PHEABEOECOAT VSCHOOL,

commodious enough in the last century, which sheltered such young heads as
Camden’s, Stillingfleet’s, Samuel Richardson’s, Coleridge’s and Leigh Hunt’s, and
Charles Lamb’s. Ages before them, again, the Priory of the Grey Friars stood
here; and somewhere under these very flags monks and knights, and a Queen
of England, are sleeping, having lain
down penitent in the shadow of monas-
tic altars. The Hospital, as it now is,
was founded by “the boy-patron of
boys,” Edward VI., who had one ques-
tionable habit for a young saint, that
of cheerfully signing the death-warrants
of his uncles. The royal charity has
had great endowments from private
hands, which are, alas! lessened in our
more selfish day. Another king, Charles
IL., a clever vagabond who made out
to do a few such kindly deeds as_ this,
started the Mathematical School in
1673, and the lads who belong to it
wear his badge upon the shoulder.

When a child is appointed to Christ
Hospital, he makes it his home, and is
chosen to rank in the department best Reh a en erent ae
suited to his abilities. Some study the
classics, some are preparing for sea-Service, some are flourishing a pen all the
afternoon over accounts or outline drawings. The boys have a Court of Gov-
ernors whom they never see; but the President, Treasurer and Almoners busy
themselves with house-affairs, and the masters and matrons.
are everywhere and always at their side. The discipline
is very strict and steady. The boys make their own beds,
set and clear off their own. table, polish their own boots and
so forth.

They have frequent half-holidays, beside the three vaca-
tions, when, if their conduct has given satisfaction, they are

free to visit their relatives and friends, and dispose their

AND picturesque figures among the city parks and streets.
_- They sleep in airy wards or dormitories, each in his
little bed, and about forty beds abreast; and they all eat to-
gether in the magnificent Hall, with its organ and spacious
Gothic windows, erected in 1829. They have a very liberal supply of what
would hardly be a favorite drink of American boys—beer! Every pleasant.
day, a signal is given in the south playground, seven minutes before dinner-