[Rarebooks] FS: 1838 Letter: School for Moral Discipline to William King Maine Governor

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

1838 Letter & Tuition Bill from E.M.P. Wells of Boston's School for 
Moral Discipline to Maine's First Governor, William King, About His Son 
Cyrus William King.

An interesting letter, and bill for services, both dated 1838.

The bill, simply dated September, includes boarding & school fees of $6 
a week, and also extra fees for "Knife + pencil - tissue paper - 
dressing case + another knife - present to his mother blank book - 
spending money - repair to spy glass - music book - Expns's to Cambridge 
- portfolio, knife, pocket book & RR excursion". It includes a 
handwritten note at the bottom- "My Dear Friend, I have some idea of 
visiting Europe during the winter months of the present season, 
providing it is agreeable to the parents of my scholars. Some parents 
are desirous of having their sons accompany me, in which case the 
expense for the three months will be increased beyond the present $6 per 
week $100, and (illegible) students will be continued each day. if I go 
I expect to sail the last of Nov. I shall leave the superintendence of 
the school H.W. Nelson Esq., a gentleman whom I have educated, and who 
is well acquainted with my mode of education having been with me from 
the age of 12 to 21, and in my employ as an assistant several years. 
Your friend, E.M.P. Wells".

The separate letter says- "M.S. School Sept 18th 1838 - My Dear Friend. 
I hasten, the first leisure moment, to answer yours of the 13th Inst 
both because I am anxious to relieve your anxiety if possible + also 
because your letter had been long in coming. It pains me very much that 
it is not in my power to restore your son to his former standing. I have 
given to my boys a constitution by which I am governed as much as they + 
I believe they cannot in any case accuse me of departing from it or 
acting with partiality. Your son knows all this. He knows too that I did 
as little in his case as I could do justly + if the fact of his having 
returned to Bath the second time unknown to any but himself + me I 
should be obliged to do more- As it is he has been degraded but one 
grade + that not a disreputable one + he can regain that grade the 
(illegible) in school in those months from the time of his return. I 
suppose the difficulty is in his feelings -when we look through a 
jaundiced eye things look dismal. I suppose he has perhaps 
unintentionally given things a worse aspect than he ought to. One very 
important error, alluded to in your letter, is that of his being 
(illegible) the control of the boys much younger than himself. In this 
respect there is no difference between his present + his former 
situation. I have endeavored to (illegible) towards him + converse with 
him in the kindest manner but with less success than I could wish until 
the last two or three conversations, which I had last week pleased me 
much he was sensibly affected + I am happy to say appears much better, 
since which he has written to you. I mention his writing to you today in 
answer to that which I received yesterday but he says that he thinks his 
loss will render it unnecessary to write so soon. He seems cheerful + 
happy as I have known him at any time. Your sons letter had got mislaid 
I have not yet seen it. I shall (paper loss) much obliged if you will 
inform me if Mrs. King feels in any measure happier from your sons 
letter + perhaps this. Should she not + her health seems depending on 
the (illegible) of those doings (illegible) to his absence I will (altho 
I cannot do it myself) make such representations of its effort on Mrs. 
K. that I trust the boys may be willing to vote an exception in this 
case. Will you forgive me my dear sir for dropping one kiss + if I seem 
impertinent forgive it as from a friend. From the best judgement I can 
form of your sons character + disposition I think if he were to marry at 
the age of 20 one (illegible) he could love respect + enjoy + whose 
connexions would be such as would extend his connexions in the best 
variety I think it would justify all his desires + he would become a 
(wax seal over text) member of society early + permanently. Will you 
excuse and (illegible) Your fr'd E.M.P. Wells".

Rev. Eleazer Mather Porter Wells (1793-1878) was a deacon in the 
Protestant Episcopal Church who founded The School For Moral Discipline 
in 1835. An 1839 description notes- "This school is situated on City 
Point, opposite Fort Independence, commanding a beautiful view of the 
harbor, islands, and shipping, and enjoying a most pure and exhilarating 
atmosphere. The school consists of senior and junior departments, each 
containing twenty five boys." Cyrus William King (1819-1881) was the son 
of Maine's first governor, William King, and Ann Nesbith (Frasier) King.

Letter. 7.75"x9.75". Minor soil, light toning, paper loss where the wax 
seal was broken, taking some paper with it. Tuition Bill. 8"x10". Minor 
soil, light toning, edge loss. [42550]  $150

Some Pictures =>

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