To the Editor of the Daily Post.
Sir,—The omission at this Midsummer vacation of the usual distribution of prizes to the boys, and the circular issued by the head master (the Rev. R. Harper,) announcing a very important alteration from the hitherto practised mode of rewarding the industry and stimulating the energy of the lads in this public school, cannot fail to have awakened the minds of the parents and public in this town and neighbourhood, as to the reasons which have induced the trustees of the Prize Fund to alter their mode of action in this particular department of the school scheme.
It is stated, Sir, and generally understood, that a certain sum of money was left by the founder of this excellent school, to be appropriated periodically for the reward of deserving scholars; and that from time immemorial these rewards have been represented by suitable historical and scientific books, adapted to the attainments of the fortunate recipients. But at the present time we find that one gold medal and two silver medals are for the future to be substituted for the former valuable book prizes, thus at once narrowing the chances of the deserving junior boys from ever obtaining a prize, and fixing the amount of scholastic knowledge at such a classical elevation as is not reasonable to expect that boys who usually attend country Grammar Schools are ever likely to remain long enough to obtain.
It may suit, Mr. Editor, the unadorned ambition of plebeian thought to fancy its creative genius can raise up a Moloch of tinselled gold and burnished silver to be the absorbing deity of juvenile innocency, and the great object henceforth striven for; but while the eye is fascinated with this new-born idea, knowledge—that incalculable element of the present day, intended to be conveyed in all schools—is thus kept back from the enquiring mind, and the immortal writings of such authors as Milton, Mills, Bickersteth, Macaulay, Alison, Hume, Davy, Strickland, and Longfellow, are henceforth to be shelved in the bookseller’s store-room, to gratify the maudlin fancy of some ill-digested mental conception, or afford us an opportunity of witnessing another concession to neighbouring exploded theories. The “breaking-up day” of the schoolboy frequently operates upon the action of the after-man; for the modest consciousness of carrying off the prize in his own class before the eager eyes of his aspiring competitors, creates a most beneficial effect upon the younger branches of the school, for whilst it recognises the Reward of Merit at all ages to the good, it stimulates the ambition and energy of the aspiring, and publicly condemns the conduct of the indolent and disobedient boy. The dissatisfaction already produced amongst the lads, by keeping from them, this Midsummer, their dearly cherished prizes, and the evil to be anticipated from the intended practice of giving only three prizes, (and that to senior boys), when hitherto at least a dozen junior boys have been the grateful recipients of useful books, are reasons calculated to produce much mischief amongst the minds of the industrious boys, besides arousing a feeling of distrust and suspicion amongst the parents and the public, as to the objects intended to be gained by such a movement. If it is good and advisable to reward the senior classes, surely it is just and right to encourage the junior classes also. This intrusion amongst your correspondence will oblige your obedient servant.
“INVESTIGATOR.”
Dudley, June 22nd, 1858.
To the Editor of the Daily Post.
Sir,—I should not under any circumstances reply to an anonymous correspondent, but for the sake of the inhabitants of Dudley, and of the parents of pupils in my school, I am anxious to state what I know in respect of this prize fund. This fund was collected chiefly through the instrumentality of my predecessor, Dr. Thompson, about seven years ago. It has for some years been suggested that a gold or silver medal would be a better mode of giving these prizes than any other, and more in accordance with the wishes of the original subscribers of the fund. The chief reason that the present time was decided upon for the change was a hope that a gold medal given under the conditions imposed, would furnish the school with at least one pupil yearly, who might be able successfully to pass the examinations which are now instituted by the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge for the benefit of the middle classes. It is not intended to award all the medals to the higher forms, and there is nothing in my circular which could lead to such a conclusion. The gold medal will be the only one so appropriated, whilst it is intended to give the other medals to the best boys of the lower forms of the school. You will also observe, from the circular which I enclose, that only in the case of the gold medal are the subjects for examination strictly defined; and I cannot conceive that the amount of scholarship required for such a prize is too extensive, or more than might fairly be expected from a well educated lad of 16 years of age in any Grammar School. In fact there was a desire rather to limit the subjects than to extend them, as it was thought that a few subjects well taught would be a better training for the middle class examinations than a superficial knowledge of a larger number. It ought to be recollected that the prizes of books awarded in this school at Christmas will not be affected in any degree by the new arrangements with respect to the prize fund.
No one can regret more than I do the circumstance that the boys are deprived this Midsummer of their usual prizes; but, owing to the expense of the dies for the medals, this was unavoidable.