The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-12-01 00:00:00


ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE BRITISH
SCHOOL

On Friday last the anniversary of this school was
held. A public tea In the schoolroom opened the
interesting proc.edinp, which was attended by nearly
100 persons. The room was prettily decorated for
the occasion, much taste being apparent in the very
appropriate mottoes that adorned the walls.Evergyeens
relieved every available spot, interspersed with artificial
Bowers, most artistically erranged.
A publio examination of the boys followed. A marked
improvement is apparent, both in the answers and
general deportment of the scholars, at earth snocessive
annual examination, and it is gratifying to observe the
Interest felt in the oohed by the parents and friends of
the boys, as sheen in the increased numbers by which
such yearly meetinge are attended. As no asstant in
allowed in the wheel by the Committee of Management,
the whole of the duties devolve upon Mr. Bunting, and
great credit is due to him for the energy and success
with which he performs them. No pains bare been
spared to render the boys placed under his care
efficient In those branches of a undid education which
shad et them to honoree akilful mechanics and artisans,
sod ir Si ul members of society.
U. Devenish, Fey prodded over the proceeding., and
ghe MOM &wady crowded.
The CLIAIII.II/X, tirktly addressing the meeting at
the oemmon'ellisnt, epedie with gratification of the
oirottoistance that the sympathy manifested in the
school They ware all aware of the
prindphl:s
ttaughtdia:hinWt
ei:Z•uel he felt sue that the result
of the examination would prove that times principles
were of a thoroughly sound and &shah character.
The sang "Mind Words" was sue. Elyen by the
"bob. In a very plosionTlin were then
examieed In fieripture by Mr. liolouse. The questions
on this subject were answered with a promptitude
which shows a thorough knowledge of the 113141 e. An
amusing recitation was given by Thomas Payne
entitled "The Jackdaw." Mr. Beale thee condond
the examination in reading and spilling; in both thane

very ementiel breathes the scholars acquitted them-
salve' exultantly. "The Pilgrims" wu thee spiritedly
gu, ,11. to the delight of all present. A recitation by
Lines ByMel, "Try again" followed. The boys were
next examined in History by Mr. Holmes. An
aPProPriate and pleasing song entitled " Work" wee
then given. (leorge Dean recited " The brook," Mr.
Beale next examined them in Geography, after which a
recitation, "The Hero and the Robber," was given by
Fred. Keats and John Fining. Mental Arithmetic
wasol o twbe de subject
ed "Theofthepinigerixt.exonfmthineatNioignit7 During
• song
f
the whole of the @elimination the greatest attention was
obeereed by the eeliolars and apt and tomato responses
to the ousetion submitted, indicated, we are sure, couch
piimtikiing on the part of their instructor, and of
ailieeot appliestion by the boys. Spiciness of drawing
and penmanship were next pared round for inspection,
and they wale of • very creditable character.
After • few remarks, by the Chairman en the success
of the examination,
Mr. G. Boom( said he was most gratified, as he knew
all moat be, at the efileienev shown by the boys in their
examination that evening. They all were aware of what
• noise edwation was creating at the present day, but
whether people &demoted coompulsory or voluntary
education one thing was certain education had become
• necessity. He begged to thank the master for the
evident pains he had taken in instructing the lads,
and he would thank the scholars for the attention
they bad paid to the precepts of their instructor—
(hear, hear).
Mr. WILX.D.S Geier, of Alezadra•terrace, said be
had been much plumed at the answers of the boys that
evening. He wished to impress upon them the value
of edneetion in every position in life. They all knew
the immense trade serried on by this country with every
nation in the civilised world. They knew that in many
insUnees English workmen were sent to foreign parts
to devise and construct appliances and buildings for
foreign powers. And be mast remind them, that in
order to maintain that commerce, education in this
country moat be promoted by all. The English artisan
must be well educated, so that he might cope with
untinental workmen. He would call their attention to
the manner in which education is propagated in Frarnia,
Prussia, and Austria, wirers no workman ie allowed
to leave his ciotintre velem he is considered to have
received • good education. He was riding on the railway
one day and in the course of his journey he met • um-
pinion who bad travelled on the continent, and he told
him that the working eisases there were for the most
part a highly educated people. And his friend further
informed him that the extraordinary skill evinced by
foreign workmen was doe in a great measure to the
well orginieed state of their workshops, and the shrewd
dispositions of their masters, who arecontinaally offering
premuims to induce the artisans in their employ to
make use of all their judgment and skill to erodes,
useful inventions. As soon sea workman had found some
plan by which an improvement might be made in the
, manufacture of some article of commerce, his employer
promoted the idea, and assisted the inventor to carry
It out stiocessfully, when he rewarded him handsomely
j to stimulate his compeers to further exertion. They
all knew that our gold and iron WM exported to foreign
j ports for manufarture, and that it wits sent look to
' this truantry made into useful areicles of industry
and commerce, and pot out of band in • much more
workmanlike manner than we t could do it here.
Now, he wished to urge upon them to use their greatest
endeavours to become competent in those subjects of
education in which they were being taught and
endeavours to make well adulated and useful men. As
long as English workmen were content to follow in the
wake of foreigners and allow them to carry off the palm
as superior craftsmen, so long would our trade go to
foreign ports, and continue to support • foreign nation.
lot them look at the principle structures in this country
and they would find that the work which required the
greatest amount of skill had been done by foreigners.
The cathedral at Salisbury, for instance, stood out on
British soil as a memorial to foreign skill and workman.
ship. And on one occasion as he was walking along
Corolla!, London, be pawed a large building in manse
of erection and he noticed that every workman was •
foreigner. And, he would ask, what was the reason
that they were more clever than we. Belaue they haee
received a more careful, more complete, education.
They were growing up, and would one day have to
compete, or try to compete, with foreign workmen.
Therefore, let them try to be superior in education if
possible to them, and in that manner they would
find little difileulty in outstripping the foreign artisan,
and driving him out of the English market. He would
again say that he was much pleased at the manner in
which they had answered, and be had no doubt they
intended to make good way under their kind instructer.
He was glad to see that this last year eight boys
had competed for wises, of whom six obtained
prizes and the remaining two received certificates
of merit (hear, hear). And he must thank
Mr. Bunting for the zeal he had manifested in the
school. He was sure they could not have • more hard'
working conductor ler it, and he hoped they all felt
grateful to him for his devoted and unflagging industry—
(applause).
The Ker, E. MIIIIITMLX said he had much pleasure in
looking throuth the committee's report of the school
for the past year. There were 91 boys on the register,
77 an regular attendants, and on the gallery there were
at present 90. He thought that it was a very pleasing
thing to note the increase of the school's attendance.
He did not often look into the report books, for he was
well aware of the capability of their master Mr.
Bunting, and he felt confident that under his tuition
the school would not decrease—(cheers). They most
remember that he (Mr. Bunting) bad had • great deal to
do, sometimes, indeed, rather more than was convenient,
but success bad crowned his efforts, and he had the
pleasure of seeing his scholars pass • rather severe
examination in • trimming and creditable manner—
(applause). And to the scholars be would say learn all
you can at the present time. Never be weary of well
deing, or they would *ea the necessity of close attention
to their slush.. (when theylwere too old to profit by it.
He could assure them that the time would come
when they would be grateful to the promoters of the
British School, for the education which they possessed.
There was scarcely anything which edueivion could not
improve or forward in some fashion. He did not like
to talk of fighting, hot he would just remark that it had
been amertet that the reason why Austria soffered such
• severe and disastrous defeat at the hands of the
Prussian. was becauee the Prussians were better educated,
, end, therefore, made the better soldiers. Be that ae
, it might, erucation waa • valuable ally on any occasion.
They onxht to be very thankful for the great aelvantagss
, conferred upon them. Not ten miles from Dorchester
there was • eoncregation told that the only persons
j for whom the Bible was intended were such as
understood Latin. The priests said, "We can do the
reading and praying fur you." But let education he
more widely diffused, and no Inch statement could
j hold its ground. He would urge them to make the
, roost of the opportunity now before them, and work
. while it was du—(zbooers).
The Rev. J. Pox said he was not about to make
; them • speech, hut he had got • little poetry
, which had entered his mind whilst they were being
, addressed. When he eras • little boy be used to occupy
his leisure hours in perpetrating • little poetry, and he
, had been so mimed for the past few minutia, With
their permission, le would read it—(cheers).

"
Knowledge we all contra is good;
A wise man'. better than • fool;
And that'. • reurni why we should,
Help to support the British Sthool.
Let none despise the humble name,
he river once was hut • pool ;
And who can tell how far may amend
The blaming, of a British 80h.ol.
Our master we helieve's as good
A. ever .1 upon • stool;
Anther reneon why we should
Contribute to the British School.
Dear friends, we want your help to-day;
No man can work without • tool;
The committee have some hills to pay,
So wont 3 ou help the British School t
We're glad, deer boys, you've worked so well,
Let nothing e'er your ardour cool ;
Ana may i"11 all long live to tell
You're glad you went to the British SehooL
So while we sing" 6otleave the Queen,.
And pray •he long may England rule,
We'll also prey—(l bps we shall),
That God may blew our British School.
—(great
The National Anthem wee then sung, which eon-
eluded the prooemlinp.