The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-08 00:00:00

INFANT SCHOOL SOCIETY.

A very numerous and highly respectable Meet-
ing, Among which were not less than seven or eight hundred
elegantly dressed Ladies, took place yesterday at the Free-
masons' Hall, to take into consideration the best means of
forming an Institution fur the Instruction of Children under
Six Years of Age-

The Marquis of La xsnowss took. the Chair at one o'clock,
supported by. Lord Calthorpe, the Marquis of Downshire Mr.
Wilberforce, Dr. Lushington, Si r.I. :I I ackintosh, Mr. Broug'hann
e
Mr. Owen, of Lanark. Mr. I loam!, jun., Mr. Money, M.P.,
Mr. L
she Foster, M.P., Mr. Iseakee M.P., Smith,
M.P., Mr. M'Donald. the Rev. B. &c.The Noble CHAIRMAN called the attention of the Meeting
to the circumstance which gave rise to the'foimation of similar
Schools. An individual representation to himself and others
induced them to establish two schools—one in Westminster,
and the other in Spitalfields ; and he was truly happy to state
that the attempts had been most successful. Pillt he could
assure the meeting that he did not take any merit to himself,
as he acted entirely at the suggestion of others ; and he, was tar
from being sangvine at that time as to'the benefit to be ex-
pected. limo had, however, shewn,' that when -infant child-
ren were prevented from forming habits of vice anti immor-
ality, and led into the paths of virtue and religion, they ripen-
ed into manhood, adorned with every virtue, and contributed
largely to
.the welfare of society. Ilis Lordship said he was
aware that many, objections had been made to Institutions
of this kind, particularly on account of the supposed separation
of the child from its parent; and he certainly would always
advise the education of the infant to take place Under Wise and
discreet parents ; but weighing this subject more maturely, it
became a queation whether we shoUld adopt this system of
education, or they should have no eduCation at all. In largo
-manufacturing towns it was impossible for parents to attend to
the romforts, the education, and the. Morality of their child:, en
'they being wholly 'occupied in their labours ; in consequence
the children were allowed to t;•o into the streets. Thus their
yduthful minds were betrayed into babiti.pf vioteand depravity,
and they were ftequently,sldltititinto a pinalcipation of fraud
and robi'ery. But this would 'not be it children were with-
draWn earlier from the' streets, and reclaimed.; for when die
seeds of vice had been sown, the seeds of good might have been
first implanted, and instead of ripening into mischief were
ripened into virtue. A fter some furtln:r- remarks, the Noble
Marquis sat down amidst loud cheering. e:
Mr. BnottGiTAll stated, that he - felt' great pleasure in at-
tending at this meeting, he having assisted. the Noble Marquis
in the formation of the school at Westminster, the hen-social
result of which had 'ren so tlistimsctiy stated by his Noble
Friend. The answer given to one of the- objections rraised
against the schools had: been so decisive as to leave him
little 'to answer. But another obj coon had been offered,
that we were carrying education too far, that we were
commencing too early ; but he sincerely wished he could
say that others were educated at a more advanced peried.
—Much ac had been done tnr this great object, still the
etlinal of the friends of, education were-. frequently niet by
the parents stating they could not spare their children from
their -work. By commencing earlier, their time , being less
valuable, this difilculty was removed.. The Honourable and
Lea nett Gentleman then, rs marked, that too often had fatal
experience ahewn that children of seven ,or eight years of age
formed habits of vice too early anti too deeply rooted ; and in-
stanced a capital conviction of et child under eight years, who
was found guilty of the greatest ofiene against the law. Ile
therefore contended, that good princiisles ought to be instilled
earlier into their miods. This was HQ visionary or specu-
lative scheme, but had been found to be most successM
in the schools in Westminster. and at Spitaltields, under the
direction of Mr. Joseph Wilson, which he had no doubt
most of the Ladies and Gentlemen present had witnessed,
and in another which had been established at Walthamstow.—
Ile then mentioned other establishments at Brewers Green,
Whiteehapel, and other places, affbrding education and religious
instruction to mora than 800 children, besides others in different
parts of the west of England, ant\ mentioned that there was
one also establishing at Birminghann The Learned Gentle.
man then stated that there had been no appeal to public bene-
volence tilt the success of the' 4- yatena had been completely
proved. lie concluded by. moving. the first resolution.
Mr. WILDE nrou CE, in rising to second the resolution, gave
it his most unqualified support, and assured the meeting that he
should exert himself most .strenously in forwarding the views
of the lastitutioo. Ile corsidered the happiest effects to have
arisen from the school at Westminster, which he himself had
witnessed. The lion. Gentleman contended that the political
as well as moral state of the country depended.on religion, and
dwelt much on the necessity of introdocing into the minds of
children, at a very early age, religious instruction. The re-
gretted nut^ll that•statesnien.,while speculating in their closets,
overlooked the greed foundation of the happiness of mankind,
which CAnsi,ted io ditftisingaeducation ?mooing the lower orders
of society, and thereby improving their disposition and • habits,
and inculcating feelings of esteem anti respect for their superiors.
The Resolution ir.s then put from the Chair, and carried
unanimously. .
Jotot Satt sir. Esq. M. P. in .prop',,ing the second Resclu-
tion, took a review of the great advantages of these Institutions,
and said at a parent, lie knew, as well as by the experience of
others, that by teaching children at a very early age religious
and benevolent feelings towards-each other, that selfishness
which was too predominaetin human nature was eradicated,
and they wee, render;o, (I.e,t:roils of assisting each other. The
great principle by which netchine was to be kept in motion
was not fear, but love, tn.: whenever there existed fear, the fa-
culties were er3lllped. iis great •iiflicutlty existed in procuring
persons competent to conduct sacs Establishments, and for
which purpose the. Central School would be found most bene-
ficial, being for the education of persons to become masters and
mistresses. Haying called the attention to these points the lion.
Gentleman move,l the Peso's:Go:l. _ .

The Rev. Dr. Tr' OR PE seconded the Iles°lution, and dwelt
at considerable length on the advantages or early instructing the
children of the lower orders of society. The Rey. Gentleman
considered it in perfect..coasistency with his duty as a Minister
of the Church of Christ 'to. support Institutions of this nature
by every in .a-.s in his power.
This Resolution was then put from the Chair and carried
unanlmcusly.

Sir JA: Es MACKINTOSH stated that the. observations of his
Noble and Learned Friends on behalf of this valuable Institu-
tion left him little or nothing to urge in support ofso inestimable
a benefit. The lion. Gentleman said it had been ably recom-
mended, its policy firmly established by facts as well as by the
eloquence of those who had spoken before him, and when he re-
minded them that 1,000 children had already received religions
instruction, and thus rescued from evil, and the tbundations for
every principle of virtue ingratcd on their hearts and -minds, it
would be sufficient evidence of the success of the labours of the
Gentlemen engaged in this great and benevolent object. In
conclusion the Hon. Gentleman made a powerful appeal to the
Ladies, designating them as the means of civilizing and render-
ing man benevolent, amiable and generous. lb claimed the
benevolent support of eN-',ry one present for this institution as
being one of unquestionable benefit. The Hon. Gentleman
then moved the Third Resolution. _

111 r. 1.1,EN, in ~,,,oniting the Resolution, stated that his ex-
crtions were particularly attracted to this. Institution. from a
pledge he had recjvcd from those inrwhorn it had originated,
that it was fur the r..eeltion of children-. of every sect, without
respect to cot:T.llkm or creed, aftd that he -also considered it as
a great an 1 powerful auxiliary to those Institutions already
established. This tzesolution was also carried unanimously.

Lord CA LT nol;PEI, in rising to propose the next Resetniion,
dwelt at very considerable length on the advantages of taking
children into the, care and ifistruction•of.sehools at an earlier
age.than any of the Institutions at prey it
The Rev. E. ,IllyiN,-1, in seconding the resolution, selected
several passages from Scripture, as particularly relating to the
objects this Society had in view, and in a speech of consider-
able leug:h, made a powerful and pathetic appeal to the be-
nevolence of the Ladies and Gentlemen present, and dwelt much
on the benefits which,' within his own knowledge, had been de-
rivA from the school at Walthamstow.
The resolution was then put, and the following Gentlemen
were named as the Committee :
Lord Dacre, T.
.ESv r'nnisth,
Bart., Sir John Lubbock, Sir
. J.
Jas. Mackintosh, Dr, 11,3vatsrlitningg,ton, John Smith, Esq., Henry
113130111,1111earlsIyE,
(IT.. S.
J.
uix,ltooync,LEJAlsg•
1i ni.
13°Wring, Esq. Dr. Birbeck, Wm. Allen, Esq. and S. Hoare,
jun• Esq„._

Sir J. illAcKlNTosit begged leave to announce a list of
subscriptions already received. amounting to 4001. and upwards,
among which was the Marquis of Lansdown, 501.; the Mar-
quis of Downshire, 201. ; Mr. Wilberforce, lot.; and others
liberal in amount.
The Marquis of Dow NMI IRE moved the resolution of thanks
to the Marquis of Lansdown, which was seconded by Dr.
LusitzxqTox, who eulogised with great warmth of feeling
the conduct of the Nol-dc Marquis ; and also spoke in very high
terms of the exertions of his learned and esteemed friend Mr.
Brougham.

Sir MAciasTosti announced a further list of subscrip-
tions, and reminded the Ladies and Gentlemen that persons
were appointed below stairs to receive, donations and annual
subscriptions ; and as they had applauded the donations which
had .1),20n announced, he could only say in the language of
and do tl}ou likewise."
The subscriptions must have exceeded in amount the antici-
pation Of its most sanguine supporter~, as before the Meeting
szpar4tcd,they amounted to nearly 1,0001.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

NOTICES of MOTIONS, and ORDERS of the DAY,
which now stand in the ORDER-BOOK of the HOUSE
of COMMONS.

IVednesda7, June 9.
NoTicrs fIF moT io Ns.

1. Mr. Hume—Return of Commitments by Magistrates in
England, Scotland, and Ireland.
2. Mr. flume—Coroner's Inquest at -Lewisham.
3. 31r. Martin (of Galway),—Bill to abolish Bear-baiting and
other cruel sports.
4. Mr. Mabelley—Return of expellee of Paving, Lighting,
and WaThing the .Thtropolis, for the last seven years.
5. Mr. Hutchinson—To present Petition from Cork, regard-
ing the Claims of the Roman Catholics of Ireland.
winr.its OF THE DAY.
1. Superannuation Fund Bill—f!onnitittee.
2. Cutlery Trade Regulation Bill —Second Reading.
3. Entailed Estates (Scotland) Bill—Second.Reading.
4. Tenants Relief (Ireland) Bill—Further consideration of
Report.
5. Lind Tax Redemption Bill--Committee.
fl. saving Banks Bill—Third Reading.
7. Law Expellees (Ireland) Bill—Committee.
8.-Examination of Witnesses Bill—Report.
!t. Iloi-ses Slatitc:ring Bill— Portlier consideration of Report.
10. Lancaster County Courts Bill—Committee.
11. Warehousing (Ireland? Bill—Furilier Consideration of
Report.
12. Salt Dwies Repeal Bill.—Third Reading.
13. Grand. Jury Presentments Bill—Third Reading.
1-1. Dublin Police Bill—Report. -
hi. Duchy of Cornwall Bill—Third Reading.
18. East India Trade Bill—Third Reading.
17. Fisheries Bill—Third Reading.
18. CorpbratorS (irel.tad) Bill —& cond Reading.
Hasleborough Walk ( Northampton) Enclosure Bill—Third
Reading.
20. Transportation of Z.)lllitlers Bill—Third Reading.
21. Newfoundland Marriages Bill—Report.
22. Public Credit (Ireland) Bill—Further consideration of
Report.
23. Exchequer. Bills (Public Works) 11111.—,Third lletiling.
24. Magistrates Indemniv (Ireland) Lill—Second Reading.

Thursday, June 19.
NOTICFS OF MOTION'S,

I. I.nrd Archibald Ifajiiilt.;n—Alotion6rt;xtension of Small
Debts Act in Soo;land.
2. Alr. Bright—liesulutions relative to the Standing Orders en
Private Bilis.
3. Air. Hume—Select Committee on Impressment of seamen.
4. Mr. I..ownlo,x—To refer Petition concerning Roman Ca.
tholie Association to the Commit tee.on the state of Ireland.
5. Sir John Newport-=To refer the P..;tio.ons against the Orange
Association to the Committee on the l )isturbed Districts in
Ireland, and to direct the said Committee to inquire, and
to report how far the Act or' last Session against Secret So-
cieties has been found effectm.d.
m:Dr.us ol"rttr. DAY.
1. Butter Trade (Iratnd) Bill—Committee.
2. New-street (Mary-le-hone) Bill—Third Reading.
3. Marine Insurance Bill—Report.
4. Mauritius Trade—Report thereupon.
5. New Churches Bill—Third Reading.
G. Newfoundland Judicature Pill—Third Reading.

Friday, .Junc 11.
onnEtt OF THE DAY.
Dernerara—Adjourned Debate on Address.
Monday, Jane 14
onnEn. OF TIIT•. DAY.

Qualification of Jurors Bill—Further Considcraiion of
Report.

NOTICE OF MOTION.
lirougham—To present Pcti:ion from House of Keys,
Isle of Slaim.

Tuesday, June 15.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.

1. Sir .I_latthew Ilidley—The expNlieney of a revision and con-

solidation of the Statutes.
2. Sir John Newport—Motion. regarding Church Rates (Ire-

land).
3. Mr. Dominick Browne—Establishment of a Roman Catho-
lic Church in Ireland, in connection with the State.
4. 3lr. Hume—Compensation - to Slave-holders in case of
emancipation of their Slaves.
• Tuesday, Sept. 7.
ORDER OF THE HAY.

Huntingdon Borough Election Petition—Ballot for Com-
mittee at three.

WEST INDIA DOCKS.

DELIVERIES for the WEEK, and STOCK ON BAND'
tbr the Week ending the sth of June., 1824.