Page:A Plea for the Middle Classes.djvu/17

 then hear an evening's tale of blasphemy and irreligion, of disloyalty and licentiousness, which is fresh imported from the oracular lips of the employer.

And now having justified, I hope, my object, I will give you some account of the means to be used to accomplish it. You know what I have done, and am doing in the way of schools. My hope is to enlarge them, and to make them suitable to the wants of the middle classes generally. The chief thing to be desired, no doubt, is to remove the children from the noxious influence of home, but this cannot in all cases be accomplished. I purpose, therefore, that we should use three means; first, to offer board, education, and certain undoubted advantages, by way of exhibitions, &c., at such a rate as most tradesmen, in a fair way of business, can afford. Secondly, to receive weekly boarders at a reduced price, and thus partially remove them from home. Thirdly, to have good and efficient grammar schools in populous neighbourhoods, where boys may gain a sound and Christian education at about four or five pounds per annum, and daily boarders fourpence or fivepence per day extra for dinner. This last is the least we can do, and it will lay the foundation of something better for the future. In all cases a Clergyman to be at the head of the school, to accustom boys to the Clergy and to remove distrust. Further, the schools should be divided into two classes at least: the first would be suitable for the sons of the higher kind of tradesmen, professional men, and gentlemen of limited means; the second for the children of quite small tradesmen or even hucksters. These latter are a very important class, perhaps the most important; and with a little diligence and management might be picked up by thousands. In the first class schools the Church should offer education at a lower rate than any other body can, and should conduct her plans on the most imposing scale, to raise the thoughts and feelings of the boys in reference to the Church. Forty, fifty, or even sixty pounds per annum are now paid for even the very poorest education at vulgar, flashy boarding schools; we shall begin at thirty pounds per annum, without any extras, except books. I have ascertained from the large public schools, that the victualling department will cost about twelve pounds ten shillings per annum each boy. With numbers, therefore, sixteen pounds per annum, or a little more, will amply meet every demand, the cost of education excepted. The responsible masters will all be in