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Document number: 7146
Date: 04 May 1855
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: SIMPKINSON John Nassau
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Harrow

May 4. 1855

My dear Sir,

I have only been waiting for the enclosed, to write to you, and tell you of your boys first start in the school. It is I think quite satisfactory, his place being a good one, & yet one which he is quite capable of rising above, as soon as opportunity is offered him. That opportunity will come in July. We have now abandoned the old plan of great <removes?> taking effect in alternate quarters. Each form contains a limited number, & at the beginning of each quarter that number is made up, chiefly by promotions from below ruled by the result of the Trial held at the end of the preceeding <sic> quarter.

That Charles might get into the Upper Shell this next time (& I think he will); and might reach the fifth form at Xmas, More probably the latter result will be attained at Easter.

I find him thoughtful sensible & well grounded: a little wanting in quickness & readiness: but this arises I think chiefly from a sensitive temperament; & he is quite one who will improve with exertion in an accelerated ratio.

In other respects also I am much pleased with him. He is quite inclined to treat his tutor as a friend, & to volunteer his confidence. I hope he is settling down pretty comfortably. & getting over the strangeness of the place. & of his very numerous companions.

The accompanying announcement will I hope please you. It will be a great advantage to have a tutor attached to the house, & coming here to pupil room, since Mr Steel cannot take this work himself. Mr Scott is an immense acquisition to Harrow, a man of first rate distinction at Cambridge, <Senior?> Medallist, University Scholar &c. Dr Vaughn has been led too to form a very high estimate of him in other respects.

May I be allowed to say that even when you were her, it had not occurred to me that you were the same Mr Fox Talbot whose University achievements I have been so long familiar with, especially the Porson Prize You must not be surprised if later distinctions have in your case somewhat obscured former recollections, We heartily hope that your son will be able to bring the same credit to Harrow.

Believe me dear Sir Yours very faithfully

J. N. Simpkinson

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