The children drank nothing but water.
For every boarder Dr. G - receives yearly no more than thirty pounds
sterling, which however, he complained of as being too little. From
forty to fifty pounds is the most that is generally paid in these
academies.
I told him of our improvements in the manner of education, and also
spoke to him of the apparent great worth of character of his usher.
He listened very attentively, but seemed to have thought little
himself on this subject. Before and after dinner the Lord's Prayer
was repeated in French, which is done in several places, as if they
were eager not to waste without some improvement, even this
opportunity also, to practise the French, and thus at once
accomplish two points. I afterwards told him my opinion of this
species of prayer, which however, he did not take amiss.
After dinner the boys had leave to play in a very small yard, which
in most schools or academies, in the city of London, is the ne plus
ultra of their playground in their hours of recreation. But Mr. G -
has another garden at the end of the town, where he sometimes takes
them to walk.
After dinner Mr. G - himself instructed the children in writing,
arithmetic, and French, all which seemed to be well taught here,
especially writing, in which the young people in England far
surpass, I believe, all others. This may perhaps be owing to their
having occasion to learn only one sort of letters. As the midsummer
holidays were now approaching (at which time the children in all the
academies go home for four weeks), everyone was obliged with the
utmost care to copy a written model, in order to show it to their
parents, because this article is most particularly examined, as
everybody can tell what is or is not good writing. The boys knew
all the rules of syntax by heart.
All these academies are in general called boarding-schools. Some
few retain the old name of schools only, though it is possible that
in real merit they may excel the so much-boasted of academies.
It is in general the clergy, who have small incomes, who set up
these schools both in town and country, and grown up people who are
foreigners, are also admitted here to learn the English language.
Mr. G - charged for board, lodging, and instruction in the English,
two guineas a-week. He however, who is desirous of perfecting
himself in the English, will do better to go some distance into the
country, and board himself with any clergyman who takes scholars,
where he will hear nothing but English spoken, and may at every
opportunity be taught both by young and old.
