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Lt. Col. Robert Story - Letters from Harrow 1870
May 1870
I hope you have been enjoying the fine weather as much as I have: indeed here some days the weather has been quite unendurable. I have, as it turned out, a very nice companion in my room and not the obnoxious fellow I mentioned.
There has been a brass band set up here and I have joined it, and can already play some tunes on a cornet which I have borrowed for the present and on the saxe horn which I shall play in the band. I have got a splendid chance of getting a right good cornet for less than half its value, I think it is a chance I ought not to loose as a cornet is no useless toy. But if you think I am asking too much, I have a thought by which it might be done, as the amount is not very much, that is for you to let me get it now and keep me without pocket money for any time you think fit, for if you think of it, you will see that it will be exactly the same that way as if I wait and save whatever money I get; of course the length of time in which I could save it you could see by knowing how much I could get in that time.. Besides if I do not get it now I must wait a long time, get an inferior instrument and loose the chance of being taught for nothing by a proper master (for the musical society have engaged a bandmaster from London) and many other boys are getting instruments and joining this band, at any rate after all the cost is only £2 10s.
As for my master I do not think he is as bad as I expected, but still he is not at all pleasant, from the calm manner in which he sets his punishments (and a goodly lot he sets too) just as though he was giving a holiday.
Rifle corps is getting much improved and a perfect cloud of recruits has poured in.
I remain Your affectionate son
Robert Story.
P.S Please tell me your answer soon for I shall be anxious to know what you will say.
June 1870
I have broken my braces hopelessly so I must get a new pair. I also want a new straw hat and a necktie, will you please say that I can get them in your next letter. The weather has been very hot but last night we had a heavy thunderstorm with splendid flashes of lightning, so today the heat is not so oppressive.
I do not know what to make of my new master for, for some reason or other he has taken a dislike to me and no matter how hard I work I cannot get on. I am sure that I have been working much harder this term than last, but yet my master puts in my report Idle and I do not know what else. I often come up to school with my lessons well learnt, and good English in my head, but my master pounces on me for some little thing or other and turns me on the spot, while with his favourites he passes over much worse mistakes, but what most disheartens me is that I am really working as hard as I can I am accused of being idle and not learning my lessons.
I am getting on with the cornet and in the brass band I play the Saxehorn; this band at present consists of 5 cornets, 2 saxehorns, 2 euphoniums and a bombardon, besides two small and one big drum; but as it has so well succeeded we expect it to increase rapidly. Indeed two or three have already sent for instruments so that soon we shall have a fine band.
As for my exeat (if I can get it) I would prefer to take it at Lords, indeed I think that that is almost the only time when I can do so. Can you tell me when Oswald's holidays begin as ours do on the 29th July. Please write to me soon as I am sadly in need of some braces. The best thing now to be done I think is the bathing which is simply delicious.
I remain your affectionate son
Robert Story.
Notes:
Oswald was at Naval College, Dartmouth.
September 1870
£ s d 2nd Class to Dublin 11 10 Westland Row to London 2 5 6 2 17 4
My dear Papa
I arrived all right and got my remove as expected. I also got through my holiday task (at least I think so) as the paper was an easy one.
Claude Hamilton got through but took the 2nd or 3rd Fourth.
I saw in Dublin a very nice new silver watch for £1 5s 0d and very nearly got it, but after all I did not, but got a racket and shoes and after getting them I find that I have to pay 2s subscription and have not the where withall to pay for it.
There is little or no news except that I am of course under a very nice master.
I remain your affectionate son
Robert Story.
PS. Please ask Oswald to return the enclosed pieces of paper to the Bandmaster at Cavan
| Date | 1870 |
| Linked to | Lt. Col. Robert Story |
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