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Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Appendix

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“The gentleness and feeling, denoting an appreciation of the subjects with which these several pieces were repeated, were to me very touching; and when one fine fellow was pointed out to me as the son of a blacksmith, another of a weaver, and a third as having been drawn from the depths of a coal-pit, I was both surprised and delighted. Not the least interesting part of the scene was the father of one of these, his eyes fixed on his son, and his toil-worn face expressive of the pleasure with which he listened to the learning displayed by his boy. The examination of the Holy Scriptures coming after the rest, and when the scholars were, perhaps, a little unfitted for it by the previous proceedings, was satisfactory to my mind, inasmuch as, although the time allowed for it was short, and some important points were therefore not touched upon, yet, it appeared to me that they knew much more than was elicited from them, and that much attention had been paid to the subject. The manner in which George Dixon put the questions and the boys answered them, indicated, I thought, that this important part of instruction was conducted in a right spirit. At half-past four o’clock the general meeting resumed. The reports were received and read, and the satisfaction of the meeting recorded. Some observations were made on the deficiency of the kitchen and laundry arrangements, this was referred to the committee of management. It was stated that the alterations required would cost upwards of £300. A suggestion was offered for a minute to record the satisfaction of the general meeting in the success of the institution as regards the results of combining labour with literary instruction. To this it was objected that such a conclusion would appear a little premature, as the institution was yet in its infancy, and its plans, as regards agricultural labour, had only very partially been brought into operation. The sense of the meeting seemed against such a minute at present. The general meeting adjourned until the occurrence of Durham Quarterly Meeting, unless the committee should deem it needful to issue a special summons. Tea was provided, as breakfast had also been, in the large dining room, to which a numerous party sat down, the charge was one shilling each. The interval between tea and returning home was agreeably occupied in looking over the farm, gardens, house, &c. And now, whether this infant institution is likely to offer any new or important results, different from those of its kindred of maturer age, and from a more successful or systematic pursuit of labour and literature conjoined, a doubt may perhaps be permitted. In George Dixon, I see talents and zeal in imparting knowledge; in the boys, appetency for its acquisition; in the house, accommodation for comfort and convenience; in the gardens and grounds, terraces and waterfalls an almost classic elegance and beauty. With what are all these combined, and what is their tendency? I think to promote a taste and love for science and literature, to infuse into the youthful mind a desire to unfold the ample page of knowledge rich with the spoils of time; so that when I listened to the name of the school “The North of England Agricultural School,” and considered the various arrangements around me, I thought agriculture had but a poor chance. If all that is meant by the name implies that the main object of the School is a good literary education, combined with just as much of agriculture or other labour as shall tend to promote health of body and vigour of mind, without any view to bring up a race of agriculturists, or to promote and extend the adoption of agricultural pursuits, in preference to others, then I think it is a very promising institution, and I cordially wish for it abundant success, dissentient only as regards the name, which might possibly mislead. I found, from enquiry of a member of the committee, that hitherto there had been opportunity only for the lighter and less interesting employments of the field, such as hoeing, weeding, &c., but that it is intended to appropriate a plot of ground expressly for teaching the art of cultivation. The number of hours to be devoted to labour are to be on the average of three per day. I have heard that Thos. Richardson, of Stamford Hill, London, with his usual liberality, has offered half the expense of the proposed alterations in the kitchen and laundry; without these alterations he pronounced it to be as impossible to make good servants of the girls, as it would be to make good carpenters of those who had no access to tools. The reports made to the general meeting by the committee of women Friends entered into no details as to the employment of the girls in domestic occupations. This information was furnished by one of their committee, from which it appeared that two of the girls are daily occupied, in rotation, in household services; so that each, in her turn, goes through the routine of domestic duties. I may mention one circumstance which might be thought an omission. No questions were put to the boys as to their knowledge of any department of agriculture; nor do I remember that anything was said to them, or in their presence, of the especial value of labour as a part of early training. My apprehension about the school is (and it is by no means an alarming one), that it will follow in the wake of its elder brethren, and will turn out a race of clever clerks, shopmen, traders (some schoolmasters, I hope), and merchants.”

It is probable that this interesting account of Ayton General Meeting is from the pen of John Ford, the well-known head master of York School. The style and sentiment are like his, and the initials of the correspondent who furnished it to the “Irish Friend” are those of William Robson, who was John Ford’s brother-in-law. This conjecture lends additional interest to the sagacious criticism with which the article concludes.

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