"Long," he observes in reference I to Sunday schools, "before their establishment, I had formed the design of universal schools, though by a different mode. This design I had year after year mentioned to most of my friends, both clergy and laity; but with little success, as they were alarmed at the magnitude of the undertaking." Thus things continued until May 1785, when, finding that no person would take the lead in a measure which all sanctioned by their approbation, Mr. Fox, at a public meeting held at the King's Head in the Poultry for another benevolent purpose, took an occasion to introduce the subject to the notice of all present, in a neat, impressive, and eloquent speech. In this he pleaded the cause of the indigent poor with so much success, that the gentlemen present became willing to forward his views. For this purpose, it was proposed to call a public meeting at the same place, on the 16th of August following. Mr. Fox at this time had no specific plan in view. He was satisfied that something should be done, but this he rather left to the wisdom of others, or perhaps to the decision of the meeting that was about to take place. Full of expectations, and anxious to secure every measure that would promise success, he published, during the interim, an address, which he sent around to the clergy and principal inhabitants, whom the thought likely to co-operate in his designs, under the following title, "To the Benevolent and Humane, in favour of the Illiterate Poor." In this address he stated the design of the approaching meeting in August, solicited their attendance, and prepared himself for the important crisis, when, before the assembly purposely convened, he should advocate the cause of the uninstructed poor. It was somewhat prior to this time, that Mr. Raikes, having laid in Gloucester the foundation of the first Sunday school that was ever established, published of his own proceedings a paragraph in his paper. This produced from a Colonel Townley a letter of inquiry; to which Mr. Raikes gave a reply, that was printed in the Gentleman's Magazine some time in 1784. To this letter, and the plan adopted by Mr. Raikes, the attention of Mr. Fox was directed by one of his friends, as containing the rudiments of a system that might probably coincide with his own benevolent, intentions. Under this impression, he wrote to Mr. Raikes the following letter, which is dated London, "SIR,-The liberality and goodness of heart manifested in your benevolent plan of Sunday schools, will, I trust, render unnecessary any apology, though from a stran ger, when it is considered, his only view in writing is, that he may be enabled to copy after so worthy an example. "You must know, Sir, long before your excellent letter appeared in the papers, I had felt a compassion, and entertained sentiments for the indigent and ignorant poor, extremely similar to your own. This led me to set up a school in one of your villages, (Clapton, near Bourton-on-theWater;) but as it is a daily one, and, therefore attended with far greater expense, and perhaps less utility, than yours, it will very much oblige me, and probably greatly promote the design I have in view, if you will please to favour me with a further account of your plan, (if any alteration,) and what particular advantages have arisen from it since the publication of your letter. I have been apprehensive (and shall be extremely glad to find myself mistaken) that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to teach children to read, by their attendance on schools only one day in seven. This is very material for me to know: and, if they can, it will also be as desirable to ascertain the average time it takes for such instruction, together with the age at which they are taken, the mode pursued by the teachers, and the expense attending the same. The reason I am thus particular is, because a society is forming in town, to which I belong, for carrying a plan of this sort into general use. The design, I dare say, will appear to you laudable, but at the same time difficult: its success depends on the concurrence and aid of well-disposed Christians throughout the kingdom. Great events, however, having frequently taken their rise from small, and, to human appearance, trifling beginnings, we wish to make a trial; and, as the committee for drawing up a plan, meet on the 23rd instant, I beg the favour of your reply prior to that time, that we may have the benefit of an experienced work, in order to assist our deliberations. "Your obedient humble Servant, "WM. FOX.” To this letter the reply of Mr. Raikes was such as might have been expected. It was full of encouragement, of offers to render Mr. Fox all the assistance in his power, and breathed an ardent solicitude for the welfare of the infant but herculean undertaking. 4 B "To effect these great, these noble ends, they hope to form a Society, which will be enabled to establish Sunday Schools upon a plan so extensive as to reach the remotest parts of this island; and they flatter themselves they shall receive the support, assistance, and patronage of persons of every rank and description. At length the eventful 16th of August | objects proposed by the promoters of this arrived, and the meeting took place at Institution. the King's Head in the Poultry, according to appointment. It was respectably attended, and Mr. Thomas Hunt was called to the chair; but as neither he nor any of the gentlemen present were disposed to speak, Mr. Fox was again under the necessity of stating his thoughts on the benevolent object which he had in view. In his statement they most happily concurred, and having thus received light from his remarks on a topic, which many present had never contemplated before, he was desired to embody the substance of what he had delivered, in an address, that, despatched to individuals of influence and benevolence, might secure their co-operation at a more general meeting, which it announced would take place on the 30th of the same month, August, 1785. Of this circular, which may be considered as embodying the fundamental principles of the Sunday-school society, the following is a copy. "SIR, "At this meeting it was agreed to form such a Society; and a Committee of fourteen gentlemen was chosen to draw up a code of laws for the government of the said Society, and a set of proper rules for the regulation of the Schools. "The Committee having met, and drawn up a plan of the intended Society, and the laws and rules necessary for it and the Schools, they propose to submit their plan to the consideration of all such gentlemen as shall attend a public meeting, to be holden on Tuesday next, the 30th instant, at the Paul's Head Tavern, Cateaton-street, at four o'clock in the afternoon. F "To prevent vice-to encourage industry and virtue-to dispel the darkness of ignorance-to diffuse the light of knowledge to bring men cheerfully to submit to their stations--to obey the laws of God and their country-to make that useful part of the community, the country poor, happy-to lead them in the pleasant paths of religion here-and to endeavour to prepare them for a glorious eternity, are the "Private advantage and party zeal are entirely disclaimed by the friends and promoters of this laudable institution. However men may be divided into political parties, or however Christians may unhappily separate from each other on account of difference of sentiment, here they are all invited to join in the common cause, -the glory of God the good of their country and the happiness of their fellow creatures. "Permit me to request the favour of your attendance at the proposed meeting. "I am, Sir, by order of the Committee, Your humble Servant, Friday, Aug. 26, 1785. "WM. Fox." But while copies of the above letter were in private circulation, by some strange oversight, both Mr. Fox and his friends had quite forgotten to announce the approaching meeting by public advertisement, When the 30th of August arrived, the justly celebrated Jonas Hanway took the chair; but their error in omitting the advertisement was soon discovered, by the description of persons who attended, in consequence of which, the business was adjourned to Wednesday, September 7th, after the following resolution had been passed, "That great benefit would accrue to the community at large, from the adoption of such a measure, and that a society be formed for carrying the same into immediate effect." During the few intervening days, several interesting letters passed between Mr. Fox and Mr. Raikes, relative to the important business on which their hopes were immutably fixed; but our limits, prevent their insertion. On the 7th of September, 1785, the meeting took place according to adjournment and advertisement, at the Paul's Head Tavern, Cateaton - street, when Henry Thornton, esq. was called to the chair. f At this auspicious meeting, the rules already laid down in the circular letter of Mr. Fox, dated August 26th, and inserted in a preceding page, were submitted to "In manufacturing towns, where children from their infancy are necessarily employed the whole week, no opportunity occurs for their receiving the least degree of education. To remedy this evil, some gentlemen, actuated by the most benevolent motives, have established, in some of these towns, Sunday Schools, where children and others are taught to read, and are instructed in the knowledge of their duty as rational and accountable beings. "The Sunday, too often spent by the children of the poor in idleness and play, or in contracting habits of vice and dissipation, is, by the children of these schools, employed in learning to read the bible, and in attending the public worship of God, by which means they are trained up in habits of virtue and piety, as well as industry, and a foundation is laid for their becoming useful members of the community. " "The numerous benefits arising from Sunday Schools, of which the most indubitable testimonies have been given, and the great importance of extending their salutary effects, have induced a number of gentlemen, stimulated by the successful attempts, to establish a Society in London, for the support and encouragement of Sunday Schools in the different counties of England. "The committee for conducting the affairs of this Society, anxious to extend the beneficial influence of these schools as speedily as possible, have taken the liberty of addressing you, Sir, on this occasion; and of requesting you to communicate to such of the inhabitants of as may be disposed to encourage such an undertaking, the wish of the committee to establish a Sunday School in that For more distributed at your discretion, and an early intimation of the result of your proceedings will be highly acceptable to them, "It is the intention of this Society, on application being made to the committee from any place, to assist in establishing a school or schools therein, until the good consequences shall be so apparent to the inhabitants, as to encourage an exertion, which may render any further assistance from the Society unnecessary. "In forming the plan of this Society, the most liberal and catholic principles have been adopted, in hopes that persons of all denominations of the protestant faith, will be induced to unite in carrying it into execution with greater energy. The committee, therefore, beg leave to recommend to every minister of a congregation where these schools may be established, to make it known to the people of their respective charges, and to preach a collection sermon for the support of such schools as often as occasion may require. "If any further argument in favour of these schools was necessary, a striking one presents itself in the contemplation of our crowded prisons, and frequent executions, which shock the feelings of humanity, and disgrace our country. The sad history of these wretched victims to their crimes and to the laws, too plainly evinces that to the want of an early introduction into the paths of virtue and religion, to which this institution would lead, may be attributed, in a great degree, their unhappy end. In this point of view then, this institution may be considered a political, as well as a religious one, claiming the attention even of those, who, if not particularly zealous in the cause of Christianity, cannot be insensible to the advantages that would accrue to society from the preservation of good order, and the security of persons and property. "The committee flatter themselves they shall find in you a friend to this cause, and that your exertions, in union with theirs, will be crowned with success, in producing a reformation of morals in the lower ranks of the rising generation. By order of the committee, HENRY THORNTON, Chairman." This circular was followed by another from the committee, addressed to the clergy, and ministers of all protestant congregations, and distributed chiefly in London and its vicinity. From the circulation of these documents, the most happy effects resulted. Many of the clergy, supported by some dignitaries of the church, entered heartily into the scheme, and Sunday schools sprang up in rapid succession, throughout many parts of the kingdom. From these small beginnings, it appears, from a letter written by Mr. Raikes to Mr. Fox, in July, 1787, that about two hundred and thirty-four thousand children were thus brought under instruction, in the various Sunday schools that had then been established. In succeeding years, the progression still continued, so that in 1825, the children in the Sunday schools throughout the united kingdom, amounted to above a million, under the instruction of ninety thousand gratuitous teachers. As one great object of the Sunday-school society was, to establish schools under the immediate range of their own observation; so, another was, to render assistance to more distant places, where the aids of benevolence were required, by furnishing books, and giving advice, as circumstances might demand. This could not be done without adequate funds, and in these no deficiency was experienced. The report of the Society in 1786 states, that the subscriptions then already received, amounted to £987, and that, in every quarter, their prospects were flattering in the highest degree. From the above period down to the present time, Sunday schools have continued to flourish, not only in our own country, but in every quarter of the globe; and the Society, of which Mr. Fox may be justly considered as the primary founder, has diffused its benevolent influence through innumerable channels, both at home and abroad. Its character is, however, so well known, and its unremitting exertions to do good are so public, that to pursue this subject further, would be an unnecessary task, especially as our object is not the history of the Sunday-school Society, but a brief memoir of Mr. Fox, to whose benevolence it owes its birth. In the summer of 1787, Mr. Fox removed to a favourite spot near Colchester, where he remained about two years; but the situation not agreeing with Mrs. Fox's health, he returned to the vicinity of the metropolis, and resided at Islington until 1799; when, having purchased the manor estate, formerly rented by his mother, at Clapton, his native village, where two of his brothers resided, he felt an earnest desire to end his days near the spot that gave him birth. The house, however, being unsuitable, he hired another for a season, from which, after one year, he removed to Lechlade, where he continued until within about two years and a half of his death. Having buried his wife and a beloved daughter, at Lechlade, he removed to Cirencester, where, his hearing being impaired, and the infirmities of age coming over him, he was accustomed to say, "Never wish to be old: I am now in the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes, and the grasshopper is a burden to me." Here he ended his days on the 1st of April, 1826, in the 91st year of his age, and his remains were removed to Lechlade for interment. Nearly his last words were, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” When we contrast the serene and tranquil feelings of this man, arising from his active benevolence, with those experienced by the abettors of cock-fighting, bullbaiting, prize- fighting, and horse-racing, with men who exert their talents, spend their time, and lavish their fortunes, in promoting vice, and demoralizing their fellow-creatures, we contemplate extremes which scarcely any other opposite facts can equal. Pope has immortalized Mr. John Kyrle, under the appellation of "The Man of Ross." Mr. Fox is equally deserving of immortality, and his name, like that of Raikes, will only cease to be remembered, when Sunday schools shall be forgotten. To the writer of this article Mr. Fox was personally unknown, but he feels a pleasure in paying this tribute of respect to the virtues of a genuine patriot and philanthropist, whose name confers an honour on his country. A SPLENDID apartment in the palace of the Queen was brilliantly illuminated; and a somewhat large assembly surrounded the form of their sovereign, who stood at the upper end of the room. She was listening attentively to the account of a young and noble female, who had that day submit. ted to the torture, rather than abjure the tenets of the religion, which her own heart, and the example of the holy martyrs who had suffered at the stake, assured her was most acceptable in the eyes of her Creator. When the recital was concluded, the Queen cast an appealing glance on those near her, saying:-" Methinks, my lords, we have allowed these most unholy and wretched heretics to remain unwatched too long in this our country; active measures must be used, or the land will be overspread with them. I could have borne it patiently, had they been of low degree; but now our dungeons throng with illustrious prisoners, who publicly avow the cursed opinions of those, whose names would madden me to mention." Exhausted by the rapidity of her utterance, she leant for a while against the marble pillars of the chamber, and the deepening frown on her brow told of the rage that held dominion within. Presently she spoke again; "And now, most noble gentlemen, I bid ye say how we shall deal with this erring maiden, whose gentle birth ensures some mercy. To your care, my Lord Primate," she continued, turning to Cardinal Pole, I consign the person of Amy Vernon; see that no pains be spared in your endeavours to lead her from her present evil course, and my gratitude will be your due; but should thy mild counsels avail nothing, let tortures of more acute kinds be resorted to;" and she mechanically stretched and wreathed the ermine border of her mantle, as if to represent the convulsions of a sufferer upon the rack. The Cardinal bowed his head lowly in obedience to her commands. "Farewell, sirs," resumed Mary; "on the morrow, at the stated hour, we will meet again, when, my Lord Cardinal, I trust to hear of the success of your labours." She walked slowly to an inner apartment, the tapestried curtain fell over the door-way, and the assembly instantly dispersed. It was now nearly two hours since the yesper bell had sounded, and the same ecclesiastics occupied the Queen's councilchamber, to adopt more rigorous punishments to repress the heretical opinions of the venerable Cranmer, who had lately suffered at the stake. "How fares my noble friend?" said Mary, extending her hand graciously to Cardinal Pole, as he entered the room; I bid thee report speedily of the state of the damsel Amy Vernon; she has doubtless attended to thy counsels, and is willing to accept our pardon on such terms as we may determine on:-is it not so, my Lord ?" "Alas! Madam," he replied; "I grieve to say, she rejects all my advice, and has blindly devoted herself to martyrdom, preferring the funeral pile to the abandonment of her faith unless," he added in a low tone," your Majesty will be graciously pleased to pardon one whose religious opinion is her only fault." "And does not that fault, my Lord, overbalance all her other virtues?" returned the Queen vehemently; "by my throne and sceptre, thou dost amuse me by calling it her only fault. I think I have plainly shewn by the execution of the Lady Jane Grey, that I value not much personal beauties, nor mental accomplishments;" and she laughed long and loudly. None dared to break the silence which succeeded; even the most familiar courtiers feared the violent spirit of their mistress; and until she again spoke, an unbroken stillness pervaded the room. "I crave your pardon, my Lord," said Mary, who cared not to offend the Cardinal; "my speech was prompted by the sudden ebullition of my rage, nor thought I, or intended, to displease you." "Nay, Madam," he replied, "it is not meet for me to listen to your apologies; it would ill become a servant of royalty not to bear the anger of his Sovereign, even had he merited it."-The last words were uttered in a tone of reproach, and the blood rushed forcibly to the face of the Queen. "It is idle to waste more time in hearing farther particulars of Amy Vernon's unyielding obstinacy," exclaimed Bonner, who had till now remained silent; "if it so please your Majesty, the warrant for her execution ought presently to be signed, and speedily carried into effect." "Your advice is both good and reasonable, my Lord," said Mary; and she beckoned to a page, who bore a small ebony table with implements of writing, to her side. She would instantly have signed the parchment, but Cardinal Pole, whose counsel Mary heeded and respected, interposed; saying, "Would your Majesty deign to listen to my entreaties, I humbly would beg a short respite for this unhappy female, whose youth and inexperience entitle her to some leniency.-Could your Majesty behold her grace, and beauty, and hear her mild reasoning, you would, indeed, pity her." 1 Tush!-tush!-my Lord !" interrupted the Queen, impatiently; "thou dost weary us with the recital of her charms. Marry! I do believe thou hast been wounded by the eyes of this Mistress Amy ;-justice, my Lord Cardinal, shall be satisfied whilst I possess the throne of England;" and she again seized the pen to sign the warrant. The meek and gentle Pole, who usually cared not to incense Mary, answered in a firm tone: "I did not suppose so slight a boon would have been denied me; but it would have been wiser had I avoided these meetings altogether, when the advice and requests of those beneath him" (and he looked angrily on Bonner) "are listened to in preference to those of the primate of England, who had far better quit the palace of his Queen, and retire from the |