This letter from the archive gives us a rare glimpse into the character of MGS boys in the mid-19th century. It seems that the boys had sent a petition directly to Queen Victoria, requesting an extra week of holiday to celebrate the marriage of Princess Alice to Prince Louis of Hesse. Remarkably, the Queen replied through her secretary George Grey, and his assistant H. Haddington to the Dean of Manchester, granting their request. They also tried their luck further by requesting another week off school to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 21st birthday. This, however, was rebuffed in a postscript, where it was noted that no holiday has been granted to any other Public school for this reason.
It seems so typical of an MGS boy to write to the Queen directly, not only requesting what presumably other schools had allowed, but for just that little bit extra. Sadly, their boldness was only partially rewarded!
Whitehall 15th January 1863
Sir,
I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey to inform you, with reference to a Petition which has been addressed to the Queen by the Scholars of the Manchester Grammar School, that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to signify Her will that the indulgence of one additional week of Holidays should be granted to the Scholars of that School on the occasion of the Marriage of Her Royal Highness The Princess Alice.
I am Sir,
Your Obedient Servant
H. Haddington
The Very Rev
The Dean of Manchester
P.S.
I am to request that you will inform the Scholars, with reference to their application, that no Extra Holidays have been granted to any Public School on the Princes of Wales’s Majority
Post your own comment