Autograph Letter Signed ('F W Farrar') to [Herbert Armitage] James[, Headmaster of Rossall School].

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, on lightly aged paper, with minor traces of two mounts adhering to verso of second leaf of bifolium. Praises 'the excellent Sermon'. 'You will doubtless have a difficult work at Rossall, but every term will render it less difficult' [...] One can't ask for a greater blessing than difficult work when it is also - as yours is & will be - entirely hopeful & immensely useful. Rossall can hardly help flourishing under you, because it is placed where it is needed; - it supplies a very real want; - it is cheap enough [...] & now it has a man at its head who has experience & every other requisite gift'. Discusses the state of affairs at Marlborough: 'We have opened fuller than ever & the Bursar groans at the iniquity of Head Masters who try to get boys in at the last moment.' 'Way & Upcott' have joined as masters. 'Alas! Alas! another is now in all probability going to leave us, though the fact is not yet public <?>. Lee is going to give up his School, & Lloyd will succeed him.' Counsels James to make up his mind 'to frequent changes'. Predicts that 'after last years immense encouragement this year will beb comparatively blank'. More talk of Marlborough matters, including news of the redecoration of the Chapel ('when the pictures come will [sic] I think be exceedingly beautiful'). Asks if James can 'get away for the concert'. James (1844-1931) was later headmaster of Rugby School.