Arnold (Thomas, headmaster and historian, 1795-1842) Long Autograph Letter signed to his close friend the Rev F.C. Blackstone, 4pp. and address panel, red wax seal, sm. 4to, Rugby, 28th September 1828, describing his impressions of Rugby a month after taking over the headmastership, "...I like it hitherto beyond my Expectation, but of Course a Month is a very short Time to judge from..."; he goes on to describe both his aspirations and what he has accomplished so far, as regards working with the sixth form, "...I am trying to establish something of a friendly Intercourse with the sixth Form, by asking them in Succession in Parties of four, in to Dinner with us; and I have them each separately up into my Room to look over their Exercises..."; the curriculum (which he sets out in detail), examinations, "...I am not done with my Alterations, nor probably ever shall have: I am going to have an Examination for every Form in the School at the [end] of the short half Year in all the Business done in the half Year - in Divinity, Greek & Latin, Arithmetic, History Geography & Chronology; -- with 1st & 2nd Classes, & Prize Books for those who do well..."; discipline, "...There has been no Flogging yet, and I hope that there will be none; and surprisingly few Irregularities; -- I chastise at first by very gentle Impositions, -- which are raised for a Repetition of Offences; -- flogging will be only my Ratio ultima, -- and talking I shall try to the utmost: I believe that Boys may be governed a great Deal by gentle Methods and Kindness, and appealing to their better Feelings, if you show that you are not afraid of them; -- I have seen great Boys six Feet high shed Tears when I have sent for them up into my Room and spoken to them quietly in private for not knowing their Lesson..."; he also sends news of his wife and their new baby; seal-tear affecting one word, very slight splits at folds, slightly browned.

⁂ Thomas Arnold's first impressions as the new headmaster of Rugby school. Extracts of this letter were printed by his old pupil Dean Stanley in the Life and Letters, pp.242-3. "When Arnold took over the headmastership Rugby School was suffering from a general decline which was widespread in public schools at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Low moral standards, harsh discipline, and ossified teaching methods had shaken public confidence in them. Arnold proved himself a natural leader and, by the force of his ideals and personality, reinvigorated the school's systems. He established the principle of headmagisterial independence, restored confidence in the public school system generally, and confirmed Rugby's position as one of the leading schools." - Oxford DNB.