appear to have included the maintenance of the School, at least on a certain scale and within the limits of the original area, the town and parish of Tonbridge. The Commissioners, however, doubted if the claim could be maintained, and suggested that it should be solved by a judicial decision. A suit, as stated above, was acordingly instituted, and it was decided in 1821 (and the decision confirmed on appeal) that the School was entitled to the most valuable part of the property disposed of by Sir A. Judde, viz. the estates situated in St. Pancras and in All Hallows, the annual rental of which at that date was 31907., and to an insignificant contribution out of the remaining estates towards the expenses of the Skinners' visitation, and of repairing the old school-house. The new Scheme enlarged the area for Provisions Foundationers as aforesaid, established a second class of Scheme. boys as distinct from the Foundationers, namely, boys from

of present

any part of the United Kingdom, at a considerably higher rate of payment (no part of the education being absolutely gratuitous to any boys, except Latin and Greek, according to the rule often in force in ancient Grammar Schools); defined the number of boarders, the number and value of the Exhibitions, the position and emoluments of the Masters, the Examinations, and other details. But it has not essentially varied the character of the School, as it has been from its foundation. It is essentially a Classical School, or, as we should say, a School of the first grade, and in its predominant character it is a Boarding School. The Company, with the advice of All Souls', have the general power of government and regulation, but the Head Master, subject to such power, has the entire charge of the studies and discipline of the boys.

income.

The Governors state that no material increase of the revenues is in early prospect. Mr. Elton, however, says The School that in about three years probably there will be an increase of perhaps 20001. a year, and another somewhat later. But the great increase above alluded to will not be till 1906.

The net School income is stated on an average of five years at 26431. Great additions are to be made to this in respect of payments for board and for various extras; but on the whole we do not think that the present amount of endowment is such as to warrant us, considering the work actually done by the School, in advising any essential change in its objects.

The boys, especially the boarders, are manifestly for the most part sons of gentry; though a small number only go direct to the Universities, many go into the army and civil service; a very fair proportion of them are above the age of sixteen, which is an admitted test of the character of a school, and the School is of well-established repute among the higher Schools of the country.

The amount of payment, especially for day-boys, is a fair question for consideration. But Mr. Elton does not suggest material reduction till the revenues are increased; and considering the social position of the boarders, it seems to us that their payments are moderate, and that they do substantially benefit by the existence of the endowment. The highest bill was 1287., the lowest 701., the average 951.

of instruc

The instruction given in the School is in the main uni- Character form, and there does not appear to be a Modern Depart-on ment in it. Mr. Elton says there was "a modern form," and that it was dropped from want of space, and from

Local privileges.

the fees being too high. The Head Master alludes probably to this when he says there were Physical Science Classes, which have been discontinued.

It is a question whether Mr. Elton is right in advising the creation of a Modern Department, wholly separate from the Classical; but it seems clear that to some extent the balance inclines too much in favour of classics, and, though cautiously and probably only with changes in detail, it should be redressed. Mr. Elton says that non-classical subjects are "neglected in the higher forms;" and the Head Master himself states expressly that "little encouragement is given to mathematics and other studies."

We do not think it necessary to go into detail on this subject. Valuable suggestions will be found upon it in the brief Report of Mr. Elton; nor can it be supposed that the Governors would find any difficulty in dealing with the matter, with such aid as they would receive from a man of the ability and experience of Dr. Welldon, the Head Master.

There is, then, the usual question of local privileges for foundationers. The area for the enjoyment of those privileges is measured by a radius of ten miles from Tonbridge Church. This is large compared with such a case as Bedford; and perhaps, considering the rural character of the district, no relaxation as to day-boys would have any great practical effect; but as to boarders it would be material.

Again, though there is no exclusion of an absolute character, as at Bedford, of non-foundationers from Exhibitions. and Prizes, there is a very invidious and objectionable distinction made to their prejudice. No non-foundationer can enjoy any of the valuable Exhibitions of the School, if a

foundationer on examination can be found "duly qualified."

Mr. Elton states, and it is obviously inevitable, that so indeterminate a ground of preference has led to constant disputes; and the parents of foundationers have contended, not unreasonably it would seem, that their boys have a right to election, as against others, if they have the bare minimum of attainment that would enable the holder to pass through the Universities.

We think this distinction should be abolished: and we venture to recommend, following our general rule, that the foundationers should be chosen by competition, and that the foundation should eventually (with due consideration for the vested interests of present residents) be open to all England, as much as those of Eton and Winchester.

We should add, that Mr. Elton says of the whole School that the teaching is "very good of its kind," and speaks with unqualified and hearty approval and admiration of its discipline, comfort, and general arrangements.

third grade

be added

As soon as the increase of 2000l. a year, which Mr. Elton Second and thinks that there is reason to expect, shall accrue, we are of Schools to opinion that the claims of the neighbourhood to good hereafter. second grade and third grade schools should be considered. Such schools should probably be day schools. But their precise character and situation ought to be left to be determined by the Governors.

Body.

The Governing Body should, in our opinion, be remo- Governing delled in accordance with our general recommendations. The Skinners' Company should name one half, the other half should be named by the Provincial Board, which we shall hereafter describe.

The reve

nues.

The Founder's inten

tions.

REPORT BY C. J. ELTON, ESQ.

This School is already of considerable importance, and its revenues will within forty years be increased so largely that it is necessary to consider with much minuteness the merits of the Scheme by which it is governed.

In three years the revenues will very probably be increased by 18001. or 2000l. yearly; after a further augmentation a few years later, they will become very great in 1906, when an important building lease of land in London will fall in. The probable revenue has been variously estimated at 80,000l. per annum (by Mr. Gladstone, when Chancellor of the Exchequer), and at 20,000l. per annum by the School authorities. It will probably much exceed the latter estimate. The Founder's intentions were:- -(1) To provide free instruction in grammar to the boys residing in Tonbridge and "the adjacent country;" and (2) To benefit the town by bringing boarders to the houses of the Head Master and of the inhabitants.

The School having become rich by accident, as it may be said, the Founder's intentions have been disregarded in most points. The instruction is comparatively expensive, and it is not considered desirable that townspeople, not being Masters in the School, should receive boarders. In one matter, however, his (supposed) intention is followed in a manner which threatens to destroy the usefulness of his School. In the Schemes of 1825 and 1844 the words. adjacent country" have been construed to mean a district. measured along the roads by a radius of ten miles from Tonbridge Church. All boys whose parents have bonâ fide

66