No. VIII.

DAY SCHOOL AT BERHAMPORE.

WHILST the 53d regiment was stationed at Canterbury, in the beginning of the year 1805, a few children of the regiment, of both sexes, were assembled in the house of one of the officers, and received a little instruction from his family; but the removal of the regiment broke up the school, and it was not assembled again till the regiment was stationed at Dina pore, in the East Indies, in March, 1806.

*

A school was then formed, under the pa tronage of the Colonel of the regiment, upon

* We are indebted for this account to Mrs. Sherwood, the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Butt. Her letter contains an account of a religious society in the 22d regiment, which we have much pleasure in adding in her own words." I have within a few days been much delighted with a little society, in the 22d regiment; which is come to this place to remain here, in lieu of the 53d regiment. These poor men, about twenty in number, had formed themselves into a small club or religious society, when placed in Fort William, in Calcutta, some years ago, They were allowed a bomb-proof room to retire to, and an old schoolmaster, of the name of Edmonds, read to them, prayed with them, and sung Psalms. The rules of their society are won

a regular plan.

One of the serjeants, who could read and write well, was appointed to be master of the school, and the children were assembled in one of the virandas of the paymaster's quarters, in order that the family might have an opportunity of frequently

derfully pure, simple, and strict; such as might have suited a company of saints in the apostolic ages; no genteel vice whatever being allowed. Whoever breaks through these rules, is banished the society; and is not re-admissible, but with the approbation of every individual of the society. When the regiment was removed from Fort William to Cawnpore, (as I understand, on foot, not in boats) the society had few opportunities of meeting; and the members felt that they were gradually losing the spirit of religion. One evening, stopping at Alahabad, they after a long march, met in a grove of mangoes at midnight; and continued the whole night in prayer with one accord, and singing of psalms; making the Indian groves, and the shores of the Ganges, resound with the praises of a Redeemer. They said that the refreshment and comfort, which they found this night, was wonderful; and in the morning they continued their march with joy.-There have lately been some disturbances in the 22d regiment, of an unpleasant nature, which, by the prudence of the Commander in Chief will, I hope, be amicably settled. These poor Christians, on this occasion, acted in a manner worthy of their calling. Since their regiment is come to Berhampore, Mr. Parson, the chaplain of the station, has provided them with some apartments in his grounds; to which they retire morning and evening to read and pray. Mr. Parson frequently visits them. It is delightful to hear their songs of praise, in this region of idolatry and blasphemy: for the dreadful wickedness of this unhappy country cannot be described."-August, 1807.

directing the master, and inspecting the children.

The children of the regiment who were fit for instruction did not amount to above eighteen, including two or three sons and daughters of officers, and three or four little drummers. Each of these children pay a sum of the value of sixpence to the master, and the hours of attendance are from nine till one in the afternoon. The heat of the climate will not permit them to attend the school again in the afternoon.

The children are taught by the master to spell, write, and cypher; he also instructs them in classes according to Mrs. Trimmer's plan, making use of her Teacher's Assistant. The little girls have been for many months instructed in needlework, apart from the boys, in the same house, by one of the ladies of the regiment; and the boys have also received instruction in reading from the same person. The larger boys are also taught to write regi mental orders, in the same manner as this business is carried on in the Orderly Room. The master reads aloud a part of an old book of orders, whilst the scholar commits what he reads to paper. Two or three of the boys are

N

able to perform this exercise with tolerable

accuracy.

When these children first came to the school, few of them could tell their letters, and one only could read. Most of the boys now read the New Testament with ease, and are by no means slow in comprehending what they read. Their manners also, from being perfectly wild and licentious, are become decent and submissive. This improvement is particularly remarkable in the boys. But it has been observed with regret, that the improvement of the girls, notwithstanding the pains which have been taken, has been far less remarkable: the private habits of a barrack being much more injurious to the minds of females, than to those of the other sex.

Upon the whole, the patrons of this school have met with more success than could have been expected: although the children are still, it is feared, very far from possessing that truly Christian spirit, which should be prized above all learning. But it is the duty of those who have the care of children (in whatever situation they may be placed) diligently to plant and water, humbly trusting that God will in his good time give the increase.

No. IX.

INDUSTRY SCHOOL AT OAKHAM.

RULES FOR THE SPINNING SCHOOL AT

OAKHAM, RUTLAND.

Ist. ALL inhabitants of the parish to be ad

mitted.

2d. No persons to receive relief from the parish upon account of their families, who refuse to send their children to the school: unless they can prove, to the satisfaction of the overseers, that they can employ them to more advantage elsewhere.

3d. They are to be instructed gratis in spinning jersey, and linen, and in knitting: those who choose it, in reading; and those who can bring work with them, in sewing.

4th. The hours of work to be from eight to one, and from two to seven; from one to two, dinner and rest. No work after dinner on Saturdays.

5th. A dinner to be provided for those who

Reports, No. IV.