Reference
B/717
Title
Draft of letter describing school. 'It has always been deemed that the
pupils should pay for their pens, ink and towards firing .. I think
that with a suitable arrangement .. [it] might be made efficient
for the whole parish both for Boys and Girls. Indeed about 2 years
ago I had some conversation with the master on the subject and it
was my intention to have addressed the Duke of Bedford relatively.
But as I had not a Clergyman in the parish who would assist me in
attending to the duties of the after management, without attempting
to give himself airs, and perhaps availing himself of the
opportunity of throwing his petty spite to the man who had
unwittingly offended him, I thought it as well to let the matter
stand over ... One thing I feel convinced must not openly be
attempted to be done - that is to make the school as a Church School -
it must be a secular school as it now is, but with more attendtion
to Moral Instruction and without the personal interference of the
Clergyman of the parish in his capacity of minister, and with
leaving the religious training to the Sunday Schools'. The mistress
could be one of the present master's daughters or the daughter of the
late vicar. 'I am aware that it would take long before the school
would be well attended, owing to the plait trade ... this evil has
been the main excuse why the school has been so badly attended
hitherto.'
Date free text
c.1855
Production date
From: 1850 To: 1860
Level of description
item