Extracts
from this pamphlet held in the British Library have been made by Helen
Longworth:
Plan of the School of Carrickmacross
under the direction of the Rev Mr Carpendale
Dublin
MDCCLXXXI
Dedication:
To His Grace the Most Reverend, the Right Honourable Richard, Lord Baron Rokeby,
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
and to John, Lord Bishop of Clogher
and to the Right Honourable John Holy Hutchinson, Provest of Trinity College, Dublin
Joint-Visitors of the Free Grammar-School of Carrickmacross, County of Monaghan.
This Plan of Education is with all due deference and humility submitted by their dutiful and obedient servant
Thomas Carpendale, Master
Late Student of St John’s College, Cambridge.
Contents:
The first few pages comprise a detailed description of the classical
studies to be taught in the First Form through to the Eighth Form
(mostly Latin based with some Greek in later Forms).
The First Form is normally to be entered at age 8. Forms One to Seven
are normally expected to be completed in 8 years, five of these having
a years duration and two having an 18 month duration. At age 16 “
such scholars as are intended for university may go off well prepared
at the age of 16 ”
The pamphlet continues with mention of other subjects to be taught and the role of recesses; relevant extracts are:
“Having been thus particular in describing the classical
department of his school Mr Carpendale does not think it necessary to
insist equally on other. The greatest attention, however, will be paid
to the French language, writing and Arithmetic …”
“Another object, which though mentioned last is by no means of
least importance which will be kept constantly in view; which is the
Correct Language and Accent of the English Language. And here it may
not be amiss to recommend the sending of children early to good
schools; for, when they have once acquired a provincial dialect, some
traces of it will always remain, notwithstanding every endeavour to
efface them.”
“There will be two recesses in the Year, one of four weeks at
Christmas and the other of six at Midsummer, which it is hoped will not
be considered by parents as times of mere idleness. Some relaxation
ought in reason to be allowed and this will be found in the variety
itself, but, if boys are once permitted to lose sight of every object
of improvement their minds can never be properly bent to business at
School. One half of their time is generally thrown away in recollecting
and relating to past amusements, the other in anticipating and
magnifying those that are to come. Such Parents as have opportunity may
prevent these bad effects by causing children to be taught during the
recess Writing, French, Dancing, Geography, the Use of Globes and other
studies which though necessary are neither so important as Classical
Knowledge, nor so difficult to be attained. But some persons will be
prevented by situation from putting this part of the scheme into
practice and others differing in opinion may chose to have their sons
instructed in these accomplishments at School, proper masters will
attend regularly for this purpose. “
“ Carrickmacross Oct 1 1781. “
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