WATSON'S FREE SCHOOL.
Next in importance to the Grammar School, and prior to the existence of
the two well appointed National Schools, Church and Wesleyan, possibly
even of greater utility than at present, is Watson's Free Infant School;
the founder of which placed it under the control of the Grammar School.
The title deeds of this Institution are in the keeping of Mr. H. Tweed,
Solicitor, who is Clerk to the Governors; and from these we gather the
following particulars of its history. Richard Watson in the latter half
of the 18th century was a resident in, and a native of, Horncastle, being
the son of James Watson, who had made money by tanning, at that time a
staple business in the town. Although engaged in trade he ranked with
the resident gentry, his sister, Frances, marrying James Conington, Esq.,
belonging to a family of good position, not only in the town, but in the
county; members of which have also distinguished themselves at the
Universities, the name still surviving. She is referred to in an
Indenture of date 22nd Sept., 25 George III. (1785), as "Frances
Conington, of Boston, widow, formerly Frances Watson, spinster, surviving
sister and heir of Richard Watson, late of Horncastle, gent., deceased,
tanner, and his wife Elizabeth." By her marriage she had a son Francis
Conington, who as nephew of Richard Watson, was the sole executor of his
will and testament. The principal deed has the following external
inscription: "Title deeds of the school, signed, sealed and delivered, by
Benjamin Handley (afterwards called "of New Sleaford"), {108a} in the
presence of Williom Swallow, {108b} supervisor, and Abraham Hanson, of
Horncastle."
The following is the heading within, "Sealed and delivered by Frances
Conington, being first duly stamped, in the presence of Caleb Preston,
and Bowlin Kelsey of Boston." This is further confirmed, as follows:
"Sealed and delivered by Frances Conington, in the presence of William
Swallow, supervisor, and Abraham Hanson, of Horncastle."
Then follows a "Release of lands in Lincolnshire to found a school (dated
22nd Sept., 1785), inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery, the
8th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1786, being first duly stamped
according to the tenor of the statutes made for that purpose." (Signed)
Thomas Brigstock.
[Picture: The Market Place]
The seals attached to this are those of Frances Conington, James
Conington and Benjamin Handley. There is a note in the margin that
"James Conington came before me this day, and acknowledged this to be his
deed, and prayed the same might be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court
of Chancery. Robert Chapman, Master in Chancery." Dated 6th March,
1786.
The actual terms of Richard Watson's will are these: "I am very desirous
of establishing a small school within the town of Horncastle, wherein the
children of such poor persons, as the Governors of the Grammar School
shall think objects of charity, may be taught to read, knit, spin, and
plain needlework, or sewing. I do therefore hereby earnestly request,
will, and direct, my nephew and executor, after my decease, by deed,
conveyance (&c.), to convey, and assure, to the said Governors, and their
successors, for ever, all the lands situate in Croft, and all those
messuages, cottages, or tenements, within the yards and pingle adjoining,
situate in Far Street (now called West Street), Horncastle; and also that
part of now inclosed arable, meadow, and pasture ground, lying in
Wigtoft, containing 6 acres, 28 perches, now in the occupation of my
cousin, William Watson, with appurtenances, upon the Trusts following,
viz.: (1) to keep the house (school) in good repair, and the residence
(2) for the maintenance of a proper master or mistress, to be from time
to time nominated by them, to teach such poor children, &c."
It is then added that "the said Richard Watson dying on Sept. 30 (1784),
the said Frances and James Conington, desirous to fulfil his bequest,
agree to convey to the use of the said Governors, the said messuages,
&c." An Indenture is added, witnessing "that on payment by Benjamin
Handley of ten shillings to Frances and James Conington, they have
granted, sold, and released" the aforesaid property, and "appointed by
these presents from the day next before the date of the Indenture, all
the said messuages, &c., called by the name of the 'ffoal thing,' {110a}
and that plot commonly called 'Backside,' the closes in Croft abutting on
the highway, and lands near the old sea bank; and land called the 'bridge
plot' in Wigtoft (6 acres), assigned to Richard Watson, by the award of
the Commissioners appointed by Parliament, in the 12th year of His
Majesty, for enclosing common and open fields (No. 40 in award map), with
houses, barns, curtilages, and woods, to be held by the Governors of the
Grammar School, the reversions, rents, &c., to the use of John Thorold
(and the Governors), {110b} on trust, that the said Governors collect the
rents, &c., and apply them as shall be required, from time to time, for
poor children; and shall have power to erect a new school house, or
alter, enlarge, &c., and to mortgage, &c., in order to provide suitable
(premises), spinning wheels, &c., and to make rules for management, as
shall to their judgment seem needed, agreeing with the said Benjamin
Handley, and his heirs, &c., subject in all things to the Court of
Chancery at Westminster."
The present status of the school is as follows: The original premises are
still in use, standing in a retired position, in "Watson's Yard," about
50 yards from West Street; they consist of school buildings, play yard,
and teacher's residence. In 1835 the school was enlarged and repaired.
In 1895 it was further improved by the removal of bedrooms above, when it
was opened up to the roof; at the same time a commodious classroom was
added at the east end. Accommodation was thus provided for 120 children.
The increase in scholars necessitated an increase in the teaching staff,
and the Head Teacher, Mrs. Robert Marshall, who was appointed in 1885,
has, since these alterations, been assisted by an Under Mistress and two
Monitors.
The scholars are of both sexes, and between the ages of three years and
seven. The school is conducted on Church of England principles, and
examined by both Diocesan and Government Inspectors; a Government Grant
being earned to supplement the funds of the Watson bequest. The scholars
are taught reading, writing and arithmetic, with the various kindergarten
subjects. The Secretary to the Charity, H. Tweed, Esq., Solicitor, of
Horncastle, pays half the rents to the Lincoln County Council, for
teachers' salaries, and retains the other half for repairs and incidental
expenses. All the other tenements in Watson's Yard are the property of
the Charity.
THE LANCASTERIAN & THE BELL SCHOOLS.
Beside the endowed schools, already described, the Grammar School for the
middle and upper class, and Watson's School for the children of the
poorer classes; there were two other schools before the present National
Schools came into existence, the history of which is of some interest.
Weir, in his _History of Horncastle_, says "a school, on the
Lancasterian, or British system, was established at a public meeting,
held in October, 1813; and, a few days later, a meeting was held at the
church, when it was resolved to establish a school on the plan of Dr.
Bell. Both buildings were erected in 1814, supported by voluntary
contributions, each for about 200 children." {111}
This needs some explanation. Dr. Andrew Bell was an East Indian
Company's Chaplain, stationed at Fort St. George, Madras, in 1789. He
noticed, in the course of his duties, that in the native schools, beside
the regular paid teachers, the more advanced pupils were also employed to
instruct younger scholars; each pupil thus having a tutor, and each tutor
a pupil; a system by which both were enabled to learn faster, and led to
take more interest in their work, than would otherwise have been
generally possible. Being an enthusiast in educational matters, he
resigned his chaplaincy, with its good stipend, to inaugurate, and
himself carry on, a school for the children of Europeans in the
Presidency, on the same principles. The result was so satisfactory that
on his return to England, in 1797, he published an account of what he
called the "Madras, or Monitorial System," and endeavoured to introduce
it in this country. Little progress, however, was made for some time,
beyond the establishment of a charity school, on these lines, at St.
Botolph's, Aldgate, London, and a school at Kendal, Co. Cumberland.
About the same date Joseph Lancaster, a young Quaker, set up a school for
poor children, before he was 19 years of age, in a room lent to him by
his father, in the Borough Road, Southwark, and in a very short time he
had nearly 100 under his charge. He also adopted the monitorial method,
but, as a Quaker, omitting the Church teaching of the Bell schools.
Persevering in the work, he was received in audience by the King, George
III., who gave him encouragement. He then travelled over the kingdom,
giving lectures on the new mode of instruction; which in consequence
spread with rapidity. In 1798 he taught about 1,000 boys, between the
ages of 5 and 12 years, his sisters teaching some 200 girls.
Objections were made to the indefinite character of the religious
teaching of a Quaker, by Professor Marsh, and others, and the Bell
schools, with their Church instruction, had by the year 1818 become
numerous. The services of Dr. Bell himself, in the cause of education
had been recognised, and rewarded by a Canonry of Westminster. By the
year 1828 upwards of 200,000 children were being taught on his system,
and at his death, a few years later, he bequeathed 120,000 pounds to
carry on the work which he had so much at heart. {112a}
These two systems, the Lancasterian or unsectarian schools, and the Bell
or church schools, continued to increase in number; there having been
established in 1805 "The Royal Lancasterian Institution," otherwise
called "The British and Foreign School Society," while the Bell system
was represented by "The Church of England National School Society."
The first Lancasterian or British School founded in Horncastle, in 1814,
was located in premises adjoining the Wong, on the site afterwards
occupied by the first Volunteer Drill Hall. It was afterwards
transferred to what is now called Dog-Kennel Yard, occupying a building
which had previously been a theatre, and which was partly fitted up with
sittings removed from St. Mary's Church, giving accommodation for 200
children. Neither in its internal structure, however, nor in its
situation in an out-of-the-way back yard, was the former theatre well
adapted for school purposes; and although the late Mr. Samuel Goe had in
1869 bequeathed a legacy to the school, which rendered it almost
independent of annual subscriptions, the establishment of a much more
commodious school by the Wesleyans, in Foundry Street in 1860, affected
it unfavourably, the number of scholars gradually decreased, and it was
finally closed in 1876. {112b}
The Bell, or Church School, also built in 1814, and accommodating about
200 scholars of both sexes, formed the nucleus of the present Church
National Schools. These two schools, the Lancasterian or British, and
the Bell or Church School, are the only public elementary schools, named
in the _Gazetteers_ for many years, except the Watson Charity School,
already described.
Of the present Church National Schools, that for infants was erected in
1860, that for boys in 1872, at a cost of about 1,000 pounds, the
original building being now the girls' school; the whole affording
accommodation for 300 children. These were, a few years ago, taken over
by the Lindsey County Council (in 1893), and are now under both Diocesan
and Government Inspection. {112c}
THE SCIENCE & ART SCHOOL.
With the establishment of Technical Schools this country may be said to
have entered on a new era, in national education, which, in its
development, may lead to results, the importance of which can hardly yet
be realized. The possibilities are almost unlimited. A wide-spread
network has been created, which may bring even the humblest members of
our artisan families within its deneficial meshes, while also working at
intervals, as opportunities offer, in our remotest villages.
This great movement, curiously, originated from dissension in Parliament,
a remarkable illustration of the old adage, "'Tis an ill wind that blows
no one any good." In the year 1890 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in
Lord Salisbury's ministry, {113a} introduced what was called "The Local
Taxation (customs and excise) Bill," {113b} intended to empower County
Councils to buy up the licences of superfluous public houses, and to
compensate the publicans by grants of money. The funds for this purpose
were not to be a charge upon the local rates, but to be provided by an
increase of the duty on spirituous liquors. Strange to say, this measure
was so persistently opposed by the temperance party, aided by others, who
for the moment acted with them, that the proposed use of the money, thus
raised, was at length abandoned, a considerable surplus, however, being
thus at the Chancellor's disposal, after the reduction of several other
taxes, the remainder was handed over to the County Councils, to be
employed in the furtherance of technical education. The money thus set
apart was called "the ear-marked money," and the measure enacting it was,
somewhat unworthily, termed "The Whiskey Bill." Horncastle benefitted by
a sum being placed to the credit of the local authorities for the
establishment of a school of science and art; all such institutions in
the county being under the general direction of the organizing secretary,
Mr. S. Maudson Grant, residing in Lincoln.
[Picture: St. Mary's Square]
At first classes were held in the Masonic Hall, Bank Street; and in 1891
an efficient teacher, Mr. Mallet, was engaged to give commercial
instruction in arithmetic, shorthand, &c., {114a} and he was very
successful in getting pupils. In 1892 larger accommodation was required,
and two rooms were rented, over what is now the Bicycle Depot of Mr.
Sorfleet, at 14, East Street; and Mr. Switzer was engaged as teacher of
science and art, at a salary of 100 pounds a year, being allowed further
to augment his income by taking private pupils in certain other subjects.
About the same time 100 pounds was spent on models, and other requisites;
and by the close of 1892, Tetford, Wragby, and Woodhall Spa having been
included in a general scheme for the district, it was found that the
pupils attending the classes already numbered 219; of whom 76 were under
Mr. Mallet's instruction, 101 under Mr. Switzer, including 39 school
teachers in the neighbourhood, attending on Saturdays; while 42 received
special instruction from a qualified teacher in dressmaking. Operations
were also, in the same year, extended to rural parishes, a meeting being
held at Woodhall Spa, on Feb. 10, presided over by the Rev. T. Livesey,
County Councillor, when a district embracing 20 parishes was formed; Mr.
Livesey being _ex officio_ Chairman of Committees, Canon J. Clare Hudson,
Vicar of Thornton, appointed as acting Chairman, and the Rev. J. Conway
Walter, Rector of Langton, Hon. Secretary.
This was followed by other meetings at Horncastle, at which, in due
course, plans were matured for both town and country classes in various
subjects. On the death of Mr. T. Livesey, in 1894, Mr. Robert Searby, of
Edlington, succeeded him as County Councillor, and took a great interest
in the school; the late Mr. W. Brown, of the Capital and Counties Bank,
was elected Chairman, and for several years he rendered most valuable
service to the schools, being followed, on his decease in 1901, by Mr. R.
W. Clitherow, Solicitor, who had previously acted as Treasurer. So far
the whole scheme had been attended by the most marked success in all
departments.
In the year 1894 the numbers of pupils, and of the subjects taught, had
further increased; and it became necessary again to move into more
commodious premises. The large building in Queen Street, which had been
erected by the late Mr. F. Stevens, of Gordon Villa, and was then
occupied by Miss Morris, as a school for young ladies, was rented, having
two large classrooms and a smaller one.
Among the teachers who followed was Miss Annie Foster, who succeeded Mr.
Switzer in July, 1895, and continued as head of the Institution for
nearly six years. She was a most enthusiastic and energetic worker, and
under her the schools attained the highest point of success, both as
regards the number of pupils attending and the variety of subjects
taught. The school at this time had attained to the highest degree of
efficiency which it is ever likely to reach. Not only had Horncastle
pupils taken more prizes than those of any other technical school in the
Parts of Lindsey, but on the visit of the Government Inspector, Mr.
Minton, at the prize-giving in September, 1896, he stated that the school
occupied the third place in all England. {114b}
In the year 1899 again the Inspector, on his examination in October,
reported its state as being "very satisfactory," and in that year grants
were earned of 140 pounds from the County Council, 35 pounds from South
Kensington Science and Art department, 50 pounds from the Whitehall
department, 12 pounds from fees for science and art teaching, 10 pounds
from the evening continuation classes, a total of 247 pounds. Miss
Foster was assisted by Miss M. E. Edgar. A former pupil, Mr. C. H.
Stevens, a native of Horncastle, was also appointed Assistant Master,
until he was promoted to take charge of a technical school at Folkestone.
Mr. A. Blades, of the London University, Junior Master of the Grammar
School, was for a time an Assistant. At the end of 1900 (Nov. 15) Miss
Foster resigned, being promoted to the head teachership of the Camden
School of Art, in London. Miss M. E. Edgar, who had been assistant
teacher for several years, was at this date appointed Head Teacher, in
the Science and Art department, Mr. C. W. Gott, of the Grammar School,
B.A. of London University, becoming Head Master of the evening
continuation school, and Mr. H. J. Haddock teacher of shorthand.
It would not be possible, nor is it desirable, here to go into full
details as to all the work done; but as, in future years, it may be
interesting to have some record of the progress in the earlier days of
this Institution, and as the writer of these pages has been closely
connected with the school, from its first inception, a summary of the
more important particulars is here given.
In the spring of the year 1896, a course of public lectures, illustrated
by lantern views, was given by himself, descriptive of his own travels in
Egypt, which were attended by full audiences of junior pupils, and many
adults. In 1897 he gave a similar series of lectures on his travels in
Palestine, and these proving equally popular, a third supplementary
course was given by him in 1898.
In 1898 illustrated lectures were also given by the Rev. J. A. Penny,
Vicar of Wispington, on "The Abbeys and Castles of England," and as being
very instructive on the subject of architecture, these were largely
attended. They were followed by a course, which proved very interesting,
given by Mr. R. W. Clitherow, the Treasurer, descriptive of a walking
tour made by himself, among the scenery of the English lakes. He also
gave an instructive lecture on Canada.
In the spring of 1898 the Head Teacher, Miss Foster, gave a series of
lectures on "Physiography," being an account, the result of most careful
study and practical investigation, of the various geological formations
and fossils of the earth, illustrated by specimens largely of her own
collecting. {115} These were very instructive, and attended by a fairly
numerous class of pupils.
Other valuable courses of lectures were given during this early period of
the school's existence. In the autumn of 1896 Dr. R. McLay, of
Horncastle, was engaged by the Committee to give lectures in the Masonic
Hall, on "First Aid to the Injured," under the St. John's Ambulance
regulations. The pupils, numbering 25, were afterwards examined by Dr.
G. M. Lowe, of Lincoln, when 23 of them passed as entitled to St. John's
Ambulance Certificates. So much interest was shewn in these lectures (to
which policemen were specially invited), that it was resolved, in the
following year (1897), that the services of Dr. McLay should be secured
for a repetition of them, with increased remuneration. They were again
given in the autumn of that year (beginning Oct. 18), when 24 persons
attended, of whom 16 presented themselves for examination, which was
again held by Dr. Lowe, all of whom passed with credit, and gained
ambulance certificates. We give these particulars as shewing the value
of the work done at this period.
Similarly valuable instruction has been given in later years, but, with
diminished funds available, and classes smaller, owing doubtless to the
exhaustion in some degree of the stream of candidates for instruction,
compared with its flush at the outset of the school's existence, fewer
lectures on these extra subjects have been given; and instruction has
been confined to more ordinary, but not less useful, work, in drawing,
geometric and from models; modelling in clay, painting in water colours
and oils, book-keeping, arithmetic, shorthand, French, and so forth.
To show that the school has continued to do good work, we may state that
on January 25, 1906, a meeting was held for the annual prize giving, when
close upon 70 pupils, of both sexes (69), received rewards, several of
them for success in four or five different subjects. For the year 1905-6
the school received a grant of 100 pounds from the County Council, 25
pounds from the Horncastle Urban Council, and the fees of pupils paid
about half the expenses.
We now give a brief account of the more important of the work carried on
during the same period in the country parishes. In March, 1892, the
first "pioneer" lecture was given at Woodhall Spa, on Horticulture, by
Mr. Horace Huntly, lately in charge of the Duke of Bedford's gardens at
Woburn Abbey, Beds. This was well attended, and the instruction given
was most useful, for the better cultivation of cottagers' gardens. This
was followed by a course of three lectures on the same subject, in March
of the succeeding year. In April of the same year (1892), a series of
six lectures were given at Stixwould and Horsington, by Miss Kenealy, of
the National Health Society, on the subject of home nursing, and
treatment in cases of accident, fevers, &c. These also proved so
instructive that she was engaged to repeat them in the summer of the
following year; and they were given in eight different parishes,
beginning with Langton on June 5th; the attendances being very large, in
one case 70 being present.
Mr. Robert Jalland, Surgeon, of Horncastle, also gave a lecture at
Kirkby-on-Bain, in April of the same year, on the subject: "How to secure
healthy homes," which was very instructive and well attended, over 40
being present. In the autumn of that year a series of five lectures on
Cookery were given by Mrs. Pierce, of the National Health Society, at
four centres, Roughton, Thimbleby, Horsington, and Minting, beginning on
Oct. 10th, and continued weekly. These were considered so instructive
that the Secretary, having made notes of them, was requested to have 500
copies printed, for free distribution, which was done.
In January of 1893 lectures on butter-making, with practical
demonstrations, were given by Miss Carter, a professional teacher with
certificate of the B.D.F.A., in nine parishes, from Jan. 12th to 24th.
Lessons in sheep shearing were given in May, at eight centres, Roughton,
Kirkstead, Woodhall, Langton, Wispington, Stixwould, Bucknall, and
Thimbleby, the teachers being Mr. S. Leggett of Moorhouses, Boston, and
Mr. R. Sharpe of Horsington; prizes of 1 pound and 10/- being given to
the most proficient pupils.
In 1894 lessons were given in hedge plashing, on Mr. Gaunt's farm at
Waddingworth, in November, the teacher being Mr. H. Butler of Greetham,
money prizes being given. Lessons in under-draining were given on Mr.
Carter's farm at Bucknall, in December, the teacher being Mr. W. Scott of
Hatton, money prizes being also given.
In 1895 lectures on poultry keeping were given in February, by Mr. E.
Brown, F.L.S., and Mr. F. Parton, at five centres; and they also visited
various farmyards in the neighbourhood to give practical advice; these
lessons were well attended. Lessons in horse shoeing were given at
Horncastle, for the neighbourhood, by Mr. J. B Gresswell, M.R.V.C., of
Louth, in May and June, at which nine blacksmiths attended; certificates
of the National Association of Farriers being awarded. Lessons on sheep
shearing were given at Thimbleby, Kirkstead, and Bucknall, in June, the
teacher being Mr. R. Sharpe of Horsington. Dairy lessons on butter
making and stilton cheese production were given by Miss Carter, at
Woodhall Spa, Kirkby-on-Bain, Minting, and Reed's Beck, in October and
November. Lessons in under-draining were given on Mr. F. W. Scott's
farm, at Bucknall, in December, the teacher being Mr. W. Scott of Hatton,
and money prizes given. Two lectures on bee keeping were given at
Woodhall Spa, in November, 1895, by Mr. W. J. Banks of the Grammar
School, Wragby, which were well attended; the same gentleman also giving
a practical demonstration of the same, by request, at the Manor House,
Woodhall Spa, in August of the following year (1896).
[Picture: Bridge Street]
In 1896 Hedge Plashing lessons were given, in January, at Stixwould,
Bucknall, and Horsington, the teacher being Mr. W. Scott of Hatton. The
Head Secretary, Mr. S. Maudson Grant, was present and said he was "much
pleased with the work done." Lessons in stack thatching were given, in
September, in the yards of Mr. H. N. Coates, of Langton, Mr. R. Roberts,
of Thimbleby, and Mr. S. Harrison, of Roughton, to ten candidates, the
teacher being Mr. Isaac Storey, of West Ashby. These extended over four
days, and were pronounced by the General Secretary, Mr. S. Maudson Grant,
of Lincoln, to be "highly satisfactory." In November lessons in
under-draining were again given by Mr. W. Scott, of Hatton, on the farm
of Mr. Joseph Clifton, of Horsington, to two classes of candidates, those
over and those under 24 years of age, and were well attended.
In 1897 hedge plashing lessons were given in February, on the farm of Mr.
S. Harrison, of Roughton, also by Mr. W. Scott, on three days, to two
classes, over and under 24 years of age, being also well attended; prizes
of 25/-, 20/-, and 15/- being given to each class; and two extra prizes
of 7/6.
Poultry lectures were given, also in February, extending over six days,
at Mr. Bates Leedale's farm, at Woodhall, and at Mr. W. H. Holmes', of
Minting House, by Mr. W. Cook, the well-known chicken breeder, and
originator of the breed named "Orpingtons," of Orpington House, St. Mary
Cray, Kent (since deceased). These lectures created the greatest
interest; the audiences were crowded, at one lecture there being 127
present; and as he visited many farmyards to give advice, and several
farmers bought valuable chickens from him, his visit may be said to have
materially improved the breed of fowls in the neighbourhood.
In May of this year, 1897, it was decided at head-quarters to make a
change in the process of operations. Hitherto instruction in the country
parishes had been provided through the Committee of the Science and Art
School, at Horncastle, but from this date each parish was to have its own
Technical Education Committee, elected annually, with the other parish
officials; and these were to apply direct to the Head Secretary, at
Lincoln, for such instruction as they might think desirable, parishes
uniting for this purpose if they chose to do so. More money than
heretofore was now being expended on the Science and Art School in
Lincoln, and the grants for the country lessons were now greatly reduced.
Of this country instruction no record was henceforth kept at Horncastle,
and no detailed account can therefore be given here; the lessons have
been mainly confined to hedge plashing, ploughing, under-draining, and
such other practical subjects as suited the farmer, or agricultural
labourer.
In conclusion it may be said that although it is yet too early to
prophecy, it would seem that a great future lies before us in the
development of education. Co-ordination of work between (as we have at
Horncastle) the endowed Infant School, the National Schools, Technical
Schools, and the "secondary" Grammar School, with higher-grade colleges,
should furnish a kind of educational ladder, by which the child of the
artizan, or rustic, may rise from the humblest position to the highest,
if he has the ability, and the will, to avail himself of the
opportunities thus placed within his reach. It is hardly too much to say
that the result may well be, that in the keen rivalry of nations, which
characterizes the present age, England should thus be enabled to more
than hold her own in the struggle of industrial life.