The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-08 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

The children of the National Schools of Lon lon assemblea
in the Fgyptlan Hall of the mansion-housc. on Thursday, for
the purpose of undergoing the annual examination before the
Lord Mayor, several Clergymen, and other friends of the In-
stitution.
'I he friends of the National Schools afterwards dirind at the
London Tavern. Alderman and Slit riff Gibbs in the Chair.
The Chairman was supported by his brother Sheriff* (Mr.
Farncomb), the Bishop of London, Mr. Pownall, Sir C. S.
Hunter,. Doctor Russell, the Rev. G. Croly, &c. &e.
After the usual loyal toasts were drunk,
The CrIAIRMAN proposed—" Success to the National
Schools." For the thirty 3 ears which had passed away since
their eAablisliment they had rendered indescribable benefits
to the community, and he trusted that it would be soon in the
power of the Committee, through the benevolent contri
butions of the public, to establish a fourth school in the
Eatern part of the Metropolis.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.
He felt convinced that the friends of national education would
respond to the call, and vigorously promote the vic►ps of those
who were constantly labouring in the patriotic cause. It was,
he declared, particularly aratifying to hear the oi inion so
warmly expressed by the Right key. Prelate the Bishop of
London, as to the superiority of the progress of the last year
over any former examination of the children. His Lordship
had stated that the test of advancement which he had that day
witnessed exceeded not only his expectations but any evidence
of past experience—that in fact of all the examinations at
which he had been present, th it which he had just witnessed
was the best, and bore the strongest marks of efficiency._
(Cheers.) The Committee and the ( hairman were deeply in-
debted to the Rev. Dr. Russell for so ably superintending the
examination, which had called forth such valuable praise.
The toast was drunk with the highest applause.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of the Bi,hop of
London, whose exertions in the cause of national education,
and in the spread of religious knowledge by the erection of
churches wherever religious ignorance prevailed, would hand
down his name to posterity with an effect compared with which
labours for the promotion of other objects would be insigni.
ficant.—(Cheers.)_

The Bishop of LONDON said that what their Honourable
Chairman had attributed to him as a merit was nothing more
than the mere performance of a duty which it would be culpa-
ble in him not to perform to the best of his capacity. He
assured the Company that all the powers of his mind should be
directed to the advancement of the spiritual good of the com-
munity.—( Cheers.) He thought the present a proper occa..
sion on which to state that an inquiry was proceeding under
the King of Holland which additionally proved the high claims
of that sovereign to the love and admiration of his subjects and
of surrounding nations. His Majesty had appointed a Com-
mission to investigate the causes of the fatal effects of what
was culled general education in England, and he (the Bishcp
of London) had scut over to the King the whole of the publi..
cations on the subject.—(Cheers.)
'1 he CHAIDMAN then proposed " The Clergy."
The Rev. GEORGE CROLY returned thanks, and urged the
necessity of snaking every effort for the diffusion of national
education. He assured the company that 100,000 children
we:e in the habit of wandering through the streets wholly des-
titute of the means of acquiring education. One-fourth of
that number would, in his opinion, supply an adequate argu-
ment for the vigorous efforts of the friends of humanity.
Several other speeches were made in favour of the national
schools, and it was suggested by some of the Committee that
great advantage might arise from appealing to the parochial
clergy to sr:licit contributions to forward the treble objects of
the friends of the rising generation.