[We are indebted to MR. J. B. DITCHFIELD and MR. JOSEPH SULLEY for very
elaborate notices of the custom of the French kings touching for the
evil; but the principal facts contained in those communications have
already been laid before our readers by MR. COOPER (Vide No. 69. p.
148. et seq.)]
_Drax Free School_ (Vol. ii., p. 199.).--It appears by the will of Charles
Read, dated July 30, 1669, that that gentleman had at his own charge
erected a school-house at Drax, which he designed for a free school, and
for the habitation of a schoolmaster, to instruct the children of the
inhabitants of that parish gratis, to read, write, and cast accounts, and
in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, as occasion should require; and that he had
erected six almshouses at Drax, for six aged and impotent people at that
parish, and the lodgment of six poor boys; and for the support and
maintenance of the said school, master, alms people, and poor boys, he
directed his executors to lay out 2000l. in {291} the purchase of freehold
land of 120l. per annum in or near Drax, to be conveyed to trustees to let
such land at the best improved rent, for the purposes and uses mentioned in
his will; and he appointed the lord mayor and aldermen of York, visitors of
the school and almshouses.
At the time of the inquiry by the charity commissioners, the estates
purchaser in pursuance of the directions of Mr. Read's will amounted to 391
acres of land, let at 542l. per annum, and there was an accumulation of
stock of 12,700l. in the Three per Cents, the whole income being 924l. 9s.
6d. per annum.
MR. DYSON will find a copious account of this school, &c., in the following
Reports of the Commissioners: XXI. p. 598.; XXXII. part 2d. p. 828.; and
the latter gives a full detail of proceedings in Chancery, and other
matters connected with the administration of the trust.