[Illustration: HARROW SCHOOL.]
To lofty HARROW now.--THOMSON.
Harrow-on-the-hill was a place of some consideration, even before the
foundation of the scholastic establishment which now forms its principal
boast. The Archbishops of Canterbury had an occasional residence here, in
the centuries briefly succeeding the Norman Conquest; and they obtained
for the inhabitants a weekly market, long since fallen into disuse.
The _Free Grammar School_ of Harrow, which now ranks amongst the eight
great schools of England,[1] like most foundations of a similar nature,
proceeded from a small beginning. In the 14th year of Elizabeth, John
Lyon, a wealthy yeoman, of Preston, in this parish, procured letters
patent, and special license from the crown, for the foundation of the
school, to which for many years, he only contributed the sum of 30 marks
annually; but in the year 1590, he developed his full intentions,
provided for their observance, and drew up a code of regulations for the
foundation. Among these provisions the following are curiously
characteristic of the times:--The founder expresses his intention to
build "meete and convenient Roomes for the said Schoole Mr and Usher to
inhabite and dwell in; as also a large and convenient Schoole House, with
a chimney in it. And, alsoe, a cellar under the said Roomes and Schoole
House, 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 School
shall consist of a "meete and convenient number of schollers, as well of
poor, to be taught freely," (which privilege he confines to the children
of the inhabitants of Harrow;) "as of others, to be received for ye
further profitt and commoditie of the schoole-master." The regulations
provide for the government of the school with curious minuteness, and
describe the number of forms; the books and exercises allotted to
each; the mode of correction; the hours of attendance; and the vacations
and play days. They extend even to the amusements of the scholars, which
are confined to "driving a top, tossing a hand-ball, running and
shooting." For the purpose of this latter exercise, all parents are
required to furnish their children with "bowstrings shafts, and
bresters." In consequence of this regulation it was usual to hold an
annual exhibition of Archery, on August 4, when the scholars contended
for a silver arrow.[2] Within the last fifty years this custom has been
abolished and in its room has been substituted the delivery of annual
orations before the assembled Governors.
[1] The eight principal public schools of the kingdom are
considered to be those of Winchester; Westminster; Eton; Harrow;
the Charter House; Merchant Tailor's; St. Paul's; and Rugby.
[2] We have often seen an etching of this exhibition.
Such was the establishment of this celebrated seminary; and in the humble
character of a parochial Free School it long remained, unknown except in
its own immediate neighbourhood. The buildings appertaining to the School
are not of an ornamental character. The original School-house represented
in our engraving, has undergone no external alteration except the
necessary repairs. It is a building of red brick having on the top a
lion, the rebus of the founder's name. In the original arrangement of the
interior, the lower portions only were used as school-rooms; the middle
floor formed the residence of the master and usher, then the only
teachers; whilst the upper story consisted of writing schools. The whole
of the building is now appropriated to the exercises of the school, the
pupils studying their lessons at the houses of their tutors, and
assembling here for the purpose of examination.
Harrow is consecrated ground; and we could easily select a long list of
illustrious men educated within its walls. The first classical mention of
Harrow as a school, is by William Baxter the learned author of the
Glossary, and editor of several of the classics, who was educated here.
Dr. Bennet, Bishop of Cloyne; Sir William Jones; Dr. Parr, who was born
at Harrow; Rt. Hon. R.B. Sheridan; Mr. Perceval, and Lord Byron--shine
forth in this list. Earl Spencer; the Marquess of Hastings; the Earl of
Aberdeen; and Mr. Peel were likewise educated here.
The greatest number of scholars who have been at any one time at Harrow,
was in the year 1804, when the number of students amounted to 353. The
present master is the Rev. Dr. Butler.
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