| Description | "Continues to like his new abode. ‘Sent up’; expects a book will be given as a reward. Mathematics introduced, and new master for that class; certificate obtained to attend him. Bookcase. Pocket money. Library subscription. Sight of comet." .” (Sent by cross-post.)
Eton. Oct. 12th. 1835.
My dear Papa,
I still continue to like my new house and tutor as well as before, and I like the boys in it, better than those of Mr. Chapman’s. I was sent up the week before last for Translation, which we have if there is a Saint’s Day in the week, it consists in turning part of the lesson in Livy which we have had in that week into English. There is a Mathematical Master come of the name of Girdlestone, and all boys who know a sufficient quantity of Mathematics, may get a certificate of Mr. Hexter to attend him; his lessons are three times a week, and he is much cleverer in Mathematic’s than Mr. Hexter. I have got a certificate, and have begun to attend him; He was an Eton scholar, and has only left a short time ago, for Manners Ma. one of the boys at Mr. Coleridge’s, was his fag. I have enquired about a bookcase, and I think that the cheapest price for one about the size I want is a mahogany one, with glazed calico for the pannels, the man says that a painted deal one, would be very little if at all cheaper. Mr. Coleridge does not give out pocket money regularly every Monday as Mr. Chapman did, but whenever the boys ask for it, so that a boy may wait for as many weeks as he likes without receiving it, and then have all the arrears for the weeks in which he was not paid, together, he gives as much per week as the boy mentions at first, but none at all unless he names a sum, whereas Mr. Chapman used to give every boy who did not ask for more, a shilling, whether he asked for it or not. I have made further enquiries about the library at William’s, and I find that there are not only ancient classical books there, but also a great many English works. such as histories, poetry &c. the subscription is, as I said before, 10 shillings a year. Mr. Coleridge, even before Dr. Hawtreys late prohibition never gave money to the boys who were sent up, but I believe he gives a book instead. I saw last night what I think the comet, it was a sort of undefined spot, not near so bright as the generality of stars, and was just above the pointer of the Great Bear nearest the Pole Star, Mr. Coleridge’s is by far the most numerous house in Eton, as it contains 32 boys. I suppose that Aunt Bessy and her party will depart soon from Brighton. I have no more news to tell you, so believe me to remain
Your affectionate Son,
M. P. W. Boulton.
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