertainment; the getting up of which reflects the highest credit on the teachers, and must have afforded them great pleasure in being the instruments of imparting to their charge such a source of enjoyment. We wish them God-speed in their next year's labours, and that support which an institution of this kind is deserving, one which commends itself to the support of the inhabitants of this town, where, from local circumstances, so many poor ragged boys and girls are to be met with, IPSWICH RAGGED SCHOOLS, THE Second Annual Meeting of the friends of the above schools was held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, on Friday evening; R. D. Alexander, Esq., took the Chair. He said: They had met, as they must all be aware, to celebrate the second annual meeting of the Ipswich Ragged Schools, of the proceedings of which during the past year a report would be read. His valued friend, the Recorder for the borough, who had been the main stay of the schools, had condescended to attend and give his valuable assistance on the present occasion. It would not be desirable for him to take up much of the time of the meeting by way of preface, but he must be permitted to state that the principle involved in the establishment of Ragged Schools was one which every philanthropist and Christian must respond to. Children who had drunken parents, or who were sent by their parents in a systematic manner into the streets to obtain their living by trickery or by thieving, must, in a short time, become accomplished thieves, a pest to society, and injurious altogether to the country at large. They ought to be stimulated to use their best exertions, as Christians, in the support of an institution like the one they were met to advocate. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman then called upon the Secretary to read the Report. Mr. J. Ray, the Secretary, read the Report, from which it appeared, the average attendance at the girls' school on the week day evening has been about 30 during the summer months, and 60 during the autumn and winter ones. On the Sabbath evening during the summer it has averaged 50, and in the winter months 65. At the present time the attendance is about 80notwithstanding a great many have been persuaded to enter regular Sabbath schools, and several aided in getting situations. At the boys' school, the average attendance on the Sabbath evening throughout the year has been 62-and on the week day evenings during the summer months 24, and the winter ones about 30. The receipts for the year amounted to £53. 6s. 61d; the expenditure to £52. 98. 4d.; leaving a balance of 178. 2d. in hand. Mr. R. Ransome said, the following Resolution had been placed in his hands :-"That the Reports which had just been read be adopted; and that while this meeting rejoices to hear that the number of children is fully kept up in both the Ragged Schools, it is with much regret they learn there is so much difficulty in finding teachers, as these schools are well deserving the hearty support of all true friends of the poor." He said, he felt it a privilege to be enabled to take any part in the proceedings of a meeting like the present, for he took encouragement, as they no doubt all did, in seeing so large an attendance that evening, because he felt it to be an evidence that the interest which was shown at their first meeting was not only maintained, but increased, the more especially when they considered how large a meeting was then being held in the Corn Exchange. He would ask, Could they be doing a greater service than that of doing good to their fellow creatures? Were they not interested, every one of them, in the well-being of the town? Were they not all interested in its good order? Did they desire to see their esteemed friend (the learned Recorder) presiding over the court adjacent trying a large number of prisoners? He thought not. Would not they rather welcome him to their houses, having nothing for him to do? As he believed that the Ragged Schools would be the means of lessening the crime of the town, and of improving the condition of society, he felt great pleasure in moving the Resolution which he had just read for their adoption. (Applause.) The Rev. W. Notcutt seconded the Resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Recorder (David Power, Esq.) moved the second Resolution :-"That this Meeting, being convinced of the deep importance of Ragged Schools and of Ragged Schools with Industrial Classes connected therewith, and believing that, under God's blessing, they will be of great service, both temporally and spiritually, to the class for whose benefit they are designed, pledges itself to combined and increased efforts to support the same." We hope in a future number to give the substance of the learned gentleman's speech. The Meeting was also addressed by Mr. J. B. Dasent, Mr. T. B. Ross, the Rev. S. J. Rigand, Mr. J. Head, Mr. Grimwade, Mr. Prentice, Mr. B. Colchester, Mr. J. Ray. Original Papers. RAGGED SCHOOLS THEIR LOCALITY-OPERATIONS-CONDITION-AND RESULTS. AGAR TOWN. THE locality constituting the sphere of the operations of this School, was a few years since one of the delightful suburban spots, surrounding an adorning the busy metropolis of London. Then it was approached by pleasant meadows and cultivated fields, with rural turnstiles and winding pathways, from Islington, Holloway, and Camden Town. The shady trees, and the cooling waters of the Serpentine Canal, were exceedingly grateful to a passer-by on a sultry summer's day, and the City merchant or tradesman could here find recreation or retirement. A gentleman, attracted by the loveliness of the scenery, purchased the estate and erected a mansion. A few years only had passed away when it fell into other hands. The adjacent fields had become shorn of their verdure and beauty, thickly studded with dwellings, and crowded with inhabitants. The once lovely spot was now rendered so obscure, that access could only be gained by passing through narrow lanes and awkward turnings. It was let on building leases, varying from seven to twentyone years, and houses, huts, and cabins were erected with surprising rapidity, and quickly inhabited by various classes and characters. This neighbourhood was thoroughly investigated by an agent of the London City Mission, and subsequently a visit was paid to it by the Editor of Household Words-from their reports, which are exceedingly minute and truthfully descriptive, the following extracts are quoted: London City Mission Magazine, "There is one awful fact connected with the erection of this town, namely, that the chief part of it has been built on the Lord's Day, when men were industriously engaged in building and finishing their dwellings, as well as gardening. The sounds of trowels, hammers, and saws, constituted a truly awful discord, worthy of Satan, whose throne is erected here. At the east end of Cambridge Street, just by the Gas Works, were seen about six men laying the foundation of two dwellings, and a number looking on; by the next day these residences had been reared several feet. During the whole of the ensuing week nothing more was done; but on the succeeding Sunday afternoon it was observed that they had been reared one story, which, no doubt, was the result of another Sunday morning's work. It was observed to the wife of the man for whom they were being built, that they had been industriously engaged in building a house for this life on the Sabbath-day, but that it was feared the idea of building a house or making NO. XXXVIII.-VOL. IV. D Household Words, March, 1851. "What is the name of this place?' I asked. This here, Sir ?' replied a woman, 'why, Hagar Town.' A dustman who sat upon the pathway, smoking a short, black pipe, with his legs dangling over the road, like a patient angler by a very turbid stream, You're as nigh,' said he, 'to the middle o' Hagar Town as you vell can be.' 'It's a rum place, aint it? I am forced to come through it twice a day, for my work lays that way; but I wouldn't if I could help it. It don't much matter in my business, a little dirt, but Hagar Town is worse nor I can abear.' 'Are there no sewers?' 'Sooers? Why the stench of a rainy morning is enough fur to knock down a bullock. It's all very well for them as is lucky enough to have a ditch afore their doors; but in gen'ral everybody chucks everything out in front, and there it stays.' . . . 'Is the whole of Agar Town in such a deplorable state as this?' I asked. All on it! Some places wuss. You can't think what rookeries there is in some parts. As to the roads, they aint never been done nothink to. |