2-888-766 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Jubilee Dinner of the Clerkenwell Parochial Charity Schools, [London], 1850. 'The Schools were founded...for the purpose of educating and bringing up the children of the poor of the parish of Clerkenwell...from 500 to 600 children have been in daily attendance, of which number 105 boys and 70 girls are clothed as well as educated...The boys are instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic; and the girls, in addition, in needlework. The upper school-room, in which the dinner took place, is a spacious but plain building...The guests numbered 150...the elder children, boys and girls, taking an effective part in the "National Anthem"...walked round the room, and having taken up their appointed stations, an address was spoken by the senior boy and girl; after which the whole school sang a hymn, with good effect. The cleanly and healthy appearance of the children was extremely interesting'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.