e to
quit, at the end of six months, for neglect of his duties. He refused to
give up office, counsel's opinion was taken by the Governors, Mr. L'Oste
pleaded in his own defence. The Governors gave notice of a trial at the
assizes. No result, however, is recorded, and Mr. L'Oste retained office
until his death in 1818.

[Picture: The Grammar School]

The year 1854 marked the close of the career of the most remarkable Head
Master who ever ruled the school. The Rev. John Bainbridge Smith, D.D.,
had entered on his duties April 10, 1818, succeeding Mr. L'Oste. Coming
to the post as an entirely unknown man, of comparatively humble origin,
but of great energy, he soon acquired a leading position in the town and
neighbourhood; becoming Rector of Martin, Rector of Sotby, and Vicar of
Baumber. He was the author of several standard works on Divinity. Under
him the school achieved such a reputation that, besides the day scholars,
he had a large number of boarders coming from Scotland, Ireland,
Devonshire, London, and even Jersey and France. His end was
unfortunately as remarkable as his career. Returning by train from
Lincoln he fell asleep, and being roused at Kirkstead by the porter
giving the name of the station, and the night being dark, he did not
perceive that the train was again in motion, and springing out of the
carriage, he fell a few yards beyond the platform and broke his neck.
The porter found him lying helpless, but alive, on the line. He was
carefully conveyed to his residence at Horncastle, and lingered alive
several weeks, retaining his mental faculties, but having no sense of
feeling below his neck. At length he recovered slight feeling in his
legs and feet, and probably tempted by this to make an effort to move, he
was found one morning dead in his bed.

The Duke of Newcastle, who owned property in Baumber (where, as we have
said, Dr. Smith was Incumbent), appointed him his private chaplain; and
the Doctor's youngest daughter, Sarah Katherine, married the Rev. Henry
Fiennes Clinton, a near relative of the Duke, and a descendant of the
founder of the school, Lord Clinton and Saye.

The school building has not always occupied the site on which it now
stands. As shewn in Stukeley's plan of the town, printed in 1722, it
stood in the north-east corner of the school yard. In 1772 that
structure was found to be in a ruinous condition, and the present
building was erected, being op