<on deep mourning paper>
45 Green St
Grosvenor Square
April 18 /55.
My dear Sir,
The time you mention, or a little later, will do very well for your arrival in Harrow on Wednesday next. It will decidedly be desirable that you should yourself go to Dr Vaughan, when your boy is entered on the books of the school; and if you will allow me, I shall have great pleasure in accompanying you to his house after luncheon.
There are not many hints I can give you on this occasion; but some things it may be well to mention.
If your boy has hitherto worn falling rollers, by all means let him continue them. They are the most usual amongst us for boys of his age. But in no case must he wear a coloured handkerchief round his neck. Black only is allowed. Neither must he wear any sort of fancy coat. The common jacket is the only dress admitted at Harrow for the younger boys. Nor is any sort of cap allowed, but or only such kinds as are generally adopted in the games. Black hats only are worn in ordinary. He had better bring such schoolbooks as he has with him. Many of them will probably come in usefully: & the rest cannot be much in the way.
Be kind enough also to give orders that 2 pair of sheets, & pillow cases to match be put up with his things.
As to allowance, our wish is to keep the amount lower than it has a tendency to become. Thirty shillings, or at most £2. would be I should say an ample provision by way of pocket money for one of his age. This to be given him at once – with the view of course of its lasting. Besides this he has a weekly payment made him in the house of 1/- or 2/- according to his place in the school.
Believe me dear Sir your very faithfully
Jack Simpkinson