PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 CLI 



and now on the 13th November, four different societies dine separately, 

 at each of which a toast is introduced to " the pious memory of Edward 

 Colston," which is always received in solemn silence. At these différent 

 societies collections are made for the poor of the city, which are distributed 

 in the following ways : 



Largely in annuities of 5s. per week to persons of 60 years and 

 upwards, who are in destitute circumstances. To a large extent also in 

 gifts of 10s. to relieve immediate distress. And in one society for the 

 relief of women in child-birth. 



The total amount of about £4,000 per year is being subscribed by the 

 respective societies. At the annual banquets of the two political societies 

 — the Dolphin (which represents the Conservative party), and the Anchor 

 (which represents the Liberal party) — there are always, as the principal 

 speakers, members of the government of the day, or ex-ministers of the 

 Crown. These annual meetings therefore have become amongst the most 

 important of the country. 



It is a peculiarity of the schools to which we have specially referred 

 in the previous remarks, that the children are required to dress in the 

 style of the period of the founders, although the Colston boys have 

 recentl}" adopted a more modern uniform. 



The number of boys and girls educated in these schools has very 

 considerably increased since their foundation, and all of them are now 

 administered by the municipal charity trustees, or by the Society of the 

 Merchant Venturers. The latter body, which has so much in its history 

 deeply interesting to the Bristol of the past, is still doing an exceedingly 

 useful work in the city. The special work which the society formerly 

 undertook in aiding adventures, has been abandoned, and its large funds 

 are now largely used in providing technical education. The college which 

 it has established in Bristol is one of the finest of its kind in England, and 

 perhaps in the world. In addition to the first-class education which is 

 here provided at a very nominal cost, it also affords the opportunity of 

 technical training in numerous trades, and I believe that a society under- 

 taking this work will leave its impress just as much upon the history of 

 the Bristol of the 20th centur}^, as it did upon the history of the 16th 

 century, in the adventurous jDeriod of its eai'lier career. 



The Bristol Grammar School — a very fine educational establishment 

 — is very largely supported by the funds which were provided by Eobert 

 Thorne and his son Nicholas, nearly 400 years ago, and a large number of 

 the principal merchants of Bristol of the jDresent day received their 

 education at this establishment. 



The Clifton College is another educational establishment to which 

 notice should be directed — it takes rank with the older schools of Eugby, 

 Eton, Harrow and Winchester, and provides accommodation for about 

 650 boys. The school is open to all boys, without distinction of class, 



