To Thomas Archer Hirst   Sunday 22. Oct. 1854.¹

Sunday 22. Oct. 1854.

My dear Tom

I read your letter² with great concern last night: from Tommy Grieves epistle³ I inferred that all was proceeding in a very happy and cheerful manner, but your note shews me that this is by no means the case. I am not in the least surprised, though I am sorry that things are so. The man who allies his fate with Queenwood and who wishes it to prosper must not expect a life of ease there, Mr E.⁴ needs continual propping,⁵ and if the problem had been laid before me a month ago as to the chances of the Mutual Improvement Society⁶ under his sole superintendence I should have concluded that they were as 10 to 1 that it would get into confusion. During the last year of my sojourn at Queenwood I constantly attended its meetings and had a flood of questions to answer at each, and during this time I saw the Society not only expanding, but consolidating and becoming firmer and firmer each succeeding week. The elder boys need somebody there above them, to give them an interest in its proceedings – somebody from whose interest they will catch the same spirit: for it cannot be expected that they will take the same philosophic interest in the doings of the younger boys that you or I should if we were present. They tire, and seeing no life above them to which they can look and from which they can draw inspiration the affair soon becomes insipid to them. How is it that things were permitted to go so far with that ‘pedant’⁷ as to render his dismissal⁸ a necessary concession to the boys. Such concessions ought never to be necessary. The case ought to have been foreseen; for it is a serious matter to let the boys feel that their clamour has been necessary to produce any proper result. It is in fact a premium to turbulence. I hope you will see that every just demand is satisfied – if you can feel this to be the case then it is quite an easy matter to quell any disturbance among boys, it is simply necessary to seek out those who are at the bottom of it and if they dont mend their manners send them off. You have not much time to reason with them where so many are requiring your attention. If I saw a boy who shewed any tendency to turbulence or disaffection I would give him a fair chance take all just cause of complaint away from him and if he proved still a disturber I would send him away on the ground that you could not agree together. Such boys are not always bad ones, and the best character possible ought to be sent with them to their parents. Edmondson would be the worst man possible to write such a character. For men of narrow minds are vengeful and look at the case only as it affects themselves. I can well imagine his rage as that foolish little Buchan⁹ made his proposition.¹⁰ I hope when you next write to me that you will be able to say that the storm is passed and you have sunshine once more.

How are you going to supply the place of Blanche?¹¹ There is a man in Manchester open I think to an engagement, and who would be of immense value to Queenwood. He was there before. Davidson¹² is his name. A first rate English teacher, and of sufficient force of character to keep things in order. He would prove I believe of inestimable value to Queenwood. I heard from Singleton¹³ a few days ago that Davidson was at present free and he had some thoughts of engaging him himself. I should therefore say keep this matter to yourself until I hear from Singleton what he intends to do. I will write to him to day. If Edmonson heard of the thing he would consult his own interest first, and it would be unfair to cause what Singleton mentioned to me in conversation to redound to his own disadvantage.

On second thought I will defer writing to Singleton until I hear from you, for I do not know your present arrangements.

With regard to the 5th.¹⁴ whether I can go or not will depend purely upon the amount of work before me. I shall probably defer a visit until Christmas. I simply asked Tommy the date of the bonfire and I suppose the little fellow has drawn the inference that I intend to be there.

My health is good, though at the present moment I am writing with a wet cotton sock tied against my forehead, a day’s work after I came from the country set my brain in great disorder. I thought with regret upon the time when I could work for months from day dawn to night, for 16 hours a day. Well, I thought, I will use 30 per cent more water to my spongebath every morning. I will cut 30 per cent off my present amount of food and I will try a cold bandage – I did all, and lo! my ancient strength has in great measure returned to me and I have worked incessantly for the last three days and as yet feel no diminution of my vigour. The cold bandage I believe is the chief cause of my improvement for when I leave it off symptoms of headache soon shew themselves.

Goodbye Tom | Ever yours affectionately | John

Monday 12 o’clock I have worked hard for 5 hours to day without a bandage and feel very strong. I am writing my memoir¹⁵

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/369–370

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