The Express.
London, England, 1849-12-12 00:00:00

RAGGED SCHOOLS.

Although in the above locality the usual variety of
free schools have been from time to time established, and to
which recently had been added a ragged school, yet all have
been found unequal to the rev:leen:vents of • district abound.
ing in ignorance, where, in one small spot. out of 61 children
under 14 years of age, 61 attended no se• oul whatever ; gad
out of 33 adults, 16 were unable to read and but three at-
tended any place of divine worship. With a view to re-
medy these evils, a committee was formed to collect sub-
scriptions, for the purpose of erecting a building suitable
to tne'vtaists of this destitute neighbourhood, to be called
" Thelinxton Ragged Sellouts ;" and, upon application, a
most appropriate site was liberally presented for the purpose
by H. C. Stull, BK.
Notwithstauding that the subscriptions were still 4001.
below the amount required to complete the building, the
o ramittee, feeling confident or being supported by the in.
habitants of this inality, determined upon commencing the
undertaking, and yesterday was fixed for performing the
ceremony of laying the f undation stone, which the Right
Hon. Lord Ashley, M.P., had k redly undertaoen to perform
At two o'clock precisely the noble 1 rd, accomputed by
two of his sons, arrived on the ground, and were imme-
diately conducted to" the stCh.e," which was suspended be-
neath the marquee, and bore the follo 'ring inscription :
"HOXTON RAGGED SCHOOLS —The freehold site on which
these schools are erecteo was this gift of H. C. Stunt,
This stoae was laid by the Right Hon. Lord Ashley, M.P.,
Deo. 11, 1849. 'A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him
tt at hath it: withersoever it turneth it prospereth.'—Prov.,
chap. :TH., verse B.—Clientre Rooxe, Esq,_ Treasurer;
June TARRING, Esq., Architect; BILSB HONETWILL,
builder."
The proceedings commenced with a hymn composed ex-
pasty fur the occasion by Mr. T. Pepper, which was meet
effectively sung by the large concourse of assembled spec-
tators. The Rev. W. bliall having invoked a blessing on
the undertaking, Mr. Ansell then handed to his lurdship the
elegant silver trowel, upon which was eneraved a front view
of the intended building, and delivered an addtess appro-
priate to the occasion. The usual formalities having been
gone through,
Lord ASHLEY said : It is not by any means necessary
for me to enlarge upon the necessity and value of ragged
schools, for the large assemblage be ore me shoes that they
feel a necessity for their establishment in this locality. It is
not possible far the rich or for government tu take the
entire charge of the great duties required by the existing
state of things in reettect to the large mass of di siitute
children : such required the aid of all classes and degrees.
Recently many emigrants had been sent from the Rugged
School to her Majesty's .;Monies who had been received in
the most wretched condition. From these several letters
have been received, one from a boy who had been only 3
months instructed as a shoemaker, whs had mule an excel.
tent pair of slippers, which I believe I am to have tt.::
honour of wearing. That bey has written home to say
that on his arrival, t 3 his surprise, his trade being known, he
was immediately engaged at 304. a week. lie further wrote,
"'Pell Sarah," I believe it was Tomitins, my sweetheart,
if she will come over and bring my little sister, I will pay
her passage, and marry her the moment she comes out.
(" Hear," and laughter.) No lees than sixty letters of a
similar character have been received. With such encourage-
ment, then we will rake the gutters and mire, and there find
jewels as precious as ever adorned a coronet or a crown. I
thank Ood for having put into your breasts to proceed with
this undertaking and to act in the spirit of the donor of this
site.
Dr. Buras, Mr. Payne, the Rev. C. Dicks, and other gen-
tlemen, addressed the assemhlage ; and the following sub-
scriptions were announced : IL C. Stun, Esq. (in addition
to the freehold site), 1001. ; 8 A. liankey, Esq., 601. ; the
Committee, 251.; Lord Ashley, 51. ; Bail, Eiq., Si.fts. 6i. ;
Doodd, Esq., 51. be. ; &c. &c.
The Rev. W. Wall oaring pronounced the Benediction,
the eoremdny concluded.
The building is to he plain nod unostenutioas; but spa-
cious. The architecture is in the Tudor style ; the material
brick, with stone dressings. I extreme height will be 30
feet, depth 70 feet, width 20 feet, giving sctouf room for the
sccommodati in of 400 clildren, and private rooms for the
muter and mistress. The interior has what is called an
open roof formed of stained wood, and the building is to be
completed by Feb. 1, 1850.

PHILLIP'S' GARDEN ItitCOED SCHOOLS.—Tie an-
nual meeting of this institutton was held yesterday evening
at the Idusic4rall, Store-street; Mr. 11 Cableat in the chair.
The report slated that the day echool had been carried on
during the year with steady suocesa. The ge number
attending had been 90, and the government inspector having
examined the children, had expressed himself highly ea lifted
with their knowledge and ability. The evening school, not-
withstanding a deficiency of teachers, had been increasingly
useful. It was cx.nductad gratuitously by gentlemen, and
was opened on Tuesday. and Fridays from 7to 9. The ave-
rage attendance was 65. The girl.' working school was open
ou Weenesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4, being kindly at-
tended by ladies ; and its operations had produced an impor-
tant change in tie appearance, habits, and industry of the
children. During the past year there had been made
by the children, 25 cotton frocks, 30 flannel petticoats, 2.5
pinafores, and 19 woollen frocks; and the sum of 31. Ils.
had been received from the children towards the purchase
of these articles. Sixty five children bad availed themselves
of the advantages of a clothing fund, by which clothes were
obtained at a bonus of fourpence on every shilling de
waited. The library appeared to be regarded as a great
boon. The number of hooks given out to read during the
year was 2,600-1,400 to girls and 1.200 to bays ; the num-
ber of readers, 120-70 girls and 50 boys. Divine service
was conducted every Sunday evening at half-past six. The
attendance on the first Sunday was 30, and on the second,
70. One great feature in the school was, that many of the
chi!dren had been led to join the natiouel day schools,
and many to go to the national Sunday schools
and to attend the church service. The committee
expressed regret at having been hitherto unable, for want of
funds, to establish industrial schoo's for the teaching of
trades to boys, and cNtreated eubscritrions to enable them to
accept the conditional government grant. During *he past
year 941. 13s. 102. had been received, and the expenses had
been 1001. ss. 144., leaving a Whence due to the treasurer of
51. Us. 34d. On the motion of the nee. Mr. Laing,
seconded by the Rev. Mr. Oarbett, the report was unani-
mously adopted. On the motion of the Rev. W. Cadman,
a rest lotion declaratory of the necessity for incr. aced exer-
tion on behalf of the institution was oleo agreed to.

WRECK OF SIX VESSELS ON THE GUNFLEET
SANDS.—On the night of Friday last no less than six yea.l
were lost on these dangerous sands; flee of them were deeply
coal-laden ships belonging to Newcastle and Shields, the
other was a foreigner: all wets on their passage to London.
The night was exceedingly dirk, thick, and rainy ; the wind
was blowing strong from the eastward, with a great deal cd
sea, and a strong ebb-tide. The vessels had each paired the
Sunk-light in safety, between which and the Middle light
there is a long, narrow, and dangerous navigation ; with the
Gunfieet Sands on one side, and the Heaps on the other.
Unfortunately, also, the Middle-light cannot be seen until
the Sunk has been left a cmaiderable distance ; in • dark
night, therefore, the navigation is exceedingly difficult. On
Friday, each vessel struck the sands between this in-
tervening spice, for although the right bearings
were got on leaving the Suck, the tide, from the
vessels being deeply laden, set them gradually out of the pro-
per channel, and carried them on to these fatal sands. In
all probability, also, one vessel misled the other, as they
grounded very near to each other. H.M. cutter Scout soon
got tiding of the disaster., and hastened to the assistance of
the crews, who had wisely remained on board their Teasels.
Providentially, they were !mud without the loss of a man.
One collier was, by assistance, got off, and made for Yu-
' mouth; the Scout succeeded in getting another off, but after
being in deep water half-an-hour, she filed and went down:
the other vessels became total wrecks, but we learn they were
all insured in the Northern Clubs. The crews were con-
veyed to Harwich; but we understand the Shipwreck
Society there refused to relieve them, on the ground that
though applications had frequently been made, the New-
castle Society refamd to refund moneys that had
before been paid in similar cues by the Harwich Society.
On Monday afternoon, the united crews, amounting to about
30 men, had • free passage to Ipswich by the River Queen.
The scene on board was of the most extraordinary and
affecting description. The rough, weather-beaten seamen,
who had gone through the perils of that night with un-
daunted courage, were, in the review of it, completely over-
whelmed with gratitude to God lot his mercy in granting
them deliverance. A subscription for the seamen was made
on board, Mr. George naniotne heading the list by a
generous sum. On their arrival in Ipswich, they pro-
ceeded by train to London. We sincerely trust this heavy
calamity will induce the Admiralty to place a light between
the Sunk and Middle lights, In order that that lariat:ea
channel may be more safely navigated.—lpsseich Express.
BURGLARY AT THE RECTORY HOUSE, CUETOX.--•
At the county magistrates' office, Rochester, on Monday,
Thome* Godden, alias Tnomu Geddes Jones, was brought
before the Rev. G. Davies, Captain Baker, and Major Whys,
for final examination, charged with having on the morning
of Thursday lent burgluiuuslv entered the residence of the
Rev. R. W. Shaw, at the Rectory-house, Caxton, near
Rochester, and stolen therefrom five seals, of the value of M.,
three saver medals, a pocket-compass, and various other
articles. The family, it appeared, retired to rest at the
usual hour on the preceding night, leaving all apparently
secure. Shortly after four o'clock next morning Mr. Shaw
was disturbed by a noise below, and having listened for a
few minutes he dressed himself, and went down Mike,
accompanied by • servant, when he found the drawing-room
window thrown open, and a pane of glass removed from it.
An Indian cabinet had been broken open, and several ar.iclsa
taken away. There were drippings from • wax ca,dle on
the carpet, and same lucifer matches were also bound in the
room. The prisoner was taken into custody is the course of
the same morning on the road between Cuxton and Graves-
end, and on searching him various articles were discovered
which confirmed the suspicidn that he had perpetrated she
robbery. He was committed to Maidatone Gaol for trial at
the next assize.
HUNGARIAN REFUGEES IN LEITH.—A respectable
and influential meeting was held e n Saturday, in the hell of
the Chamber of Commerce, Edinburgh, to devise means fur
the relief and assistance of a party of thirty-seven Hunga-
rian refugees, principally military officers of rank, woo bed
arrived at Leith on Tuesday evening from Hamburg, ea
route to the Unit. d States of America. 11r. John Ritchie,
chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, was in thechair.
After a lengthened discussion, a committee was appointed to
collect sub criptions for the relief and assistance of the Hun-
garian refugees.