Schools in Kingston.—­We visited the Wolmer free school—­the largest and oldest school in the island.  The whole number of scholars is five hundred.  It is under the charge of Mr. Reid, a venerable Scotchman, of scholarship and piety.  All colors are mingled in it promiscuously.  We saw the infant school department examined by Mr. R. There were nearly one hundred and fifty children, of every hue, from the jettiest black to the fairest white; they were thoroughly intermingled, and the ready answers ran along the ranks from black to white, from white to brown, from brown to pale, with undistinguished vivacity and accuracy.  We were afterwards conducted into the higher department, where lads and misses from nine to fifteen, were instructed in the various branches of academic education.  A class of lads, mostly colored, were examined in arithmetic.  They wrought several sums in pounds, shillings and pence currency, with wonderful celerity.

Among other things which we witnessed in that school, we shall not soon forget having seen a curly headed negro lad of twelve, examining a class of white young ladies in scientific history.

Some written statements and statistical tables were furnished us by Mr. Reid, which we subjoin..

Kingston, May 13th, 1837

DEAR SIR,—­I delayed answering your queries in hopes of being able to give you an accurate list of the number of schools in Kingston, and pupils under tuition, but have not been able completely to accomplish my intention.  I shall now answer your queries in the order you propose them. 1st Quest.  How long have you been teaching in Jamaica?  Ans.  Thirty-eight years in Kingston. 2d Q. How long have you been master of Wolmer’s free school?  A. Twenty-three years. 3d Q. What is the number of colored children now in the school?  A. Four hundred and thirty. 4th Q. Was there any opposition to their admission at first?  A. Considerable opposition the first year, but none afterwards. 5th Q. Do they learn as readily us the white children?  A. As they are more regular in their attendance, they learn better. 6th Q. Are they as easily governed?  A. Much easier. 7th Q. What proportion of the school are the children of apprentices?  A. Fifty. 8th Q. Do their parents manifest a desire to have them educated?  A. In general they do. 9th Q. At what age do the children leave your school?  A. Generally between twelve and fourteen. 10th Q What employments do they chiefly engage in upon leaving you?  A. The boys go to various mechanic trades, to counting-houses, attorney’s offices, clerks to planting attorneys, and others become planters.  The, girls seamstresses, mantuamakers, and a considerable proportion tailoresses, in Kingston and throughout Jamaica, as situations offer.

I am, dear sirs, yours respectfully,

E. REID.

The following table will show the average numbers of the respective classes, white and colored, who have attended Wolmer’s free school in each year, from 1814 to the present time.