William Mercer Green Papers Box 1 Folder 16 Correspondence 1868-69 Document 8

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W. Paul's School Concord N.H. May 1768

The right rev. W.M. Green D.D. Chancellor [?]

My dear Sir,

Your letter to Mr. [Loit?] came on Monday and I have since then been considering its contents as carefully as I could Mr. [Loit?] writes you the reasons which [intice?] him to decline the offer and I must also give you mine for adopting the same course. As we agree in the main it is likely our letters will cover much the same ground.

I think the clear and full statement which you have so kindly [furnished?] makes it evident that situated as you are and in view of the great needs of the South you could hardly do otherwise than you propose, but still it seems to me that the plan is open to several serious objections.

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it is best to adopt. I simply desire to explain why I feel unable to accept the offer with which I have been honored and which deserves such serious consideration.

The chief points are three in number.

1. The powers of the Headmaster seem to me entirely too limited. The real Head of the School as well as the University would be the Vice-chancellor. My [ma?] experience and knowledge f such schools leads me to think that while the Trustees [ths.?] regulate the general relation f the High School to the University the power of the Headmaster should be very great; that his decision in all cases of dicipline should be final, while he should also, of course, be removable at any time by the Board which appoints him. This is the English plan as far as I can discover it.

2. The College or "hostel" system of boarding

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(as it is called in England) is indeed extremely advantageous on economical grounds. This system or one much similar prevails at Marlborough in England - a school of the first class where the late Bp. of Calcutta was Headmaster (though to be sure they had fine buildings [always?] erected)

For a college or university this seems to me a most appropriate system, but for young boys at school I fear it is hazardous. Is there not danger that much of the influence one would hope to exact might be [concentracted?] by the boys' withdrawal during so many hours of the day and night from the school proper 2. [Most?] parents too will admit that when the time comes for a boy to go to school it is [rather?] better than otherwise that he should be away even from his own home.

Even according to your plan you do not quite avoid what you term the "barrack system" as you will have some 30 boys in a dormitory. But in truth that term hardly describes what we had in our

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minds. The boys here fore example do sleep in dormitories (except some 8 or so) but these dormitories present the most cheerful, pleasing appearance. The partitions are of wood, thus securing entire privacy, and each alcove really looks like a bible room and is comfortably fitted up. The floor is carpeted, and each boy has his pictures, books, bureau for his clothes to around him. And thus I think without the slightest discomfort that supervision so [expected?] for young boys is easily secured.

I have mentioned these details at the [uik?] of being [tedious?] because I feared you thought the system of Wh. [M G 'oits' ?] letter drew an [ont line?] had life of the home influence about it than that which you have adopted. I am very sure it has far more in reality, however it may sound as described.

3. Knowing so will how much work the full curriculum of a large school of 5 or 6 [fooms?] requires, I feel sure that it [will?] tax [the lit move?]

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energies of two masters and a tutor to attend to 75 boys. It [will?] be considerably more work than I am now attempting and I fear my health and strength might fail me. The work of all sorts connected with the beginning of a school is neccesarily very great.

These and other matters unnecessary to trouble you with weigh with me in declining this offer on many accounts so extremely attractive to me.

It is with sincere regret that I refuse this kind invitation to return to the South which I feel to be proper home. Nothing but my attachment to [D loit?] and his brother could have brought me so far North after all that has happened.

This school, however, though in New England is I [ ?] to say [act ] of it. The whole tone given to it by its head is a [?] a [g?] New England Puritanism both in Church and State.

As to the Southern University,

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