Colonial Times , 23 April 1839

THE ORPHAN SCHOOL

Having long had in contemplation a visit of inspection to this Establishment, we availed ourselves of the only leisure day last week afforded, and, early on Friday morning, proceeded thither, accompanied by an intelligent companion. The morning was fine, bracing, and beautiful; and the School-house and Church, as we rode up to them, presented a very engaging object in the splendid landscape. We were received with the most courteous attention and politeness, and, had not been in the building many minutes, before we were joined by the Head master and Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Naylor, who evinced every inclination, and facility, for giving us all possible information.

Every one knows how pleasing an appearance the exterior of the building exhibits : we wish we could say as much of the interior : but this, we cannot do, as the majority of the apartments, allotted to the use of the children, are cold, comfortless, and ill arranged, upon a most mistaken system of parsimonious economy. The washing places, or lavatories (to use a word more euphonous for the polite and learned ears of our court contemporary) are highly objectionable : they consist of cell-like room, paved with flags, with a stone trough in then centre, open at both ends, and, consequently, extremely cold and comfortless. Indeed, the prevalence of stone pavement, throughout the lower apartments of the building, is, in our humble opinion, highly detrimental to the health of the inmates; in one room, we saw five little fellows, blue and shivering with cold; there was, it is true, a fire place in the room, but no fire. In short, there seems to be no attempt at comfort for the boys, whose general appearance bespeaks abjectness and squalor. We have seen many emblages of children in our time, both at home and abroad, but never did we see two hundred human beings, that exhibited so squalid an appearance, as did the majority of the Queen's Orphans. Some half-dozen or so--and amongst these a black native boy--appeared intelligent and sprightly; but, the majority, as we have already observed, displayed a very different appearance. The regulations are good, and the system of tuition, tolerable; but the teachers are too few, and too ill paid for their labor. Due attention is paid to religious instruction; but we would suggest, that, instead of the morning devotion now used, and selected from the liturgy, a short series of appropriate prayers, after the plan of Christ's Hospital, in London, should be read. Perhaps the Archdeacon, who, we learn, is at the head of the Schools, will direct his attention to this subject. By the bye, has the Archdeacon lately visited the Orphan School?

The play ground is too much exposed, and unsheltered, except on two side by a sort of half shed, which affords no cover for the children; there should be ample and, extensively covered cloisters, all round the ground, where the boys might exercise themselves in cold, or wet weather. The place is kept very clean, but too much labor is expended upon it, which might be remedied, if a better supply of water were provided; there should be a fountain in the centre of the play ground, so that, in case of fire, or otherwise, there might be a full and adequate supply.
There is a mistaken economy about the whole place, which fetters the officers of Establishment, in many essential points. The salaries, also, are too small for the amount of duty which ought to be performed, that of Mr. Mackay, the purveyor and storekeeper, especially; the correct and admirable manner, in which the accounts of the Establishment are kept, demand the highest commendation. Mr Mackay, we should observe, was formerly, and for many years, Quartermaster Serjeant in the 21st Regiment, and received from the officers, on the departure of the Regiment for India, a very flattering testimonial of esteem and approbation; he is an invaluable servant of the Establishment. The food is wholesome, and well assorted, but we object altogether to the tea for breakfast; milk, or good oatmeal porridge, would be infinitely preferable; and tend to improve the looks of the children. It is, however, our intention to pay another visit to this very interesting Institution : when we shall enter more minutely into its details; in the meantime, we earnestly recommend the Government to abandon the too rigid economy, at present used at the Orphan Schools, and to pay rather more attention to the comfort of the poor helpless, friendless beings, thereby supported.


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