21 Nov 1843 Letter: Edward John Cornwallis Eliot to his Mother

Tuesday, November 21 [1843, Eton]

My dear Mama,

I had an interview with Hawtrey¹ today, and he told me that my tutor² and Harry Dupuis³ had been in to the shop to see a sick man and that William⁴ and three other boys stood opposite and insulted them by calling out their names. I do not see in the first place what the visit to a sick man has to do with the story; and, in the second place, I am quite sure no boy would be foolish enough to stand and insult a master, when no good was to be gained by it. He also said William had not apologized, but William says he did.

I can't see what difference can be made in the story now, as my tutor wrote to you the same story as we did at first.

Hawtrey says William did not give himself up at first, till obliged to do so by the other boys. I know he did not give himself up, willingly, being in a great fright (as he naturally would), and did not know exactly what he was accused of (which even now is not very clearly proved).

Hawtrey told me that I had better tell William to apologize. I told William what Hawtrey had said, but as W[illiam] is a better judge than I of what he did, and if he does not feel that he has done any thing wrong, I cannot see why he is to apologize.

If my tutor says he cannot keep G[ranville]⁵ and W[illiam], as his authority has been broken, they will, I think, be able to go to another house. As in that case, my tutor will refuse to keep them and not you take them away.

It is nonsense of Hawtrey to say that it is not the custom to change tutors. Numbers of boys have changed since we have been here – the three Smiths (Vernon)⁶ changed last year.

Your friend Stephens says he thinks it was a great shame. I am very glad I am going to leave. I am afraid I shall require a precious sight of money: 30£ to my tutor, 15 [for] Hawtrey and smaller fees.

There has just been a pedestrian feat: a man has run 10 miles in an hour. I had a letter from Henry⁷ but no news in it.

The staghounds came through college the other day [16 Nov 1843], and we had a chase. I saw Prince Albert⁸ and the Duke of Nemours out with the harness the other day [who were out hunting with the Prince's pack of harriers].

Write soon and tell me the end of the row.

Love to all,
I remain your affectionate son,
E J C Eliot

 

FOOTNOTES
1. Edward Craven Hawtrey, Head Master of Eton College
2. Rev. Charles John Abraham, Assistant Master at Eton College, of poor ability, tutor concurrently to oldest three Eliot brothers and General Sir George Higginson, later Canon of Lichfield
3. The Rev. Harry Dupuis, Assistant Master at Eton College
4. William Eliot, a younger brother
5. Granville Eliot, a younger brother
6. Fitzpatrick Henry, Gowran Charles and Courtenay John Vernon Smith
7. Henry Eliot, a younger brother
8. Prince Consort of Queen Victoria

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/12/3/1