than any other heretofore published: Ve'rie necessarie for all men. Nothing without labour. All things with reason."
Notwithstanding the circulation in print of the treatises above mentioned, which were to teach to reckon in a speedier and more complete method than had been hitherto pursued, is there not scope for a conjecture whether the proficients were as numerous as might reasonably have been expected under these advantages! The entries in the churchwardens books of accounts being made as far as yet has been traced in the Latin numerals, and indeed the very few specimens now remaining of practical Arithmetick in the vulgar figures, afford a presumptive proof in support of the surmise. And it is further observable, that so late as the year 1595, persons were taught to reckon with counters, most of them unquestionably because they were illiterate; and probably it might be found on examination, that there were then very few schools established, or encouraged by voluntary contributions, for instructing the children of the lower class of people in reading, writing, and cyphering[1].
Of
- ↑ By a statute of the Grammar School founded at Sandwich, A. 1580, by sir Robert Manwood, "Every scholler hereafter to be admitted to be hable before his admission to write competentlie and to read perfectlie both English and Lattyne. Such as are already placed in the schole to attaine writing competentlie within one quarter of a yere next comminge, or else to attain the same." (Collections for History of Sandwich, by William Boys, Esq. p. 226.) But in a note the founder grants a further latitude and indulgence. "I do ordain when sufficient place in the school-house is more than to suffice the Grammar scholars, than one convenient person that can write well shall in the said school-house teach scholars to read and write; to be appointed by the mayor and jurates, and have a stipend yearlie of 4lb. And that during such teaching no other person shall be permitted within the town to teach writing of English, unless licenced by the mayor and jurates." May not this be an unique instance of a prohibition and monopoly adapted to prevent the progress of youth in learning their native language? The founder must have meant by writing competentlie to write legibly, which can hardly be said of himself, judging from the fac simile epistle published by
Mr.
