Page:Account of the Boys' Charity School founded, in 1733, by Mrs. Katherine Bayley, in the city of Coventry.pdf/3

 and consisted of a stiff and by no means superfine hat, coat without either collar or lining, of similar cut to that now in use, but of much coarser and inferior material, knee breeches, blue stockings, and low shoes, with buckles. In 1842 trousers were substituted for the breeches, blue collars added to the coats, and good strong boots superseded the low shoes (buckles had for some time disappeared). In the same year Mr. Marsson died, after a long illness, and was succeeded by Mr. John Henry Fretton, of the Meriden National School. It had been for some time in contemplation to build a new school, and in 1845 a substantial, well-furnished room was completed on a portion of the garden, and opened on the 2nd of March, in that year, the expense amounting to between £300 and £400. At the same time a commodious play-ground was provided for the boys, and two small tenements in the rear of the premises were converted into a residence for the master. Shortly afterwards the practice of numbering the boys on the arm once a year was introduced, and has proved more effective than the old punishments of the logger and birch, wearing of a disgrace coal, or deprivation of clothes. This numbering is now revised about eight times a year. The boys bad for many years been admitted as vacancies occurred; but about this time the plan of admitting them annually at Easter was adopted, and the unseemly appearance of some in livery and some without, as the children walked to and from Church, ceased. Caps were also substituted for the uncomfortable hats, and better cloth used for the clothes. Drilling the boys, a monthly cutting of the hair, and occasional bathing in the summer was also introduced as opportunity served. During the progress of repairs to the master's house in 1847, a large chimney stack fell, carrying with it great part of the building, and rendering its entire removal necessary, a very fine old carved stone mantelpiece being destroyed in the fall. The house at that time occupied by the late Mr. Booth, builder, and forming part of the trustees property, was then appropriated to the master's use, the garden attached to it being added to what was left of the former one. In 1853, the funds having accumulated and been increased by sundry donations and good annual collections, an increase of 10 was added to the number on the foundation; and in 1855, in consequence of the munificent bequest of R. S. Cox, Esq., a further addition of five was made…raising the number of boys to 50. Mr. Fretton died in January, 1856, and was buried in Coventry Cemetery, where a stone was soon after erected to his memory by his old pupils and friends. He was succeeded in the master ship by his son, Mr. William George Fretton, late of the Southam National School, the present