A society was established about seven years back, and is still continued, for lending blankets to poor people during the winter season.

At St. Mary’s chapel there is a benevolent society, for relieving the indigent sick; and the congregation have likewise established a school of industry, for females, which is supported by voluntary subscription.

The editor is given to understand, that every religious society in the town has a charitable institution belonging to it, that are each of them confined to their own congregation.  There is an Auxiliary Bible Society and also a branch of the Missionary Society.

The Free Grammar School

Was founded by King Edward 6th, in the fifth year of his reign, and endowed with lands, which, by the increased value of such property, now produce more than two thousand pounds per annum.  The present building was erected in the year 1707, and is well adapted for the intended purpose.

This seminary has the privilege of sending ten exhibitioners to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, who are each of them allowed thirty-five pounds per annum, for the space of seven years.

The management of these revenues is vested in twenty governors, who annually, from their own body, select a bailiff; and when any governor dies, they are empowered to elect another to supply his place.  In the centre of the building there is a small tower, with a whole-length figure of the founder.  This school is regulated by a chief master, who receives a liberal salary, a second master, and two ushers, who are assisted by a person to teach writing and another to instruct the pupils in drawing.  The present head master is the Rev. John Cooke.  There is also a librarian.  In the large room there is an elegant marble bust of the founder, by Scheemaker, which is much admired for its sculpture.

The governors of this school support one extensive preparatory school in Shut-lane, and there are four others for boys, to each of which there are two sets of pupils:  one of them attends by day and the other in the evening.  There are also two others for girls.

The Blue Coat School

Is situated in St. Philip’s church-yard:  it was erected in the year 1724, but considerably enlarged in 1794, at the expense of L2800.  It possesses an annual income of L700, and therein are educated, maintained, and cloathed 108 boys and 54 girls, in the arts of reading, writing, arithmetic, sewing, knitting, &c.  In front of this building there are two statues, a boy and a girl, in the habit of the school; they were executed by a statuary of this town, named Grubb, and do him infinite credit, for they would not disgrace a Roman artist.  Adjoining to the school there is a spacious area, for the amusement and recreation of the boys, and a separate one for the girls.  The inhabitants subscribe liberally towards its support, and every six months, sermons are preached at all the places of worship upon the