sent thence to the Universities. To this Foundation belong also Twenty Pensioners, that is to say, fourteen Women and six Men; the former have 20s. a Quarter, and the Men 25s. a Quarter. Each have a Room and a Cellar, and a Garden Plat. The Founder Mr. Gibson's Picture is there remaining. This Foundation was once burnt down, but rebuilt by the Company of Coopers of London, the present Patrons.

Another of these famous Schools in London, is that of Christ's Church Hospital; which, as well as the Hospital, is under the Patronage and Government of the City. Here are commonly very learned and able Schoolmasters appointed from time to time; who formerly did not only instruct the poor Children of the Foundation, but many other Children of Citizens, sent thither by their Parents, who paid for their Schooling. And here they arrived oftentimes to very good Skill in the Grounds of Latin and Greek Learning, as well as at the other Schools before mentioned; but now none allowed to be taught there but such as are of the Foundation.

Let me mention a laudable Custom that the Scholars of this School had, that begun in the Year 1554. Which was, that on St. Bartholomew's Day publick Disputations were held among them upon the Points of Grammar, and upon what they had learned. And for the rendring it the more solemn, the Lord Maior and Aldermen, and the learned Counsil of the City, would be present, as Judges of the Disputation. Who, after all was over, rewarded those that acquitted themselves best with Pens of Gold and Silver, and gratified and encouraged the Schoolmasters with Money. This was set on foot by Sir Will. Chester in his Sherivalty. And Sir Martin Bows, a very wealthy, and as worthy a Citizen and Alderman, for the further Encouragement of this ingenuous Emulation among the Youth, added, for another Reward to be bestowed at these Disputations, Bows (in Allusion to his Name, and for a Remembrance of the Donor) and Arrows of Silver (in memory of his Trade, being a Goldsmith) and a certain Sum of Money to the Masters; and likewise to the Maior and his Brethren (to encourage them to be present) a Banquet of Wine and Pears. This continued throughout Queen Mary's Reign; but was laid aside in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's. This, Cooper in his Chronicle (who was once a Schoolmaster himself in Magdalen College, Oxon.) took Notice of, as a very good Practice, and shewed himself sorry it was left off, being so profitable to the Children, and so comfortable to the City; and wished heartily that it might be revived again by some generous minded Men.

There is another famous School at the Hospital of the Charterhouse near Smithfield. Where Forty Boys are received and harboured; and have Allowance of Chamber, Lodging, Table, and Gowns, as well as Instruction. But to be admitted only such as the Schoolmaster shall find and approve to be well entered in Learning, nor under the Age of Ten Years, and not above Fourteen or Fifteen. The Schoolmaster must be of a competent Age, that is, of 27 Years at least, and a Master of Art, of good Reputation both for Life and Learning in the Latin and Greek Tongues. To the School also belongs an Usher, who must have taken the Degree of Batchelor of Art of two Years at the least before his Election hither, and of the Age of Four and twenty. To be read none but approved Authors, Greek and Latin, as are read in the best Free Schools. The upper Form to be furnished with Greek Testaments for their Use in the Chapel. Besides the Scholars weekly Exercise, the highest Form must every Sunday set up on the Great Hall four Greek and four Latin Verses apiece, to be made upon any Part of the second Lesson appointed for that Day: for the Master of the Hospital, or any Stranger to view and examine. As also two of them are appointed weekly to read the Chapter, and say Grace at every Meal in both the Halls. The Master and Usher are to take care to teach the Scholars to cifer and cast Accounts, especially those that are less capable of Learning, and fittest to be put to Trades. Not to take into their Tuition above 60 other Scholars, unless they entertain another Usher. To receive, for teaching those of the Foundation, no Fee nor Wages from their Friends. To be careful to observe the Nature and Ingeny of their Scholars, and accordingly to instruct and correct them. In Correction to be moderate. These are the Statutes for the Teachers of the School.

Now as for the Scholars, tho' their Number at first was but Forty, yet now Four and Forty are chosen and admitted. They are to continue in the House but Eight Years at the most. Hence they are elected to either of the Universities and to any College in either, according to their Friends Choice and Determination. Their Allowance there is 20l. per Annum, paid quarterly, without any Charge or Trouble. But they are not to discontinue above two Months in the Year. Twenty nine of these Scholars are sometimes maintained in the Universities together, by the said Exhibition for Eight Years. Others who are superannuated, being unwilling, or uncapable of Learning, are designed for Apprentices. And these are set apart for Writing and Ciphering, to qualify them for Trades; and have the Sum of 40l. given with them. The Scholars all dine in the Hall in a Collegiate manner, and wear Gowns with Sleeves. And (which is another good Benefit of this School;) as the House hath a great many Livings of Value in their Patronage, so they commonly bestow them upon their own Scholars.

Besides these Schools of greater Fame, in and about London, are divers other such Places for Education of Youth, more lately founded. As that in Bunhilfields in St. Giles Cripplegate Parish. Over the Door entring in, is signified in Writing whose Gift it was, viz. Mr. Throgmorton Trotman's Freeschool. Upon the School House is a Latin Inscription, importing, that it was finished at the Charges of the Haberdashers Company, Anno Dom. 1673. Richard Wynn, Esq; Master. Hugh Ratcliff, Philip Smith, Nicholas Smith, John Freeston, Wardens. Richardo Houghton, A.M. primario & primo Magistro; with the Arms of Trotman set their and painted. The Salary is 50l. per Annum, for which Thirty Boys of the said Parish of St. Giles are to be taught free. Mr. Thomas Wright, M.A. is the present Master; who also hath a Dwelling House there, appropriate to the School Master.

There is another Free School in Plough Yard in Sydon, or Seething Lane, in the Parish of Alhallows Barking, lately founded by one Hickson, a Brewer; endowed with Twenty Pounds a Year, for one Master to teach Twenty poor Children; whereof Fourteen to be of the said Parish of Barking, and six of an Hamlet in Wapping. This Master hath an House for himself where the said School is kept, and two Chaldron of Coals yearly allowed him. It is moreover endowed with 8l. a Year for a Writing Master, to teach the Children Writing and Casting Accounts. The present Master is Mr. Grastie.