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Cathedral School,  
Carlisle 
   
... 
  
  
CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS. 
   
(Continued from Part I. p.418.) 
  
  
CARLISLE CATHEDRAL. 
   
Crosby-square August 16. 
  
Mr. URBAN, 
  
OF all the English Cathedrals the Church of Carlisle seems  
to have presented the most barren field for Antiquarian  
research; and the more recent history of the Choristers is  
so unsatisfactory, that I enter upon the subject with  
considerable reluctance. We are informed that a community of 
Christians, including a School, was settled at Carlisle  
before the close of the seventh century; and this Foundation 
was elevated to a Bishopric by Henry I. As to the School,  
the immediate object of this enquiry, we can only trace its  
existence from being incidentally mentioned in the Valuation 
of Pope Nicholas; whence we learn that the Church of Dalston 
was charged with an annual payment for its support. 
  
This Cathedral,during the middle ages, was a Priory of  
Augustine Canons; and at the Dissolution was re-endowed by  
Henry VIII. for a Dean, Archdeacon, four Prebendaries, and  
eight Minor Canons, with Lay Clerks, Choristers, and  
Schoolmasters; agreeing in all essential points with other  
ecclesiastical establishments by the same founder. 
  
The Royal Grammar School, if it be still in existence, is  
not of sufficient importance to be noticed in the local  
Histories of the City and Cathedral; and it is, doubtless,  
from the same cause that the Musick School has likewise  
escaped observation; and little information can be collected 
beyond the following general outline: 
  
The Choristers, six in number, are chosen by the Dean and  
Chapter. They have occasional lessons in singing from the  
organist; but whether they receive any other instructions,  
literary, moral, or religious, and in what manner they  
usually settle in life, I have vainly endeavoured to learn.  
Perhaps some of your Correspondents residing in Caralisle  
may favour our Readers with a communication on the subject. 
  
M.H. 
  
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