Before closing the question of male education, we must not forget that in Queen Anne's time was inaugurated that system of charity schools which has played so prominent a part in our national system of education, and which has not yet been superseded by our Board Schools. Steele (_Spectator_, 380) notices this movement-- 'St. Bride's, May 15, 1712. 'Sir,--'Tis a great deal of Pleasure to me, and I dare say will be no less Satisfaction to you, that I have an Opportunity of informing you that the Gentlemen and others of the Parish of St. Brides have raised a Charity School of fifty Girls as before of fifty Boys. You were so kind to recommend the Boys to the Charitable World, and the other Sex hope you will do them the same Favour in Fridays _Spectator_ for Sunday next, when they are to appear with their humble Airs at the Parish Church of St. Brides. Sir, the Mention of this may possibly be serviceable to the Children: and sure no one will omit a good Action attended with no expence. 'I am, Sir, 'Your very humble Servant, 'THE SEXTON.' At the public thanksgiving for peace in 1713,[16] the charity children were placed in rising rows of seats in the Strand to see the procession pass, and the Queen go to St. Paul's to return thanks--and bitter must have been the disappointment of the little ones at the Queen's absence, on account of illness. [Footnote 16: There is a very large and beautiful engraving of this scene, from which are taken the illustrations of carriages, _post_.]