And, subject to the payment of my debts ... I give and bequeath all the residue of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever to the Mayor and Corporation of the port of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the county of York, wherewith to found and endow a Grammar School in their town on the model of the Grammar Schools at Birmingham and Dulwich, for the training of intelligence in whatever social rank of life it may be found amongst the vast and varied population of the town and port of Hull. The amount of money thus bequeathed was roughly £200,000. But, unfortunately for the testator’s wishes, the will was declared to be null and void, because by the use of the words ‘found and endow’ it violated an ancient law. By the _Statute of Mortmain_, passed by Parliament in the year 1279, money might not be left to found and endow what was really a religious institution. Had the will said ‘to found _or_ endow,’ things would have been all right. But, as it was, the _Statute of Mortmain_, though passed six hundred years before, was then still the law of the land; and in the eyes of the law the testator’s wishes counted for nought. [Illustration: _Photo by_] Hymers College. [_Turner & Drinkwater_ ] However, by the goodwill and generosity of the younger of the two brothers, a sum of £50,000 was devoted to the carrying out of Dr. John Hymers’ wishes. With this the estate known as the Botanic Gardens was purchased and the College buildings erected, a portion being set aside to provide the necessary endowment for carrying on the school. Within the last few years the Mayor and Corporation have provided funds for the addition of a wing devoted to the teaching of Science and Art. * * * * * [Illustration: A TYPICAL SCHOOL ON THE YORKSHIRE WOLDS—LUTTONS AMBO.] Right through the nineteenth century efforts were being made to give a real education to the poorer classes. The great force at work during the early years of the century was the _National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor_. This Society was established in 1809, and by 1831 had more than 1300 schools; all of which were not only built but also carried on by voluntary subscriptions. Ten years ago there were 173 NATIONAL SCHOOLS in the East Riding. By the _Education Acts_ of 1870 and 1880 a system of elementary education was established, and in 1891 this education became free. [Illustration: _Photo by_] [_Parrish & Berry_ A Modern City Council School, Southcoates Lane, Hull. ]