Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls
with the Bills of Parcels , that she return all bad articles and make her report thereof to the Committee . 5 th . —That the Matron have the general inspection and care of the House , and see that the Children rise , go to bed , and have their Meals at the appointed Times , and be taught , instructed , and employed according to the Rules of the Charity or as the Committee shall from time to time direct , and if the she shall
Servants and Children do not pay due obedience to all the Rules , make complaint thereof in writing to the Committee , otherwise the fault shall be imputed to herself . 6 th . —That the Matron order the Quantity of all Provisions , see them weighed and measured when brought in and properly taken care of , that the Food he well dressed and distributed to the Children , and that no Bread be eaten under a day old .
7 th— That the Matron lay a State of each Girl ' s Qualifications and Improvements before the Committee every three Months at least , or oftener as the Committee may direct , and a general Slate to be brought before the Half-yearly Visitation . 8 th . —That a particular or indent of necessaries for the Children such as
Clothes , Linen , or other apparel , as well as all household Goods wanted and all repairs and alterations , be laid before the Committee for their approbation and directions previous to their being had . 9 th . —That all Goods Stored and Clothing be under the care of the Matron , and that she deliver out the Candles , Soaps , & c , and see that there be no Waste .
10 th . —That every Child have a clean Shift twice a week , and the Beds be clean Sheeted onco a Month at least . ' lltli . —That an Inventory be taken of the Linen to be washed , and when clean compared therewith , and that no Linen be washed or hung up to dry in any of the Bed Rooms , and that all the Linen be marked before it is delivered out for use .
12 th . —That no Linen , Apparel , or other Articles be taken from the Stock delivered to the Matron till the same be produced to and examined by the Committee , and their order obtained . 13 th . —That when the Children's Clothing wants mending the Matron do forthwith cause the same to bo done by the Children as far as they are capable .
14 th . —That the Matron lay before the Committee once a fortnight an account of all the Materials sent in for the employment of the Children , with the Names of those who send them the work done at the time , when sent and when finished , and the sum thereby earned , also of such work as they have done for themselves , that the Committee may see the Children are trained up to Industry , and be enabled to lay before the Quarterly Court a general accompt of the quantity and produce of the work that the same may be paid to the Treasurer .
loth . —That the Matron do lay an Accompt before the Committee of such Children as are particularly attentive to their duty that they may he rewarded , and of such as are idle that they may be admonished or punished as the Committee shall sec fit . Every Girl who shall tell a "Wilful Lye or be guilty of swearing , cursing , or theft shall be fed with Bread and Water at
the discretion of the Matron , not exceeding two days without the express Order of the Committee , and the Offence and Punishment shall be recorded in a Black Book to be kept for their Inspection , and if any of the Children continue refractory or misbehave themselves after being admonished or punished that they be for ever discharged the house .
16 th . —That the Children be called up by ring of Bell every Morning ( Sundays , Good Fridays , Christmas Day and Lady Day being the Anniversary excepted ) at six from Lady Day to Michaelmas , and at eight from that time to Lady Day . lffch . —That the Children have their Faces and Hands washed every Morning ) their Hair combed , their Shoes cleaned and changed , and their persons , particularly their Heads and Feet , kept clean .
18 th . —That the Prayers used in the Church of England he read by the Matron in the School Room to the Children and Servants every Morning on their coming into School , and every Evening before leaving School , and that all the Children say the Lord's Prayer kneeling in the Dormitory immediately before they go to bed .
19 th . —That the Children ( in Winter ) breakfast at Nine , Dine at One , and sup at Seven , and go to Bed an hour after Supper ; that the Matron be always present at their Meals , and that She take the utmost care that there be no waste , and that the Candles are put out when the Children are in Bed , that the outer Doors be locked every Night at Nine and the Keys in her Care . 20 th . —That the Matron attend the Children to Church every Sunday Morning
and Afternoon , and on Good Friday , Christmas Day , and the Anniversary , that they learn the Collect for the Day , and such as are capable to read a portion of Scripture every Sunday Evening in the presence of the Officers , Servants , and all the Children , and those who cannot attend their duty at Church have a portion of Scripture read to them , and on every Friday the Children be taught the Catechism .
21 st . —That the Children be allowed an Hour after Dinner for play , and leave off School every Evening at five . 22 nd . —That the Matron shall order a Child , or Children , to assist the Servants in domestic Business for their instruction therein , and that such as are capable
be employ d m rotation . 23 rd . —That the Kitchen Stuff be taken care of , and sent to the Tallow Chandler in part of his Bill . 24 th . —That the Beer be worked off and bunged up before it be admitted into the House .
25 th . —That no Officer or Servant of the House take any present from the Parents , Relations , or Friends of the Children , or from any Tradesman serving the House , on pain of being dismissed . 26 th . —That in case of any infectious disorder , the person be forthwith removed if thought necessary by the faculty .
27 th . —That no strumous children be admitted . 28 th . —That Children not having had the smallpox be inoculated previous to their admission by the Surgeons of the Charity . 29 th . —That the Orders of the Faculty relative to sick Children be punctually obeyed .
30 th . —That there be no neglect or disobedience to the Rnles and Orders for the internal Conduct of this Charity on pain of dismission . 31 st . —That an Inventory of the Goods , Fixtures , Furniture , & c , be taken and enter'd in a Book to be kept for that purpose to be open at all times for the examination of the Committee . 32 nd . —That the Secretary do quarterly adjust the House Accompts and lay the same before the Committee for their inspection ,
The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls
33 rd . —That every Girl who shall have behaved well shall on her departure from the House have — Gowns , — Petticoats , — Aprons , — Shoes , — Stockings , — Shifts , — Caps , — Tuscan Hats , a Bible , Common Prayer Book , and Whole Duty of Man . A DIET TABLE SOE THE CHILDREN .
DATS . BREAKFAST . D 1 NNEK . SVIPEH . Sunday . Rice Milk . Roast Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Bread & Butter & Beev Monday . Water Gruel . Suet Puddings & Beer . Bread Cheese & Beer . Tuesday . Milk Porridge Boil'd Mutton , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Broth & Bread . Wednesday Riee Milk . Suet ESSd ™ ^ , Dumplill es , ** *¦ Bread & Butter & Beer Thursday . "Water Gruel . Boil'd Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Boer . Broth & Bread . Friday . Milk Porridge Rice Pudding & Beer . Bread Cheese & Beer . Saturday . Rice Milk . Boiled Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Broth & Bread .
That the Quantity of Meat to be provided for each Child be Two Pounds and a half per week , and not to exceed Seven Pounds each per Week for the Matron ancl grown Servants . It must he conceded that if this code of " Interior Regulations " erred at all , it -was on the side of over minuteness of detail , many of
the rules , such as that relating to the children ' s undeiiinen and the sheeting of the beds , dealing with matters which , in ordinary circumstances , are left to the discretion of the chief resident officer—in this case , the Matron . However , the Committee had had no experience of household economy as applied to a School , and it was better they should be over-elaborate in their code than over-careless . Neither
does the " Diet Table strike one as being imposing ; but the medical faculty was well represented on the Committee , and if they accepted it , or more likely still , had the chief hand in framing it , we must assume that it was sufficient , both as regards quality and quantity . People were not quite so fastidious in those days , and the plainest of plain good food was served even in Schools of older and higher standing .
Other regulations of a more general character were framed about this time . Thus on the 29 th January , on the motion of Bro . Broderip , it was arranged that for the purpose of visiting and supervising the School , the Committee should " select themselves into Classes of Eight in a Class to take the Business Monthly in
Rotation , but this was not to interfere with any other Gentleman s attendance who may please to render his assistance . " On the 12 th February a resolution was passed to the effect : " That from henceforth the Executor of any Person pa-ymg into the hands of the Treasurer or Collector of this Institution the sum of One Hundred
Pounds shall be a Governor for Life . And that when Two Persons are appointed Executors , and Two Hundred Pounds or upwards shall be given for the purposes of this Charity , then that such Executors be Governors for Life . " At the same meeting a Resolution about visiting was passed— " That neither the Parents
or relations of any of the Children be permitted to visit the School any Day in the Week ( except Thursday , the Children ' s half-holiday , between the hours of Two and Pour o' Clock from Michaelmas to Lady Day , and between the hours of Four and Six from Lady Day to Michaelmas ) without an Order from the Committee , and that
such Parents or Relatives do not on any account enter into altercation with the Matron relative to any complaint which they may think proper to make , but that such Parents or Relatives do from time to time communicate such complaints in . writing addressed to the Committee , and left with the Secretary . " It seems hardly credible that
such a regulation—so far as the latter part is concerned—should have been thought necessary , yet we have its justification at the very next meeting , when Ave read that the Matron was " called in and examined respecting Charlotte Richardson , who had been taken away from the School by her Parents ; when She informed the Committee that her
Father had been very troublesome , and had insulted and abused her , and afterwards the Mother came , and notwithstanding the Child declared she was perfectly satisfied they had taken her away . " The Committee very properly dismissed Charlotte Richardson , and shortly
afterwards elected another Girl in her stead . They had also to reprimand Mary Bagley—who had been received as an Assistant Servant —for absenting herself from the School for two days , the excuse being that her father was ill and she had gone home—without leave—to nurse him . *
At the March Committee Meeting , one of the General Rulesthat z'elating to the Framing of New Laws—having been found somewhat of a restraint on the proceedings of the General Court , was so far altered " that m future , although it may be proper that New Rules or material alterations should in general orig inate in a
Committee , Yet it shall be deemed regular that any Motion may be inado at a General Meeting or Quarterly Court for a new Regulation or for the alteration of any old one as shall from time to time be thoug ht expedient ; with this distinction , that such Resolutions as orig inate in a Committee being confirmed at a subsequent General Meeting or
Quarterl y Court shall be considered as absolute , and that such as orig inate at a General Meeting or Quarterly Court cannot be confirmed until they have received the Sanction of a subsequent Genera Meeting or Quarterly Court . " It was also resolved by the Quarterly Court of the 4 th April , that the Committee ' s recommendation of _*| 12 th March , for the appointment of an Audit Committee should be
acted upon , and "Messrs . Robinson , Broderip , Hull , Chas . Carpente ^ Kane , Callendar , and Sp ' . cer" were appointed such a Convrn lf ; te ^ "to Audit Accompts in General , " the majority to form a quorum ^ the Treasurer and Collector to attend as requested ; and the Commit ™ to report at each Quarterly Court . ( To be continued ) . „
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls
with the Bills of Parcels , that she return all bad articles and make her report thereof to the Committee . 5 th . —That the Matron have the general inspection and care of the House , and see that the Children rise , go to bed , and have their Meals at the appointed Times , and be taught , instructed , and employed according to the Rules of the Charity or as the Committee shall from time to time direct , and if the she shall
Servants and Children do not pay due obedience to all the Rules , make complaint thereof in writing to the Committee , otherwise the fault shall be imputed to herself . 6 th . —That the Matron order the Quantity of all Provisions , see them weighed and measured when brought in and properly taken care of , that the Food he well dressed and distributed to the Children , and that no Bread be eaten under a day old .
7 th— That the Matron lay a State of each Girl ' s Qualifications and Improvements before the Committee every three Months at least , or oftener as the Committee may direct , and a general Slate to be brought before the Half-yearly Visitation . 8 th . —That a particular or indent of necessaries for the Children such as
Clothes , Linen , or other apparel , as well as all household Goods wanted and all repairs and alterations , be laid before the Committee for their approbation and directions previous to their being had . 9 th . —That all Goods Stored and Clothing be under the care of the Matron , and that she deliver out the Candles , Soaps , & c , and see that there be no Waste .
10 th . —That every Child have a clean Shift twice a week , and the Beds be clean Sheeted onco a Month at least . ' lltli . —That an Inventory be taken of the Linen to be washed , and when clean compared therewith , and that no Linen be washed or hung up to dry in any of the Bed Rooms , and that all the Linen be marked before it is delivered out for use .
12 th . —That no Linen , Apparel , or other Articles be taken from the Stock delivered to the Matron till the same be produced to and examined by the Committee , and their order obtained . 13 th . —That when the Children's Clothing wants mending the Matron do forthwith cause the same to bo done by the Children as far as they are capable .
14 th . —That the Matron lay before the Committee once a fortnight an account of all the Materials sent in for the employment of the Children , with the Names of those who send them the work done at the time , when sent and when finished , and the sum thereby earned , also of such work as they have done for themselves , that the Committee may see the Children are trained up to Industry , and be enabled to lay before the Quarterly Court a general accompt of the quantity and produce of the work that the same may be paid to the Treasurer .
loth . —That the Matron do lay an Accompt before the Committee of such Children as are particularly attentive to their duty that they may he rewarded , and of such as are idle that they may be admonished or punished as the Committee shall sec fit . Every Girl who shall tell a "Wilful Lye or be guilty of swearing , cursing , or theft shall be fed with Bread and Water at
the discretion of the Matron , not exceeding two days without the express Order of the Committee , and the Offence and Punishment shall be recorded in a Black Book to be kept for their Inspection , and if any of the Children continue refractory or misbehave themselves after being admonished or punished that they be for ever discharged the house .
16 th . —That the Children be called up by ring of Bell every Morning ( Sundays , Good Fridays , Christmas Day and Lady Day being the Anniversary excepted ) at six from Lady Day to Michaelmas , and at eight from that time to Lady Day . lffch . —That the Children have their Faces and Hands washed every Morning ) their Hair combed , their Shoes cleaned and changed , and their persons , particularly their Heads and Feet , kept clean .
18 th . —That the Prayers used in the Church of England he read by the Matron in the School Room to the Children and Servants every Morning on their coming into School , and every Evening before leaving School , and that all the Children say the Lord's Prayer kneeling in the Dormitory immediately before they go to bed .
19 th . —That the Children ( in Winter ) breakfast at Nine , Dine at One , and sup at Seven , and go to Bed an hour after Supper ; that the Matron be always present at their Meals , and that She take the utmost care that there be no waste , and that the Candles are put out when the Children are in Bed , that the outer Doors be locked every Night at Nine and the Keys in her Care . 20 th . —That the Matron attend the Children to Church every Sunday Morning
and Afternoon , and on Good Friday , Christmas Day , and the Anniversary , that they learn the Collect for the Day , and such as are capable to read a portion of Scripture every Sunday Evening in the presence of the Officers , Servants , and all the Children , and those who cannot attend their duty at Church have a portion of Scripture read to them , and on every Friday the Children be taught the Catechism .
21 st . —That the Children be allowed an Hour after Dinner for play , and leave off School every Evening at five . 22 nd . —That the Matron shall order a Child , or Children , to assist the Servants in domestic Business for their instruction therein , and that such as are capable
be employ d m rotation . 23 rd . —That the Kitchen Stuff be taken care of , and sent to the Tallow Chandler in part of his Bill . 24 th . —That the Beer be worked off and bunged up before it be admitted into the House .
25 th . —That no Officer or Servant of the House take any present from the Parents , Relations , or Friends of the Children , or from any Tradesman serving the House , on pain of being dismissed . 26 th . —That in case of any infectious disorder , the person be forthwith removed if thought necessary by the faculty .
27 th . —That no strumous children be admitted . 28 th . —That Children not having had the smallpox be inoculated previous to their admission by the Surgeons of the Charity . 29 th . —That the Orders of the Faculty relative to sick Children be punctually obeyed .
30 th . —That there be no neglect or disobedience to the Rnles and Orders for the internal Conduct of this Charity on pain of dismission . 31 st . —That an Inventory of the Goods , Fixtures , Furniture , & c , be taken and enter'd in a Book to be kept for that purpose to be open at all times for the examination of the Committee . 32 nd . —That the Secretary do quarterly adjust the House Accompts and lay the same before the Committee for their inspection ,
The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls
33 rd . —That every Girl who shall have behaved well shall on her departure from the House have — Gowns , — Petticoats , — Aprons , — Shoes , — Stockings , — Shifts , — Caps , — Tuscan Hats , a Bible , Common Prayer Book , and Whole Duty of Man . A DIET TABLE SOE THE CHILDREN .
DATS . BREAKFAST . D 1 NNEK . SVIPEH . Sunday . Rice Milk . Roast Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Bread & Butter & Beev Monday . Water Gruel . Suet Puddings & Beer . Bread Cheese & Beer . Tuesday . Milk Porridge Boil'd Mutton , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Broth & Bread . Wednesday Riee Milk . Suet ESSd ™ ^ , Dumplill es , ** *¦ Bread & Butter & Beer Thursday . "Water Gruel . Boil'd Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Boer . Broth & Bread . Friday . Milk Porridge Rice Pudding & Beer . Bread Cheese & Beer . Saturday . Rice Milk . Boiled Beef , Vegetables , Bread & Beer . Broth & Bread .
That the Quantity of Meat to be provided for each Child be Two Pounds and a half per week , and not to exceed Seven Pounds each per Week for the Matron ancl grown Servants . It must he conceded that if this code of " Interior Regulations " erred at all , it -was on the side of over minuteness of detail , many of
the rules , such as that relating to the children ' s undeiiinen and the sheeting of the beds , dealing with matters which , in ordinary circumstances , are left to the discretion of the chief resident officer—in this case , the Matron . However , the Committee had had no experience of household economy as applied to a School , and it was better they should be over-elaborate in their code than over-careless . Neither
does the " Diet Table strike one as being imposing ; but the medical faculty was well represented on the Committee , and if they accepted it , or more likely still , had the chief hand in framing it , we must assume that it was sufficient , both as regards quality and quantity . People were not quite so fastidious in those days , and the plainest of plain good food was served even in Schools of older and higher standing .
Other regulations of a more general character were framed about this time . Thus on the 29 th January , on the motion of Bro . Broderip , it was arranged that for the purpose of visiting and supervising the School , the Committee should " select themselves into Classes of Eight in a Class to take the Business Monthly in
Rotation , but this was not to interfere with any other Gentleman s attendance who may please to render his assistance . " On the 12 th February a resolution was passed to the effect : " That from henceforth the Executor of any Person pa-ymg into the hands of the Treasurer or Collector of this Institution the sum of One Hundred
Pounds shall be a Governor for Life . And that when Two Persons are appointed Executors , and Two Hundred Pounds or upwards shall be given for the purposes of this Charity , then that such Executors be Governors for Life . " At the same meeting a Resolution about visiting was passed— " That neither the Parents
or relations of any of the Children be permitted to visit the School any Day in the Week ( except Thursday , the Children ' s half-holiday , between the hours of Two and Pour o' Clock from Michaelmas to Lady Day , and between the hours of Four and Six from Lady Day to Michaelmas ) without an Order from the Committee , and that
such Parents or Relatives do not on any account enter into altercation with the Matron relative to any complaint which they may think proper to make , but that such Parents or Relatives do from time to time communicate such complaints in . writing addressed to the Committee , and left with the Secretary . " It seems hardly credible that
such a regulation—so far as the latter part is concerned—should have been thought necessary , yet we have its justification at the very next meeting , when Ave read that the Matron was " called in and examined respecting Charlotte Richardson , who had been taken away from the School by her Parents ; when She informed the Committee that her
Father had been very troublesome , and had insulted and abused her , and afterwards the Mother came , and notwithstanding the Child declared she was perfectly satisfied they had taken her away . " The Committee very properly dismissed Charlotte Richardson , and shortly
afterwards elected another Girl in her stead . They had also to reprimand Mary Bagley—who had been received as an Assistant Servant —for absenting herself from the School for two days , the excuse being that her father was ill and she had gone home—without leave—to nurse him . *
At the March Committee Meeting , one of the General Rulesthat z'elating to the Framing of New Laws—having been found somewhat of a restraint on the proceedings of the General Court , was so far altered " that m future , although it may be proper that New Rules or material alterations should in general orig inate in a
Committee , Yet it shall be deemed regular that any Motion may be inado at a General Meeting or Quarterly Court for a new Regulation or for the alteration of any old one as shall from time to time be thoug ht expedient ; with this distinction , that such Resolutions as orig inate in a Committee being confirmed at a subsequent General Meeting or
Quarterl y Court shall be considered as absolute , and that such as orig inate at a General Meeting or Quarterly Court cannot be confirmed until they have received the Sanction of a subsequent Genera Meeting or Quarterly Court . " It was also resolved by the Quarterly Court of the 4 th April , that the Committee ' s recommendation of _*| 12 th March , for the appointment of an Audit Committee should be
acted upon , and "Messrs . Robinson , Broderip , Hull , Chas . Carpente ^ Kane , Callendar , and Sp ' . cer" were appointed such a Convrn lf ; te ^ "to Audit Accompts in General , " the majority to form a quorum ^ the Treasurer and Collector to attend as requested ; and the Commit ™ to report at each Quarterly Court . ( To be continued ) . „