J

HISTORY

OF THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS

OF

ADULT SCHOOLS:

WITH AN ACCOUNT

Of some of the beneficial effects already produced

ON THE

MORAL CHARACTER OF THE LABOURING POOR;

ALSO,

Considerations on the important advantages of which they are
likely to be productive to Society at large;

WITH

AN APPENDIX,

CONTAINING,

RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ADULT SCHOOL SOCIETIES,
AND FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
SCHOOLS, &c.

BY THOMAS POLE, M. D.

Member of the Committee of the Bristol Society for Instructing
the Adult Poor to read the Holy Scriptures.

BRISTOL, PRINTED:

NEW-YORK,

RE-PRINTED AND SOLD BY SAMUEL WOOD,
NO. 357, PEARL-STREET.

PREFACE.

THE writer of the following sheets does not flatter himself with any expectation of gratifying the admirers of fine composition; the display of superior talents would not have been his object, had he possessed them; neither would the narration of simple facts and circumstances, relative to the establishment of schools, the modes of education, or the effects already produced, afford a source favourable for yielding much entertainment to those who are likely to peruse this little work. To give such information as may prove interesting and useful to those who may be disposed to promote the education of adults, has been the sole object the Author has kept in view, through the whole of the present undertaking,

The reader will doubtless observe, in the perusal, some peculiarities of expression: such as the numerical names of the months, and days of the week; as well as the omission of certain titles, usually affixed to the names of ecclesiastical persons, and some of other descriptions; these he will candidly consider resulting from the well-known sentiments and customs of the society of Friends, to which the writer belongs.

The subscribers to this Narrative were given to expect that it would have been laid before the public by the commencement of the present year; but the progress of the Author has been arrested by a succession of unforeseen circumstances, principally arising from the delay of persons in distant places, on whom he was dependent for information respecting certain parts of the publication; this he hopes, will not be materially detrimental to the cause he ardently wishes to promote

Previously to any part of this History's going to the press, the Author did not calculate upon its extending beyond sixty or seventy pages; under that idea, he fixed the price at two shil