The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-01 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE NEW SChOOL AT
GAMSTON.

The school-room at Gamston being \gory incon-
venient, and quite inadequate to allow or the nnm-
bers of children who, attend it being taught with a
comfort or efficiency, new school has recently been
erected by the Duke of Newcastle, to whom (with
the exception of the rector's land) the whole parish
belongs. The school,'which is for both boys and
girls, will accommodate-80 with comfort, and is a
handsome, well ventilated, and well lighted build-
ing. It stands facing the old church, which has
recently been so well restored by Mr. Scott, has a
southern aspect, and is in every respect an orna-
ment to the village. An excellent house is pro-
vided for the teacher of the school.
The day of the opening, Nov. 11, was one of
those bright sunny days which have this year
beamed on us so cheerfully on our way to winter,
and the church bells pealed merrily announcing
the village festival.
At three o'clock in the afternoon service was per-
formed in the church by the Rev. J. Twells, the
rector, assisted by the Rev. H. C. Mitchinson; after
which the company assembled in the new school-
room, which Was decorated with evergreens and
mottoes for the occasion. Amongst those present
were :—The Duke of Newcastle and Lady Susan
Pelham Clinton ; the Ladies Georgians, Henrietta,
and Charlotte Clinten, Ranby ; Mrs. H. Bridge-
man Simpson, Babworth ; the Hon. Mrs. J. Ashley,
Miss Brooke, Miss H. Brooke(daughters of the late
rector), the Miss Hurts. W. F. Baring, Esq , W.
J. Pickin, Esq., Rev. J. Twells, Rev. E. Twells,
Rev. C. Postlethwaite, Rev. C. D. Butterfield,
Rev. H. C. and Mrs.. Mitchinson, Rev. W. A: and
Miss Plumptre and Mrs, Rogers, H. Heming, Eire,
Mr. R. Baker, Mr. North, Mr. H. Hall, Mr. W.
Baker, Mrs. and Miss Roberts, Mr. and Mr'. R.
J. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. W. Rogers, M. Redgate,
&c., dec.
The meeting was first addressed by the Rev.
JOHN TWELLS, who said--I feel it is a subject of
great congratulation to you all, and to myself, that
we are enabled to meet together in this building,
which has been so liberally provided by his Grace
the Duke of Newcastle for the education of the
children of this parish. I believe no gi eater bene-
fits can be conferred on the inhabitants of.a parish
than a sound Christian education, and I think that
we have now the means provided. Our venerable
old church has been-restored and t eautified, so that
the poor as well as the rich may find comfortable
accommAtion for hearing the gospel, and we are
met together in a building providedfor the younger
members of the community. Although we have
accomplished this, still we ought not to glory in it,
for the BiblettelLs us that when we have done all,.
we are but unprofitable servants, and that *é have
only dons our duty. At the same time, however,
it tells us to let our lights shine before men, and
we are consequently permitted to make mention of
the good things which have been done. It also
says that we are to seek after, not only whatsoever
things are true, and just, and honest, but also
after whatsoever things are of good report. It is
my misfortune to differ on some political and social
questiwns with the no -le Duke, and I may, conse-
quently, venture to express more warmly than I
Should, perhaps, otherwise do, what I feel on this
occasion. Therefore, without the least.adulation
or flattery, for there is no adulation in the Bible,
I speak very fully that gratitude which I feel
to the noble founder of this school. lam sure that
we are all under great obligation to him for what he
has done in this village. I may mention three
things, the first of which is also very important,
that is, the improvement of the dwellings of the
labouring classes ; then we had his liberal support
in the restoration of our handsome and venerable
church; and now be has provided this school, having
for its object the 'education of the children. There
are two great things which prevent the onward pro-
gress of the masses—ignorance and vice. To remove
from the minds of the people that ignorance, which
we believe to be altogether opposed to the spirit of
the Bible, which is a spirit of light and knowledge,
is our aim. But it is not sufficient to teach them
the right way unless we give them a motive to walk
in it, and that motive is to be found in the pure
principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must
remember, however, that where much is given much
will be required, and that what we have done and
are doing entails a considerable responsibility upon
us. We must not rest satisfied with merely having
a school provided, but we must make good use of it.
Let us all, masters, and parents, and clergyman join
in the endeavour to improve the education of the
children. I think the means which his Grace has
taken to promote the interests of this parish are
those of a man who acts upon principles-of true
patriotism and enlightened liberality. In conclu-
sion, I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon
this school, and that, when we are gone, it may be
the means of providing a really sound religious
education for future generations. (Applause.)
Mr. Noßrer (Churchwarden), then rose and pro-
posed a vote of thanks to his Grace the Duke of
Newcastle for his great liberality. -
Mr. R. BAKER, had great pleasure in seconding
the proposition of his brother churchwarden, be-
cause he knew that the inhabitants of the parish
must feel deeply sensible of the benefits conferred
upon thorn.
In reply, the Mali said—My good friends; I
accept with gratitude the thanks that have been
tendered to me, because I feel that my purpose is
met. Ido not assume may, special credit to myself
for. what I have done, bat,l recognise that it is a
.beaefit conferred upon you all, and I hope that it
may prove a great and lasting good, not only to
the lower, but also the higher classes, both to those
who 'labour and to those who employ the labour.
Mr. Twells has alluded to what I have endea-
voured to do for the benefit of this village.
I see before me many , who were present when
I first assembled my tenants together in order
t) address them when I came to the property, and
I recollect that I noticed those very three things
of which he spoke ; namely, the restoration of our
parish churches, the foundation of schools for
the education of children, and the improvement of
the dwellings of the working dames: I rejoice that
in this parish, at least, two of these works have been
accomplished ; we have just been assembled in the
church; which has been restored to, I think I may
say, more than its original beauty, and now we are
assembled in this school-room which has been
founled for the education of the poor children of
the parish. As regards the third matter which goes
hand in hand with the other two, uufortuna,ely a
great deal remains to be done. I regret that lam
not in a position to do so much in this way as I de-
sire, but I assure you that those regrets are not of a
selfish nature. I see around me many gentlemen
from other parishes, which, I am sorry to say, are
net so well off as this, but I trust that in time much
may be done, and I hope that before long every
parish may have a church r, stored, and a school fur
the education of its children. Much work is still be-
fore us. Here we have a school, it is true, but that
is only the first step. My exertions are pretty nearly
-ended, for you all know that I can give very little
personal attention to the matter ; I have no doubt
that your worthyrector will faithfully and zealously
do his share ; but the main part of the work will now
remain with the pariehioners. It is your duty to
fill the school, and to maintain it full. There are
none who may not contrib.rte greatly to its success.
Theparents must send their children to school, and
the masters must endeavour to help ou the educa-
tion at least of the children of those whom they
-may employ. I am not going to urge upon you such
an utopian idea as the non-employment of children
in farming operations. With the demand that
there is a<< the present time in the market for laboar,
such a thing is impossible, but still there is a
medium, and I would desire you to give them the
benefit of education during some portion of the
year. Unfortunately it is the tendency of the
labouring classes to send out their children at a
very early age to work, for the sake of enabling
them to increase the means of providing for their
wants, and it is also the tendency of farmers to avail
themselves of such labour ; but if parents and
masters could mutually consent to allow the chil
dren to remain a little longer at schOol, all would
derivepermanent advantage. When they are little,
arid alpee, I was going to say, a nuisance and hin-
drance at home, they are sent to school, but then
ycu can only sow iu them the seeds of education ; so
I wcitld urge that they he allowed to rein,iu at
school from the age of 11 or 12, or perhaps a little
younger, till they are 14 or 15, and I am
confident that by the improved state of morality
which would be the consequence, • every one
would gain a great benefit. I would more par.;
ticularly speak on behalf of the female porlon of
the children of the parishioners. Consider what a
thing it is to take them away from school at such
an early age ; recollect what duties they will heve
to perform hereafter." At prceent they may have
very little to do in the inanaeement of the hore,e-
hold, but they are the futile() wives and mono s of
the parish, and on them will depend the respecte-
bility of the cottages, and the bringing up of a
future
generation, and they should be wtll in-
structed, so that they mayebe enabled to impart to
their husbands and children some of the bseefits
which they have received from education. I would
should like.
wish for something Of an industrial education.
know how to
There is a deal said about education in common
things, and it is something of this kind that I
duties arid that on go
trial education. I out to service before they
p:rfornii the commonest household
which I heve had fora account of this hick of indus-
trial
that I have a :ellolorig
here mention a schenie
time. Maley of you
where girls are trained for in the
park at Clamber,
up situations as
servants. For four years they eY are gratuitonAy