[R.H. Benson, priest; Girls' School in India] Autograph Letter Signed R.M. Benson about his Society organising a Superior Girls School in Bombay, asking Madam his correspondent's, help in finding a suitable Headmistress.
Four pages, 12mo, bifolium, some faint staining, text clear and complete. I hope you will excuse my troubling you, but as you are often corresponding with ladies of a literary turn, it has occurred to me that you might be able to help me to find what I want. Our Society is just organising a Superior Girls School in Bombay. We want a throughly ladylike person to be the Head of it, a good Churchwoman & an efficient teacher. It would rank in England as a Superior Middle Class School. | If you happen to know of any suitable person I should be very glad to open up some negotiation with her. | We should expect to provide her with board & lodging in the School. If she also needs some salary we should be ready to give it - but the school although of the utmost importance is unlikely to pay its way. | At present it is being carried on by a teacher obtained upon the spot but she is not suited for a permanence. | The School was opened at the beginning of August [...] | The Diocesan School will probably hand over the girls to us but it is being started [...]. | At present there is nothing but Roman Schools to which girls or boys can be sent [with any such idea of education?]. It is very important for the Church to take up the work. | The Romans do no Mission work but are only zealous in its School work. | We hope eventually to have Sisters come out in charge of the School [...]. We should expect her to be pledged to us for three years.