Wisbech also possesses an excellent Literary Society. It was instituted in 1781: their library, which is well-selected, contains about 2500 volumes. The edu cation of youth is provided for by a free grammar school founded 1379. In the charter of Edward VI, provision is made that "a Schoolmaster learned in the Greek and Latin Languages, shall be supported in the town for ever, at an annual Salary of 121." In 1628, Tho. Parke, Esq., left lands in Cambridgeshire for the use of the Master, which now produce about 601. per annum. In 1638, Mr. Wm. Holmes founded two Scholarships at Magdalene College, Cambridge, for natives of Wisbech, educated at least three years in this School, and which are now worth about 70l. per annum each. The Bishop of Ely is the visitor of the School*. There are also two charity. schools, supported chiefly by voluntary contributions. Wisbech is also one of the Corporations entitled in its turn to Mr. Crane's Charity, mentioned above at page 240. The Dissenters from the Established Church are numerous; consisting chiefly of Quakers, Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyan Methodists. The population of the Town amounts to about 9000. *Thomas Herring, D.D., Archbishop of Canterbury; the present Bishop of Kildare; Thomas Clarkson, Esq., the well-known zealous abolitionist of Slavery, and other eminent men have been educated here. THE GREAT ROADS FROM CAMBRIDGE, WITH THE DISTANCES OF THE DIFFERENT TOWNS, &c. &c. The places printed in Italics are Post-Towns or Stages. |