THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| Vol. XIII, No. 366. | SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1829. | [PRICE 2d. |
HARROW SCHOOL.
HARROW SCHOOL.To lofty HARROW now.—THOMSON.
Harrow-on-the-hill was a place of some consideration, even before thefoundation of the scholastic establishment which now forms its principalboast. The Archbishops of Canterbury had an occasional residence here, inthe centuries briefly succeeding the Norman Conquest; and they obtainedfor the inhabitants a weekly market, long since fallen into disuse.
The Free Grammar School of Harrow, which now ranks amongst the eightgreat schools of England,1 like most foundations of a similar nature,proceeded from a small beginning. In the 14th year of Elizabeth, JohnLyon, a wealthy yeoman, of Preston, in this parish, procured letterspatent, and special license from the crown, for the foundation of theschool, to which for many years, he only contributed the sum of 30 marksannually; but in the year 1590, he developed his full intentions,provided for their observance, and drew up a code of regulations for thefoundation. Among these provisions the following are curiouslycharacteristic of the times:—The founder expresses his intention tobuild "meete and convenient Roomes for the said Schoole Mr and Usher toinhabite and dwell in; as also a large and convenient Schoole House, witha chimney in it. And, alsoe, a cellar under the said Roomes and SchooleHouse, to lay in wood and coales;" the master's salary he fixes at £26.13s. 4d. per annum, besides £3. 6s. 8d. on the 1st of May,towards his provision of fuel; the usher's at £13. 6s. 8d. with £3.6s. 8d. for fuel. The founder declares his desire that the Schoolshall consist of a "meete and convenient number of schollers, as well ofpoor, to be taught freely," (which privilege he confines to the childrenof the inhabitants of Harrow;) "as of others, to be received for yefurther profitt and commoditie of the schoole-master." The regulationsprovide for the government of the school with curious minuteness, anddescribe the number of forms; the books [pg 258] and exercises allotted toeach; the mode of correction; the hours of attendance; and the vacationsand play days. They extend even to the amusements of the scholars, whichare confined to "driving a top, tossing a hand-ball, running andshooting." For the purpose of this latter exercise, all parents arerequired to furnish their children with "bowstrings shafts, andbresters." In consequence of this regulation it was usual to hold anannual exhibition of Archery, on August 4, when the scholars contendedfor a silver arrow.2 Within the last fifty years this custom has beenabolished and in its room has been substituted the delivery of annualorations before the assembled Governors.
Such was the establishment of this celebrated semi