The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

SHERBORNE EVENING SCHOOL

put

The usual half-yearly meeting for distributing re-
wards of merit to the scholars who receive instruc-
tion at this school, took place on Friday evening, at
the British School-room, Long-street, before a nume-
rous and respectable auditory.
Mr. /lACREADY, the founder of this highly-to-be-com-
mended moveuient, opened the proceedings by tlinisk•
ing the company present for their attendance, which to
him was an evident proof, that they entirely concurred
In the objects for winch the school had been established.
A very highly-valued friend of his, who was now pre-
en', bad designated this scheme as a "hobby" of his.
But he thought it was a misapplication of terms, for it
wits not a "hobby" but • duty, the discharge of which
he considered • valuable recompense. (Cheers.) lie
also thought that by their attendance on this and other
similar occasions they were co-operating in whit they
believed to he • good work, and which he was 11.1.1,), to
my he had provel to be • good work. (Hear, hear.)
Their attendance also was a very great assistance, inas-
much as it quickened the misirat of the boys, who
were gratified in feeling that their sympathies were with
them. He (lid not mean to talk a great deal about edu-
cation; but lie thought it was not sufficiently apparent,
how much each, in his own sphere, might du to assist in
the general desire for national education. He thought
they might occasionally question the youths, with whinai
they might cone in contact, as to how they spent their
leisure time. It WU a pity, that employers did mint
take a greater interest in time disposal of the leisure houni
of those who work for them ; and it was, lie thought, a
greater Pity, that our clergy were not more active in this
respect. He regretted that among the clergy (lie alluded
more particularly to the clergy of the Church of Eng-
land,) lie had only one staunch supporter of this school
—an honourable, right.ininiled man, w!io 'stands by
them, and he hoped, whilst that rev, gentleinan
lived, this school would never cease to be an object
ci interest to him. (Cheers.) This (continued
lie. M.) oompletes the fourth year of the existence
of this school, and I may say, without reserve, that it
has been kept up three nights a week for 42 weeks in
the year, which I think is not a bad proof of the desire
both on the part of the teachers to impart, and of
scholars to receive, that amount of education which
this school affords. The financial statement is very
satisfactory. We have • balance in hand of £22 Is. led,
(Cheers.) I have to report with greet pleasure that
there is a general improvement with regard to the
ehool, kc., particularly in theist, 2nd, and 3rd classes;
and it is with this greatest credit to themselves. I men-
tion the fact that those who have more particularly di--
tinguished themselves have taken advantage of their
" extra time." I should be sorry to make any invidion
distinction, but I cannot help observing that those wl.o
take advantage of their "extra tune" must necessarily
outstrip their fellows. Their progress in geography and
history has been very satisfactory, and in orthography
1.01/10 have attained considerable proficiency. It him
been customary to read the subjects aloud, which have
been given out for dictation to the first and second
chimes, because there has been certain misrepresenta-
tions, amounting almost to slander, with regard to the
doctrines taught in this school, and we find it to he the
best plan to adopt, in order to send forth to the world
the character and the religious tendency of the school.
Mr. Macrerely then read the beautiful piece of poetry
by Mrs. Bensons, entitled the "Merry homes of Eng-
land," and Bishop Ileber's hymn, "Thou art gone to
the grave, but we will not deplore thee ;" the lastmaineel
being given in • moist feeling and pathetic manner.
After the reading Mr. Macready continued You may
remember that about two years ago I said I received •
letter from • clergyman of the Church of England, who
declined to give his name, but wished suecess to the
school, and that, as much as was consistent, religion
should be included in the subjects taught; he inclosed
me a guinea to purchase a bible, which should be
competed for by those boys who were in advanced
Classes. At the ISllle time he expressed his intention to
continue the gift from year to year. Lest year he
kindly bore in wind his promise. This year, I lament
to say, the post has brought me no letter; the pen that
was so eloquent ham ceased to addrem me. Now, per-
haps it may be that the hand has no longer the power
of expression; and if suoh is the cam may God rest his
led. Perhaps he may have beard some of those malig-
nant remarks respecting this school which have reached
me. However, I wrote to my booksellers in London,
requesting them to send me • guinea bible, which they
have done, and I think, when you see it, you will lip-
rovii the good taste they have evinced in the selection.
U I had heard from him to-night I should have placed
Übe deism to his credit, and I have myself given • half-
as a prise for the second-heat reader. I
think the ides is sash • good one, that whilst my life is
=thin annual bible shall never be discontinued.
)

Mr. MAcattarir then called the ten boys who had
given thin r names as competitors, and they read various
portions of scripture, Slr. Siacreaily retiring to a distant
part of the room to watch the rffLet. 'rue boys read
very well inileel, and there was so ciam a competition
that it required an excellent judge to tell who really
was the best. Sir. Discrcady's decision was in favour of
John Striven.

The rewards were then distributed to the boys of
each class, after which Mr. Yucready suitably addressed
them.

In addition to the usual prizes, M:. Macready present-
ed the boys of the fir,: and wc,inil clae with a very
neat medal in n teatllVrC7l,!.tiell:ollt. of ea.' boy being
inscribed on [II,: top of coo in gold kttc. Thuse,
he said, were for good conduct.

The Rev. E. N. livisiso thought that this, of all
occasions, was one, on which they should not part with-
out some very serious and painful reflections. They all
knew how much this school was indebted to the constant
kindness and charity of the gentleuian who had sup-
ported it ; and for once in his life he regretted his pre-
sence there; for he could not speak what his heart
would dictate without being accused of fulsome flattery,
which was a thing he himself despised and lie was sure
(Mr. Maoready) would. He could not conceive that a
much greater calamity Gould befall the town of Sher-
borne, than the loss of Mr. Macready, for it would not
be such an easy matter to maintain the school in its
present position after be was gone. He thought the
matter should be placed before the inhabitants of Sher-
borne, and that they should endeavour to raise funds for
securing the services of • person who would maintain
the efficiency of a school, which had been done so well,
and withal gratuitously, by Mr. Maoready ; and that
this school might, in after years, stand as a monument
which that gentleman hail wet up for himself.
(Cheers.)
Mr. J. Y. MELMOTH also addressed the meeting, and
passed a just tribute of praise to the excellent founder
of this school.

Mr. MACREADT, in reply, thanked the gentlemen who
hail been pleased to pass such • high cologium on his
character, and assured them th.it wherever he might be,
he should always have the interests tf the school at
heart. Probably for the next half-year he should con-
tinue to hold the same position be hail done. They had
been pleased to multiply his elierts by twelve; if it
would take 12 to make up for the less id himself, then
multiply that number by two. The school was now a
reality ; for G.rs sake don't let it be superseded by a
sham. lie would wish them all a very good night, but
not "good-bye." (Cheers and laughter.) The meeting
then separated.