Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-28
MIR. wAKEMAN,S JOURNEFINGS
At Rugby, England-SchoOl Life and Games-The Age at Which Boys Must Enter Rugby SchOOl-How the School fs Divided Into Classes An ssExhfbitioner''-Th Faculty.

RUGBY, England, March g. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 My hosts, guides and companions at young English friend, a lad in the 'Low- CT Middle" form, Modern side; and some of the things learned about the famous school are worth telling.
 All boys at Rugby school must enter be- tween the ages of twelve and fifteen years, and must leave the school at the end of the next term after they have reached the age of nineteen years. There are ninety six boys who are schooled free, or partial ly so, on behalf of the Laurence Sheriff foundation-fund. These ninety-six boys form three classes known as "old-founda- tioners," "major" and "minor" ''founda- tioners." The old-foundationers number fifty, and they must be the sons of per sons who have lived in, or within five miles of, Rugby since 1868. These receive instruction free of all charge. The major foundationers are twelve boys selected, on examination, from the townsfolk and peo- plO llflliS NllulL iuO qualified by attendance at the subordinate school, who, like the old-foundationers, receive their instruction free. The twen- ty-four minor or-foundationers must have the same qualifications as to residence and preparation as the majors. These secure their tuition for one-hslf the usual fees. The ninety-six foundationers may com pete with all other students for the many Rugby prizes.
 Probably no other boys school in the world offers so many and such varied prizes. To name them in the briefest manner would require more than col umn's space in this paper. Aside from the Queens gold medal prize for an Eng fish essay on some historical subject, l have had counted out to me by my com panions upwards of seventy-five prizes, the value of the lowest of which is two guineas. On the line of excellence in and distinctions. The great goal to be reached in Rugby school life is the "Si1th Form" of the upper school, and the life of | & prepostor in that. There are fifteen pr@postors. These constitute the "upper bench" of the upper, or highest, school in Rugby. The dignity and privileges ob. taining are alone secured through splendid | scholarship; and all Rugby traditions war rant the lad who has reached this emineuce through intellectual pluck in the free and uugrudged exercise of his rights to flag | those beneath him to the very limit of his | inclination. It is not carried to the same extent it was in 'Tom Browns" time; but his experience, though somewhat exagger. ated, give the best description extant of the everyday workings of the system ir Rugby school. The next and the highest reward bestowed upon superior scholar ship at Rugby is that of "Exhibitioner. It is not only great honor in English scheol life to be known as a Rugby Ex hibitioner," but it is by no means an emp ty honor. There are two classes, maiol and minor Exhibitions" and three "ma jors'' and four "minors" are awarded eacf year, on election by "external examiners appointed by the Rugby governing board Every major exhibitioner receives sixty pounds, and every minor exhibitionel thirty pounds, per year; each exhibition holding good for four years after election l-provided the holder leaves Rugby ant pursues his studies at any university O | tne Onlted hlnSdom, or at otner approved place of preparation for a profession O
 occupation. They are practically thre,
 hundred and one hundred and fifty dolla
 per year scholarships, good anywhere tha
 proper use may be made of them for fou
 years; their full value therefore being re
 spectively twelve hundred and six hun
 dred dollars. Oxford and Cambridge SC
 cure these splendidly-trained youths il
 about equal numbers.
 In investigating all these more seriou
 matters about Rugby school, the most de
 ightful thing which everywhere impressed
 one new to its government and policies
 the utter absence of what we American term fiunkeyism and aristocratic exclu | siyeness. Its trustees and governin board comprise great and titled men, bu ! the patronage of the school, and the actu al practical regime and discipline whic have been enforced from the days of th