DEDICATION. TO THE REV. ROBERT WHISTON, M.A., HEAD MASTER OF THE ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AND SENIOR FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. MY DEAR SIR,-The paternal and patriotic manner in which you have caused to be restored to the Foundation Boys of the Rochester Cathedral Grammar School, a more adequate share of the revenues belonging to the whole Collegiate Body, must be a source of great gratification not only to yourself, but to all those who take an interest in the just appropriation of Educational Trust Funds. Having, myself, been engaged in exposing the maladministrations of Endowed Schools, for between twenty and thirty years, I feel the greatest pleasure in being permitted to dedicate this Autobiography to you; the contents being, as I feel, but a very dry exposition of my wishes to secure public attention to this great national question. I have no doubt that you will agree with me that it is high time these trees of knowledge, planted by pious hands and hearts, were secured for the benefit of the poor and meritorious youth, of both sexes, of the United Kingdom; that these mental storehouses were fairly thrown open to the talents and industry of all those who need and would make a good use of them, and whose claims to participate in the funds of these School Trusts, are as just and well founded, as those of the lawful inheritors of the lands of this country are to the rentals thereof. The fact is now fully established that the benefits intended for the education of poor children, have been taken from the legitimate owners, and lavished upon those who, from their position and profession, ought to have been the first to have maintained their proper uses. Allow me, Sir, in conclusion, to express a hope that the effects of recent legislation, may lead the friends of education to redouble their exertions, and thus ensure a full and equitable restoration of the Endowed Schools of the United Kingdom to those for whose benefit they were founded. I beg to remain, Wolverhampton, October 31st, 1870. My Dear Sir, Yours most faithfully, |