Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-11


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I'LL
THE HOME FOR LITTLE BOYS IN KENr-oLD BOYS
DAY INDUSTRIAL FEATURES: THE BAKERY,
sH0EMAKING, PAINT SHOP, MACHINERY, PRINT
ING OFFICE, SWIMMING BATH, STEAM LAUNDRY
TAILOR AND CARPENTER SHOP-NRBDLR ROOM
AND STORE, FARM, SCHOOL HOUSE AND CHAPEL.
TIE CHDDRBN'S COTTAGES-THBIR ARRANGE
HENTs-FATHBR AND MOTHER-How TO EARN,
SAVE AND SPEND MONBY-AR8 WE GUILTY OF
NEGLECT?
AS third and last article on institutions for
the care and training OF destitute children,
now propose to give a brief account Of visit
made Just one year ago to the delightful "Home
for Little Boys" in Kent, England. Were also
girls and not only boys admitted, 1t might justly
be termed In every respect model institution
OF the kind, although only its educational and
agement OF the public school board. This in
st1tution was founded In 1854 by committee
believed to have been Of the school board OF
London. 1t first occupied an old building for
merly used as parish workhouse at Totem
ham, where fourteen boys not over ten years of
age were provided for. In less than two years
the inmates had increased to over ninety, and
the pressure for further admission so powerful
that it became imperative to provide more suit
able quarters. The present location 10 Kent,
London, Chatham and Dover railroad some ff-
teen miles from London, and embracing an area
OF nineteen acres, was selected: 1t was decided
"Cottage" system, both on account OF The lack
Of funds to erect large Institutions structure
and more especially because this system al
foided far greater facility OF tmparting to the
place the real comforts, attractions and advanr-
ages II a "Home." In 1866 the first building WAS
erected, and from year to year Others hayeoeen
added the eto until on the occasion OF NV visit
In June last, found ten brown stone colt iges,
contain ng over 800 inmates, besides ample and
substantial workshops, StorehouSeS, school
rooms and eonmodious chapel. In the alb
Mr. Charles the
his able assistant Mr.. w. j. e. Day, conducted
me around. First on entering the premises,
with at q distance resembles some well-to-do
suburban settlement, stood very cosy little
Structure called
THE SOLD BOYS LODGE"
donated, was told, by some unknown bene-
factor and intended expressly as the tempo
rary home of boys who have creditably left the
1nstit ltion and occasionally return to pay short
visits 1t has Its reception and reading ro ON,
library, 1dormitories and other convenience,
and annually, on what is called the "Old Boys
Day." when all who have left the Institution
and conveniently can, meet to greet each OTTER
and the dear and only Home" or their child
hood, its walls are filled with grateful hearts
and reseund to the echo Of many happy voice.
THE WORK SHOPS.
After resting awhile In the reception room of
the superintendent, adjacent to his offices, and
partaking of some refreshments, first visited
the bakery, where, assisted by several boys,
llt uldStcr pthtI UuSy preparing Suuufy
"extraS' in the shape OF cakes &C., fof the ap-
preaching HOld Boys Day." Next the shoe
makers shop was visited, and several DoyS
found at work under a competent master Not
only was meLd ng done, but some excellent
new work shown. Each boy M the institution,
l was told, Is allowed, according TO the work
elusive OF mending. THE paint-shop was Then
looked into, where master painter and boys
attend to all the painting required on che prem
1sea, and, judge have no reason to complain
"a a ~ yUa rod ba
steam engine building, where an excellent en-
CINE OF eight horse power furnishes what mo-
live power is wanted, and, In the absence OF
springs or running water, pumps from well
100 feet deep, all the water used on the premises.
The engine-room, with its two fine boilers and
handy.forge attached,was found In marvelously
perfect order, and reflected great credit on the
engineer and his boy assistants in charge. l
then stepped into the printing Office adjacent,
and was surprised at the perfection OF its ar
rangement. There stood eight cases. with the
best and newest fountS OF type, one large
s'Brenner" press and three of smaller pattern.
Tracts, leaflets. reports quarterly mag izine,
and handouts for the neigborfng tradeSmen,
are turned out here In most superior manner,
and, like an expert who had preceded me, 1 was
astonished at the style OF WORK shown me-the
technical skill and good taste displayed. The
boys who leave this printing office, felt GER
tain, would find no difficulty in obtaining EN-.
ployment- The steam laundry, close by, CON
one centrifugal dryer, wringers, steam man,
giles, and steam drying arrangement for use
during wet Or damp weather, all of which are
operated by boys under male superintendent
and female assistant. Adjoining Is most H.
valuable structure, swimming bath, from Two
to four feet deep and twenty five feet square,
where ninety boys bathe every evening IN
squads OF thirty at time under the eye OF q
swimming master. The TEN perature or the
water can readily be regulated and sky he's
Of colored glass are introduced to neuIrdlZe The
otherwise deleterious effect Of the suns rays
on the chalk or limestone water of the local
ity. Near by, ascending one flight OF stairs
entered the tailoring shop. Ten boys were az
work, under master, cutting, making up aud
pressing new cloth suits and repairing Old ones
several sewing machines being in use. Fro II
two TO four suits year are allowed each boy in
the Institution, according to the labor he per-
forms; corduroy material to work In and tweed
for Sunday and holiday wear. at the carpen-
ter shop i found master workman and four
been used, but 1t was contemplated TO Introduce
the same in the new shop about to be erected.
Some fine specimens Of sash made by the boys
was shown; also some excellent dovetailing.
Here, too, are made those neat little trunks,
with handy drawer and locker, to contain the
OUTFIT OF every boy leaving the Home" next
entered the needlework room, close to the su-
pe1intendents house. Here a lady Was in
charge, experimenting number OF boys busy
On shirts; others mending, knitting and attend
Ing the two sewing machines used, rather
pleased 10 have their work examined and evil
IDENTITY not finding 1t frksome. The warehouse,
nearly finished, had the first floor already oc-
cupied as store, very conveniently fitted up
>.
This store is conducted by storekeeper and
boy assistants on strict business principles, and
not only furnishes supplies to the Home" and
its inmates but also TO the neighDorhood 1t
was well stocked with goods usually found in a
good country store. In the basement most ex-
cellent storage arrangements, and the second
1OOr used Tor like purpose, but 50 constructed
that II could readily be cleared and made to
serve as hall for entertainments.
THE SCHOOL HOUSE,
q fine building to accommodate 300 pupils at
time, was the gift OF friends in Bradford, and In
their honor called Bradford School Boys under
10 years of age attend hours and all older ones
3hourS daily; the rest OF the time, exclusive
OF sleep and recreation, being devoted by the
Latter 10 work On the farm, or In their respsc-
tive shops, not continuously, however, as work
ing boys are divided into two gangs and daily
relieve each other at stated periods / found
two male and two female teachers giving in
Struetion and also Kindergarten department.
The rooms were go arranged that two could
readily be thrown into one. Maps, charts ana
tomical illustrations, specimens OF natural his.
tory and philosophical Instruments, etc., SEEM
ed abundantly supplied. the singing was ex-
cellent.
Towards the farther end of the premises the
farm Is located, where about dozen boys are
constantly employed. Horses, cows and pigs
are tended With persistent care, and the little
farm yard kept In scrupulously perfect order;
vegetables and Shall fruits cultivated aud most
other work usually done Oh farms attended TO-
ADart from the main cluster of hutldInps a ndS