444 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



lishment, yet the large rooms in the house, and the various spa 

 cious appendages, have been easily converted to the useful 

 purposes of the institution. The nearness to the capital, where 

 the subscribers to the funds principally reside, and therefore can 

 have constant access to it, and a quick market for the produce 

 in fruit and vegetables, are compensating circumstances for the 

 exorbitant cost of the land. No person is received over sixteen 

 years of age, or kept beyond twenty-one. The cost of main 

 taining a pupil is twelve pounds sterling sixty dollars; and 

 they are paid for by individual subscribers, or out of the common 

 funds. Seventy pupils are now maintained here ; and the appli 

 cations are far beyond their power of receiving. The children 

 are trained to agriculture, to gardening in its various branches, 

 and some of them to different trades, as tailors, shoemakers, cap 

 makers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. The farming was of a kind 

 to be immediately productive, and was well managed. The 

 cows at this establishment, as, indeed, in most parts of the Conti 

 nent which I have visited, are soiled, that is, fed in the stables 

 constantly ; arid were of a superior description. There were 

 two kinds which particularly attracted my attention, under the 

 designation of Norman and Flemish. In appearance and prom 

 ise I have seldom seen any superior. I could obtain no exact 

 returns ; but the Flemish was remarkable for size, and stated to 

 be equally remarkable for her product in milk and butter. 



With a view to encourage their exertions, the pupils have a 

 portion of their earnings put by at interest, for their benefit : and 

 which they receive, if, at the close of their term, they leave the 

 place with honor ; but not if they are dismissed for faults or 

 crimes, or if they leave irregularly, and without permission. I 

 hope it will not be deemed out of place if I remark here in 

 passing, that the discipline of the institution is intended to bo 

 wholly moral and paternal. Light penalties, which affect the 

 mind, and which are designed to operate upon the self-respect of 

 the offender, and to affect his character and standing, are found 

 much more effectual than any corporal punishments. A public 

 court, at which the master presides, is held among the pupils 

 once a week, when the daily records of the institution are looked 

 over. Here the deficient or guilty are called to account by their 

 companions, and the penalties decreed. This, which may be 

 called a court of honor has proved signally effectual. 



