REPORT OF THE SCHOOLS, FOR SEPTEMBER 1799. WEEKLY SCHOOL FOR BOYS. Since the commencement of this institution on the 15th of October 1798, 120 boys have been admitted, exclusive of the sons of soldiers, whom it has been agreed to receive without entry, because of the uncertainty of their continuance. Of the above 120 one died, 25 have been withdrawn, several of whom are the sons of refugees, who have returned to the places of their former residence; remain actually attending, or expected to attend, 94. The average number of boys in school latterly has been about 60. Division of the above 94, according to their present Attainments: Ten of the 3d rate could not cypher before admission. The greater part of them have learned beyond the four fundamental rules. The 1st and 2d rate are proportionally improved. Total 36 Fourteen of the 3d rate could not write before admission; nearly all of them can now write words tolerably. Seven of the 2d rate could not write before admission: 1st rate, and remainder of the second, in general much improved. G 53 21 of the 3d rate could not read before admission. Nearly all of them now read with some degree of fluency and correctness. 1st and 2d rate in general much improved. Five of the first rate, 3 of the 2d rate, and 4 of the 3d rate, could not spell before admission. A Sunday-school for boys has likewise been established since the 23d of December, 1798. At present 18 attend, from seven o'clock in the morning until half past nine. Seven of these are apprentices from the Ross Charter-School. WEEKLY FEMALE SCHOOL. On account of the absence of several benevolent and active ladies, this school was not opened until the 27th of April, 1799; and the temporary room in which it is now kept is so small, as to make it necessary that half only of the scholars attend together.Exclusive of soldiers daugh ters, 97 girls have been admitted: of these, eight only have been withdrawn.-The average number of girls in school latterly, has been about 35 every day alternately. Division of the Girls, according to their present Attainment. READERS. Advanced 2d rate Total 12 19 9 40 Seven of the 2d rate could not read before admission, though two or three attempted. Two only of the 3d rate could attempt to read before admission. Not more than six weeks can be employed at present for a few hours every day it is therefore not to be wondered at that only 27lbs. of flax were spun previous to the 16th instant. A considerable number, however, of stockings have been knit, and a good deal of plain work done, &c. of which, as yet, no regular account has been kept. For this, and other deficiencies, it is hoped the infancy of the institution and inconvenience of situation will apologize. Teaching the girls to write and cypher, is postponed till a house, which is begun upon a large plan, for the reception of both schools, shall be finished. (By order of a general meeting) WILLIAM NAPPER, Secretary. OBSERVATIONS. It appears from the report of the state and application of the funds, up to the same period, that there is a small balance in hands, and that the whole expence of the male school, in which 94 boys have constantly received instruction, including master's salary, books, printing, and stationery, has amounted only to the sum of 47%. Is. 4 d. The accounts of the female school have not been yet closed. To evince the correctness of this conclusion, it is necessary to add, that but three boys have been admitted on the terms of paying for instruction, the present school-room being barely sufficient for the accommodation of such as are proper objects for a school of a purely charitable nature. The superintendence of these schools has hitherto been carried on in full conformity to the spirit of the 8th resolution. At the female school particularly, the attendance of the ladies has continued with the most unremitting diligence. Exertions such as these must ensure success: a liberal subscription for the education of the lower classes might in many places be productive of the most beneficial consequences to the present and future generations; but when it is combined with personal superintendence, when the wealthier inhabitants of a district consider the education of the children of the poor as their own concern, and engage in it as a branch of domestic duty, proportionable effects must necessarily follow. Among the circumstances attending the establishment of these schools at New Ross, it is not the least remarkable," that they were formed on the 12th "of October 1798; about four months after "this town had been the scene of one of the most bloody engagements that occurred during "the late rebellion:" a circumstance that affords a striking example of a disposition to seize the first moment of returning tranquillity to obliterate past animosities, and to lay a sure foundation of future peace in the improvement of the morals of the rising generation. No. IX. An Account of an Attempt to relieve fome of the Female Poor at Silvermines, by employ ing them in Spinning Linen Yarn. Communicated by the Rev. John Walker, F. T. C. LAST summer, visiting my father's family at Silvermines (a village in the county of Tipperary) I wished to try a mode of relieving some of the female poor in that neighbourhood, by employing them in spinning linen-yarn. Some years before, I had suggested an experiment similar in its plan (for instituting which a lady of fortune in the place advanced twenty guineas) but the attempt at that time altogether failed. This did not discourage me, as upon inquiry 1 clearly perceived that the failure was owing to - mismanagement in the person who was employed to conduct the experi nent; and perhaps I profited from former errors. My sister undertook to superintend the execution of my plan. I had a list made of women who |