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S. NICOLAS COLLEGE, LANCING.

THERE must be many, one would hope, among the readers of a Church magazine who take a lively interest in the Christian education of the younger members of the flock; and if ever there was a time when such interest would be excited, it is surely at a time like the present, when educational matters are in so great a turmoil, and numberless sects of people are loud in recommending each its special nostrum which is to cure the disease that confessedly exists.

Now the great scheme of education, of whose operations S. Nicolas College, Lancing, is the head-quarters, may be said, perhaps, to represent the contribution which the Church is bringing to the universal collection of intellectual medicines. The originator of this scheme would seem to have in a measure foreseen the coming trouble, and to have been wise in time. Some twenty-four or twenty-five years ago he applied to the then Bishop of Chichester for leave to open, under the Bishop's auspices, a school in his dining-room. Leave was readily granted: the seed sown grew and flourished, and is at the present time bearing fruit in the education of nearly a thousand boys of different positions in society. The three schools already at work are all in the diocese of Chichester, but a movement is being made in the diocese of Lichfield, and it is in contemplation to multiply to a considerable extent the number of these schools, according as funds are provided. The boys in the whole of them are liberally educated according to their station, and above all, they are edified in the “faith once delivered to the Saints."

It was about a year since that we first visited Lancing College. We felt interested in the scheme, and having heard chiefly about it from the revilings which in earlier days, like all other good works, it did not escape, we were the more desirous to see something of its internal economy.

A hot and dusty walk it is generally from Shoreham station over the muddy river Adur, which here falls into the sea, up to the goodly pile of buildings which form the College. But when we reach the place we cannot help admiring the beauty and healthiness of the situation. On a hill which slopes gently from the sea, and continues its ascent beyond the college, stands a mass of buildings of the Decorated style

of architecture. One is at first lost in a maze of cloisters, corridors, and staircases, which imperatively demands a guide for the stranger. But a guide being forthcoming, we are able to appreciate the conve-. nient structure of the pile, and have only to lament that it is still in an unfinished state, we see the school-room, class-rooms, the rooms assigned to the masters, &c., from the windows of all of which is seen a magnificent prospect, the situation commanding an enormous district both of land and sea. We visit the dormitories; then we pass to the temporary chapel, which, when the full design of the buildings is completed, will be used as a library. It is plainly but correctly fitted up; the service was devotional and hearty; the singing (unaccompanied by the organ, it being Friday) well rendered; the behaviour of all present reverent in the extreme. May the services before very many years have passed away be held in the splendid building now rising slowly by the side of the college hall, a building which in size and costliness will recall rather than aught else, one of the old cathedrals of mediæval days. If carried out according to the present design it will be more lofty than Westminster Abbey, and will have a tower, only some fifty feet lower than the dome of S. Paul's. The hall which we have mentioned above is well worthy of the grand idea of the rest of the buildings. A lofty open roof of wood is surmounted by a lantern rising to a considerable height; while at the end of the hall is a recess for an organ and gallery for singers, and underneath a large crypt-like sort of space, which is at present, we understand, generally in use for meals. ̧

We need hardly say that from what we saw of both masters and boys on our first visit, we were convinced that a good and earnest work was going on, and that we were not indisposed to make a second visit if opportunity offered. This year it was our good fortune to be present on the prize day, and a goodly company was assembled. It was a sound pleasant and somewhat novel to our ears to hear the hymn chanted in procession sounding through the cloister, first indistinctly and then clearer and clearer till the organ joined its notes as the choir entered the chapel door. A hearty Te Deum was followed by an excellent and practical sermon from Dr. Lowe, the vice-provost of the college, and head master of S. John's school, Hurstpierpoint. We were then invited to the distribution of prizes in the school-room. Several prizes were given, and all the prize-winners were most heartily received by their schoolfellows. After this there followed an excellent luncheon, and a capital concert closed the events of the day. May Lancing College

and its kindred schools flourish and increase manifold, and may their noble founder long live to see his great plan still more and more successful and triumphant. May many more like-minded rise up around him, and by their sympathy and liberal contributions cheer him in his arduous work. If England is to be ever all Christian, the youth of England must be brought up in the faith. Let all remember the college motto, Qui diligit Deum, diligat et fratrem suum, and recollect also that in CHRIST all are brethren. Surely if we love our brother we would lead him to the green pastures whence springs the living water, and which lead to the right hand of GOD, where are "pleasures for evermore."

H. R. J.

AIMS AND RESULTS OF WORKHOUSE VISITING.

It was with some hesitation that the following sketches were written, a hesitation arising from the same cause that originated their production. After reading the interesting articles "On Workhouses," which appeared in the pages of a contemporary some time ago, I felt greatly tempted to offer my quota of experience in furtherance of the views therein expressed, while at the same time I was deterred by the consciousness that I could add little to the information already given.

But as this record is simply of a personal character, an account of my first visits to one of these Institutions, and of the inmates with whom I came in contact, I have ventured to yield to the desire of joining in the earnest appeal made in the articles referred to, not attempting a repetition of what has been so well set forth by an abler pen, nor desiring to attach any importance to my own limited and insufficient efforts, but animated with a like hope of inciting those whose time is yet their own to aid in a work where aid is really needed.

For in sad truth, the field is so vast and the labourers still so few, that the utmost one person can do is little compared with what remains to be done, even in a single house, and one can only work on, hope and learn to be content with seeming defeat, if need be.

Before entering on my narrative or endeavouring to enlist any sympathy for those in whose behalf I write, I would suggest that many of the difficulties that beset the path of District visiting for members of

families, in the case of Workhouse visiting are either non-existent or partly removed.

There is little danger of infection, the precautions taken being very great with regard to those who enter and to the periodically allowed communication with their friends outside; there is no fear of intruding on the homeless, nor is there any difficulty in searching out the needy and ascertaining the reality of their distress, for there, the very poorest of GOD's poor are assembled, bad and good—all in want, many in trouble and sickness, and therefore more impressionable than at other times.

And in real life, as well as Dickens' novels, superintendents and nurses are occasionally harsh and coarse, more through ignorance or carelessness, and unfitness for the almost absolute power placed in their hands, than from intentional cruelty. In these instances the influence of Lady Visitors is most beneficial, both as check and encouragement to these officials in their daily life.

Even where the best of management prevails, where the paupers themselves unanimously testify to the uniform kindness they receive, there is still a wide scope for doing good, especially in the infirmaries; a kind word, a friendly face goes far to lighten the long weary hours passed through by numbers of sick and dying who are shut out from the world and are utterly friendless.

It was during my recovery from a severe illness, and while still striving against the depression consequent on a long privation of physical and mental nourishment, that the idea of visiting the Union first occurred to me or at least took definite form.

And to my surprise, I found on inquiry that visitors were in request, that only two ladies could be found to undertake the task out of a large and thickly populated town, where the district visitors were numerous, with a powerful staff of Sisters, black, brown, and grey, generally foremost in every good work. "That it was rough work," was the explanation offered, but as timidity does not characterise my sex where good is to be done, I was inclined to think some other obstacle stood in the way.

The required permission was easily obtained from the guardians, and after being formally proposed, seconded, and appointed as one of the "Lady Visitors," I started off on the first fine day, in total ignorance of the duties that lay before me. On arriving at the workhouse, a large, rather handsome red brick building, situated a mile from the town, I was ushered into the master's office to write my name

in a book kept to record each visit, and presented with a paper of regulations (a few necessary restrictions only).

The matron then took me through the ten wards in which visiting was permitted, (where the able-bodied were at work I could not go,) and after a cursory glance at each, the day's business concluded. It took me some time to get acquainted with the rooms, which I shall describe in the order in which I first saw them, and if I seem unnecessarily prolix in the details, it will be owing to my great desire to draw attention to the variety of disposition and character among the inmates, best shown in their conversations, which, if not very remarkable, will sufficiently point out to the observant, the opportunities for studying mankind they may find in a workhouse.

The next time I went there an elderly woman received me, and conducting me through a long cool corridor, unlocked a door that led to the " Aged Women's" department, a suite of rooms (to each of which was attached a lavatory,) opening on a piece of garden.

I entered the first room, a lofty apartment, furnished only with a table and forms, a few plants and coloured prints added by way of ornamentation.

The old women were seated in picturesque groups working busily. I was struck by the un-English aspect of the scene, due to the pretty quaint costume they were attired in. It was simple enough, print dresses, with little square shawls neatly pinned across, white aprons, and spotless frilled caps, like those worn by French peasants.

They were glad of a new visitor, and in a few minutes the chattering was freely resumed. They seemed contented, and spoke warmly of the matron's care and kindness; they only disliked the confinement and monotony, while recognising the necessity of both. But they occupy themselves with needlework, and a host of small interests soon arise to reconcile them to their lives.

They looked healthy, and were so vigorous in mind and body that I could hardly believe that many of them were over eighty. A certain amount of etiquette prevails among them; when I begged them to resume their seats, which they had quitted in deference to a stranger, one poor old woman whose place had been taken, remained standing. This called down a sharp rebuke from her neighbours, and the offender subsided into a chair. But the dictatorial old ladies were by no means appeased, and I heard several muttered asides of "so rude," "looks as if we didn't know manners," &c. They asked for some books, and