“Miss Mary Gurney first introduced me to her.
“Soon after that she asked me to examine the music in the North London Collegiate School. I was afraid at first that she would not understand my point of view with respect to the study of music in high schools, But, instead of being misunderstood, she gave me her sympathy and help from the first in my endeavour to make music an earnest and educational part of school-work.
“Miss Buss was not a young head-mistress when I first knew her; but she was, like my greatest school-friend, Dr. Buller, Miss Mary Gurney, and the dear old Master of Balliol, fearless in her belief in all that was for the good of schools, and especially in the redemption of music from being a time-wasting, emotional accomplishment.
“Miss Buss allowed me to introduce the Harrow Music School standard text, the purpose of which was to do away with the mere swagger of certificate-giving, and to make it more a test of the general work of the school in music. She was always so glad to find that the majority of girls who did well in music were just those who were doing well in other school-work.
“I shall always remember her patience and kindness in her presence during the long examinations. She was never shocked at my hopes, mostly very wildly expressed, for the future of music in the education of girls.
“Music, above all studies, needs backing up with the advantage of a thoroughly good education. It has always been my endeavour to keep it from encroaching unfairly on the time and strength of the girls. Miss Buss understood this, and helped to make it understood.
“You have, my dear Mrs. Bryant, for so long been a witness to that which I have so clumsily described. Please forgive me.
“Yours very truly,
“John Farmer.”
“To the same purpose is a letter from Dr. Ablett, head of the Royal Drawing Society—