Christs Hospital

Christ's Hospital, a large London school, at present situated in Newgate Street, on the site of a monastery of grey friars, and well-known to Londoners and the country at large, both by the quaint Tudor dress of its boys and from the advantages it bestows on many English boys. The yellow stockings, belt, bands, and long coat are still retained, but the cap has long since been discarded for the bare head, and the yellow petticoat was abolished in 1865; and possibly when the contemplated removal of the school into the country is brought about, the epoch may be marked by the adoption of a modern style of dress. The school takes boys from the age of 8 to 10, and retains them till 15 or 16, aiding them to start in life upon leaving. Boys who rise to the rank of Grecians remain longer, and are enabled to go with exhibitions to Oxford or Cambridge. At present the accommodation is for 1,100 boys and 90 girls, there being a tributary school in Hertford for 450 boys and 450 girls, of whom the boys are drafted to London as their age increases. The government is vested in the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, and twelve Common Council men, and donors of £500. The institution possesses an income of £5,800, which will be greatly increased if its removal sets free for disposal the present site, and possesses some church patronage. The original building was burnt in the Great Fire. Its successor was designed by Sir C. Wren. The present building, from the designs of Mr. Shaw, was erected in 1825. The Great Hall comes next to Westminster Hall for proportions. The education is classical, though provision is made for modern requirements. Many notable men have proceeded from Christ's Hospital, among them Coleridge and Lamb.