On this fund there are supported, 1st. a Grammar School, with eighty boys on
the foundation, and as many private boarders; a Commercial School, containing
100 to 150 boys; a National School, of 350 boys, where on the half holidays
170 girls are received, a regular Girls' School and an Infant School.

Beside which, the girls in the hospital for poor children, another branch of
the charity, are taught household duties, needlework, reading and writing. In
these schools the children of all resident parishioners of Bedford's five
parishes are entitled to receive gratuitous instruction. In the National
School twenty-five boys are clothed from a fund left by Alderman Newton, of
Leicester.

The Warden and Fellows of New College, Oxford, are visitors, and appoint the
master and second master of the Grammar School. There are four masters,
viz., the head, with two assistant masters; a mathematical master, and a
writing master. The scholars enjoy the advantage of eight exhibitions, of 80
pounds per annum each, six of which must be bestowed on town boys, the
remaining two may go to boarders.

The cheap and good education attainable as a matter of right in this borough,
have rendered it a favourite resort of half-pay officers and unbeneficed
clergymen, blessed with large families.

The church of St. Paul is large, with a nave and a south aisle, divided by
early English piers and arches. A stone pulpit, ornamented with gilt
tracery, on a blue ground, has been removed in favour of an oak one, with the
chancel. The church of St. Peter has an old Norman door, a fine antique
front, and some curious stained glass in the windows.