Woodhouse Grove School : Memorials and Reminiscences. By J. T.
Ellngg. (T. Woolmer.)—Woodhouse Grove was bought by the Wes- leyan Conference and opened as a school for the sons of ministers in 1812. In 1882 it was transferred to a company, the scholars being removed to another Wesleyan institution at Kingswood, a name famous in the annals of the community. The chief value of this record will be, of course, for the old scholars ; but there are some interesting details of life and manners as they were half a century, more or less, ago, and especially of the affairs of the Wesleyan body ; nor are there wanting matters of some importance in the history of education. Wes- leyanism was then a much humbler affair than it is now. What would be said now if the principle of " circulating " preachers were carried so far that the successor took up not only the place but the very garments of his predecessor ? Here is an item in the accounts of the connexion :—" 7s. 6d. for turning the preacher's coat, and making it fit the second preacher." So Woodhouse Grove had humble beginnings. Eleven acres were purchased for 21,411 9s. The first school-room was a barn, and the stables served for a chapel. The first governor had 2100 a year, and his wife as much more. By degrees the school grew, developing in every way. The progress is related by Mr. Slugg with the affectionate fulness of old associations, not without inter- spersing some entertaining anecdotes. We cannot say much for the Latin of Mr. Francis Derry's speech delivered at the Leeds Conference in 1824. "Qua= perpenderemus beneficia et, sense enuncianda pntamus " is a curious sequence of tenses.
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