"RAGGED SCHOOLS"
Mr. Charles Dickens in an eloquent Letter addressed to the editors of the Daily News describes the places which bear the above name, as an effort "to introduce among the most miserable and neglected outcasts in London, some knowledge of the commonest principles of morality and religion; to commence their recognition as immortal human creatures, before the Gaol Chaplain becomes their only schoolmaster; to suggest to Society that its duty to this wretched throng, foredoomed to crime and punishment, rightfully begins at some distance from the Police-office; and that the careless maintenance from year to year, in this capital city of the world, of a vast hopeless nursery of ignorance, misery and vice : a breeding place for the hulks and gaols : is horrible to contemplate.
"This attempt is being made in certain of the most obscure and squalid parts of the Metropolis; where rooms are opened at night, for the gratuitous instruction of all comers, children or adults, under the title of 'RAGGED SCHOOLS.' The name implies the purpose. They who are too ragged, wretched, filthy, and forlorn, to enter any other place: who could gain admission into no charity-school, and who would be driven from any church-door: are invited to come in here, and find some people not depraved, willing to teach them something, and show them some sympathy, and stretch out a hand which is not the iron hand of the Law, for their correction."
To these words of burning truth, we may add that this great work of reclaiming the Destitute Poor has now been in progress some three years and a half. The first systematic start was, however, made by a Society called "The Ragged School Union" formed in April 1844, at a meeting of the teachers of various Schools, held at the St. Giles's Ragged School, Streatham-street, in Bloomsbury. During the first year, two hundred of these Schools were opened, the rent and other expenses being paid, generally, by the teachers themselves; and, sometimes, by one or more benevolent individuals in the locality of the School. This was done by various denominations of Christians, without any concert or co-operation between the Schools; and the object of the Society is to create a Union between them, in order more fully and effectually to encourage such institutions; and, by small pecuniary assistance, extend their usefulness, and increase their number.
At the head if this "generous band," is Lord Ashley, as Chairman of the General and Visiting Committee; and, according to the only Report yet printed, the twenty Ragged Schools then established showed an average attendance of nearly 2,000 children and 200 teachers : to one School, 5,783 had been admitted since its commencement; and there had been, during the winter, an average attendance of 250 children, of youths of both sexes, whose aged ranged from eight to sixteen years. In some cases, these Schools are only open on the Sabbath; but, mostly, one or two week-day evenings as well. At the date of the above Report, the operations of the Society had been much cramped for want of funds; yet, with so small a sum as £61 9s. 6d., they had contributed towards the formation of several schools.
We have selected one of the Society's Schools for illustration, that in Jurston-street, Oakley-street, Lambeth; a locality where the work of reclamation and prevention is much needed. The School is opened on Sunday evenings at six o'clock; and the year's average attendance has been 250 children and 25 teachers. Several distinguished individuals have already visited the Schools in operation; amongst others Lord Ashley, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lord Sandon, Hon. W.F.Cowper, Charles Dickens, Esq., Lady Troubridge, and Lady Alicia Lambert.
Meanwhile the system is rapidly extending; for, where so much good can be effected at such trifling cost, the result must be successful. We gather from a lecture recently delivered at the Literary and Scientific Institute in Aldersgate-street, by the Rev. Mr. Ainslie, that the sum of £300 was raised, in one day, at Epping to establish there a school of this description. At Windsor, a school on "the Ragged" principle has been established by a poor chimney-sweep, "who," said Mr. Ainslie, "had himself been a bad and abandoned man, but who was reclaimed, and who now sat there, with his dirty face, teaching and doing more good than thousands of others of ten times his capacity." On Mr. Ainslie's visit to this School there were upwards of 100 young persons present, from the age of eight to ten, boys and girls, all behaving with the greatest decorum, and tolerably well clothed - "for educate the mind, and it immediately revolts at the body being clothed in rags."
"This attempt is being made in certain of the most obscure and squalid parts of the Metropolis; where rooms are opened at night, for the gratuitous instruction of all comers, children or adults, under the title of 'RAGGED SCHOOLS.' The name implies the purpose. They who are too ragged, wretched, filthy, and forlorn, to enter any other place: who could gain admission into no charity-school, and who would be driven from any church-door: are invited to come in here, and find some people not depraved, willing to teach them something, and show them some sympathy, and stretch out a hand which is not the iron hand of the Law, for their correction."
To these words of burning truth, we may add that this great work of reclaiming the Destitute Poor has now been in progress some three years and a half. The first systematic start was, however, made by a Society called "The Ragged School Union" formed in April 1844, at a meeting of the teachers of various Schools, held at the St. Giles's Ragged School, Streatham-street, in Bloomsbury. During the first year, two hundred of these Schools were opened, the rent and other expenses being paid, generally, by the teachers themselves; and, sometimes, by one or more benevolent individuals in the locality of the School. This was done by various denominations of Christians, without any concert or co-operation between the Schools; and the object of the Society is to create a Union between them, in order more fully and effectually to encourage such institutions; and, by small pecuniary assistance, extend their usefulness, and increase their number.
At the head if this "generous band," is Lord Ashley, as Chairman of the General and Visiting Committee; and, according to the only Report yet printed, the twenty Ragged Schools then established showed an average attendance of nearly 2,000 children and 200 teachers : to one School, 5,783 had been admitted since its commencement; and there had been, during the winter, an average attendance of 250 children, of youths of both sexes, whose aged ranged from eight to sixteen years. In some cases, these Schools are only open on the Sabbath; but, mostly, one or two week-day evenings as well. At the date of the above Report, the operations of the Society had been much cramped for want of funds; yet, with so small a sum as £61 9s. 6d., they had contributed towards the formation of several schools.
We have selected one of the Society's Schools for illustration, that in Jurston-street, Oakley-street, Lambeth; a locality where the work of reclamation and prevention is much needed. The School is opened on Sunday evenings at six o'clock; and the year's average attendance has been 250 children and 25 teachers. Several distinguished individuals have already visited the Schools in operation; amongst others Lord Ashley, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lord Sandon, Hon. W.F.Cowper, Charles Dickens, Esq., Lady Troubridge, and Lady Alicia Lambert.
Meanwhile the system is rapidly extending; for, where so much good can be effected at such trifling cost, the result must be successful. We gather from a lecture recently delivered at the Literary and Scientific Institute in Aldersgate-street, by the Rev. Mr. Ainslie, that the sum of £300 was raised, in one day, at Epping to establish there a school of this description. At Windsor, a school on "the Ragged" principle has been established by a poor chimney-sweep, "who," said Mr. Ainslie, "had himself been a bad and abandoned man, but who was reclaimed, and who now sat there, with his dirty face, teaching and doing more good than thousands of others of ten times his capacity." On Mr. Ainslie's visit to this School there were upwards of 100 young persons present, from the age of eight to ten, boys and girls, all behaving with the greatest decorum, and tolerably well clothed - "for educate the mind, and it immediately revolts at the body being clothed in rags."
