Decidedly the best (and the earliest) of the old schools, was one founded in connection with the Scots' Church, and thefirstschoolhouse erected was a historical brick building, close to the first Kirk, in 1839. T h e Wesleyans were early and assiduous in the same way, and so were the Episcopalians, the R o m a n Catholics, and the Independents. T h efirstScots' School teachers were Robert Campbell and John M'Lure. T h e first R o m a n Catholic ditto, Peter Bodecin, and the following advertisement in the Port Phillip Gazette, dated 27th April, 1839, probably indicates the first regular Church of England preceptor. " M r . W . M . Abbot purposes opening a school for children for both sexes, in the Episcopalian Church, on the 29th. Hours of attendance, from 9 to 12, and 2 to 4 ; terms ranging from 20s. to 10s. per quarter, to be paid in advance." In 1840, a Mr. James Clarke was a teacher at St. James', and Mr. John Lynch at St. Francis'. T h e Port Phillip Expenditure for 1841, as voted by the Legislature of N e w South Wales, includes an item of ,£750 " In aid of the establishment, and in support of schools, on condition of sums to an equal amount being raised by private contributions." T h e condition of the State-aided schools of the Province on the 1st January, 1842, is thus indicated in Kerr's Port Phillip Directory for that year :—•
SCHOOL ESTABLISHMENT.
Inspector of Schools—Frederick Berkley St. John, Esq., P.M.
SCOTS' SCHOOL.
Masters—Messrs. Robert Campbell and John M'Lure. Teacher of Sacred Music—Mr. William Tydeman. The Scots' School is conducted mainly on the Glasgow training system, under the direction of five Managers, appointed annually in January, as follow:—(1). T h e Minister of the Scots' Church for the time being. (2). T w o elected by the Trustees of the church property. (3). T w o elected by such persons as m a y have contributed either one pound to the erection of the schoolhouse, or two pounds during the preceding twelve months, to the support of the school or schoolmaster. The following are the Managers :—Rev. James Forbes, ex officio; Rev. James Clow and George Sinclair Brodie, Esq., elected by the Trustees ; James Oliphant Denny, Esq., and David Elliot Wilkie, Esq., elected by the contributors.
CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL.
Master—Mr. James Smith. Managers—The Minister and Trustees of the Independent Chapel. The Congregational School is conducted as far as practicable, upon the system of the British and Foreign School, Borough Road, London.
ST. JAMES' SCHOOL.
Master—Mr. William Anthony Brown.
ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
Schoolmaster—Mr. John Lynch. Schoolmistress—Mrs. Mary Lynch. N.B.—Besides the above, there are several very excellent educational establishments in Melbourne, but these are the only ones attached to any particular religious denominations, or receiving State support. O n 30th September, 1843, Educational Returns were furnished to the Police Magistrate showing the results from the schools established in the County of Bourke, to be ;—
