41. ORPHAN SCHOOLS.

Orphan Schools a fitting Work for Charity.-The taking charge of destitute and orphan children has always been regarded as one of the noblest works of philanthropy. Many excellent Institutions having this object are to be met with in all parts of the country. One of the most noted, namely, Müller's Orphanage at Ashley Down, near Bristol, is fully described in a subsequent part of this volume, on account of the remarkable nature of its origin and development, and the extent of its present operations.

Statistics only of London known.-Owing to the absence of any system which provides for the registration of Charities, it is impossible to ascertain, with any degree of accuracy, how many of the orphan children of the country are being educated in schools specially provided for them by public or private benevolence. From Mr. Fry's interesting list of the London Charities, it appears that in and about the Metropolis there are no fewer than forty Institutions exclusively for the education of orphans. Some of these are on a very large scale, as, for instance, the Infant Orphan Asylum at Wanstead, having an income of 16,400/., and providing for 560 children; and the London Orphan Asylum at Clapton, with an income of 12,287., and providing for 420 children. Others accommodate only twenty or thirty inmates, and might, with advantage be absorbed into larger establishments at a great saving of expense, and with a prospect of increased efficiency. No class of charity appears to be more readily capable of combination than this, which has one uniform object, namely, that of providing for orphanhood. The total number of children under instruction in thirty of these London Schools, which supply the statistics, appears to be 4,362; while the annual income of twenty-nine of them, derived almost

entirely from voluntary contributions, amounts to no less than 71,1427.

Mixed Charities, including Orphans. In addition to these establishments, which provide exclusively for Orphans, a much larger number exist which combine the training of Orphan children with other works of benevolence: thus, the Benevolent Society of Blues, for the Widows and Orphans of those educated at Christ's Hospital; the Dissenting Ministers' Widows' Fund, for Widows and Orphans; the Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society; the Patriotic Fund; and many others. For the reasons before given, it is impossible to ascertain the exact number of such Institutions throughout the country; but for London, owing to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Fry, in the little work above referred to, accurate information has been collected. The number in the Metropolis appears to be about forty-five, and the aggregate income of the thirty-seven which publish their accounts is no less than 150,000/. The number of Orphans who are provided for in London by this means cannot be separated from, but it must amount to a large proportion of, the 22,406 individuals benefited by these Charities.

Early Schools. The period during which these Institutions have been formed extends over the last hundred and fifty years. The earliest founded were—the Royal Asylum of St. Ann's Society, commenced in 1702; the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain, in 1738; the Royal Naval Benevolent Society, in 1739; the Clergy Orphan School, in 1749; and the Orphan Working School, Haverstock Hill, in 1758. Their increase during the last forty or fifty years has been very rapid; and in the Metropolis alone hardly a year passes without one or more being added to the list.

Subjects of Instruction.-The course of study pursued is similar to, though more extensive than, that adopted at other Elementary places of instruction. In most of the Institutions the number of years during which the children are retained renders it easy to secure for them an extended course of education. At the Infant Orphan Asylum at Wanstead, in the Senior School, where the ages of the boys vary from seven to fifteen years, and those of the girls from eight to fifteen, the subjects taught are as follows:

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Some of the senior girls also receive instruction in Instrumental Music and Drawing. The educational advantages enjoyed by Orphans when admitted to these Institutions are considerable. They are exempt from any interference in their studies; they are not liable to be removed from one school to another; their daily attendance is yery regular, owing to their residing on the school premises; and their guardians or friends are not allowed any voice in the selection of the subjects of instruction, such matters being entirely under the control of the Committee of the Institution.

Not aided by Government-Inspection.-As a rule, Orphan Schools are not qualified to receive Government grants, as they not only educate, but also board and lodge the children. Several, however, are inspected by the officers of the Committee of Council, who report annually on their progress and efficiency. These inspections are not official, but are undertaken as private matters by the Inspector.

Mode of Admission. The rules for admission into Orphan Schools necessarily vary. Some schools are limited to the orphans of persons who have been engaged in particular callings or professions, as, for instance, those of the clergy, of sailors, of commercial travellers, &c. Other schools confine their attention to infants and those within certain ages. Few Institutions admit children who have been the recipients of parish relief, as it is considered that the Workhouse School should be available for such. In nearly all cases admission is obtained by the votes of the subscribers to the charity at a half-yearly election. The payment of a certain sum, generally 10s. 6d. a year, entitles the subscriber to one vote. This vote he is at liberty to give to any child who is eligible. However many objections this plan may have, it is certainly popular with managers. This is no doubt the case from the inducement which it holds out to persons to subscribe to the funds of the charity. The periodical election

brings the claims of the Institution more immediately before the subscriber, whose privilege of voting is given as a sort of return for his donation.

Parentage of Children.-Some interesting facts are published in the Report for 1866-7 of the Infant Orphan Asylum at Wanstead, giving the parentage of the pupils at that time in the Institution. From this it appeared that scarcely any profession or respectable calling was unrepresented.

Religious Teaching. The religious teaching in many Orphan Schools, particularly in the smaller Institutions, is sectarian, and depends upon the particular denomination to which the School belongs. In the majority, however, and almost invariably in the large Schools, it is conducted in a liberal spirit, and is based somewhat on the original British System. In one or two Institutions, for instance at the Commercial Travellers' Schools, a plan somewhat like the following is adopted. All are required to attend the public worship of the Church of England; but before any child is admitted, its parent or guardian is required to answer this question, 'Which of the two following catechisms do you wish your child to be taught, viz., the Catechism of the Church of England, or that of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster?" At the Haverstock Hill School, the Sunday services are taken by ministers of almost all denominations in rotation. Thus on one Sunday, the Committee arrange for a Church of England clergyman to attend; the next for a

Wesleyan; the next for an Independent, and so on. No difficulty is ever experienced in consequence of the adoption of this plan, forcibly showing how the so-called 'religious difficulty' would vanish, if only met in a really Christian spirit.

Management. The management of these Charities is usually left in the hands of a Committee, elected annually by the subscribers. By this system, fresh blood is being continually infused into the management; and thus the life of the Institution is kept vigorous. At the same time new and improved systems of teaching are introduced, and the arrangements of the School adapted to the varying requirements of the age.

Cost-Variations.-The annual cost of Orphan Schools does not always bear a proportion to the number educated, but varies considerably. Thus at the

In smaller Schools, the cost per head is so much greater in some than in others, that it can only be attributed to errors in management, involving an unnecessary outlay.

Advantages of Combination of Small Schools.-It certainly is not desirable to conduct Orphan Schools on the same strictly economical principles which should be adopted for those of the pauper class; but the funds of these charities are often expended, not in giving the recipients greater educational advantages, but in carrying on the school in too expensive a manner. The cause of this is usually to be found in a want of knowledge among the managers as to the best mode of organising the teaching power and the domestic staff, as well as in an absence of a rigid economy in small, and apparently unimportant, details of housekeeping. The elements of economy and success appear to be obtainable to best advantage in the larger Institutions, and even then only when they are conducted by persons practically acquainted with school organisation and general domestic arrangements.