The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-11-14 00:00:00

(Voitiasussi fross former Piepr.)

POCKLINUTON SCHOOL.
• Ren. D,. James Wood, ♦e. alder szasttuatitra.
*se the utter saber not capable of broug removed
fancy not.

Tu what do you ascribe there being only eight children
at au excellent free school, is OD considerable a place as
Potkhostas? —I really du nut know; one person told me he
had two sons whom he woold send directly to the school ;
but Idu not know how it happens there 3e so few.
Is the master of the school the parson of the parish of
Puck li °glom !—No.
Who is the parson !—I do sot know who is is the posses.
skis of the being.
Is it a college living?—lt is sot ours; Pocklington is a
grammar-school by the foundation, and it is possible the
parents of the children may not be desirous of hosier their
children so instructed.

Is, by the tuundation, nothing to be taught but grammar
—I believe so; it is a grammar-school only.
Dues that preclude the master from teaching reading,
writing, and arithmetic ?--I do not know that it precludes
him • but I sball insist upon his attending to the other.
Were writing and arithmetic ever taught at the same!, as
far as you can tears believe it was, by an assistant, out
ihe regular school hours. . . .

Did he ventur, or supposed visitor, ever interfere to pre.
trent his teaching reading, writing, &c. as being iseousistent
with the foundation ?—1 Where not; but I eau only auswer
for myself.
Du you understand, by scientia grunaticalis, instruction
confined purely to grammar!—To the learned languages,
I do.
Is hot English grammar a part of sciestia graniatialles ;
and ii not the circumstance of ibis being in Lade, a mere
aceidest, from sloe practice of the times ?—1 coeceive,froma
the practice of the times, it is grammar and the teemed
languages.
Upon what is that construction of words founded?—l
cannot pretend to say, but that is the impression upon my
mind; and I think there is soother meson, that these
whalers are to come properly instructed is grammar and
the loused languages, to St. John's College.
Supposkag edemas gramatiealis to comprehend grammar
and the learned languages, u well as English grammar,
would net then the requisition be complied with, in respect
to the scholarships ?-11 they were suilkieetly instructed in
the learned languages, no doubt.
_ _ _

Would they be worse iustructe4 in the leagued lancosap
for baring been instructed to read Estilish also'—There can
be so doubt into the answer to that question; but 1 suppose
they are to comae so far prepared to Pocklingioo school.
At the time of the foundation of POcklincloa school, was
there any other school for teaching English?—! do not know.
Did you ever hoar of any!—lt was founded is the time
of Henry VIII. sod I do sot recollect that I have.
le there any limit to the age of the boys •hen they
cone?—Nut that I koow of.

- - - ,
What are the eeholerslope worth at it. Joba's?—That de-
pends upon the scholar's resideasee.
If he resides'—That depends ales epos the member of
scholars.

How ninny are there at preeeat?—.4 cannot tell; I believe
lee on Dr. Downsan's foundation.

- -
Are they paid out of the u esof Pocklinjtoe school ?
Palo, not at all ; they are paid out of the college revenues ;
we have lathing to do with tbe Pockhogion school revenues.

Do you know of any other outgoing from Pocknachos,
except the muter and usher's salary!—No.
Is there any salary fixed for the usasteror usher !—I believe
not,as fir as I know.
Has the master the rest, after paying the usher and the
expenses of the school ?—1 uuderstuod front the master, that
the usher has one-third, and be trio-thirds; that that has
bee* the rule, though I do not find it on the deeds.
How many fellowships are there of St. John's, Cambridge?
—Fifty-three foundation fellowships, aid about eight or nine
bye-fellowships; but I do out know whether they are all
filled; 1 understand there are seven.
What is the fellowship communibus minis worth?—That
I cannot say, the value depends upon such a variety of Or.

What is the Most you have known them worth lu any one
year?—That depends alms a man's commons, so that it is
impossible for me to say; the senior fellowships are Worth
more than the others.

Cuidiur your ■ttention to the senior fellowships,aud to the
part which consists in snooty pii,ments: what have you
known any senior fellow receive in money in asy one year!
—l4Ol. 1 think, is the highest dividend, in money, 1 ever re-
member ; and the half algid. making in all 2101. that is the
highest 1 ever remember to a senior fellow.
Are ths college leases let upon Asies%—Some are, and
some are not.

Are the fines divided to increase the fellowships?—They
are made part of the college funds.
Are fellowships increased according to the amount of the
Ames 111 stay uoe year ?—t believe our dividends depend
upon the residue, after all eipeuses are paid.
Are not the fellowships increased accordilig to the as'louut
of the Ames'—lf the Gam are greater, the fellowships waist
be greater.
Beside.. the fellowships, suppose a man resides, what ad-
restages has be !—He has his cumulus.; his morns he has
whether he resides or 111)i be bas either the counts, or the
value of them.

Suppose be does not reside, and has • commatation for
his rooms, what are they worth?—The highest wales is 131.
a year, •od the lowest about 41. or SI.
The master has a doable senior fellowship!—Yes; three
junior fellowships, or two *enjoy fellowships.
Has be any utber ensoloinentso—Yes.
Stale them !-1 enjoy an estate, which was left to the
master, of about 1001. a year, and some other emoluments
whirl' 1 cannot mom 'ale now.

Are there many livi.4a In lbe gift of St Jotitea?- eon-
liderable torinher,

Cut they be holies with fellowships, any of them !—Not
one; the statutes (Aid it.
Are there not livings in the gift of other patrons, to which
fellows of St. John's might be presented'—There are five
!triage 111 the gin of the Duke of Nurfia, or his executors
ur assigui, which lie di sided to be sold.
Which might he given to persons who are at the asomeat
of presentation, fellows of St. Jolties?—Yes.
Are Muse valuable livings!—They are good livings, I be-
lieve.

What is the greatest amount ?—I atom), say exactly.
' Have you heard?—They talk of use being worth about
1,11001 a.year.
Who elect the fellows of St. John's?—Thu toaster sad
eight seniors.
Hits buy Instance been known, of s person nearly con-
nected with the patron of any of those Ste livings, being
elected ■ fellow of Si. Joho's !—Yea, Bevel ill.

In those cases, were the persons eiecteit fellows, known to
be cuiiiiecied with the patron of the livings ?—I conceive 1411
there was one fellow, I recollect very well, who wad a relit-
twit, and I dare say there are other instances.
Was he a uear relation =1 do Hut knew.
Dues he held one of the livinp now)—Yee.
Suppose n person was likely to be elected a fellow, and
that any relation of bin became the purchaser of one of these

valuable advowsons, do you lake opini pun to represent to
this Committee, that that circumstance won't, make on v.
fereoce wisatroevec iu his chance of obtaining a fellowship
—Not Ilw least.
If aey reports of a contrary teutlency have been &cil-
iated, srr they tilos ly devoid of Amodio.' '—l belt. ve rhein
to he totally devoid of foundation, and entirely slanderous.
How Wig have you been cbnnected with the cullegeN7.
Nearly 40 years, and I have never knowu au instance to
justify @itch an inainuation.
Are they. any other livings in the eft of private Irateot
to which the fellows of St. John's muss be elected, braid
those ?—None.
The college livings go according to seniority, as usual!...
Yes.
Have the statutes of St. john's ever been priuted ?—No,
never, I believe, hut there are plenty of copies.
To Mr. Viornbriekle and Mr. Calvert ] Have you heard
the last questivas that have been put to the reverend master
—Ye,.

Do you entirely concur in the answers given, according
to your repellence and knowledge!—Yes, perfectly.
Did you ever happen to hear rumours to the effect to
which thosequeatious referred?-1 eaunot say ever did.
Were the questioos pot to-day, the rat nisi/swigs you
ever bad of suspicion being eutertained in any quarter what-
ever, respecting the rumours of such ■ practice!—Yee ; it is
the first time 1 ever beard it mentioned. • . ,
But If such rumours had bees propagated, do you entire-
ly concur with the nil master that they have no
foundation ita truth ?—Eutirely, as fir as our experience
;GM
. How long has the master
.of the school at Pocklineton
been absent at a time?-1 really cannot lake upon myself to
say, unless it appears by the papers given in.
To Mr. Calvert.] Did you make any inquiry, when von
were at Pocklingtun, as to the attendance of the master
That was a part of the questions; we refer to the papers; 1
beg to state, in coosequence of sonic statements msde by
the parishioners, we thought it right to put an additional
number of questious to the master, which comprised in our
view all the subjects of complsint.
" Question 1. Have you been lately absent nearly twelve
*chili.? •
" Z. Did yon the any papers from the church chest, and
have you rotetioed them?
"3. What stipesd did you pay the usher; was he ap-
pointed unconditionally!
" 4. Did you ever refuse re•admillsion to Mr. Hornby's
son, sod to admit another eon of his?
" 8. Was the school-room ever used as a carpenter's shop
for any length of time?
" 6. Did Mr. Shield premise Mr. Bagley to provide an
able and sufficient palest, before Christmas 1816, in the
stead of Mr. Brown ?

" 7. What sum was paid for dilapidation* by the repre-
sentatives of the late master, and how was it applied!"
" Ans. I. With the must painful feelings I have to state,
in reply to the first questiun, that in consequence of the very
extraordinary pressure of the times, and the losses I sus-
tained last year, I was unable to fulfil my pecuniary en.
gagelnenis. The subsequent rigorous proceedings of she
Pocklington Canal Company, and another creditor, have
compelled me, much against nty inclination, to he absent a
groat deal (rum home during the last ten months; and I
should certainly have appointed a substitute to attend the
school, if titan had been any scholars to be taught ; but I
bad bets constantly resident for many mouths before that
time, aqd no we either then or since applied CH' admission.
" 2. &ton after my appointment tri the mastership, I pro-
cured from the college treasury, the copy of a schedule of
writings vitiating to Pocklington school, stated to be depo-
sited in • chest in the vestry ; I sent to the persons posses-
sing the keyi, and in their presence the chest was opened,
wherein I found a ninilser of sinall wuoileu boxer, in which
the deeds of the several estates seemed to have been sepa-
rately kept, but which then contained only their' relignes, the
greater pert of them having been eaten or reduced to powder
by the worms. Out of the ihule nitniber I found only two
that were sufficiently perfect to be legible; these were small
deeds (dated in lieu. VIII.) relating to an estate at Yolk,
which I brought away, and bad them repaired ; they are now
kept in my possession wills the othei writings belonging to
the school, sail were exhibited to the vision' ; had I return.
ed them to the cleat, they must very soon have shared the
fate of the others. I think much blame imputable to the
persona in those Cafe these writings were deposited, which,
after being preserved for some centuries, have through neg-
ligence been lately destroyed.
" 3. The abbrr was appointed unconditionally ; his sti-
pend since the leases were set aside, has been ttint • year,
which sum when the very great and eontinned expenses that
have been incurred since my appointment are taken into
consideration, will I think answer to be equal to a third
part of the clear income of the estates, whirls share I MI.
derstand the usher used to receive in the time of the late
master, but I have not seen any document irk which it ap-
pears that the usher is entitled to that share.

" 4. Mr. Hamby took away his son from the school, be-
cause I punished him fur repeated calelessosess and idleness;
therefore refused to re-admit him, but 1
admit any other sou of Lis.
" S. The room whicii hats always been used as the school
since my residence here, has never to my knowledge been
used for any other purpose. The room whirls was formerly
used as the school, I found to be very damp, having a brick
floor, considerably below firm isuface of the adjacent ground,
and • small fire place insufficient, for au large a room ; I
therefore thought it would he constusive to the health and
comfort of the scholars, to make use of a room oter the old
school, which is moth more CUTlValliellt for a small lialnber,
The room formerly used as the school, has been used occa-
sionally fur the purpose of preparing limiser and other ma•
terials fur repairing the school and the master's house, and
doing Miter repairs about the premises.
" 6. Ina conversation with Mr. Bagley a little before last
Chriatmes, I moored him that if he would send his sons to
school, 1 would take care that they should he properly in.
structed; and if I (*mind that Mr. Brown was, through the
impediment in his hearing, incapable of teaching. I would
see that a proper person should be eusployed to attend the
school for him; there were at that time so scholars, and
Mr. Bagley never applied to have his sons admitted.
" 7. I received 100 f. fur dilapidations from the represen-
tatives of the late master, part of which sum has been ex-
pended in repairing that part of the Mister's house which is
uut intended to be altered, and the remainder in the pur-
chase of material. (which are now upon the premises) for
repairing the sebuol and the master; house; I have also
expended a considerable sum is, converting ass old harp near
the master's house, ions a ids liar.liouse, saddle-house, mud
granary, sad large solos in buildinza and inaprovemeitts use
the tarsus, whsch dill appear its my report.
"'l. SHIELD."
Mr. Richard Rayne Rlamire edited is, and ternatiesd.
What is the deed you have in your hand?-1 believe it to
be the deed of endowment of l'ockliogtoo school, by Dr.
John Hemmen, dated the 17th of Henry VIII. w the year
ISIS. (It !as delivered in oiled read.]
DO yea know what the revenuei of Pucklington same!
See ?—I do not.
Are the leash at Pocklinglon let upon lease!—!tome of
them were let u,,on lease, and those leases were avoided;
*limber (bey are let on /ease now I du not know.
Were they avoided ost account of the length?-.-1 helices
nut ; I think there was an Informality.
Were they *elk lung leases'--No, Merely husbandry
lessee.
Are the lends usually let upon 6ne?-1 believe not ; some
Of them have heel formerly, but not now.
Do pot know the extent of the estates'—lt cannot be H.
eertailied how many acres there are, iu cutistgueuee of a
dispute about part of the estate.

(To Oo continued.)

" I have recently read a book which speaks highly
of the literature of this country ; from what source
the writer derives evidence in saipport of his asser-
tion, I know nor, A well-edricated American, with
Whom I have had some agreeable conversation, earn-
dory admitted their very lamentable deficiency iii
that particular; Owl its nothing, perhaps, is this
more decidedly aPlieeni their iii the scarcity of that
literary curiosity-0 native American standard
work: I'he caturei which Produce this I Shall en-
'deavirtir to ascertain when I slit more eutiversent
with the people.: the fact is indisputable. Book-
sellers' shop. ;.re extensive. Old winks are scarce.
Stemlard works Are not so; by these J meats such
as E,)ll:sksi;eare. Milton, Blair, and Johnson. Theo-
logical. works (those only Which are ortlioduk)
are common, and I should suppose much in request.
Hartley. Priestley, and the religious writings of
Locke, are scarce; I tray ROY unktiown.
novels and poetry are the primary articles of a butsk-
seller't business. 'Fury are quickly reprinted. Ara
instance of dispatch iu this line Occurred a fortnight
since at Philadelphia. Manfred was received,
printed, and publis'oed all 111 Wu.. play. Welter
Scutt, MISS Mentlllll, Moore, Ml.' lgetettrth, Miss
Porter, and Lord Byron, are favourttes. The scotch
novels have been very much read. The Edirdburgt.
and Quarterk Ite:iews are re-printed by Messrs.
Kirk and Alercirn of this city. English Tory
writers are neither Unknown nor unpopular. Book-
milers deal in stationery and various fancy
Their stocks are large, tint what we should .1 in
Lonclou, ill.assorted. Mr. tiathortripe's is the wily
house which contains old English win k'. His ge-
nerel stuck is valuable and extensive. 1 porch:iced
from him (Lietteers and ether America„ works, cal-
culated la assist me in travelling. The price of all
(which was the same as at any other 1i0n...) attrprt%ett
tile; they were much dearer than English hooks of
a similar kind and site, and also very inferior in
quality of paper and general exectiiiett. Mr. East-
bourne tpulitely Melted me to his reads,!;.room-.-31,
establishment veluAble to the city nod honourable
to the proprietor. The great attraction of this
depertinerit is a variety of native and English
newspapers, and of English Rea iewsand Magazines.
spent a morning hour In-re with considerable
satisfaction. American editions of many Britisli
writings tire lower in price,, lost nut cheaper theft
thoseissuing trims the l, pert. ; the ,dze, as
well as quality of paper being reduces!. Folio is
diminished to qualoo, quarto to (wimp, and octavo
to duodecimo. The American edit , for instance,
of Lahr lloukh, which I have sent you, bears
no comparison with the English.
" Common stationery .is of American manu-
facture, the superior of lintlt.ll, li. mks ply upon
importation 30 per cent. ; punting types, 30 ;
papers, 30; wafers. 3u; playing cards, 30. Na-
tive hiurlmg is moil ely plain and comnioo ; many
of the fine Lon'ilon lepp;ket editions, bound, have
been re.Cently imported. A capital of from 1,000/.
to 10,0001. would be re/inured its this buriltiess.—
Priuters are paid -21. per week ; but employment
fur ifollfliet'nlPll can rarely lie obtained ; the two
branches partite bustue-s tire c tilted Lou by appreit-
tices. Stereotyping is perctisept, winch trials to
reduce the employ of cutititomturs.
" Messrs. ---- are now engaged upon a
work larger than any asliseli has ever hero stereo-
typed in England, An instance occurred in their
office of the facility opested to learning s trade.
in consequence of the nom-existence of statutes
to control that which ever ought to be flee-
S----, a clever active youth, who had been a shop-
man in Loudon, came here in the Lureh:o ; lie
had lentil' of introduction from lib uncle, a highly
respectable mars in lane, to several merchants
its this city. He could, however, obtain no em-
ployment. Driven by necessity, he resorted to
Carrying the hod, sod earned • few dollars ; but the
excessive heat of the weather, overcame him, and
relinquishing his new occupation, he obtained a
situation to the store of Mr. --, to Broadway ;
was their eight months. transacting the must tin-
partiald part of their business, received 10s. 6d. per
week, exclusive of board and lodging.
" Tired of this unprofitable occupition, he ad-
dressed a letter to the printers before referred to,
requesting leave to attend its their office, for the
purpose of learning to be a compositor. Mr. —,
though a stranger, liberally consented, with the ad-
ditional offer, that as soon as S. wait capacitated, he
should have the full price for his labour. S. has
been there three months, was engaged upon stereo-
typing a new edition of Stenahold and Hopkins ; fur
the lust month has received 361. per week ; is now
out of ertiployment; and being unable to procure it
in this city, is upon the polio of walking to Pink-
delphiu (distance 96 mile.), with the iutentiou of
working on the road.
" The Lancasterian tiyatern ofedbeation is in prac-
tice here. It has nut spread so rapidly as in Eng.
land; perheps, becauie among the lower orders it
was less wanted; there ire Btlo in the school of duo
city : the system at present is confirm(' to bee
schools. Theft are two boarding -stinitiortes fur
ladies; but to general males and females, el' ill
ages, ere educated et the same establishment.
The effect of this mighty injudicious practice is
not (at least judging boot the surfsee of menet);
what I should hate anticipated. American ladies
are eten more distant and reserved in their
manners than English; the *ewes seem ranked a*
distinct races of beings, between whom social con-
is rarely to be held. bay-schools are nu-
merous—sonic of them respectable, none large.
A teacher, that is, an usher, at any of these eats-
blishments, is a situation not worth the attention of
the ; eft man. No species of correction is al-
lowed ; children, even et home, are perfectly inde-
pendent ; suhordinetion being foreign to the coin-
prehension of youth, as well as the aged of this
country.
" The emigrant proprietors of seminaries are
Scotch mud Irish; an instance has nut occurred of