business regularly as a housebreaker, which was almost always his line of robbery.'

Should not every means have been resorted to, with this child, before proceeding to the dangerous mode of expulsion? for it is not the whole that needs a physician, but those that are sick; and I strongly suspect, that if punishment in the way of ridicule had been resorted to, it would have had the desired effect. I can only say, that there never has been a child expelled from the Spitalfields Infant School, as incorrigible, nor do I think that there ever will. In conclusion, I have to observe, that the green baize and the broom punishment, is only for extraordinary occasions, and I think I am justified in having recourse to any means that are consistent with duty and humanity, rather than turn a child out into the wide world: but I will declare, that I will never have recourse to any means, for the punishment of a refractory child, that I would dislike to be used with one of my own, under similar circum

stances.

On Cleanliness.

AS cleanliness is of considerable importance, not only to the children, but to those around

them, it may not be amiss to take up a little of the reader's time upon this subject, and to state the different plans that have been devised, in order to make the children as clean as possible. For this end, Mr. Wilson caused a trough to be erected, and a pipe to convey the water into it, in order that the children might be kept clean; but before it had been up one month, it was ascertained, that instead of answering the end intended, it had quite a contrary effect, for the children would dabble in the trough, and actually make themselves ten times worse than they were, by wetting themselves from head to foot, which would frequently cause the children to take cold, of which the parents would complain. Some would take their children away, and take no notice about it; others would come and give the master, what they called, a "good set down," and take their children away besides. It was, therefore, thought necessary to forbid the children washing themselves, and it was determined to wash all the children that came dirty. But it was soon found, that the dirty children increased so fast, that it required one person's time to attend to them; besides, it had another bad effect, as it encouraged the parents in laziness, and they would tell me, if I complained of their sending the children to school dirty, "That, indeed,

they had no time to wash their children, there was a trough in the school for that purpose, and the persons who had charge of the school, were paid for it, and had a right to do it." In consequence of this, the trough was taken away, and it was represented to the parents, that it was their duty to keep their children clean, and that unless they did so, they would be sent home to be washed; and that if they persisted in sending their children without being washed, there would be no alternative, left, but to dismiss the child from the school altogether. This offended some of the high-minded parents, and they took their children out of the school, but who, afterwards, petitioned to have them re-admitted. I mention this, merely to prevent others, who may be con

cerned in the establishment of an Infant School, from incurring an unnecessary expense, and to show that the parents will value the school, equally as well if you make them wash their children, as if you did it for them. The plan that we have acted upon, to enforce cleanliness, is as follows:-as soon as the children are assembled in the school, the monitors cause them to hold out their hands, with their heads up; they then inspect their hands and their faces, and all those who are dirty are desired to stand out, to be inspected

by the master, who will easily perceive whether they have been washed that morning; if not, they are sent home to be washed, and if the mother has any decent pride in her, she will take care that it shall not often occur. But it may be found, that some have been washed, and have been playing with the dirt, when coming to school, which some children are very apt to do; in this case they have a pat on the hand, which generally cures them; but if this will not do, we put a little on the child's face, and make him walk round the school, the children all crying out Sweep, Sweep, Sweep, Chimney Sweep; I have never known this to fail. There is much trouble, at first, to keep the children quite clean; some of their parents are naturally dirty, and in such case the children will partake of the same quality; these children will require more trouble than others, but they will soon acquire cleanly habits, and, with proper management, will become as cleanly as any of the other children. As soon as a child is taken into the school, the monitor shows him a certain place, and explains to him, that when he wants to go into the yard, he is to ask him, and he will accompany him there. Of course there are separate accommodations for each sex, and such prudential arrangements made, as the

case requires, and which it is unnecessary further to particularize.

Dimensions of a School-room capable of containing 300 Infant Children.

THE first thing which appears necessary to mention, is a plot of ground, and I should imagine that less than fifty feet wide, and one hundred feet deep, would not do; this will allow exactly fifty feet for a play-ground, deducting room for a building fifty feet square, and fourteen feet high, which ought to be the size of the school-room; but I am of opinion, that if the ground was one hundred and fifty, or two hundred feet deep, it would be much better, as this would allow one hundred or one hundred and fifty feet for a play-ground; which is of such importance, that I consider the system would be very defective without it; for it is there that the children manifest their true tempers and dispositions. There should likewise be a room, about fifteen feet square, to teach the children in classes, which may be formed at one end of the large room; and indeed this is absolutely necessary. The master and mistress should live on the premises: a small house, containing three or four rooms, would