The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-19 00:00:00

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS.

EXAMINATION OF THE INFANTS OF THE SOUTH SCHOOL.
On Tuesday a public examination of the infant pupils at
the South Church of England School, took place under the
superintendence of the talented preceptor of that department.
The examination took place in the infants' school-room, be-

fore a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen. It is impos-
sible to do anything like justice to this interesting exhibition,
which appealed to the sympathies through channels into
which mere description cannot hope to penetrate. The mere
sight of two hundred and fifty fine healthy children was pleas-
ing. But this was nothing to the contemplation of the bud-
ding minds of the " sweet little cherubs that sat smiling" on
the platform. The dawning intelligence, the efforts of inci-
pient emulation—which is but another designation for " young
ambition"—the first gleams of bright thought, like the
" blushes" that " smile through heaven,
" When May's sweet mornings break,"

all were there, rendering the scene one Of delightful interest.
The preceptor and the female teachers who assist him have
the little ones under admirable control, and all, apparently,
less through fear than affection. They marched into the
school stamping time with their little feet to a quick march
which they were singing. One and all their taste for music
seemed admirable, and Corporal Trim himself would have
,pronounced their drill perfect. The boys filed off to the right
and the girls to the left, taking their places without the
slightest confusion. They continued singing till the ex-
tremely little ones, the mere infants, tiny babes which could
but just walk, had tottered into the school and taken their
places. Even these small creatures were already beginning
awkwardly to follow the example of the older ones, for it is
a part of this system that we are all creatures of imitation,
and its object is to make learning as delightful as any idle
pastime would be. Before ,the business of the morning
seriously commenced, the little ones here and there were dis-
playing the several propensities of children. Here a young
urchin was tweaking his companion's nose, there a tiny
maiden was twisting a lock of her neighbour's hair in paper;
opposite these a bold boy was endeavouring to push his little
friend down the platform, while others were sucking their
thumbs, standing up, or lolling carelessly. A whistle from
the master reduced them all to silence and strict attention; a
_ .

motion of his finger caused them to rise simultaneously to
their feet ; and one and all then lifted up their voices and
sung a hymn of praise. After this they sang to the air,
" There's nae luck aboot the hoose," some original verses in
praise of the Church of England Schools and their supporters.
The master said, the usual mode of examination in the
Scriptures had been by questioning the children. As the
questions and answers in the case might be the result of close
preparation, he should call upon the children to question him.
The little ones were then encouraged to put questions, and
the preceptor proceeded to examine them in the subjects to
which each question gave rise. In the course of this part of
the examination, they displayed a very intimate knowledge of
the Old Testament. The only blunder that occurred was
curious and somewhat amusing. The questions had led by a
rather desultory course to the history of Saul. The master
asked what the people said when they saw Saul. The an-
swer, simultaneously given, was—" The people gave a great
shout, and cried " God save the Queen!"—" God save
what !"—exclaimed the master. " God save tlr Queen,"
repeated the young ones. " How—the Queen !" said the
master, with a look of surprise. The children immediately
corrected themselves.

The next exercise was as follows : A pretty little intelli-
gent looking lad, we believe his name is Lloyd, was placed
at the table. The boys and girls on the platform were de-
sired to name a letter of the alphabet, and his duty was to
give a text of scripture commencing with that letter. When-
ever he failed to do this, the little one that had given the
letter stepped into his place, that is, providing the pro-
pounder of the puzzle were prepared to show his or her com-
petence, by furnishing the required text. The little boy ac-
quitted himself marvellously well in the face of innumerable
difficulties, for the better-informed youngsters did all in their
power to rob him of the distinction. One lad, whose name,
we believe, is Harris, made a dead set at him, but he kept
his place manfully. " B"—cried one. " Behold the Lamb
of God that taketh away the sin of the world !" " H"—said
another. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, &c."
" H," repeated Harris quickly. " Happy is the man that
findeth wisdom, and that getteth understanding. " Z"—re-
iterated the persevering Harris. " Zaccheus, make haste,
&c." " R"—said another. " Remember now thy Creator
.in the days of thy youth." " T"—was quickly again re-
peated. " The fool hath said in his heart there is no God,
&c." " B"—exclaiuied. Harris, knowing this letter had
been given before. "Be sure your sins will find you out.
At length; however, the little fellow was conquered, for Har-
ris gave him a letter, and he could not find a text. Harris
therefore took his place. The situation of the latter was now
extremely difficult, for he was bound not to give any text
that had been already given. However, he acquitted him-
self well.
One of the infants, a very little fellow, began to weep, and
wished to go home to his mammy. The master said, " I know
how to quiet you, my little fellow." The ladies present looked
greatly interested at this exclamation, thinking they were
about to have a valuable secret for stilling unruly babes. The
preceptor showed himself a true judge of infant nature, for,
taking a large bun from the table, he gave it to the sobbing
little one, and his prognostication was immediately fulfilled.
The little one. began to use his mouth for a totally different
purpose. The other youngsters eyed the dainty gift wistfully,
seeing which the master exclaimed, " now then, we'll do a
little more business, and then we'll all eat together presently.
Shall we.? '7 A joyful " Yes sir ! " from the whole group,
was the response. We mention these little incidents for the
purpose of showing the good understanding that exists be-
tween the master and his tiny pupils, and to prove that the
admirable state of discipline to which he has brought them
is the result of kindness rather than coercion.
Some of the small fry were by this time a little tired, and
one or two of them evinced symptoms of drowsiness. The
master judiciously aroused them by changing the theme en-
tirely. A song, which describes the movements of a clock
and the value,pf time, rather merrily, was sung to the tune
of the woodpecker. As the little ones beat time throughout
by a variety of characteristic motions, they entered into the
spirit of the composition with the most delighted alacrity.
A boy named Jones was exercised in scriptural geography,
all the others following him, as he illustrated, by reference
to the map, the questions that were put to him.
The preceptor produced a small parcel, and announced that
he had received a present. All the children were eager to
know what it was. The parcel was opened and a miniature
shoe-last was produced. The children laughed heartily When
they saw. it. The master said, that Mr. Burroughs had told
him, that the last which he used to illustrate the cordwainer's
art was too clumsy, and he had accordingly sent an infant
last as more proper for an infants' school. As the last was
decorated with a piece of red ribbon, the children said, they
thought Mr. Burroughs was a tory.
A song, descriptive of the shoemakers' craft, was the next
divertisewent. We have mentioned that all these songs are
accompanied by descriptive motions. We noticed, with
pleasure, that all these actions were of a nature to expand
the chest, exercise the most important muscles, and improve
the shape. As the lungs arc in action at the same time,
these operations cannot fail to produce the most beneficial
effects on the health of the children.
Several interesting little girls, who were quite unable to
speak plain, repeated, in succession, the pence-table, the-
time-table, the long measure-table, &c., the whole of the
children afterwards singing the tables as songs, which were
set to popular airs.
The preceptor having shown the manner in which the
children are classified, that business was commenced which
the little ones deemed most important of the whole morn-
ing's proceedings. We allude to serving out the oranges
and buns, of which a plentiful supply was distributed. A.
hymn of thanksgiving was sung, and the children were de-
spatched delighted to their homes.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
Yesterday, according to annual custom, the children of
the Blue-coat and other schools in connection with the
Church of England, walked in prOcession through the prin-
cipal streets of the town, accompanied by the Mayor, Town-
clerk, and several other members of the corporation. They
were headed by a number of the clergy and gentry of the
town. Each school bore one or more neat little banners,
with some appropriate inscription or device ; and after having
gone round Nelson's monument, a number of the children
were taken to St. Peter's Church, where, after prayers by
the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, in his usual impressive style, a
sermon was preached by the Rev. It. W. Evans, Rector of
Tarvin, from Eph. 4c. 3 v. " Endeavouring to keep the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace."—A collection was made
at the doors, which amounted to about £6O. The following
is an account of the number of children in the schools con-
nected with the Established Church within the Parliamen-
tary boundary, on the day of the Anniversary, 18th June,
1840 :

Daily. Infants. Sunday. Total. -6
SCHOOL. *
Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls 6* E 2
Blue Ct. Hspitl 250 100 250 100 350
•
S Ch. of Eland 260 235 190 96 . 450 331 781
North Ditto .. 402 203 157 102 8 7 567 312 879
Welsh Charity 228 104 84 64 .. 312 168 480
St. James's .. 120
.. 8 .. 128 .. 128
St. Philip's . 9U .jl. . 19 10' 102
_
Hunter-street. 160 100 • . 160 10 260
Moor-fields .. 142 105 32!3. 10 .. 184 142 326
St. Mark's.. 102 115 90; 65 40 50 232 231 462
St. Andrew's.. 82 11 85 64 24 21 191 201 392
St. Paul's.. 200 140 .. 210 154 410 294 704
St. Michael's.. 90 74 . .. 16 20 106 94 200
St. Luke's
.. 96 90 4. 0 20 10 10 146 120 266
St. Catherine's 117 100 80 64 6 8 203 17 375
St. Bride's
,195 16 107 51 12; 15 314 225 539
St. Matthias' 90 7 34 48 70 67 194 185 379
Christ Church 180 250 1021 125 .. 1148 282 523 805
Evrtn & Kdale 210 130 661 54 15 25 291 209 500
Mill-lane ... 39 4 26' 20 6 6 71 74 145
St. Simon's . : I 6O GO 60 60 120
Edge-hill .... 10.5 5 50, 60 .. .. 155 110 265
St. Jude's... • 170 138 60 73 40 35 270 246 516
St. Augustine's 149 13C 65' 38 14 8 228 182 410
St.John-Bapt. 140 155 47 53 25 70 212 278 490
Workhouse .. 240 9 67 44 .. 307 134 441
- - -
3767 2.799 1382 1067 574 716 57234592 10315