The Statutes of the Free School at Wem. of the clock in the morning; those in the several villages remote from the town, by seven at the farthest, at which time the head master shall also be there. From the 29th of September, to the 25th of March, those in the town of Wem, and the under masters shall be in school by seven o'clock, thosė in the villages, by eight, at which time the head master shall likewise be present. Their departure to dinner shall be at eleven, their return at one; and their departure in the afternoon shall be at five, unless the master shall think fit to permit those that come from the farthest villages, to depart sooner, because of the darkness of the season. The bell shall be rung both morning and afternoon, for them that reside in the town, to come to school. For due observation of the schoolmasters in school time, they shall not be absent from their charge, if they be in health, the head master not above twenty days in one year, the under schoolmaster not above fifteen days in one year, at one, or several times without the consent of the trustees, or the greater part of them. Provided always that there be but one absent at a time. And if any urgent occasion, or cause, as sickness, shall inforce them to be absent, they shall cause their places to be supplied by sufficient deputies in their respective absences. The Statutes of the Free School at Wem. The head masters may grant the scholars leave to play one day in a fortnight, that is to say, twentysix whole days in the year; provided the masters do not let them play two whole days in one week. If any parishioner shall obtain leave of the master for the scholars to play, he shall give the master for the benefit of the school, 1s. and if a foreigner, 2s. The master is to give an account of the play-days, and the obtainers of them to the treasurer, which treasurer is to be one of the feoffees; and is to be élected at Easter, and to continue for one year, and then to give an account of his receipts and disbursements, unto the others of the feoffees, or the major part of them. The school shall break up a week before the nativity of Christ, and on the Wednesday before Easter, and Whitsuntide; and the scholars are to return to school the 7th of January, unless it be on a Friday, or Saturday, and if it be then on the Monday following, and on the Monday after Easter and Whitsun-week. Every morning at the repairing to school, prayer shall be used, and some part of the canonical scripture read, and in the evening in like-manner; and a psalm sung whenever the master shall think fit. And every scholar shall have a bible, that all may receive benefit by these christian exercises. Bb The Statutes of the Free School at Wem. The master shall one day in every week, catechise the scholars in the principles of the christian religion. The day is to be referred to the master's discretion. For the keeping of the school, and the entrance thereof sweet and clean, every scholar shall pay a penny per quarter, to the master, who shall appoint one to see it done accordingly. The number of forms in the whole school under the chief and second masters, shall be six or seven at the most. And the scholars shall be instructed in such authors, and perform such exercises, as the masters, with the advice of the visitors; shall judge convenient for every form. The under masters shall observe the directions of the head master in the teaching of the scholars under them, and for the good government of the school. The school masters shall especially be careful of the demeanor and behaviour of the scholars, to prevent, and suppress all swearing, cursing, and taking the name of God in vain, sabbath breaking, stealing, lying, filthy talking, gaming, tipling, drunkenness, quarrelling, and any other vice whatsoever; and once weekly shall keep general corrections, for the punishing of those that offend, in these, or any other offences appertaining to scholars. The Statutes of the Free School at Wem. If any scholar shall stubbornly refuse to submit himself to his master's obedience in these statutes, or any other which the master shall appoint, for the better disciplining of the school, and scholars, to the advancement of learning, and religion, or shall prove so corrupt in manners, that his example shall become hurtful, he shall be expelled from this school, and without manifest appearance of amendment and repentance, be never thereunto again admitted. If any scholar shall remove from this school to another, or absent himself from school without the master's leave first obtained, the space of fourteen days, except in case of sickness, the parent of such scholar shall pay for his re-admission, one shilling at least. Whereas many inhabitants of ability within this parish are backward, and unwilling to contribute to this so good a work; and many not of ability at present to promote the same, yet in process of time, they, or their heirs may be found able and willing to advance the said school; and whereas many hereafter may come into the said parish, of ability; it is desired that such persons may be invited to contribute to so good a work, for which purpose, the chief master and the trustees shall admit of the same in love, and of such sum, or sums of money, as in discretion shall be thought fit according to their respective abilities, which sum, or sums of money The Statutes of the Free School at Wem. are to be set forth at the discretion of trustees, for the advancement of the schoolmaster's stipends, and for the farther encouragement of them in their places and charges. CONCERNING THE UPPER MASTER. He shall be a man orthodox in religion, pious, and sober in conversation, and able to instuct in the latin and greek languages. Let him be tried by the visitors; and being approved of by them, let him be chosen, and instituted in the school by the feoffees, or the major part of them; and at his installing in the school, let the statutes be read unto him, and let him promise the observance of them; and let him give security, that if he shall afterwards prove scandalous in his life, negligent in his calling, or otherwise faulty in the breach of any of these statutes, and shall be adjudged by the major part of the said feoffees, he shall upon a quarter's warning, given in writing, under their hands, and left at the school, or his house, depart the school, and school-house, and give place to another to be chosen in such manner as hereinafter is expressed, CONCERNING THE SECOND MASTER. He shall be in like-manner a man orthodox in religion, of pious and sober conversation, learned, |