ENTERTAINMENT—On the 11th inst., a concert was given in the National Schoolroom, under the direction of Mr. Warren, the master. A number of songs, glees, and rounds were rendered with great accuracy and musical ability, and interspersed among the vocal performances were several recitations and readings by the scholars. We noticed among the boys, Albert Percival, Fred Perkins, Wilhelm Lewis; and among the girls, Bessie Munns, Beatrice Fisher, Louisa Cox, and Gena Wagstaffe, as reading with specially good emphasis. The last named girl recited Portia's address to Shylock on "Mercy" from the Merchant of Venice, with marked ability. We must not omit to notice also a song by Mr. Warren, the master, which was received with loud and well merited applause, and encored. The room was crowded, and a general feeling was expressed that special pains must have been taken to produce, even with the musical material which the young folk of Rushden are known to furnish, such excellent results. The only performer who was not a scholar was Master Barker, son of the Rector, who gave a recitation in a very creditable manner. A general wish was expressed that the entertainment should be repeated at an early date.

SCHOOL TREAT — On Wednesday last, the scholars attending the National Day and Evening Schools, and the Church Sunday Schools, had their annual treat. At three o'clock a procession was formed, headed by the band of the school, and proceeded through the picturesque grounds of the Hall en route to the Rectory grounds, where the desired tea and cake were awaiting them, but before the whole of the 500 scholars had fairly got seated, a storm came on that threatened to render an adjournment of the feast necessary, and a hasty retreat was beat to the summer and greenhouses. After a short exercise of patience, the clouds parted and the sun broke out, and business was resumed at the tables. Tea over, the band played a selection of very appropriate music, and the scholars competed in races, skipping matches, &c., until half-past seven, when the Rector mounted the platform, and said they were now coming to the most important part of the day's proceedings, viz., to read out the names of those who had obtained prizes and present them to the successful scholars. He said that they might depend on the boy or girl who obtained a prize at school to obtain one in after life. The National School he said, had never had a better report than the last.

The following are the prize-takers:— Claude Green, Win. Lewis, Beatrice Fisher, Sidney Lewis, Kate Corby, Alice Lewis, Fred Alderman, Herb Norwood, Emma Knight, Jane Pashlon, Florence Skinner, Fred Bollard, Harry Percival. Half-timers —Elizabeth Whitbread, Louisa Cox, Charles Denton, Emily Sears, Susan Knight, Sarah Page, Susan Skevington, Emma Clayton, Eliza Ette, Naomi Perkins, Walter Robinson, William Hollace. Honours and certificates were gained by the following:— Wm. Lerks, 14s.; S. Robinson, 1s. 2d.; Beatrice Fisher, 3s. 9d. Claude Green, H. Margetts, and A. Percival had also obtained them, but their money had not arrived.

The prizes having been distributed, certificates of merit were awarded to the following:—M. Clayton, A. Lewis, E, Whitbread, Emma Knight, E. Bailey, P. Minns, M. Wills, S. Warren, A. Denton, C. Hanger, D. Corby, E. Packwood, S. Skevington, E. Hoodley, S. Knight, E. Sears, F. Alderman, W. Lewis, F. Bollard, K. Corby, A. Watts, A. Denton, S. Page, M. Lewis, F. Rhodes, B. Fisher, F. Skinner, J. Pashler, L. Cox, S. Lewis.

The following is the programme of sports:—Flat race for boys under 14 years: Margetts, 1; Denton, 2. Under 10: Childs, 1; Denton, 2. Under 8: Abbot, 1; Dickens, 2. Three legged race: S. Alderman and H. Leigh, 1; Clarke and Dickens, 2. Throwing at Wicket: Allen. Mounted Race: A. Garley, 1; W. Bick, 2. Stick Race: C. Hewit, 1; W. Leigh, 2. Flat Race for Girls under 14: Jane Abbott,1; Ellen Mackness, 2; Elizabeth Whitbread and Emily Childs tied. Skipping Race: E. Knight and Elizabeth Whitbread. 1; Susan Knight and Kate Corby, 2. Skipping Match: Bessie Manns,1; Ellen Perkins, 1.

Cheers for the Rector and the Ladies who had presented the prizes terminated the proceedings.

NATIONAL SCHOOL—The scholars of this were entertained to tea on Wednesday in the beautiful avenue of Rushden Hall Grounds, placed at their disposal by F. U. Sartoris, Esq. There were upwards of 500 children present. After tea a number of athletic sports took place, particulars of which will appear in next week's News, and also the names of the successful day school scholars. Before the meeting, which was a very enjoyable one, broke up, the Rector announced that the National School was in a most satisfactory condition, that the last Government grant received was the largest that had ever been awarded to the school, that they had been able to meet all their liabilities, and that they had a handsome balance in hand to help to meet the expenses of the new school year.

NATIONAL AND CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL SPORTS —In consequence of the wet weather when the tea feast was held the sports were put off until the feast, and last Tuesday week they took place, the weather being beautifully fine. The children greatly enjoyed themselves.

CHILDREN'S CONCERT—On Friday evening a concert was given in the National Schools by 120 of the scholars. The schools were crammed on the occasion, and great praise is due to the teachers for the very efficient manner in which the little ones acquitted themselves. The rounds were taken up in good time and with much spirit, and the whole entertainment evinced that the greatest attention had been paid to the training of the scholars by the teachers. Appended is the programme:—Prologue. Mr. Warren; song, "Eight hundred years ago;" reading, "The little match girl," E. Barwick; round, "Three blind mice;" recitation, "Clarence's dream," Jessie Bird; song and chorus from "H.M.S. Pinafore," Mr. Warren and children; dialogue, "Tea party," the teachers; school song, "To and fro;" reading, "The leaping frog," Mr. Wagstaffe; round, "Do, re, mi, fa;" recitation, "The clucking hen," E. Chettle; Comic music lesson, E. Knight (teacher), M. Packwood (Jane), M. Lewis (Kate), M. Clayton (Annie); song, "Plum pudding;" dialogue, L. Clayton and W. Warren; reading, Rev. Canon Barker; song, "Spring;" reading, "Florrie's dream," E. Partridge; round, "The silver fountain;" play, "The tinkers," G. Butcher, J. Austin, W. Rhodes, F. Denton, M. Knight (servant); recitation, "Edinburgh after Flodden," Miss Wagstaff; duet from "H.M.S. Pinafore," Mrs. Barker and Mr. Warren; song, "The village blacksmith," Rev. A. Secker; play, "The mischievous imps," L. Tassell (apple woman), H. Austin, H. Bird, G. Hollis, W. Hollis, W. Wood, A. Betson, W. Tassell (imps), G. Butcher, and F. Perkins (policemen); dialogue, L. Childs and R. Chettle; round, "Look neighbours, look!" recitation, "The chameleon," F. Perkins; "The mill;" epilogue, H. Percival. At the close of the programme, the Rev. J. T. Barker said he had the pleasing duty to perform of presenting the thanks of between 50 and 60 mothers to Mr. Warren for the interest he had taken in their children, not merely as so many machines into which was to be crammed as much as possible, but as intelligent individuals with moral nature as well as musical requirements, and he hoped that the boys and girls would grow up to be good men and women. The mothers had showed their thanks not only in words but in a more substantial manner, and he was entrusted with a very nice copy of Shakespeare's works to present to Mr. Warren, subscribed for by between 50 and 60 mothers, together with a waiter on which the copy was presented. Mr. Warren, in returning thanks, said the present had taken him quite by surprise. He was glad that his endeavours to do his duty had been appreciated, and with the present staff of the schools a child must be very dull indeed, if the parents sent them regularly, if they did not make a scholar of them. The great difficulty, however, was that many of the parents did not send their children regularly. Many parents at the end of the year would say "Well, my child has been regular, has he not ?" and they were quite surprised when he replied "he has only missed 100 times, or perhaps 150." It was not sufficiently remembered that the half-days now and again quickly tell up. He hoped that they would send their children regularly. He again thanked them for the kind and handsome present. The National Anthem concluded the concert.