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BIRMINGHAM FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Amongst the numerous establishments of this country dedicated to the instruction of youth, "THE BIRMINGHAM FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL," founded the fifth of King Edward VI., is rapidly rising in importance. The following brief summary of its conduct, its laws, and its arrangements, is abridged from the Act of Parliament which regulates its management, and from other authentic sources. Letters patent were granted on the second of January, 1552, for transferring the possession of a religious establishment entitled "The Guild of the Holy Cross," of the clear annual value of £21., to twenty inhabitants of Birmingham, who were created a body corporate and elective of themselves in perpetuity. The governors thus appointed possess a common seal, and, with the advice of the Bishop of the Diocese, have the government of the school-the appointment of masters, whose stipends they regulate—and the preservation and disposition of the revenues. In conformity with the charter, the governors were formerly chosen from the inhabitants of Birmingham alone; but by a recent enactment, persons duly qualified, whose residence does not exceed four miles from the town, are considered eligible to act in that capacity.

The Grammar School is conducted by a head master and second master, with an assistant to each, and likewise a writing master. The two first mentioned are required to be Masters of Arts of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and in Holy Orders. The head master is permitted to take eighteen boarders, and the second master twelve.

The youths who are candidates for admission into the school are ineligible unless they can read and write English, and are above eight years of age; nor are they allowed to continue after they have completed their nineteenth year. Boys who are not sons of inhabitants of Birmingham are required to pay for their education such sum as the governors shall determine.

There are ten exhibitions of £50 a year each, paid half-yearly, to be held four years, with a certain residence, founded for boys who shall go to the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge; two exhibitions one year, and three another, alternately. The candidates are examined, and their names arranged according to their respective excellence in classical learning. In case no candidates appear for exhibitions who are sons of the inhabitants of Birmingham, the governors may assign them to any other candidates, provided they

shall have been three years in the school prior to the annual visitation. Should a death take place during the four years, the governors may re-appoint; but the exhibitions remain vacant if there are not a sufficient number of boys qualified.

An annual visitation is held in Easter week, at which three examiners attend, who are required to be resident members of one of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, of not less than seven years standing; and who have taken the degree of Master of Arts, or Bachelor of Civil Law. A general examination of the boys takes place at that time, to ascertain their proficiency in the classics, and their knowledge of the fundamental principles and doctrines of the Christian religion.

As some important changes in the system of instruction, calculated to extend the usefulness of the school, are now under the consideration of the governors, we defer entering upon that subject till the improved plans shall be matured.

A wise regulation has been enacted relative to publishing the accounts of this Institution. It is decreed-" That an abstract of the accounts of the income and expenditure of the revenues of the school estates shall be hereafter published by the governors once in the month of June, in every year, in some one newspaper printed within the said town of Birmingham." The gross annual revenue of this Institution at present amounts to about £4000 per annum ; an income which is continually augmented by the termination of existing leases.

We present our readers with a north and south view, and likewise a ground plan, of the magnificent building now erecting for the Grammar School, engraved by T. Kearnan, under the direction of Mr. Barry; who has recently enhanced the fame his distinguished talents as an architect had previously acquired, by his much-admired designs for the New Houses of Parliament.

The accompanying illustrations so clearly define the character and plan of the building as to render any lengthened technical description of the designs unnecessary. We have, therefore, abridged an account of this beautiful edifice from The Companion to the Almanack.

"The design embodies an adaptation of the collegiate, and civil, and ecclesiastical pointed architecture of the third period of what is commonly called Gothic architecture, or more particularly of the time of the Tudor line of English sovereigns; and is a distinguished proof that novel and beautiful combinations may be made of classical materials, without either servile copying, or tame imitation.