TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 207 



In regard to the presentations given over to the general community, it may he 

 proper to notice here that the apparent loss to the privileged classes is more than 

 compensated hy the solid advantages given to foundationers, not only by their 

 attending the day-schools while being boarded either with their friends or in the 

 boarding houses of the Governors, but also by the spirit of meritorious emulation 

 from without, which works so beneficially upon them as upon all the other pupils 

 of the institutions. Further, the special identity of foundationers is now lost, and 

 a spirit of merit runs through all. Moreover, neither children nor grandchildren 

 of members of the Merchant Company, except those who were in reduced circum- 

 stances, could formerlj^ get benefit from the foundations; but now, under the 

 altered state of things, the schools and all the advantages connected therewith are 

 of course open to them. 



The Scheme, as formerly mentioned, contemplated the removal of the whole of 

 the foundationers from the hospital buildings. Of those connected with the three 

 Educational Trusts, it was decided to maintain a portion in boarding-houses, under 

 the superintendence of the Governors, and to board out the remainder with persons 

 of whom they might approve. Accordingly, suitable houses were rented, and the 

 plan as to the foundationers carried out. It was agreed that the aged foundationers 



sption of 



ten, who were old and frail, they all preferred the pension. For these ten, as well 

 as for others whora the Governors may elect from time to time on vacancies arising, 

 the building formerly used as the Primary School has been fitted up. As to the 

 future, it is of course intended to continue the system of giving outdoor pensions, 

 as well as to maintain the Hospital Home for old people. 



An important featm-e of the Scheme, in addition to providing the general com- 

 mimity with a superior education at moderate fees, is to give children of great 

 merit, who attend any one of the schools, a high-class education, without almost 

 any expense to their trieuds. This feature was introduced not only with the view 

 of stimulating tlie exertions of all the pupils, but also of enabling children of great 

 ability (even tliose whose friends were only in circumstances to place them at the 

 lowest grade schools) to turn their intellect to the best account, so that they might 

 be fitted to occupy a high position in life, and possibly render important services 

 to the country. Towards this end there are to be given up for competition amongst 

 the pupils of all the schools a portion of the reduced number of presentations to 

 the foundations. That number is to be not less than a fourth of those of George 

 Watson's and the Merchant INIaiden Trusts, and not less than a half of Daniel 

 Stewart's. The ages at which the pupils are to compete for the presentations are, 

 for boys, imder 10, 12, and 14 years ; for girls, under 12, 14, and IG years. The 

 successful competitors are to be maintained and educated at the expense of the 

 foundations — boys until they are 16 years of age, when they should be ready for 

 the University, and girls until they are 18. These ages may be afterwards altered 

 if the Governors see fit. Then, in order to enable meritorious pupils further to 

 prosecute their studies, power has been acquired to found twenty-two bursaries of 

 £25 a year, tenable for four years; and eight travelling scholarships of £100 a 

 year, tenable for tln-ee j-ears, all of which are to be awarded also by competitive 

 examination. Estimating the value of a presentation at £50 a year, the gross 

 amount of benefits which a pupil may derive are — a presentation for six years 

 = £300 ; a bursary on leaving the .schools of £25 a year for four years = £100 ; and 

 thereafter a scholarship of £lOO a year for three years =£300; making altogether 

 £700. I need scarcely again state that these benefits have the advantage of being 

 open for competition to female pupils as well as male. The Governors have also 

 the power at the end of each session, nn the recommendation of the examiners of 

 the schools or head-masters, to give substantial rewards to pupils of distinguished 

 merit ; and the plan intended to be adopted in carrying out this part of the Scheme 

 is to present those of them who do not succeed in gaining places on the foundations 

 with school bursaries, equal in value to the amount of their fees for the followin"- 

 session. 



In the upper boys' school the education was to branch off at a certain stage into 



