[Bishop Colenso; sometime schoolmaster] Substantial Autograph Letter Signed J W Colenso, when a teacher at Harrow, reporting to a parent concerning their son.

Four pages, 19 x 23cms, fold marks, small closed tear, aging, but basically good condition, with text clear and complete. He begins by reporting on the health issues and treatment of a pupil returning to his family home, detailing his good conduct 'both public and private', and noting his tring to curb his 'excitability of temper'. The boy's 'private tutor' has noted improvement. He then mentions an order form (no longer enclosed) from Dr. Wordsworth (Headmaster) by which the parent could choose to give invitations to boys in families resident in the neighbourhood who they would wish their boy to be on terms of visiting intimacy and whether they would like to be consulted. He continues, The plans for the new Boarding House are nearly completed; & I trust it will appear that we have introduced in them very satisfactory precautions against the recurrence of such a calamity [Headmaster's house on fire? See Note below] as we have this term suffered [Subscription and signature]. Note: A. In 1838, Harrow School underwent significant changes, most notably the destruction of the Head Master?s house by fire and the construction of a separate school chapel by C.R. Cockerell, departing from the previous use of St Mary?s Church. This period marked a transition for the school, setting the stage for major growth and infrastructure development in the mid-19th century. [AI] B. Family financial problems meant that Colenso had to take a job as an usher in a private school before he could attend university. These earnings and a loan of ?30 raised by his relatives paid for his first year at St John's College, Cambridge where he was a sizar. Showing talent in mathematics, in 1836 he was Second Wrangler and Smith's Prizeman at the University of Cambridge, and in 1837 he became a fellow of St John's.[1] Two years later [less re. the date of this letter] he went to Harrow School as mathematical tutor, but the step proved an unfortunate one. The school was at its lowest ebb, and Colenso not only had few pupils, but lost most of his property in a fire. [Wikipedia]