Chapter Twenty Four
In
1513 Dame Agnes MELLERS, the widow of an opulent bell-founder, founded the FREE
GRAMMAR School, in Stoney street. The Institution has received benefactions
from Robert MELLERS, son of the founder, and Member of Parliament for
Nottingham; Thomas MELLERS, another son of Dame Agnes; John WAST, of London,
brewer, and his wife, Winifred; Alderman John HESKY; Alderman John PARKER;
&c. It underwent repairs in 1689, 1708, 1792, and again about twenty-five
years ago. The first purchase made for the library was in 1707, when twelve
books were bought: this department of the institution was founded by Alderman
John PARKER, in 1693. The present school register, which commences with the
year 1807, shows that up till 1850, 1,010 free boys had been admitted, of whom
548 were admitted during the first twenty-eight years, before the number was
raised from sixty to eighty – forty Classical and forty English scholars. In
the sixteen years since 1834, one hundred of the boys educated here have been
distributed as follows amongst the various professions; fifteen clergyman, two
physicians, one barrister, three dissenting ministers, ten architects and
builders, four editors and reporters, eight surgeons, fifteen attorneys, four
chemists, ten teachers, and one engineer. The present master is the Rev. W.
BUTLER, M.A.; usher, Mr. LANGWORTH.
The
BLUE COAT School, founded in 1706, is supported by endowments and
contributions. In 1723 it was removed to a building on the High pavement,
almost opposite the Guild-hall. At first, sixty boys and twenty girls were
admitted, between the ages of eight and eleven years – forty to be elected from
the parish of St. Mary and twenty out of each of the other parishes, and the
scholars to increase with the number of subscribers. The site on the High
pavement was given by William THORP, gentleman, attorney-at-law. In 1853 the
school was removed to a handsome building on the Mansfield road. The Rev
Richard JOHNSON, who was master in 1707, was an eccentric character. The
corporation brought on action against this man to remove him from his
situation, on the ground of utter incapacity. Previous to its being brought
into court, JOHNSON went round among the aldermen, and, by a clever ruse,
obtained their signatures to a paper expressive of their opinion that he was
quite capable of teaching a school. He said he felt he must lose in the
impending action, and surely they would not withhold from him a simple document
which would enable him to get another situation. In the court he coolly
produced the certificate, and the corporation lost the suit. In the course of the
trial, one of the counsel for the corporation remarked: “Mr. JOHNSON, I think I
may say to you as Festus said to St. Paul – Too much learning has made thee mad
!” “Truly sir,” was the dry rejoinder, “but, if you should go mad no one would
say the same to you.” The present master is Mr. William COCKAYNE.
John
MOORE, framework-knitter, of Leicester is said to have been a SUNDAY SCHOOL
teacher for some time before 1780, when RAIKES of Glocester began his
operations. William HALLAM, who was born at Kirton, in Nottinghamshire, is likewise
stated to have taught a Sunday School in Nottingham, where he served his
apprenticeship, at least two years before the date of RAIKE’s experiment.
Thought he was only a framework-knitter, HALLAM had received a good education,
and he ultimately adopted the profession of schoolmaster. In 1781 he started
Sunday schools in Mansfield Woodhouse; in 1815 he was closing his life in St.
Mary’s workhouse, Nottingham. In 1807 there were thirteen Sunday schools in
Nottingham, maintained partly by the Church, and partly by Dissenting
congregations: in these schools twelve hundred boys and one thousand five
hundred girls received instruction. The teachers were young people, filling
respectable situations in life.
The
UNITARIAN CHARITY School was established in 1788 by a party of subscribers who
seceded from supporting the Bluecoat school. In 1820 it contained thirty boys
and twenty-four girls, of whom one-half were clothed. It is situated behind the
High pavement chapel.
The
School of INDUSTRY, founded by subscription in 1808, occupies part of Rutland
street school-rooms, in Rutland street, a building erected in 1824. Instruction
is given to 150 poor girls.
The
NATIONAL School, High Cross street, was opened in 1811. A large number of boys
are taught at a small expense on Dr. BELL’s system.
The
LANCASTERIAN School, a commodious building of one story on the Derby road, was
built in 1815. Previous to that, the charity had existed in a rented room from the
date of its establishment, 1810. The site was presented by the corporation, and
the school is supported principally by the contributions of dissenters. Another
Lancastrian School, for boys, was established in 1841, in Salem Chapel school
room, Barker gate; and one for girls, in Hounds’ gate, has been incorporated
with the British School.
The
BROMLEY HOUSE SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY, Angel-row, was founded in 1816 at Thurland
hall by Dr. STORER. The Standfast library contains about 2,000 ancient volumes.
The building and library belonging to a company of shareholders.
The
ARTISANS’ LIBRARY, established in 1824 under the auspices of a committee of
gentlemen of the town, has been a most useful institution. The first president
was the Rev. R.W. ALMOND; he was succeeded in 1826 by Mr. Thomas WAKEFIELD; and
in 1850 the Rev. B. CARPENTER was elected to the office. Number of books at its
formation, 952; in the second year, 1640; in 1852, 6,000. The cost of
membership is only 1s. 6d. per quarter. The library was first accommodated in a
room in Bridlesmith Gate; now it is situated in one of the rooms of the
Exchange Buildings; and it will shortly be removed to a building specially
designed for its reception, now building in Thurland street. The number of
members in 1852 was 360. Among the members of this institution who owned not a
little of their education to its friendly aid were Dr. Spencer HALL and Mr.
Edward HIND, the author of a volume of “Poems: Local and General,” now in the
press.
The
NATIONAL SCHOOL for GIRLS, in Barker gate, was erected in 1834; it is a neat
brick edifice, built partly at the expense of government, and here 150 girls
are educated.
A
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION was founded many years ago, but it did not exist long. A
few other minor attempts had also outlived their little day, before the
establishment of the excellent and flourishing institution which the town now
possesses, and of which the inhabitants are justly proud. This institution was
founded October, 1837. During the second year of its existence twenty-eight
lectures were delivered; and,besides eminent professional men from a distance,
the list of lecturers included the names of Mr. William FELKIN, Dr. J.C.
WILLIAMS, Mr. R. GOODACRE, Rev. W.J. BUTLER, Mr. HICKLIN, Mr. POTCHETT, Rev. B.
CARPENTER, Mr. W. GOODACRE, Mr. J. HIGGINBOTTOM, Mr. Booth EDDISON, and Mr.
Francis HART. A class for architectural drawing was founded, and it was
suggested that a school of design should be established in connexion with the
institution.
In
1842 the first president, John Smith WRIGHT, esquire, presented a thousand
yards of land on Burton leys to the institution for the site of a new building,
the instutution purchasing four hundred yards adjoining. This structure, which
forms the chief ornament of Mansfield road, was built in 1844. It is a brick
building cemented. The front consists of a portico in antis, supported on
fluted columns of the Corinthian order of architecture, imitated from the
temple of the Sybil at Tivoli; the parapets are profusely decorated. The
spacious and lofty lecture-hall can accommodate a thousand persons. The library
and class-rooms are elegant and commodious. The museum, an interesting adjunct
to the institution, is composed of specimens originally collected by the
Natural History Society.
One
room was specially set apart for the use of members anxious to study the higher
branches of drawing and designing; and premiums were awarded for the best drawings,
designs, and copies. These measures were prompted by a desire to promote
excellence of design as adapted to one of the chief manufactures of the town,
and to develop latent genius. In 1844 a music class was formed, of which Mr.
Henry FARMER was appointed teacher; in 1845 a Discussion class, whose
successive presidents have been Messrs. PACKER, ROTHERA, Henry S. SUTTON,
NEUBERG, C.C. DENNETT, Charles BOYCE, and Edmund RENALS; in 1845, a Ladies
Drawing class; in 1848, a news-room, existing in connexion with, though
distinct from, the institution; and in 1844, a Chess class, re-organised with
Mr. Samuel NEWHAM as president.
The
first teacher of the drawing class was Mr. B. HEALD, who was succeeded by Mr.
R. BUSSEY. In 1848 a presentation of casts was received from the council of the
government School of Design. In the session of 1849-50 Mr. BUSSEY resigned, and
the class became defunct, although it was again resuscitated in 1850 under the
direction of Mr. J.S. GRESLEY. In 1847 the institution joined the Midland
Association of Mechanics’ and other Literary Institutions. In the same year Mr.
Smith WRIGHT proposed that an organ should be erected in the hall, accompanying
the suggestion with a gift of a hundred guineas. The organ, built by Messrs.
BEVINGTON and Sons, London, at a cost of upwards of £700, was opened by Dr.
GAUNTLETT on the 18th of October.
An
exhibition of works of art, natural objects, &c., was opened in the
institution on the 5th of August, 1850, and closed on the 11th
of January, 1851. The visiters numbered 62,656, giving a daily average of 454,
whereas 912 was the daily average of an exhibition held in the Exchange in 1840
in aid of the funds.
In
1848 a piece of additional land, which cost £226, was bought for the purpose of
securing light – three-tenths of the sum, £76 16s., being contributed by
Messrs. Samuel FOX, Thomas HERBERT, and William ENFIELD. In 1848 J. Evelyn
DENISON, esquire, M.P., was appointed president in the room of Mr. WRIGHT,
deceased. Mr. WRIGHT’s attachment to the institution had remained unshaken
through good and evil report, and to the close of his life he expressed, in
ardent terms, a desire that it might continue useful and efficient.
The
first secretaries were Messrs. COOKE and SHIPLEY; afterwards the office was
filled by Messrs. G. PACKER, E. RENALS, J. DRIVER, W.H. WATTS, and W. BEDELLS.
The number of members in 1839 was 927; in 1842, 512, 1843, 534; 1844, 636;
1845, 980; 1847, 848; 1848, 736; 1849, 815; 1850, 854; 1851, 984. Numbers,
unfortunately, are not always indicative of success; and it has been a cause of
regret to the best friends of the institution that the class for whom it is
more specially designed do not take advantage of its benefits. Thus, we find
that of the 984 members in 1851, 23 were professional men and manufacturers;
103, shopkeepers and tradesmen; 256, clerks, shopmen, and warehousemen; 45,
journeymen lace and stocking makers; 12, journeymen joiners, bricklayers, and
masons; 50, smiths, engineers, &c.; 8, butchers and bakers; 21, artists,
schoolmasters, and agents; 100, youths under 21 years of age; 106, females, 68,
life honorary members. The number of volumes in the library in 1839 was 1,600,
number circulated 22,400; 1851, 5,031 – 30,258.
The
works of art in the institution include several oil paintings presented by J.
ARMFIELD, esquire, George BACON, esquire, and Mr. FISHER; pictures from Mrs.
William ENFIELD and Mr. Richard ENFIELD; two views of Kirkstall Abbey, in water
colors, from the artist, Mr. Samuel PARROTT; busts of Lord DENHAM and Mr.
Thomas GRAY, the inventor of railroads; portraits of J. Smith WRIGHT, esquire,
the first president, and Alfred LOWE, esquire, of Highfield House, J.
HEATHCOAT, esquire, M.P., and James WATT.
The
winter course of lectures are still maintained with varying success. Among the
local lecturers who have rendered good service we may mention the Revs. J.
GILBERT, J.A. BAYNES, S. M’ALL, W.J. BUTLER, and H. ALFORD, of Wymeswold, the
accomplished poet; also Messrs. Hugo REID, John HICKLIN, S. NEWHAM, Josiah
GILBERT, T. BAILEY, E. RANALS, J. NEUBERG, E.J. LOWE, Christopher THOMSON, J.
Rossell POTTER, John WALTER, M.P., William FELKIN, and J. WHITE.
Cheap
concerts of sacred and secular music by native artists and amateurs, have
furnished satisfactory proof of the talent and taste for the higher class of
music which exists in Nottingham. To this institution, likewise, the town is
indebted for the visits of many illustrious individuals, including Charles
KEMBLE, Mrs. Fanny KEMBLE, Ralph Waldo EMERSON, Jenny LIND, ALBONI, J. Silk
BUCKINGHAM, Charles DICKENS, Charles KNIGHT, and others eminent in the world of
music, science, or literature.
The
GOVERNMENT SCHOOL of DESIGN, in Beck lane, was established in 1843 for
instruction in designing for manufactures, as well as in the history,
principles, and practice of ornamental art. The institution is well stored with
paintings and casts from the antique. A number of young men have pursue the
study of art, chiefly with the view of applying their abilities to the trade of
the town. Many for the first two or three years thought this school comparatively
useless. But we now see that then it was only sowing the seeds of extended
usefulness. Several young men who have had no other means of learning designing
than those provided by this institution, are now filling important situations,
and receiving liberal salaries; while competent authorities have declared, that
at the present time our local artists are capable of producing designs equal to
the French, Swiss, &c. Hence it is evident that the School of Design has
materially assisted the enterprising manufacturer and artisan. The successive
masters have been Mr. THOMPSON, Mr. HAMMERSLEY, and Mr. CLARK. It is intended
to obtain a site and build a new school.
The
PEOPLE’s COLLEGE was founded in 1847 for the benefit of the industrious
classes, and especially to enable their children to receive a sound and
comprehensive education at a moderate cost. It comprises day and night schools
for males and females; a library and reading room, supplied with magazines and
newspapers as well as with a selection of books; and lectures and readings are
delivered at stated times. The principal is assisted in the boys’ schools by a second master, an
assistant teacher and apprentices trained at the college; and in the girls’
school by a lady and a female pupil teacher.
The
course of instruction includes, besides the common branches of education, singing,
object lessons, natural history; physiology and social economy; natural
philosophy, mathematics, and the Latin and French languages. Subscribers have
the privilege of securing, to a limited number of pupils, admission to any of
the day schools for one half of the regular payment. The college is fitted up
with several sets of large and valuable maps, pictures, and diagrams, as well
as with globes. Besides apparatus for scientific experiments, it contains also
a set of large and beautiful anatomical drawings, and two charts of rare value,
on an unusually large scale, to exhibit the leading features of astronomy and
physical geography.
Mr.
Hugo REID, a gentleman distinguished for his valuable contributions to
educational literature, especially in the department of physical science, was
the first principal of this institution. While in Nottingham he published a
variety of works, and took an active part in many good movements. With the view
of enabling youths and adults of both sexes to revise and complete their
education, Mr. REID, in the January of 1852, designed a systematic course of
study to consist of lectures and private instruction for those who desired it. The
first course, embracing languages and the phenomena of the earth, extended from
the 23rd of January to the following May, and was appreciated by
those who attended as students.
The
Girls’ school at the People’s College was opened in January, 1850. Mr. George
GILL, the founder of the institution, supplied the funds to build a new room
for a library, to which he presented 100 volumes. Mr. HEYMANN likewise
contributed 200 volumes.
The
LAW LIBRARY, of which most of the solicitors in the town are members, occupies
one of the apartments in Bromley House; the ENGLISHMAN’s LIBRARY, established
in 1841 by the High Churchmen of Nottingham, occupies one of the rooms at the “Journal”
office. It contains a thousand volumes. There is a library of 350 volumes in the
BARRACKS, and numerous others in connexion with Sunday schools and dissenting
congregations, as well as with the bookselling establishments in town.
The
RAGGED School, founded by J. Smith WRIGHT, esquire, in 1847, now occupying a
new building in Glasshouse street, was removed thither in 1852 from a humbler
tenement in Sherwood lane – St. Paul’s infant school room having been kindly
provided for the temporary use of the children between leaving the house in the
Sherwood lane and entering upon the new premises. Only two days after the
children had left their original school, the front of the house and the very
room on the first floor in which they assembled to take leave gave way and fell
into the vaults beneath. Nearly two hundred children have been in attendance
during the winter of 1852-3. Lady SITWELL, the widow of the founder of the
school, has recently offered to be at the expense of a master’s salary, the
master to devote himself exclusively to the important work.
The
SECULAR SOCIETY was formed in February, 1852. The number of members in
Nottingham was 32. The place of meeting in North street they have opened as a
reading room on Saturday evenings with free admission to the public. The
members meet on Sunday evenings to deliver or read lectures, essays, &c.,
and occasionally public lectures are delivered at the Assembly Rooms. This
society is a branch of the national body organised by Mr. George J. HOLYOAKE,
the atheist.
Page design ©
Sue Kay 1999.