Lord Monson’s Schooldays:

Detail from the 25 inch to 1 mile
Ordnance Survey map of 1896
Glebelands
Detail from the 25 inch to 1 mile
Ordnance Survey map of 1896
Glebelands

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MERTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
LOCAL HISTORY NOTES -17
Lord Monson’s Schooldays
Reminiscences of Mitcham 1804-1809
with biographical and other notes by E N Montague and Judith Goodman
Many of Mitcham’s large houses were occupied as private schools in the 18th and 19th centuries. For most of
these we have no knowledge of life and learning. For one of these schools, however, we have a unique account

-the sixth Baron Monson’s reminiscences of his schooldays at the Revd Richard Roberts’ Academy, in the house
known in recent times as Glebelands.
Lord Monson’s ‘Reminiscences of Mitcham’ were acquired by Mitcham Library in 1952. They are handwritten,
for the most part very clearly, on laid paper, watermarked “Hodgekinson & Co … 1853”, and bound in one volume
now in the possession of the London Borough of Merton. From the author’s remarks at the end of the book it is
clear that his memoirs were drafted in 1858, after visiting Mitcham with Lady Monson on the 4th May that year.
The manuscript was completed four years later, shortly before his death.

In 1925/6 Eton College published in its periodical Etoniana three instalments of these reminiscences under the
title ‘A Private School of 1804’. Their version did not include an account of Lord Monson’s later visits to Mitcham
and his journey to Oxford, or his maps and plans. Together with certain textual differences, these omissions

suggest that our version is a later, improved, copy. In 1921 a short account by Lord Monson of his time at Eton
1809-11 was also published in Etoniana.

This transcript is from a typescript copy made in the 1970s by Elizabeth Crisp of Merton Historical Society, but
has been verified against the original. Editing has been minimal. Lord Monson’s spelling and punctuation have
been retained. His ‘postscripts’, which were written on the blank pages facing his manuscript pages, have been
inserted in [ ] after the related passages.

Reproduction is by the kind consent of the Borough’s Library and Heritage Service.

Reminiscences of Mitcham 1804-1809 by “W. J. M.” Reminiscences of Mitcham 1804-1809 by “W. J. M.” – 1862

I am about to attempt the relation of a period more than half a century ago. I have often previously
had the intention; always procrastinated; and then lost heart. I doubt very much now if I shall persevere.
I have no papers to refer to, no letters; for the earliest to or from me are not before Eton, and knowing how
much I must have forgotten and how much more I must necessarily remember more faintly I should have
less reliance in the success of my attempt if it were not that I am conscious what I do recollect, I recollect
with greater vividness than scenes of even later occurrence, that persons, faces, the appearance of inanimate
objects, appear before my mental vision with a strength greater than at any other time of my life, and that
even voices and sounds are more acutely recalled than any that have since struck on my duller hearing.

It was on the 2nd May 1804 that I first
went to school. When I awoke that morning I
thought and shouted out that it was the happiest
day of my life. I slept in a little bed in my
Mother’s room in Seymour Place, and I fear
my raptures must have sounded ungratefully to
her, in every sense of the word for she had been
a most affectionate Mother to me. The fact
was that being an only child my great want was
playfellows and I magnified to myself this evil
to such a degree that I thought in obtaining
playmates I should have nothing further to
wish for. I was soon grievously undeceived
and it was for the first and last time the idea of
school was accompanied with pleasure. I now
well recollect the obstinacy with which I refused
to believe the depreciating stories other boys
told me, of this which I conceived was to give
me all the happiness I wanted, and if their
constant repetition gave me any misgivings I
was at last too proud to own them. My
birthday would have been in less than a fortnight
when I should be eight years old but I would not
listen to the idea of staying for it, and so on the
evening of what I recollect was a fine sunny
spring day after my two o’clock dinner, my
Mother took me down in a post chaise to Mitcham – I can call to mind that she gave me a great deal of very
good advice on this which was my first separation from her. I probably did not attend to it with the
earnestness I ought, and yet I never in after years have passed over Clapham Common without recalling
to my mind how anxiously she tried to impress this advice upon me; why the thought should connect itself
especially with that portion of the road I cannot tell, but so it certainly is.

When we arrived at Mr Roberts2 the boys that had come back were all out at play in the back meadow,
and this was in confirmation of my dream that the principal object of school was play. I do not recollect
whether I was much awed by the stern face of Roberts, probably not so much that night for I recollect better
that I was instantly sent out to join my schoolfellows and that I had no hesitation (which certainly never
was again the case in leaving home) of deserting my Mother even before she was ready to leave me. Only
a portion of the school had returned, I remember two especially, George Stainforth3 who was very kind to
me in taking me under his care at my first game of cricket, and the other Robert more commonly called
Bobby Barlow4 who, though younger than myself, was far older in all the tricks of school experience, for
before the evening was ended he had won away from me a whole bag full of marbles, he having begun the
game by borrowing his first half dozen of me. Some bigger boy however, either one of the elder Barlows
or as I fancy Stainforth made him restore to me a portion of his ill gotten plunder.

William John Monson as a small boy.
Miniature by H. Stubble. Reproduced by kind
permission of Lord and Lady Monson

2

Pearson, Phelps,
Colonel
Pollington, Viscount
Porter, Miss –
Poyntz, Isabella
Pratt, Samuel Jackson
Price, Samuel
Pusey, Edward (Dr Pusey)
Pusey, Lady Lucy
Pusey, Hon.Philip
Pusey, Philip
Roberts, John
Roberts, Margaret
Roberts, Revd Richard
Roberts, William
Roberts, Revd William Hayward
Royston, Lord see Yorke
Russell, Francis
Russell, George
Russell, John
Russell, Lord William
Rutter, Miss
Savile, Lady Sarah
Saye and Sele, Lord see Twisleton
Serjeant –
Soust, –
Stainforth, Francis
Stainforth, George
Stainforth, Richard
Stanley, Edward Geoffrey (Earl of Derby, Prime Minister)
Stanley, James
Sterndale, Mrs
Sydney, Lord
Tailleur, Abbé Le see Le Tailleur
Twisleton, William (W. Twisleton Fiennes, Lord Saye and Sele)
Valentia, Viscount see Annesley
Wade, Revd Walsh,
Sir John
Wellesley, Marquis
Wellesley, Henry
Wellesley, Henry (EarlCowley)
West, –
Whitelocke, Lieut-General
Yorke, Charles (Lord Royston)
47

9
22
6, 13, 37
19
34
22,40-41
9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 36
15, 16, 17, 37,39
13, 37, 39
13, 37, 39
13, 15,37
32
5, 6, 7, 8,10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22,

23, 25, 26, 27, 33,34, 38,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13,

14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26,32, 33, 34, 39
6,32
32

8, 9,34
8, 9, 10, 34, 35
8, 9, 10, 34, 35
9, 10, 34, 35
27,41
13, 37

17
22
13, 16, 32,39
2, 9, 11, 16, 24,32, 39
32
13,15, 17,38, 38, 39
15, 16, 38,39
22, 41
25

13, 14,37

7,34
19,40
9,35
8, 9, 11,35
25,41
9,24, 34, 39, 41
37
6, 13, 33

Eden, Hon. Emily
Eden, Hon. Morton
Eden, Hon. Robert
Ellenborough, Baron
Ellis, Hon. George
Exeter, Marquis of
Farren, Elizabeth
Fiennes, William
Garraway, Abel
Godfrey, Graves,
Lord
Hardwicke, Earl of
Hinchcliffe family
Hoare, Mrs
Hobart, Augustus
Howard, George
Idle, Christopher
Kensington, brothers
Lambert, Daniel
Larken, Edmund
Larken, Eliza
Law, Hon. John
Lee, Mrs
Lennox, Lady Sophia
Le Tailleur, Abbé
Lettsom, Dr John Coakley
Lettsom, Dr John Miers
Lettsom, William Nanson
Linnaeus, Carolus (Carl von Linné)
Meyrick, William
Middleton, Mesdames
Monson, fourth Baron
Monson, fifth Baron
Monson, Lady
Monson, Anne
Monson, Colonel the Hon. William
Monson, William John
Morpeth, Viscount
Mountnorris, Earl of
Murray, John
Murray, John, publisher
Myers, Revd Streynsham D.
Nelson, Viscount
Noel, Emma
Opie, Amelia
Parrott, John

(Baron Auckland, Bishop of Bath & Wells)

(Brownlow Cecil)
(Countess of Derby)
see Twisleton

(Earl of Buckinghamshire)
(Viscount Morpeth, Earl of Carlisle)

see Lady Monson

(William John Monson’s wife)
(William John Monson’s mother)

(Sixth Baron Monson)
see Howard

36
11, 12,36, 39
13, 16, 36,39
16, 39
12,36
8, 11, 12, 13, 24,34, 35, 36
16,39

26
5
17
33
22,40
22,41
8, 10, 35
25,41
8, 10, 35
13, 17
18, 40
31

13, 16,39
5
35
17
35
10, 35
9, 10, 13, 35, 36
14,37
6, 34
9
13, 30, 31
30, 31
25, 31
1,3,17, 18, 19, 21, 26, 30, 32
30
1, 2, 9, 30, 30-32

36
8, 13, 17
15, 38
22, 41
7, 15, 34, 38
22, 41
22, 25, 34,41
21,41

46

Detail from the one inch to one mile First Edition Ordnance Survey Map published in 1816

Thus far all went merrily. I went to bed that night with my dream still undestroyed – the reality was
to begin with the morrow when I had to learn my first lesson of the Accidents.5 The difficulty I had of
learning what appeared to me gibberish I am ashamed to own. I was all the morning learning by heart a
few sentences to which I could attach no meaning and as I found I was to have no play until I had, my first
shock of waking began. I cannot now trace the successive miseries that continued to enlighten me, but by
the time my Mother came to see me after the first fortnight I was as wretched as I could possibly be, and
I suspect made her not a little so too, for she privately made some little intercession for me with Roberts
which, far from doing me any service, made him turn upon me with increased bitterness when she was gone
as being “a tale bearer to Mamma”.

My recollections of school are that while it is a perfect delusion to call that period the happiest of one’s
life, and that bad is the best, still the most miserable in every way is the first three months, that the youngest
and weakest suffer the most; and that in fact every wretchedness, either from school master or school
fellows is increased exactly in an inverse ratio to one’s ability to bear it. I quite shudder now at the thought.
I do not think I was ever quick at learning by heart and that is the principal task a young child is exercised
in. Roberts on being applied to had requested I should not begin any latin until I came to him and the little
ones with me had mostly had that advantage so I had great difficulty in holding my own. Roberts rough
manner frightened me out of my life and I slept a great part of the time in the room of a big bully, William
Cole,6 who used always to be pulling me out of bed and sending me in my night clothes on dangerous and
futile errands to get him something to eat from the kitchen. On one of these occasions I was caught and
well punished, but I will not dwell on the natural cruelty of this boy, he was subsequently found out and
sent away from school but not before I had been a dreadful sufferer. Roberts, however, never forgot it and
ever after treated me with, for him, unusual mildness out of compassion for what I had unknown to him
gone through.

3

The system at Roberts was very peculiar. He had a horror of Ushers. The system at Roberts was very peculiar.
He had a horror of Ushers. The school consisted of 16 boys
but generally there were one or two more. This was almost too much for one man to superintend, and he
made the two head boys preposters8 to keep order. When I first went there were two school rooms connected
by a door so there was a preposter in each; the rooms were afterwards thrown together and then each had
one end under his jurisdiction and sat at the head of the table in the middle of that portion of the room. This
boy was bound to report or shew up as we called it the name of any boy that made a noise, played at lessons,
was inattentive or committed any delinquency; he did this not viva voce but by putting the name down on
a small piece of paper with the fault under it and giving it to Roberts, who punished the boy directly without
ever doubting the justice of the accusation. If anything went amiss, any noise was heard, or any infraction
of discipline afterwards discovered, the two head boys bore the responsibility and were themselves
punished. Roberts said he did not often flog and comparatively he did not but he caned most furiously.
Every door in the house almost had a cane on a ledge over the door, and as I shall have afterwards to explain
many of our lessons were said peripatetically, walking about the house, he had his instruments of
punishment always at hand wherever he might be.

Another consequence of this autocracy was, that there being but one Master to hear all our lessons
whether we said singly or in classes, we did not have regular school hours in which we could all be in
together, but school was always going on, as long as any boy had lessons to say. Every boy had on his
return from the Holidays a list made out of the lessons he was to do each day of the week. When he had
learnt one, if Roberts was not disengaged to hear him, or, if others in the class not ready, he was to go on
learning the next; so frequently he had two or three to say in succession. We were always when ready with
a lesson, to apply to say it. We used to go into his dressing room when he was shaving, or washing, into
the dining room when he was playing the flute, out to the stable or into the kitchen garden when he was giving
orders; wherever it might be, he was, unless particularly busy, ready to hear us and we often used to follow
him about from one room to another and out of doors still saying our lesson behind, generally the repetitions,
but sometimes even when we were construing and parsing in classes and great fun it used to be four or five
of us jostling along behind him and when we had done racing along the garden back to the house.

Roberts used therefore to boast we need never be idle but always have some fresh lesson to get ready.
When all were learnt then were the exercises of which when we were advanced enough there were plenty;
for in imitation of Eton we did verses, lyrics, latin theme, and on Sunday an English theme on a sacred
subject. When all the lessons and exercises of the day were done, then and then only could we go out to
play and have the rest of the day to ourselves except that sometimes if very forward we were allowed to
take an hour of exercise earlier about 12 o’clock. If a boy did not get through his lessons he not only had
no play but on going to bed the two senior boys went round to collect arrears and each boy had to give in
the number of tasks left undone and these were added to those of the next day, so that once to get into this
kind of debt was frightful; sometimes the amount of lessons owing arose so high that no industry could
liquidate it and then there was a whitewashing act in the shape of a flogging and the boy began again free.
As in cases of inveterate idleness a boy would get no exercise and his health might suffer, when for some
days following a boy had been shut up he used to be sent out alone in the road before the house or sweep
as we called it and there to walk fast and sometimes made to run until he was supposed to have had air and
exercise enough. In reality there was no pleasure in this.

Our diet was very good but very simple. There were three cows kept at least and the milk was excellent
and very little adulterated. For breakfast we had a basin of milk hot or cold as we chose and as much dry
bread cut in square hunches as we liked. I never tasted a bit of butter except what was obtained on the sly
all the five years I was there; this was at eight o’clock. We rose at six summer or winter and Roberts was
generally up first. At 12 o’clock we had each of us another square lump of bread, dinner at three as much
boiled or roast meat, mutton and beef, as we liked and two small glasses of beer. There used to be a plain
pudding on weekdays and plum pudding on Sundays, but no boy was entitled to stay for this unless he had
done all his lessons and consequently been without arrears the day before. At six we had our last meal,
a mug of milk and again what bread we liked. Occasionally we were asked as a treat or as a reward for
good behaviour to sit up to supper and then instead of going to bed with the rest at eight we used to sit (the
one or at most the two invited) in the school room reading or writing a letter home, or perhaps a game at

4

INDEX OF PERSONS

References are to page numbers. Bold numerals indicate main biographical notes; italic numerals indicate illustrations.

Angerstein, 13,
17, 36,40
Annesley, Hon. William (Viscount Valentia) 11, 12,36
Auckland, Baron see Eden
Baring, Sir Francis 9,32
Baring, Maria 9,32
Barlow, Sir George H. 9, 10, 32, 35
Barlow, George 8, 9, 32,35
Barlow, Henry 8, 10, 32,35
Barlow, Robert 2, 9, 10, 21, 22, 32
Barlow, William 8, 9, 32, 35
Bedford, Dukes of 34
Begin, 18
Boehm, Mrs 8, 17, 34
Braham, John 15,38
Brownrigg, Charles 11, 13,37
Brownrigg, Sir Robert 13, 37
Buckinghamshire, Earl of see Hobart
Buffon, Comte de 14,37
Burghley, Earl of 36
Carlisle, Earl of see Howard
Carter, Mrs 7, 15, 26, 34
Cecil, Brownlow see Exeter
Cecil, Lord Thomas 12, 13, 14, 24,35
Cholmondely, Lord William 16,39
Cole, George 13, 16,33
Cole, William 3, 9, 16, 22, 33
Courvoisier, Benjamin 34
Coussmaker, Sophia (Baroness de Clifford) 10, 35
Cowley, Baron 41
Cowley, Earl see Wellesley
Cuthbert, Frederick 13, 16,40
Cuthbert, James 40
Cuyler, Augustus 9, 10, 13, 33
Cuyler, Charles 8, 9, 10, 12, 33
Cuyler, General Sir Cornelius 9,33
Dallas, George 25,41
Debonnaire, Anne see Monson, Anne
de Clifford see Coussmaker
Dempster, James 18, 40
Derby, Countess of see Farren, Elizabeth
Derby, Earl of see Stanley
Dick, Dr 21
Dover, Baron see Ellis
Dusgate, Abraham 13, 14, 15,37-38

45

Glebelands and Little Glebelands combined were considerably larger than the Revd. Richard Roberts’ academy for
young gentlemen, and it was not immediately obvious what remained of the original 18th-century building. The main
entrances now faced Love Lane, whereas the house used to be approached via a drive skirting the lawn from the
south-east. From this side one could still see the reconstructed twin bay windows, which had become part of
Glebelands, whilst to the right, incorporated into Little Glebelands, much of the old north-east wing survived.
Shortcomings in the layout of the two houses combined as one residential home had for long been obvious when
the Hanover Housing Association took over the property in 1990, and three years later, plans having been approved
by Merton Borough Council and the Housing Corporation, and alternative accommodation found for the residents
(many of whom were, understandably, reluctant to be moved) the premises were demolished. The interesting history
of the property was not overlooked, however, and a full photographic survey was conducted by the Museum of
London Archaeology Service (MoLAS) in March 1993, before the building was pulled down.
Glebelands and Little Glebelands combined were considerably larger than the Revd. Richard Roberts’ academy for
young gentlemen, and it was not immediately obvious what remained of the original 18th-century building. The main
entrances now faced Love Lane, whereas the house used to be approached via a drive skirting the lawn from the
south-east. From this side one could still see the reconstructed twin bay windows, which had become part of
Glebelands, whilst to the right, incorporated into Little Glebelands, much of the old north-east wing survived.
Shortcomings in the layout of the two houses combined as one residential home had for long been obvious when
the Hanover Housing Association took over the property in 1990, and three years later, plans having been approved
by Merton Borough Council and the Housing Corporation, and alternative accommodation found for the residents
(many of whom were, understandably, reluctant to be moved) the premises were demolished. The interesting history
of the property was not overlooked, however, and a full photographic survey was conducted by the Museum of
London Archaeology Service (MoLAS) in March 1993, before the building was pulled down. The cleared site was
excavated by MoLAS the following May, but little was found to carry its history back before the end of the 18th
century.11
The new Glebelands was completed in 1994, and soon re-occupied. Although its formal opening was not planned
to take place until the summer of 1996, in January that year a small group of elderly residents witnessed the ceremonial
planting of a mulberry tree by Mrs. Mary Smith M.B.E. and Mrs. Lucy Hedden, both members of the Mitcham Old
People’s Housing Association, who were representing the Friends of Glebelands. The new tree was intended as
a symbolic replacement of an old mulberry which had stood in the front garden of the original Glebelands, and was
removed during the rebuilding. Also on the back lawn, and overshadowing the new building, is a massive London
plane, protected by a preservation order. This provides another link with the past, but although it is undoubtedly
old, the tree is unlikely to date back to Monson’s schooldays and more probably was one of the two saplings which
are shown in the pretty little engraving, reproduced on page 27, made of the property in 1841.4
The formal opening of the new Glebelands residential home took place on Tuesday, July 9th., 1996, the actresses
Annette Crosbie (star of the popular BBC television situation comedy series “One Foot in the Grave”) and Pat Coombs
unveiling a plaque in the presence of the mayor of Merton, Slim Flegg, residents and invited guests. The choir from
Liberty Middle School added a musical dimension to the proceedings, which were justifiably enjoyed by all.

E N Montague

References:

1 Surrey History Centre. Mitcham Land Tax Records

2 Title deeds of Little Glebelands, seen in the Chief
Executive’s Department, London Borough of Merton,
in 1980

3 He was still listed by Pigot & Co. in their London
Directory for 1826-7, and was assessed for land tax in
1826

4 Merton Local Studies Centre. RMC 413

5 1847 Tithe Register: Ref. 947 – House, offices,
garden, yard and buildings; Ref. 950 – Meadow;
Total 2a. 3r. 15p. Landowner: Miles, Alan. (Unoccupied)

6 Abel Garraway was listed in the Post Office Directory
for 1845, and is understood to have been living at
“Durham House”, overlooking Upper Green East, until
1849. His headstone in Mitcham churchyard describes
him as a “citizen and painterstainer of London”

7 Information from W J Rudd, Vice President of Merton
Historical Society.

8 Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Rutter are mentioned frequently in
the vicar’s pastoral letters for 1860 – 69, and Mrs.
Rutter was a member of the Ladies’ Visiting Society.

9 Merton Local Studies Centre. Contemporary news
cutting. L2/920 LP 271
10 Lees, D., (Museum of London Archaeology Service)

Glebelands, Love Lane, Mitcham. A Photographic
Survey (1993)
11 Miller, P., (Museum of London Archaeology Service)

Glebelands, Love Lane, Mitcham. An Archaeological
Evaluation(1993) and Lees D., and Potter G., (Museum
of London Archaeology Service) Glebelands Love Lane,
Mitcham: An Historical and Archaeological Survey

(1996)

Design Unit, Merton Council, reproduced with permission

GLEBELANDS
Detail from a modern street map produced by Merton

44

chess, but nothing was allowed that made a noise. At ½ past nine we went in to the dining room. The
supper was a thin slice or two of cold meat and a small bit of tart with a glass of beer and afterwards a
wine glass of either Lisbon or Vidonia.9 It was not much but even this to hungry schoolboys was
acceptable. The worst part of the entertainment I well remember was the feeling that we ought to talk and
a most grim necessity it was, especially as we used suddenly to be asked what we had to say – and what
on earth was there in common to serve as a topic between us. The only time there was anything like
merriment was on the last day before the Holidays when we all used to sit up to supper and the prospect
of the morrow mounted up our young spirits to a point no austerity could quite subdue. I will not say but
what there were some boys who had the happy knack (for it was little more) of appearing to be at their
ease and could get up a little conversation and curiously enough these boys were far from being the
cleverest or most jovial in the school, but I think they were amongst the most impudent. As for myself
I must confess that though in the latter years of my stay partly because I became more in favor and partly
because being a head boy and “keeping order” I was entitled by custom to this distinction, I used frequently
to sit up to supper yet if it had not been (as the Irishman said of the sedan chair) for the honor of the thing,
I would much rather have been of the party that went to bed.

Notwithstanding our meals were plentiful and good, yet we certainly did suffer from both hunger and
thirst. After our dinner at three except the dry bread at six we had nothing more that day and consequently
young healthy boys taking much exercise (and all our principal summer exercise was in the afternoon)
became desperately hungry at bedtime and many a shilling have I given to our good natured maid Mary
to have a hunch of bread and meat or perhaps bread and butter (for in the forbidden way I remember I
did taste butter) brought to me when in bed to eat under the bedclothes. But from thirst in summer we
suffered more. Except the allowed beer or milk at meals we never were permitted of right to have drink.
A little supply we got in this way. Each boy had for the purposes of washing a green quart bottle of water
to last for the 24 hours – during which time we washed twice, in the morning and just before dinner, at
the rate therefore of a pint each time; but in the hot weather we allowed for our ablutions the very least
possible quantity and used to drink often 3 fourths of the water. On certain occasions but very seldom
(perhaps on some sultry evening or after an unusually longer walk) we used to ask Mrs Roberts to allow
us to have some water to drink but this was as often refused as not.10

Twice a week there was a vendor of cakes who came. When I first went to Mitcham the man who
came was I think named Godfrey. His shop was half baker, half pastrycook and what he brought
principally penny tarts of fruit, but for some misdemeanor never explained to the boys he was turned off
and my memory of him is very faint. Afterwards came a widow woman named Lee, every Wednesday
and Saturday with two large baskets, the contents were not so much tarts and puffs as gingerbread,
different sorts of cakes, sugar plums, bulls eyes, brandy balls, candied lemon peel, oranges and in the
season strawberries and cherries and other fruits also nuts and chesnuts.11 I doubt if her pastry was so
fresh as Godfrey’s but she was a kind civil creature and had great variety so that we certainly preferred
her. According to law we might each buy only three pennyworth but we used nevertheless almost always,
unless low in pocket, to “buy over” as we called it, to the amount of a shilling. There was a hazard in
this for we were punished if found out and Mrs Lee ran the risk of expulsion but though it was often
suspected I do not remember an instance of its being brought home, but this is perhaps from want of
memory, for I recollect that on the Wednesdays and Saturdays a want of appetite used frequently to subject
us to a severe cross examination.

Roberts boasted that he never in his life gave a whole Holiday. The only diminution in our lessons
were on three great festivals, the birthdays of Mr and Mrs Roberts, their wedding day and to each boy
on his own birthday for himself alone. On those occasions the boys used to take up to Roberts the list
of that day’s lessons and he scratched off what he thought proper but with the remainder we acted just
the same as usually, we were to get them done first before we were allowed to play. I however recollect
with respect to the wedding day this was not strictly kept to. It happened in summer and there generally
was company invited and we dined first (at other times we always dined together) and when on a fine sunny
evening a few unhappy boys perhaps overwhelmed by former arrears or at any rate still kept bending over
their books with their companions shouting and racing even within their sight out of the front windows

5

it used to raise the compassion of the friendly visitors and they used to be begged off for a few hours play
on that one occasion which was seldom except under a case of great delinquency refused. On this wedding
day too we used to have a large cake and a syllabub it used to raise the compassion of the friendly visitors and they used to be begged off for a few hours play
on that one occasion which was seldom except under a case of great delinquency refused. On this wedding
day too we used to have a large cake and a syllabub to finish the day, and not infrequently some of the
guests, especially a brother Mr William Roberts2 from Eton, used to come out and join our cricket.

It was a rule among us that whatever prog13 a boy brought from home after the Holidays was equally
divided among all the school fellows, so far equally at least that perhaps the owner reserved a slice or two
more for himself; it used also to be a custom for one of the little fellows to beg to be the powder monkey
which office was to fetch the plate and knife and carry about the portions and for which services the powder
monkey had in addition the crumbs. When my friend and schoolfellow Royston14 heard of his sister going
to be married to Lord Pollington he insisted on her sending him a cake the size of his hoop. I remember well
its arrival all covered with sugar and Mrs Roberts insisting on its not being all divided at once but bringing
it out for many successive days. One of the early notable occurrences after I first went to school was in
connection with this custom of equal division. Two boys brothers brought back or had sent them a basket
of prog. I think it was the Cuylers – One of them the elder15 was in arrears while my great friend the younger,
Augustus,16 being free was entitled to stay on for pudding. The elder with all those in the same predicament
attacked and demolished most of the basket before we came out from dinner. It was found out by some
means, I am sure there was no tale telling for that was abhorrent to us all. Roberts went into a tremendous
passion, besides other punishment, he put all who had devoured the prog into one of the school rooms (it
was before they were thrown together) and the rest of us were for many weeks not allowed to speak to them
nor were they allowed to play with us.

Among the many strict regulations of the school one of the principal was the order that was insisted
upon. There were sixteen pegs down the side of the school room, each boy had one according to seniority
for his coat and hat. There was a set of shelves divided by partitions into 16 into which each boy put his
books, and behind the books by the bye was the only place to hide any store of cakes that were “bought
over”. There were 16 stools each marked with the initials of the owner. I succeeded to the stool of Willm.
afterwards Colonel, Meyrick,17 and the initials did equally for me: there was an aperture for the hand in
the top of the stool (they were the common wooden round Clerks stools) and whether we went into dinner
or prayers or whatever it might be that it was required we should sit, each boy took up his stool and marched
in according to his rotation in the school. At night every boy was to see that everything belonging to him
was in its proper place for woe be to the boy whose hat, books or stool was not found in its due order. If
the owner could not be discovered by the mark it was the place of the head boy to find out or be punished
himself.

Roberts certainly worked from morning till night. However the labours of the day might be got over
by the pupils, the Master could have no respite as long as one lesson remained unsaid or one exercise
remained to be brought up for inspection. We might as I have before said go into him wherever he might
be, whether over his wine or writing or playing the flute of which he was fond whether indoors or out of
doors it was all the same. One day of relaxation from the school he certainly had and not unfrequently,
perhaps about once in ten days, he used to drive up to London in his one horse phaeton.18 What he went
for we boys used to wonder at and of course made it into a mystery. He used to leave at seven or earlier
in summer and was seldom home before the same hour of the evening. It was a morning of great delight
to us, though no lessons were excused and each knowing by his list what he had to prepare was expected
to be ready to say one after the other as soon as he returned yet with all the heedlessness of childhood too
many would delay till quite late making this preparation. We could not go out to play without asking Mrs
Roberts’19 permission and this was only given on the applicant’s assuring her he had his lessons ready but
too frequently this preparation was very imperfect and as evening and the hour of trial drew near fear used
to cause many to go to their tasks again when little time was left. Sometimes he returned too earlier than
was expected and then great was the dismay. Well can I still remember the sound of the wheels when first
heard up the narrow lane, the beating of many little hearts and the pale anxious faces. He generally went
up immediately into his dressing room and each boy while he was washing went up in turn. Eagerly did
we ask those who went first as to what humour he was in and I well recollect the constant answer was “as
bad as possible”. For the short lived pleasures of the morning we invariably had all to suffer at night. In

6

his niece, Sarah Witherspoon, headmistress of the British and Foreign Schools, which stood at the corner of Love
Lane and Western Road, next to Zion Chapel. She inherited on his death in 1891, and a further transfer of title occurred
in 1917, when the property was sold to F. Bentley by H. Christie Esq., executor for Miss Witherspoon, who had died
in 1907. In 1929 Bentley, then licensee of the Ravensbury Arms on Mitcham Common, sold Little Glebelands to Mrs.
Ethel Powell of 127 Church Road, Mitcham.2
During the air raids of World War II both houses were badly damaged by bomb blast, on one occasion, in 1941, from
bombs jettisoned by a Heinkel 111K flying almost at roof-top height in a northerly direction above London Road.
Pursued by two Spitfires, and with both its engines on fire, the bomber turned away and managed to limp as far as
Biggin Hill before crash-landing. Those members of the crew who survived were taken prisoner. Half a century later,
at a reception held for members of the British Legion visiting his home town, one of the former German aircrew made
himself known to the English guests amongst whom was a pensioner, now living on the Glebelands housing estate,
who still remembers very clearly the air raid of 1941.
The end of hostilities in 1945 found the two houses in a very sorry state, with the roof covering of Little Glebelands
partly gone, and the rafters exposed. First aid repairs had been attempted from time to time but the property was
barely habitable, and in need of extensive repair. In this condition it was acquired by the Mitcham Old People’s
Housing Association, which had prepared a scheme of rehabilitation and enlargement to provide residential
accommodation for the elderly. The project had the support of the Borough Council, and a foundation stone laying
ceremony was performed by the mayor, Cllr. E. E.. Mount J.P., on December 12th. 1953. Ten months later Glebelands,
proclaimed by the local press as “Mitcham’s first communal home for old people” was officially opened by General
Sir Robert H. Haining, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, who unveiled a tablet in the dining room to commemorate the event.
Various alterations and minor additions, notably to provide better service facilities, took place over the following
years and, particularly during the late ’50s and ’60s, Glebelands was to attract much local support and to benefit
greatly from many voluntary fund-raising activities. In 1983 the home was providing accommodation for 39 residents,
including a former lady mayor of Mitcham, then in her nineties. As the 35th anniversary of its opening was celebrated,
changes were in the offing, affecting not only Glebelands, but also the Association’s other residential homes, Sibford
at the corner of London Road and Lower Green West, and The Gables in Tamworth Lane, for in 1990 the Mitcham
Old People’s Housing Association was to be taken over by the much larger Hanover Housing Association and yet
another phase in the history of Glebelands was about to commence.
The success of the Glebelands project, and the urgent need to provide more accommodation for the elderly, had
encouraged Mitcham Corporation to acquire Little Glebelands from Mrs. Powell in 1960. The house was then
thoroughly renovated and converted to provide, with a new annexe, 14 units of sheltered accommodation, plus a
separate flat for a warden. The scheme was completed and all the flatlets occupied by September 1962. Management
was transferred to the Mitcham Old People’s Housing Association, but ownership remained vested in the Borough
Council, who also retained 50% of the nomination rights to new tenancies.

Glebelands from east-south-east (1993)

43

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GLEBELANDS

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GLEBELANDS
1 when
a John Miles, the owner, was assessed for tax on what was clearly a new house, then occupied by a Charles Douglas.
The name “Glebelands” has been linked to the property since the mid-19th century, and was obviously inspired by
its proximity to three closes of glebe to the rear of the house. It would appear from the earliest plans of the property,
and the first large scale O.S. maps of the area, that the land on which the house itself had been erected was an enclosure
in the ownership of Isaac Potter in the 1760s.2
Two years after its first appearance in the tax records the house was either re-let or leased afresh by Miles to the Revd.
Richard Roberts. The land tax records for 1799 show an increase from £54 to £75 in the assessment of the house and
land occupied by Roberts, presumably brought about by an extension to the original building. In a sketch plan Lord
Monson shows a single storey annexe, which was used as the school dining room, adjoining the north-eastern side
of the house, and it may have been this which is reflected in the revaluation. By 1821 John Miles had died, and the
property was in the hands of his executors. Roberts’ tenure continued until about 1826,3 and in the tax record for
1828 we find the first reference to a Revd. Charles Knyvete as the occupier. It seems likely that he had also taken
over the academy, and the house, known as Glebelands, was certainly still in use as a boys’ boarding school in 1841,
when it was in the occupation of Richard Hilliard. The household then comprised Hilliard, who was aged about 60.
his wife Harriet, a young woman Mary Ann Reeve, three female servants and Henry Easter, the French master. Ten
boys aged between 12 and 17 were resident on census night, three of them born in Ireland, and one in the West Indies.
That same year the house, garden and meadow, in all comprising a little over two acres, was offered for sale freehold
by a Mr. Musgrove,4 but we do not know if it actually changed hands at this time, and in a directory of 1845 Glebelands
was still listed as a school, run by a Revd. John Hurnall.
Two years later, when ownership had passed to an Alan Miles, the premises were empty.5 Use of the property as
a school had now ended, and for the next hundred years, after conversion into two separate dwellings, Glebelands,
or Glebe House, as it appears in the Post Office directory for 1851, was to be used purely for private residential
purposes. At the time of the 1851 census, the smaller dwelling, described as “Glebe Villa”, was occupied by 69 year-
old Abel Garraway, styled a “landed proprietor”, Amelia his wife and their daughter Mary Ann.6 The remaining part
of the original house was the residence of a surveyor, Samuel Charles Brees, and his family of five children and a
servant. They evidently moved away soon afterwards, for when Lord Monson revisited his old preparatory school
in 1858 he found a Miss Rutter “a maiden lady of about 30” living in the western half of Glebelands, taking care of
a large family of nephews and nieces whose mother had died recently.
The 1861 Census returns for Mitcham show Eliza Rutter (41) and her sister Susan Rutter (36) living in Love Lane,
Mitcham, with their aunt, three nephews, a niece and two servants. The Morden parish registers record the burial
of their sister-in-law, Laura Matilda Rutter of Glebelands, Mitcham, on 29 March 1856, and her husband, James, died
the following year. In 1871 Eliza’s brother Henry (53) was listed as head of the household at The Glebelands, which
also consisted of Eliza, three nephews and two servants.7
Accompanied by his daughter, Abel Garraway remained at Glebe Villa until his death in 1860. Glebe Villa by now
appears to have been reunited with Glebelands. The 1861 census shows another Rutter brother, Isaac Campbell
Rutter, living there with his second wife Alice and the daughter of his first marriage, Rosa Mary. There is also an
entry for “Glebelands Lodge”, occupied by Robert Evans, the Rutters’ groom, and his wife Hannah, a laundress. The
Rutter family were snuff manufacturers and tobacco merchants, and had been operating the mills at Ravensbury since
1805. John Rutter, who had established the business in the City some fifteen years previously, took over the lease
of the mill premises from Martin Pearkes. When John died in 1826 his son Isaac, who inherited the business, changed
the name of the firm to Isaac Rutter and Company. John Rutter (III) and Isaac Campbell Rutter continued in partnership
after Isaac senior’s death in 1837, and eventually the business came into the hands of their sons, Hugh Campbell
Rutter and Henry Crofts Rutter. By this time there were numerous members of the family, living both in Mitcham
and also in Morden, where the family had been established since the 18th century. Isaac Campbell Rutter was a
churchwarden and overseer at Mitcham for many years,8 died in 1889 at the age of 74, and is commemorated by the
reredos in the parish church, presented by the family.9 Rutters’ “Mitcham Shag” remained one of the firm’s best
known products long after closure of the Ravensbury manufactory in 1925. Isaac Campbell Rutter and his family
were still at “The Glebe Lands” in 1871, but soon moved to Hazelwood in Central Road, Morden.7
By 1874 Glebelands had become the home of William Russell Harwood, the local collector of taxes and clerk to the
Mitcham School Board, who remained in occupation for some 20 years or more. The owner of the property seems
to have been Caesar Czarnikow, a sugar merchant, living at Mitcham Court, the large house overlooking the Cricket
Green. In 1884 “Little Glebelands”, described as a “freehold messuage and premises”, was sold by a John Rogers
to Jasper Knight. Two years later, Knight, who lived at Little Glebelands for a number of years, willed the house to

42

short it was a most perfect allegory of human life, its early carelessness, its late repentance and its certain
retribution. I have hinted at my memory of early sounds, those most vivid are connected with this return,
the distant noise of the carriage, the rattle in the stable yard, the slam of a swing door in the kitchen through
which he entered and the fearful creaking of his boots as he crossed the school room. I do not think any
sounds of after life have created such a shudder.

It may appear from the foregoing that Mrs Roberts had very little to do with the school. I do not think
she had much. We used to say to her the French on Saturday we prepared for the Master on Monday and
that was all. We however always walked out with her, Roberts never accompanied us. Famous long walks
we used to take and so that we did not lag too much or wander too wide we might go in what manner we
liked, play at horses or robbers or walk with ones friend without any marshalling or formality. Our
pleasantest walk was to an old House Beding.20 not far from Croydon where Q. Elizabeth had been confined
before coming to the Crown. In the woody banks of the old grounds we had famous games of Banditti. We
used to like also the road to Tooting at least as long as we were going from Mitcham for we felt every step
took us nearer home, there was also at Tooting Corner21 a little cake shop that we could slip into and make
purchases. There were numerous other walks by the Wandle and towards Merton and I perfectly recollect
in the October of the second year I was at school and the News of Nelson’s death arrived how we used to
whisper seriously together in passing through the latter village, of his body being brought there which
however I think it never was.22

Another little episode in our school life I remember Mrs Roberts had a sister Mrs Carter23 who kept
a seminary for six young Ladies, much about our own age eight to thirteen. It sometimes happened that
Mrs Carter with her half dozen damsels came to dine with us and they always were placed as was proper
at the head of the table – no intercourse of course took place between us and the young Ladies and indeed
I do not think we were sufficiently sensible of the honor of female society to desire it on the contrary we
were all ungallant enough to grumble that we got helped much later and in smaller quantities on these
occasions.

[Mrs Carter was the elder sister, they were both daughters of the Revd Mr Wade of Boxford Suffolk
and she died 23 Nov 1810 and was buried at Boxford.]

Beddington Park House (now known as Carew Manor) – an engraving of 1805

7

Thus far I have given the manner customs constitution and Government of the school. It is time now
to give some description of persons and first of our King and Queen. I have been told that as a child I once
gave the most perfect character of both in a few words when I said Mr Roberts never smiled and Mrs
Roberts was always smiling. To this day Mr Roberts appears in my mind’s eye as the most stern
relentless-looking man I ever saw. He was tall, bulky and of powerful make, he was nearly bald at least
the hairs on the top of his head were few and straggling; brown but his whiskers were red. He always wore
spectacles and the compression of his lips in passion was appalling. Mrs Roberts was a very pretty
animated little woman clever but not accomplished I think she neither drew nor played or sung. He was
a good musician and extremely fond of music. She had no children and what so frequently follows was
devotingly fond of animals, she had 3 or 4 tortoiseshell cats great pets especially one named Fatima, a pug
dog named Hassan, a most thorough ill tempered brute and worst of all a ferocious green parrot that used
frequently to be let out of its cage and especially in summer when we had our bread and milk at supper on
the grass of the lawn stalk about most impudently and make free with our food giving savage snaps at our
fingers if resisted. Mrs Roberts was however certainly fond of and kind to children she wrote and printed
a pretty little book intended specially for them called the Telescope. She sometimes but not often interceded
for us in case of punishment enjoyed seeing us play and talking with us in our walks and certainly was kind
to us in illnesses. Roberts himself never relaxed; his very jokes were grim and personal. I remember one
instance that concerned myself – it was one of the greatest scrapes I got into I was caught with two of the
Russells Thus far I have given the manner customs constitution and Government of the school. It is time now
to give some description of persons and first of our King and Queen. I have been told that as a child I once
gave the most perfect character of both in a few words when I said Mr Roberts never smiled and Mrs
Roberts was always smiling. To this day Mr Roberts appears in my mind’s eye as the most stern
relentless-looking man I ever saw. He was tall, bulky and of powerful make, he was nearly bald at least
the hairs on the top of his head were few and straggling; brown but his whiskers were red. He always wore
spectacles and the compression of his lips in passion was appalling. Mrs Roberts was a very pretty
animated little woman clever but not accomplished I think she neither drew nor played or sung. He was
a good musician and extremely fond of music. She had no children and what so frequently follows was
devotingly fond of animals, she had 3 or 4 tortoiseshell cats great pets especially one named Fatima, a pug
dog named Hassan, a most thorough ill tempered brute and worst of all a ferocious green parrot that used
frequently to be let out of its cage and especially in summer when we had our bread and milk at supper on
the grass of the lawn stalk about most impudently and make free with our food giving savage snaps at our
fingers if resisted. Mrs Roberts was however certainly fond of and kind to children she wrote and printed
a pretty little book intended specially for them called the Telescope. She sometimes but not often interceded
for us in case of punishment enjoyed seeing us play and talking with us in our walks and certainly was kind
to us in illnesses. Roberts himself never relaxed; his very jokes were grim and personal. I remember one
instance that concerned myself – it was one of the greatest scrapes I got into I was caught with two of the
Russells playing with fire in our bedroom and sentenced to be flogged next morning. It was a Sunday night
and the first thing on the morrow when themes were looked over mine began “This subject may be divided
under many heads” to which he added looking at me under his spectacles “lucky for you Sir that you have
not many tails”. Another time there was a dirty boy who used to commit all sorts of abominations (it was
Murray Mrs Boehms25 protege) and it was quite impossible to sit near him. Roberts affixed to his back
a large sheet of white paper on which was

Non redolet sed olet qui redolere solet26

Roberts was the most inflexible and determined disciplinarian I ever met. He seemed not to have a
grain of pity in his composition. Now it is extraordinary that with all this and with all the kindness of manner
of his wife, of the two she was with us all the least liked. The reason can be told at once. Roberts was strictly
just. Mrs Roberts had favorites and made distinctions. I think she used to prefer a pretty boy especially
if he would make himself useful with her animals. Not that we liked ourselves being what was called a
parlour cat for this favorite with the mistress was seldom so with his fellow boys. Frank Russell27 as
beautiful as a boy as he was afterwards handsome as a man was favorite when I first went – my friend
Augustus Cuyler16 or Gussey as she called him became another, he was gifted with a charming manner
which befriended him but the distinction was not one he liked especially with the title attached. Now Roberts
made no distinctions even the clever boys he praised at the time for their lessons but he shewed no undue
preference. He certainly was loved by none of us but still was respected.

Now for my schoolfellows: our number as I said was rightly 16. There were three bedrooms in the
second floor, each had a separate staircase, there were in fact four but the fourth was occupied by the
maidservants. In each of these three rooms were three beds. There were two bedrooms, kind of passage
rooms, on the first floor one had three the other two beds and there was one small room over Mrs Roberts’
store room with two beds, it was usually given to brothers. The Marquis of Exeter28 and his brother29 had
it all the time they were there. Thus there were only 16 beds we always had one to ourselves and if a
seventeenth came he was obliged to be put in the room that was reserved if any should be sick.

The seventeen when I first went in 1804 were, placing them as well as I can remember in their school

rotation
Barlow George
Barlow William
Russell Francis
Wellesley Henry
Cuyler Charles
Hobart Augustus
Idle Christopher
Russell George
Barlow Henry
Russell John
8

And though I love the happy art When Music fix’d attention draws
That tuneful instruments impart, Deep silence is the best applause.
I oft prefer to Handel’s notes Then pour those dulcet sounds again,
The concert of your tiny throats; And I will listen to the strain.

Mitcham, June 29. S. J. P.

Pratt was a failed actor who became a prolific writer of poetry, essays, plays, letters etc. He was not highly rated,
despite one successful play. Byron and Lamb among others were critical of his output. Pratt died aged 64, in
1814 “a copious, and in some degree, a popular writer in prose and verse”.

GMLXXXIV (1814) i p168;AR1814; M. Drabble (ed.)The Oxford Companion to English Literature London 1985

85 Amelia Opie (1769-1853) née Alderson was a popular poet and author of ‘novels of sensibility’, who moved
in literary circles, counting Byron, Scott and Wordsworth among her friends, as well as Horne Tooke, William
Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Physically striking, she was charming and vivacious. In 1798 she married
the successful painter John Opie. Her family background was Unitarian. In 1825 she became a Quaker, and
turned her pen to improving works. She was satirised by Peacock in Headlong Hall as Miss Poppyseed. Her
portrait was painted by, among others, Benjamin Haydon.

C. Buck (ed.) Women’s Literature A-Z London 1994 (1992); M. Drabble (ed.) The Oxford Companion to
English Literature London 1985; J. Shattock The Oxford Guide to British Women Writers Oxford 1993

86 Mrs Sterndale. Untraced

87 The Revd Streynsham Derbyshire Myers MA, vicar of Mitcham 1779-1824

88 Mrs Hoare (sister of Miss Emma Noel) and presumably a daughter-in-law of Henry Hoare of Mitcham Grove.

89 Valete et Plaudite. “Farewell and applaud, ye!” Plaudite was the appeal for applause at the end of a Roman
play.

Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable London 1956 (1870)

90 Dome. Not a literal architectural feature, but an archaic or poetic usage (which provides a convenient rhyme)
of ‘dome’ in the sense of house, or domain, originally from domus (Lat.).

OED 1989

91 George William Frederick Howard, Viscount Morpeth (1802-1864), eldest son of George, 6th Earl of
Carlisle. Educated at Eton, matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford 1819, aged 17. BA 1823, MA 1827. MP
for Morpeth 1826-48, Yorkshire West 1830-41, and followed a distinguished Parliamentary career. Chief
Secretary Ireland 1835-1841, Lord Lieutenant 1855-8. KG 1855. Succeeded his father as seventh earl 1848.
Retired 1859, and died unmarried. A published poet.

Al.Oxon. ii; Burke 1874; Stenton and Lees; The Keepsake 1830 pp213-5,247-8 (for instance)

92 George Dallas. “14th February 1816. At St Margaret’s Castle, Tichfield, Hants, aged 18, George, eldest son
of Sir George Dallas, bart. In getting over a hedge while shooting, on the 19th of January, his gun went off,
and lodged its contents in his hip and thigh, which, after great suffering, terminated in his death.”

GM 1816 vol 86 i p281

93 Henry Richard Charles Wellesley (1804-1884), eldest son of Henry Wellesley, first Baron Cowley.
Matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford 1822 aged 17, and followed a distinguished career as a diplomat.
Ambassador in Paris 1852-67. KCB 1851, GCB 1853, and created first Earl Cowley and Viscount Dangan
in 1857. KG 1866. Doctor of Civil Law 1870. He died in Albemarle Street.

Al.Oxon. iv; Burke 1874

94 Now known as Figges Marsh.

95 The grounds of the former Biggin Grove, one-time residence of Lord Redesdale, later to become Gorringe
Park.

96 Eagle House – no longer a private academy in 1858, but a workhouse school in the hands of the Guardians
of the Poor of the parish of St George the Martyr, Southwark.

97 The Cricketers, rebuilt on the site of the old Swan inn under a new lease granted in 1855. Destroyed by enemy
action 23rd September 1940, and rebuilt.

98 Miss Rutter of the family of Mitcham snuff and tobacco manufacturers, whose factory was at the Ravensbury
Mills. (See page 42)

99 Tempora mutantur et nos mutamar in illis. Times change and we change with them.

41

72 Frederick Cuthbert. Younger brother, James, also scholar at Robert’s academy. “Went to Paris” (Monson).
[?First son of James Ramsey Cuthbert of Berkeley Square, who matriculated at Brasenose in 1820 aged 19.
Al.Oxon. ii]

72 Frederick Cuthbert. Younger brother, James, also scholar at Robert’s academy. “Went to Paris” (Monson).
[?First son of James Ramsey Cuthbert of Berkeley Square, who matriculated at Brasenose in 1820 aged 19.
Al.Oxon. ii]

74 Angerstein. Not traced. There may be a connection with the Russian-born underwriter, art-collector and
philanthropist John Julius Angerstein (1735-1823), who died in 1823 (see Note 49).
DNB 1 pp416-7

75 A l’outrance (Fr.). Se combattre à (l’) outrance (or to fight to outrance) is to fight to the death.
OED 1989

76 Hessian boots. Boots reaching to a little below the knee, the rim curving up from behind. The front had a

V-shaped dip from which dangled a tassel. The boots tapered to a square toe. They were worn with pantaloons.
C.W. Cunnington and P. Cunnington Handbook of English Costume in the Nineteenth Century London 1966
p.73

77 Mrs Elizabeth Hinchcliffe, widow of Thomas Hinchcliffe, who had taken a lease of Wandle Grove, Lower
Mitcham, in 1795. She lived there until 1821.

78 James Dempster, proprietor of the Baron House Academy in Lower Mitcham from 1803-1821. Memorial in parish
church.

79 Daniel Lambert (1770-1809). “The most corpulent man of whom authentic record exists”. He kept the Leicester
gaol, in succession to his father. By 1793 he weighed 32 stone. From 1806 he exhibited himself at No.53 Piccadilly,
having “attained the acme of mortal hugeness” at 52¾ stone. He was just under six feet tall. Lambert was
apparently a man of considerable intelligence and character.
DNB vol 32 pp7-8

80 Imperium in imperio. Rule within rule.

81 Sir John Walsh. Sir John Walsh-Benn, 1st Baronet, had seats at Warfield, Berkshire, and at Ormathwaite. His

wife was a Walsh, and he had been granted permission to assume the Walsh name and arms in 1794. He died
in 1825.
J. Burke A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire London 1828

82 John Parrott, physician, resident at Elm Court (later Mitcham Court), Cricket Green, Mitcham. Memorial in parish
church.

83 Ladies Magazine. Correctly The Lady’s Magazine or Entertaining Companion for the fair sex. This was a
monthly magazine for women published from 1770-1832, and subsequently under other titles. It had more
varied subject matter than Monson suggests.
British Union – Catalogue of Periodicals vol 3 L-R London 1957

84 Samuel Jackson Pratt (1749-1814). His poem was written at Roberts’ academy on 29th June 1813.
Summer Tribute to the Birds of MITCHAM BOWER. BY Mr. PRATT.

YE, sweet Musicians of the bushes, In some I read you all together,
Cuckoos, Nightingales, and Thrushes, All full of song, and eke of feather.
Thanks for the melodies ye pour But though I cannot versify,
In mingling sounds round Mitcham Bower. I hear with joy your poetry;
Fain would I give you song for song, The magic sentiment of sound
But that the pleas’d poetic throng Blends sense and harmony around
In Sonnet, Ballad, Roundelay, Volumes of praise you make me think,
Have left me nought to sing or say. Without the aid of pen and ink;
At least for twice a thousand years, A moral melts from yonder spray,
Where there’s a Bird, a Bard appears, A rapture glows in yonder lay
And not a Poem-et, but in it Like unpremeditating Hook,
There’s Blackbird, Nightingale, or Linnet: Ye’re Nature’s Bards without a book;
In every page the songsters sit, I trace a joy in every thrill,
To chirp, to carol, or to twit; A Muse inspires each little bill ,

40

Cole William Barlow Robert
Stainforth George Cuyler Augustus
West Monson William John
Lettsom William Nanson
of these I will give the following recollections.

The Barlows were all sons of Sir George Barlow Bart sometime Govr Genl of India. George and
William the two heads of the school when I first went seemed to me as a child immense fellows. George30
was a dark boy and nicknamed Jew, the second31 had a cast in his eye and was called cockeyed Billy Barlow

-they both must have left very early my recollection of them is very faint, the second went to sea and died
young. I forget whether the other came to the Baronetcy, I think not.
Frank Russell27 and his two brothers were sons of Lord William Russell afterwards barbarously
murdered and I think all three died before that murder took place.24 Frank was both as a man and boy of
rare beauty indeed he made a great sensation in the world. I do not remember him well at school but my
recollection is he was a pleasant good tempered lad.

Henry Wellesley32 was the youngest son of the Marquis Wellesley handsome fine eyes and the
Wellesley nose. He was one of the cleverest if not the cleverest of this first batch of boys, he certainly was
the best French scholar I ever remember at Mitcham, indeed much later in life when a student at Ch. Ch.33
and the Duchess of Oldenburgh paid her visit to Oxford in 1814 there was no one in the College (shame
be it to say so) who could speak French well enough to interpret for her Highness until the Dean sent for
Wellesley. He is now the Principal of New Inn Hall and one of the shining lights of the University. I followed
him through his educational career being not only at Mitcham with him but at Eton and Ch. Ch. and always
found him a most agreeable highly talented man.

Charles Cuyler15 and his brother Augustus16 were sons of General Sir Cornelius Cuyler, Bt. though
the younger was in early days my intimate friend I never saw the elder after he left Mitcham. I think he went
direct from there to Marlow34 and entered the army young, my faint recollection of him is that he was a short
stout boy of great strength and rather fond of using it, he became the Baronet and I think is alive now.

[Charles Cuyler born 1794 still living March 1858.]

Of Cole6 the less said the better. He was a big muddy complexioned boy without any ability of very
coarse disposition and I may dismiss him by saying he was very soon sent away from school and very much
on account of his treatment to me. I remember very well his Father coming a few mornings after my return
from the Holidays and being closeted with Roberts when in the course of the examination I was sent for
into the dining room and questioned, the case was too clear and he never returned to Mitcham.

George Stainforth3 was the son of a London Merchant who lived at Clapham and his Mother was a
Baring. He was very clever, equal perhaps to Wellesley and might if he had lived have distinguished himself
more. He was a very nice popular fellow into the bargain and a general favorite. When Price whom I shall
speak of later came to Mitcham he endeavoured to draw the school from him and too much succeeded but
there was no comparison between the two either in real ability or disposition. Stainforth went to Eton and
I remember had the best collection of variorum Classics35 in the school partly the produce of £50 given him
by some relative for having distinguished himself by being sent up for good. He was first at my Dames
Middleton then with Pearson as private Tutor in company with his Cousin Baring Wall, ultimately went
to Cambridge gained several prizes and at the dawn of a high reputation died quite young, regretted by every
body, his friends at school and College raised a monument to his memory in the Chapel of Trinity Coll.

West was a curious boy, he was generally dressed in a snuff coloured suit coat waistcoat and trousers.
He was a pale studious boy, worked hard to rival Stainforth with whom he was in the same class – he was
a very inoffensive lad but rather singular. I remember he first explained to me the mysteries of Latin verse
which being destitute of Rhyme I could not comprehend what made it poetry. He did not go to Eton and
what became of him I know not. I have never met nor heard of him in after life.

9

Augustus Hobart Augustus Hobart then far from the title has since become Earl of Buckinghamshire. He and the
Russells were among the few that learnt the Westminster Grammar37, most of us were for Eton. He was
a smiling stoutset short boy goodnatured but I think left us very soon.

[Augustus Hobart was born Nov. 1793 and was therefore nearly 2½ years older than myself. I was
not aware of that difference. He did not come to the title until 1849.]

Christopher Idle38 did not belye his name. He and Bobby Barlow were the idlest boys in the school.
He was very ugly too white faced and much freckled. I think red hair. I always understood he was very rich
and his family lived in Hampshire but what became of him in afterlife I do not know. I neither liked nor
disliked him. [There was a Christopher Idle who in 1855 published Hints on Shooting and Fishing. The
name is peculiar and it may be my old schoolfellow, he speaks of Ld.C Just Jervis as an old friend and fellow
sportsman but I can find nothing to identify his family or place of residence in the work, he seems for
sporting purpose to have been much in France.]

George and John Russell (I will place them together) were the other sons of Lord William. I knew them
well for they and I slept for a long time in the same room when the escapade of the burnt paper took place.
George39 was very dark, oval face, with fine dark eyes he was a boy of fair abilities but I think he went to
sea, at any rate he died young. John40 was a round faced chubby boy. Mrs Roberts thought him very pretty
and was fond of him, he was an idle boy and the favors he received from Roberts were of a very different
description. Both the Russells used to go home from Saturday evening to Monday for their Father lived
at Streatham only 3 or 4 miles off. John afterwards married Miss Cousmaker the sister of my old friend
at Ch. Ch.33 Cousmaker, and on account of his death she became Baroness de Clifford. John Russell has
been dead some years.

Henry and Robert Barlow I shall place also together, they were the younger sons of Sir George. Henry41
was decidedly clever, he had a particular good knowledge of History; like his elder brother he had something
of a Jewish look and was nicknamed Mordecai. He went to Eton to Watts House and I renewed my
acquaintance then, he was a very goodnatured fellow. I suspect he went to India but he died early. Robert4
was a rare little pickle, always in scrapes, always in arrears, caned and flogged and turned down more than
any boy in the school in fact incorrigibly idle. He was younger than myself but being at school before me
was at first above me, he however soon sunk below me and for a long time he always found his way to the
bottom of whatever class he was in. He was a goodnatured funny fellow nevertheless, and shrewd enough;
Mrs Roberts liked him for his sharpness, he used to make himself very useful to her in carrying messages
or other ways. He died very lately a Judge in the East Indies and after arriving at the Baronetcy.

Augustus Cuyler,16 the younger brother of Charles, came to school at the same time as myself and was
exactly my own age. We were in boyhood fast friends, we were in the same class and close together at
Mitcham, in the same remove and next boys at Eton. He was a very pretty bright faced boy with a fair
average talent, no more. I have some letters still left of his written from Marlow.34 We knew each other (as
the phrase is) at home he used to stay with us in Queen Ann St. and I went to him down at Welwyn. He
was just the boy for Eton full of animal spirits and up to every adventure. One of his letters to me is full
of regret for “dear Eton”. He went very young into the Guards and was taken prisoner at Bergen op Zoom.
He got on very well in life – became very handsome and obtained many staff appointments – ultimately he
was made Head of the Police at Dublin, a place of much emolument but one I should have conceived not
of distinction enough to him who was so much the fashion but money perhaps was an object. He never
married but died some years back at Dublin.

Lettsom42 the last in this batch of my schoolfellows was for five years the one next below me as Cuyler
was the one next above me. I think he came the same time as myself though his making seventeen makes
me a little doubt – at any rate it was very soon subsequent and he was the next boy that was admitted into
the school after me. He was a very extraordinary boy, he was the son of Dr. Lettsom and grandson of Mr
Nanson, a Grocer and Quaker who lived in Bridge St., Blackfriars. Lettsom’s prog from home always
consisted of figs and Raisins. He was the thinnest boy I ever saw – his face as long and thin as a hatchet,
his legs and arms perfect sticks. There was a story at school that he and another brother had been frightened
in their beds when children by the Nurse – the brother died and Lettsom only recovered his senses by being

10

64 Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), second son of the Hon. Philip Pusey, of Berkshire. Eton 1812 and Christ
Church. Matriculated 1819 aged 18. BA 1822, Fellow of Oriel College 1823-1829, MA 1825. Canon of Christ
Church and regius professor of Hebrew 1828-82. BD 1832, DD 1836. On council of Keble College 1871-80. Leader,
with Keble and Newman, of the Oxford Revival, or Tractarian, Movement in the mid-l9th century, he was a
prominent and, at times, controversial High Churchman.

Pusey described Roberts as “a wonderful teacher. He would never allow ‘cribs’. He made us tear out the Latin
translations of Homer and Greek writers where we could without destroying the text. He would make us translate
a great deal at first sight. Every Sunday we had to write an English theme; and during each week a Latin theme
… In later years … I used to say that I knew a school in which half the boys could have passed Moderations

– minus the Logic-paper – before they were eleven years of age”.
Lady Lucy Pusey used to relate how once Roberts exclaimed in school, “You are all of you dunces, except the
Stanleys and the Puseys”. Of her two sons she said, “Both my boys were clever. Philip had more talent, but
Edward was the more industrious”.
It has been said that Roberts impressed Pusey with a firm belief in the efficacy of corporal punishment (he

was once flogged for cutting a pencil at both ends). He was later to rear his own children according to the

methods he had learnt at his first school.
Al.Oxon. iii; DNB vol 47 pp53-61; D. Forrester Young Doctor Pusey London 1989; H.P. Liddon Life of Edward
Bouverie Pusey London 1893; Anon. (M. Trench) The Story of Dr Pusey’s Life London 1900

65 Hon. John Law (1798-1834), third and youngest son of Lord Ellenborough. Eton. Admitted St John’s Cambridge
1824. Matriculated 1825. Served in Grenadier Guards. Died at Finchley after “repeated attacks of paralysis”.
Al.Cantab. iv;GM1834 i p668

66 Francis John Stainforth (1797-1866), younger brother of George (Note 3). St John’s, Cambridge, 1816,
matriculated 1817, but kept only five terms. Served with 2nd Bengal Native Cavalry 1817-1827. Married
1823 at Benares. Then returned to Cambridge, being admitted at Queens’ in 1828, BA 1830, MA 1833.
Ordained deacon at Lincoln 1830, and followed a career in the Church. Married for second time 1838. He
was the incumbent at All Hallows, Staining, Lancs, from 1851. Died at Mark Lane after a long illness.

Al.Cantab. vi; GM 1839 i p89, 1866 ii p560

67 Robert John Eden (1799-1870), probably fourth and youngest (DNB says 3rd, which ignores Morton [Note
47]) son of William Eden, first Baron Auckland of West Auckland. He was born at Eden Farm, Beckenham.
Educated at Eton, Magdalene College, Cambridge, MA 1819. He married Mary Hurt in 1825. Became BD
and DD in 1847. Royal Chaplain 1831-47. Vicar of Battersea 1835-47, and Bishop of Sodor and Man
1847-54. Instrumental in making plans for laying out Battersea Park. Became third Baron Auckland in

succession to his brother George Eden (1784-1849), Governor-General of India. Bishop of Bath and Wells
1854-1869. He died at Wells.
DNB vol 16 p361; Burke 1874;ILN1870 lvi pp489-90

68 James Stanley (1800-1817) brother of Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby of The Oaks, Woodmansterne. Uncle of
Edward Geoffrey Stanley (see Note 62), also a student at Roberts’ academy (see Note 36).

69 Miss Farren. The actress Elizabeth Farren (?1759-1829), daughter of a surgeon/apothecary turned strolling
player, was on the stage by the age of 15. Known for her charm, tall slender figure and elegant bearing, she retired
from her profession in 1797 to marry her long-time admirer the 12th Earl of Derby, whose first wife had recently
died. It was a happy marriage, which produced many children. Sir Thomas Lawrence painted a beautiful portrait
of her, wearing furs, which hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

DNB vol 18 p231

70 Lord William Henry Hugh Cholmondeley (1800-1884) second son of George James, Marquess of Cholmondeley.
He was born in Piccadilly. Educated at Christ Church, Oxford, matriculating in 1818 at age of 18. Conservative
MP for Castle Rising 1822-32 and South Hampshire 1852-57. In 1870 he became third Marquis of Cholmondeley,

and joint hereditary Great Chamberlain of England. He has been described thus: “Conservative, but did not
consider it the duty of a Conservative to refuse attention to claims for necessary reforms”.
Al.Oxon. i; Stenton and Lees; Boase 1892

71 Lubberly. Loutish, clumsy, lazy, stupid
OED1989

39

John Murray (see Note 61) have in their archives two letters, in two quite different handwritings, each signed
by someone called Dusgate, each apparently with the initial R. One dated 1819 is simply a note introducing
a French visitor to London to John Murray. The other, which is much longer, is dated 28 February 1813 and
written on board HMS Hannibal, on blockading duty off the south-west coast of France. The writer is planning
a book about the archaeology, history, geography, and life of North Africa, but also mentions that much of
his time is taken up “by the duty of the ship”. At this date Dusgate, clearly a little older than, though junior
to, Monson, might have been 18 or 19 years old. A postscript to the letter contains this request: “I beg through
the medium of my pen, again to request the favour of some of Lord Byron’s writing, for a lady of my
acquaintance – the obligation will be increased, if you will be kind enough to inclose it to – Mrs Roberts,
Mitcham, Surrey”.

John Murray (see Note 61) have in their archives two letters, in two quite different handwritings, each signed
by someone called Dusgate, each apparently with the initial R. One dated 1819 is simply a note introducing
a French visitor to London to John Murray. The other, which is much longer, is dated 28 February 1813 and
written on board HMS Hannibal, on blockading duty off the south-west coast of France. The writer is planning
a book about the archaeology, history, geography, and life of North Africa, but also mentions that much of
his time is taken up “by the duty of the ship”. At this date Dusgate, clearly a little older than, though junior
to, Monson, might have been 18 or 19 years old. A postscript to the letter contains this request: “I beg through
the medium of my pen, again to request the favour of some of Lord Byron’s writing, for a lady of my
acquaintance – the obligation will be increased, if you will be kind enough to inclose it to – Mrs Roberts,
Mitcham, Surrey”.

Virginia Murray, archivist at John Murray, 50 Albemarle Street, kindly searched their records and provided
us with photocopies of two letters.

61 Murray’s famous Green room. John Murray, the publishers of Byron among other writers, still have their
offices at 50 Albemarle Street. The literary salon of Regency London, it became a meeting-place for travellers
(see Note 60). John Murray was closely involved in the founding of the Royal Geographical Society, and in
publishing the Society’s journal.

H.R. Mill The Record of the Royal Geographical Society 1830-1930 London 1930: B. Weinreb and C. Hibbert
(eds.) The London Encyclopaedia London 1987 (1983)

62 Edward Stanley. Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley (1799-1869), known as Edward Geoffrey, eldest
son of Lord Stanley 13th Earl of Derby. Nephew of James Stanley, also pupil at Roberts’ Academy. Born at
Knowsley Hall, Prescot, Lancashire, the family home. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. Did not
take a degree (at Christ Church it was rather the fashion not to do so). Whig MP for Stockbridge 1822, Preston
(the family borough) 1826-1830, resigned Whig party 1833. Succeeded as 14th Earl in 1834. A powerful
debater and impressive speaker. Nicknamed ‘Scorpio’ Stanley or ‘Rupert’. Became Conservative prime
minister in 1851, 1858 and again in 1866. DCL in 1852. Resigned for health reasons and died at Knowsley
1869. “He abolished slavery, educated Ireland, and reformed Parliament.” Patron and friend of Edward Lear.

Al.Oxon. iv: D. Englefield, J. Seaton, I. White Facts about the British Prime Ministers London 1995; V. Noakes
Edward Lear London 1985 (1968); G. Saintsbury The Earl of Derby London 1892; Stenton and Lees

The well-known Punch cartoon
commenting upon Prime
Minister Derby’s belief that the
Second Reform Bill of 1867 was
‘a leap in the dark’.

63 Braham. John Braham (1774-1856), whose real name was Abraham, born in Rotherhithe to Jewish parents, had
a fine tenor voice with a large compass and excellent technique. He sang many types of music and performed
until past 70, making and losing a lot of money. There are frequent references to him in writings of the time. His
most famous ‘act’ was The Death of Nelson, a song he composed himself. He had sometimes sung at Merton
Place for Nelson and Lady Hamilton.

DNB vol 6 pp195-7; J.M. Levien The Singing of John Braham1944; A. Rubens Anglo-Jewish Portraits London
1935

38

put into a warm bath. He was considered very delicate, he with a few others always had tea instead of milk,
nasty stuff with brown sugar. He however got through the roughing of the school as well as any of us and
roughing it was. Lettsom was extremely clever, if his health had permitted it he could have been the most
first rate scholar we turned out. But he would only have been the scholar and the bookworm. I do not think
he had the constitutional energy to have obtained any other worldly distinction. He came to Eton and was
often shewn up for good for he was a first rate verse maker. I think he got some prizes at Cambridge but
of this I am not quite sure. He went into the law but had not the health for hard work and soon left it. He
had a very fine fortune and application was not necessary to him. He has translated some German
philosophical works, perhaps been the Author of other books I know not of. He is married and still alive,
but I have never fallen in with him for many years.

[He translated the Nibelungen Lied which was published by Williams and Norgate.]

I have now got to mention those boys that came after me, some few came from other schools though
Roberts had a great objection to this and being older and more advanced than myself or others already there
were placed above me. I cannot recollect the succession in which they came so I shall place them as far as
I can as they stood in the school, and first of all for those who were above me. They were

Price Samuel Eden Moreton
Annesley William Exeter Marquis of
Brownrigg Charles

Sam Price or Sap Price as he was commonly called43 was decidedly the most extraordinary fellow we
ever had at Mitcham perhaps he would have been so of any school. He was the son of the incumbent of
Stevenage, had been sent to the large school at Hackney, a school in my younger days famous for its bullying
propensities and its tyranny had been exercised on one bearing a character like Price’s till the unfortunate
boy was all but killed. Strict as our discipline was it was a perfect Heaven to Price. He was an emaciated
sickly looking lad some years older than was usual for a new comer – very pale grey eyes with a wild
unsettled stare. He was an insatiate reader and knew much more of History and politics than all the school
put together. He introduced party feelings among us all, was a violent Tory and insisted on every boy
becoming a Pittite44 while most of us did not know what it meant. This occasioned the schism that divided
the school between him and George Stainforth who knowing a little more about it than most of us and whose
family being Whig did not choose to succumb to Price’s dogmas. Price however had got up all the debates
and quoted them in a way to suit his own purpose, he also had great fluency of talk and a perfect good
opinion of himself all which helped to impose upon us, even myself (who had as soon as I could understand
them) a leaning to Whig principles was carried away with the rest. Price was fond of no boyish games,
he could do nothing at cricket and was too weak to excel in boisterous play being inordinately ambitious
he would attempt nothing in which he must remain second. His delight was to get a knot of boys round
him and recount to them celebrated passages of History either connected with war or politics. I have a
perfect recollection of his raising our enthusiasm by relating the career of Charles XII. He also was a capital
relater of Ghost stories and murders – his own wild appearance assisted in the effect, never was a boy so
fond of mystery, he found out something uncommon in the most ordinary occurrence. He used a great deal
of action in his narratives, walked up and down with a rapid pace swinging his arms about and flourishing
a stick if he could get hold of one. In truth he was half mad and so he was called at Eton. He must have
had ability but he always sapped45 hard (as the Eton term is) and boys never admire talent so much as when
it is independent of industry. He was put high up when he came to Roberts – I think it must have been next
to Wellesley – he and Stainforth long remained the Captains of the school. I thought him a wonderful boy
then, but my admiration lessened much subsequently. He was a good verse maker and was put high at Eton.
He tried to rival his old antagonist Stainforth in collecting variorums,35 but he had not the money. He was
far from being without courage though he eschewed all athletic games. I remember he fought a boy bigger
than himself at Eton named Burmester, having great reliance on his power of sparring. I think the fight
was stopped but he was beginning to have the worst of it. He went to Cambridge and was disappointed
in his Career, in reputation he was inferior to Stainforth he failed to reap any honour from his weakness
of health, but his mad fancies followed him there. He was thoroughly persuaded that the Prime Minister
of the day was watching him and that Lord Liverpool intended to bring him forward on the first opportunity.

11

He then went into the law and the last time I ever saw him was calling on him at Grays Inn, when he told
me some extraordinary tale (that recalled old Mitcham days) of a madman getting into his rooms. I rather
think I wined with him at Lincolns Inn on his being called to the bar, so he must have been a member of that
Society though living at Grays Inn. He subsequently became member for Sandwich, how I know not for
his means were limited and about the period of the Reform Bill he made a very violent speech denouncing
the popular demonstrations of the day – his speeches however did not suit the temper of the house and his
exaggerated style even displeased his own party. He in fact failed in Parlt. and what became of him
afterwards I know not. He married and has long been dead. I have heard his widow lived not long ago in
Eton for the purpose of educating her sons at that school.

He then went into the law and the last time I ever saw him was calling on him at Grays Inn, when he told
me some extraordinary tale (that recalled old Mitcham days) of a madman getting into his rooms. I rather
think I wined with him at Lincolns Inn on his being called to the bar, so he must have been a member of that
Society though living at Grays Inn. He subsequently became member for Sandwich, how I know not for
his means were limited and about the period of the Reform Bill he made a very violent speech denouncing
the popular demonstrations of the day – his speeches however did not suit the temper of the house and his
exaggerated style even displeased his own party. He in fact failed in Parlt. and what became of him
afterwards I know not. He married and has long been dead. I have heard his widow lived not long ago in
Eton for the purpose of educating her sons at that school.
46 was a son of Lord Valentia. He was a tall boy, also older than usual but not forward for
his age. He left extremely soon. I think Roberts could not get paid for him, and would not have him back.

[William Annesley I find was not so old as I fancied, being born l9th. Feby 1796, his height probably
deceived me, he I find went into the Church and died unmarried 1 Nov. 1830.]

Moreton Eden47 was a son of Lord Aukland his elder brother had also been at Mitcham. He was perhaps
ten or eleven before he came and was not put much above me, in fact latterly I came to be in the same class.
He was a tall lanky lad and this kind of figure he retained as long as I can recollect. He was a good natured
fellow, and I kept up an acquaintance with him at Eton and at Oxford, though not intimately, for in the latter
place he was considered a tuft Hunter48 and lived much with Ellis afterwards Lord Dover.49 He died very
young.

[Poor Eden died young, 30 May 1821. I conceive he was born about 1795 so that he was not more than
26 at his death.]

The Marquis of Exeter and his brother Lord Thomas Cecil came to Mitcham about a year after myself
or perhaps less. Being however somewhat older he was placed according to age a little in advance of us.
He was a very quiet good industrious boy, very reserved, perhaps proud, not clever certainly. His fit out
for school used to astonish us children. Not only his clothes which we did not care for but his stock of prog
and his playthings surpassed anything we had – we used to be very fond of playing at horses and were
contented with rope harness but Exeter brought most exquisitely finished leather reins with bright buckles.
I do not think he had any enemies but his manners were too shy and proud to have friends. I recollect
especially an incident connected with him that made great impression on me at the time. Some boy I think
it was the elder Cuyler had said something taunting to him that piqued his feelings, to the surprise of us all
he rushed away from the play ground, passed the whole of the evening in passionate fits of crying and would
keep aloof from every boy walking up and down the entrance
road to the House. We all collected in groups to consult what
fearful words could have created this violent burst of feeling.
Price alone in his character as head boy went to Exeter and
had a long interview. He of course made the utmost of the
mystery. He shook his head said it was dreadful that no boy
must know but that Exeter had been cruelly injured. Except
Exeter, Cuyler and Price I do not think any boy ever did know
the truth of the matter. Cuyler seemed ashamed of himself so
none of them would tell. Now I know Exeters history I think
I can make a shrewd guess. Cuyler had learnt probably the
history of Exeter’s Mother, of her humble birth and the
romantic marriage,50 he may have made worse of it than it
was but to twit the young Marquis with being the son of
Housemaid or Dairymaid would have been enough especially
at school to have disturbed grievously his temper and his
pride. Exeter was a short time at Eton after I went but in
another house (Thackerays) and did not choose to associate

Brownlow, 2nd Marquess of Exeter, K.G.
with his old contemporaries. Courtesy Burghley House (English Life Ltd)

12

and;
“Weeping, weeping late and early
Walking up and pacing down,
Deeply mourn’d the Lord of Burleigh,
Burleigh-house by Stamford-town.”

“Burleigh” is the earlier spelling of “Burghley”

Burke 1874;Burghley House Derby 1985

51 Charles Brownrigg. “Son of Sir Robert Brownrigg, Governor of Ceylon, who was made baronet in 1816. Career
in Ceylon” (Monson). Charles Brownrigg married and died within a month in 1854.
Burke 1874

52 General Whitelock. One of the scandals of the day. On 5th July 1807 Lieut-General Whitelocke had led a
disastrous attack on Buenos Aires against Spanish forces under General Liniers. As a result of poor planning
and worse communications, many officers and men were killed, wounded or captured, and weapons lost.
Whitelocke himself turned up late (he blamed a local guide). He accepted humiliating treaty terms, presented
Liniers with his sword, and accepted valuable minerals and curios as gifts. Early in the following year
Whitelocke was courtmartialled at Chelsea Hospital, found guilty on all but one minor charge and
immediately cashiered.

GM 77 (1807) ii p864; GM 78 (1808) i pp82,250-54

53 Lady Sarah Savile, who was sister to Viscount Pollington, heir to the 2nd Earl of Mexborough, married in
1807 John, 4th Baron Monson, uncle to the writer of these Reminiscences.
Burke 1874

54 Angelo’s. A house at Eton.

55 Philip Pusey (1799-1855) eldest son of Hon. Philip Bouverie Pusey (half brother of the first Earl of Radnor)
of Pusey, Berks. and Lady Lucy Pusey. Brother of Edward (later Dr) Pusey (see Note 64). Eton and Christ
Church, Oxford, matriculated 1817 aged 18, but left without a degree. MP Rye 1830. Sat for Chippenham
1830-1, Cashel 1831-2, and Berkshire 1835 until retirement in 1852. Was a Conservative, but in 1846
declared himself to be a Liberal, and supported Lord John Russell’s government. A distinguished country
gentleman, an agricultural reformist, and also interested in Poor Law reform. Disraeli said of him, “Mr Pusey
was the first person to introduce into this house [the Commons] the term ‘tenant’s right'”. Founder of the
Royal Agricultural Society, and its president in 1840. Chairman of the agricultural implement department of the

Great Exhibition 1851. Honorary DCL Oxford 1853. In 1828 he inherited the family estate at Pusey, and is said
to have been an excellent landlord. By way of recreation he enjoyed driving four-in-hand.
Al.Oxon. iii;DNB vol 47 pp61-4; Stenton and Lees

56 William Thomas Twisleton (1798-1847) took name Fiennes in 1825. Only son of Lord Saye and Sele and
grandson of Lord Eardley. Eton, and Christ Church, Oxford. Matriculated 1816 aged 18. Naturalist. Fifteenth
Lord Saye and Sele, succeeding to the title in 1844 as William Thomas Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes.

Al.Oxon. iv; Burke 1874

57 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788) was a French naturalist. His Histoire Naturelle, générale
et particulière (1749-1804) was translated into almost every European language. He completed 36 volumes, and
a further nine were produced after his death. Carl von Linné, or Carolus Linnaeus, (1707-1778) was the Swedish

botanist who originated the system of classification of living things by two Latin names, those of the genus
and the species. In 1751 he published Philosophia Botanica, in Latin.
Encyclopaedia Britannica 1963

58 Rumble. The rear portion of a carriage, for extra seating or carrying luggage.

59 Travellers. The Travellers’ Club at 106 Pall Mall was founded in 1819 for diplomats and other gentlemen who
had travelled abroad.
B. Weinreb and C. Hibbert (eds.) The London Encyclopaedia London 1987 (1983)

60 Abraham Dusgate of Norfolk. He did not attend Oxford or Cambridge, and, despite his interests, was not a Fellow
of the Royal Geographical Society or a member of the Travellers’ Club. Dusgate is certainly a Norfolk name, from
at least the 17th century, associated with Cockley Cley, Flitcham, Anmer and Fring, all in the King’s Lynn area.
A Richard Dusgate (d1749) had both a son and a grandson named Abraham (no dates given). An A.T. Dusgate
held Fring Hall early in the 19th century.

37

character unblemished; no way presuming on the prospect of the vast fortune that awaits him”. He died at

character unblemished; no way presuming on the prospect of the vast fortune that awaits him”. He died at

43 Samuel (“Sap”) Grove Price (1793-1839), son of the Revd Morgan Price, rector of Knebworth and
Letchworth, Herts. His nickname may have derived from studious habits (see Note 45). Eton and Trinity,
Cambridge, moving to Downing, Cambridge. Bell Scholar 1812, BA 1815, MA 1818. Of Lincoln’s Inn and
Grays Inn. Fellow of Downing College. Married in 1830. Conservative, sat for Sandwich in Parliament of
1830, and again in 1835; defeated in 1837. Died at his home at Sunninghill. The reference to “Price’s shade”
in Monson’s verse Valete et Plaudite (Note 89) may be a facetious comment on the meagre shadow thrown
by Price’s emaciated form. The phrase is otherwise mysterious.
Al. Cantab. v; Stenton and Lees

44 Pittite. A supporter of William Pitt, Tory prime minister May 1804 to February 1806.

45 Sapped. Worked, studied.
OED 1989

46 Hon. William Annesley (1796-1830) was the second son of Arthur, the 2nd Earl of Mountnorris (an Irish
title). William’s elder brother was known by the second title, Viscount Valentia. He however died, without
issue in 1841, and the viscounty went to a cousin. The earldom expired with the father in 1844. William went

to Peterhouse 1814, MA 1817. Vicar Studley, Warwickshire 1823-5; rector North Bovey, Devon, 1825-30.
Died unmarried at Andover in 1830.
Al.Cantab. i; Burke 1874; GM 1830 ii p474

47 Moreton Eden. Correctly, the Hon. Morton Eden (1795-1821). He was a son, probably the third, of William,
1st Baron Auckland. One of a very large family (reference books give numbers from ten to 15 children, and
Morton is missing in most of these books). Brother of Robert (Note 67). Eton and Christ Church.
Matriculated 1812 aged 17. Student (i.e. fellow) 1813-21. BA 1816, MA 1820. Barrister-at-law, Lincoln’s
Inn 1820. The family member whose fame has best survived was the seventh of his eight sisters, Emily (17971869),
whose two novels and letters from India have been reprinted many times.

Al.Oxon. ii; DNB vol 16 p356; J. Debrett The Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
vol i London 1822 p543; E. Claridge in introduction to E. Eden Up the Country London 1983 (1866)

48 Tuft-hunter. One who tries to curry favour with the wealthy and the great. A ‘tuft’ was, at Oxford, a peer’s
son or a fellow commoner, because he wore a gold tassel or tuft on his college cap.
Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable London 1956 (1870)

49 Ellis afterwards Lord Dover. The Hon. George James Welbore Agar-Ellis (1797-1833), son of William
Welbore Ellis, Viscount Clifden. Educated at Westminster and Christ Church, entered Parliament in 1818.
Privy Counsellor and Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests in 1830. He supported the improvement
in the position of Catholic peers and bishops, and was prime mover in the purchase by the Government of
38 pictures from the Angerstein collection, which formed the nucleus of the National Gallery. A trustee of
both that institution and the British Museum, he was also a consistent supporter of liberal causes. He was made
first Baron Dover in 1831 and died in 1833. A published poet and raconteur.

Al.Oxon. ii; DNB vol 17 pp277-8; The Keepsake for 1830 pp69-70,129-32 (for example)
50 Henry, tenth Earl of Burghley, was elevated to the rank of marquess in 1801. His first marriage had ended
in divorce, and he fell in love with Sarah Hoggins, a beautiful peasant girl. They were married in 1791. Sarah,
known as the ‘Cottage Countess’ bore a daughter and two sons, but this happy marriage ended when she died
in 1797; thus she did not live to become a marchioness. At Burghley House there is a superb portrait by Sir
Thomas Lawrence of her, with her husband and small daughter Sophia. The first marquess died in 1804, so
Monson’s schoolfellow would only just have become second marquess at the beginning of these Reminiscences.
It was just as well for Exeter’s sensibilities that he did not know that Tennyson would within a few decades
compose the sentimental ‘The Lord of Burleigh’, which includes the lines:
“So she strove against her weakness,
Tho’ at times her spirits sank:
Shaped her heart with woman’s meekness
To all duties of her rank.”

36

[Exeter28 was born 2 July 1795 Cecil29 l Jany 1797, both have married and are now living. Exeter and
his brother left us rather early for Eton and by the lists I see was placed low. I am pretty sure he ought not
to have been put so high at Mitcham as he was.]

Charles Brownrigg51 is the only other boy that, though placed above me, I am not sure came before me
but I am not quite certain. I am half disposed to think if Lettsom came three months later that he was the
seventeenth. For he Cuyler and I were long in the same form. He was a little boy about our age with a good
knowledge of latin and I should think clever. What I recollect of his characteristics was that he did not mind
telling stories, that he was addicted to eating paper in extraordinary quantities and that he was the most
incorrigible runner away from school that ever was at Mitcham. He got away two or three times and though
Roberts generally found out before half an hour had elapsed that he was gone he was never caught till he
got home. He was invariably brought back and flogged, but the last time Sir Robert Brownrigg, his father,
brought him back to be flogged. Roberts consented to give him the punishment but would not keep him
afterwards. I recollect one occurrence that annoyed or ought to have annoyed the lad for I think it was not
that which caused his desertion but a shere hatred of schoolwork. The ignominious cowardice of General
Whitelock52 occurred at this time and Price soon knew all about it and Whitelock being Brownrigg’s uncle
he came in for some unpleasant comments for boys do not mince these matters. He did not however
apparently mind it. Brownrigg afterwards had a lucrative appointment in Ceylon when his Father was
Governor. I am not certain if he is alive.

I now come to the boys who were below me in the school to the time of my leaving, and it is a fact that
I believe is generally experienced that it is far more difficult to remember those who were below us in any
order of gradation than those above us; indeed in giving the names I am not at all certain I give the proper
priority especially in the later ones.

Royston Lord (Charles) Stainforth Frank
Pusey Philip Eden Robert
Cecil Lord Thomas Cole George
Twissleton William Stanley James
Dusgate Abraham Cholmeley Lord Henry
Stanley Edward Cuthbert Frederick
Pusey Edward Murray John
Law John Angerstein

I think most of them were there when I left except Lord Thomas Cecil, Dusgate and I believe the two
Kensingtons.

[The two Kensingtons are omitted in this list by mistake.]

Royston14 was another of my more intimate friends and we were acquainted at home, indeed somewhat
connected as his sister married Ld. Pollington and Ld. Pollington’ sister, Lady Sarah Savile, married Lord
Monson.53 He was a dear, open hearted, generous good fellow but very passionate. He was very plain, red
hair and much freckled, his abilities were good and I think he might have distinguished himself, when he
first came to Mitcham he was only Charles Yorke, but succeeded to the title by the loss of his elder brother
in the Baltic. He followed me shortly to Eton, was at Angelos,54 and we kept up strictly our old friendship
often breakfasting in each others rooms. Ours was the last house he was in before his illness, he dined in
Queen Ann Street, left the next morning for Wimpole where he caught scarlet fever and died. [Royston
was born 21 July 1797 and died 30 April 1810 in his 13th year. Royston’s eldest brother was lost 6 April
1808 a year before I left Mitcham.]

Philip Pusey,55 the son of Philip and Lady Lucy Pusey, was in after life the eminent Agriculturalist.
He was a good natured, round faced boy. We used to call him Pussey and when he was teased for alliteration
sake peevish Pussey. I think he was very clever, apparently as much so at that age as his more celebrated
brother.

[Philip Pusey was born 5 June 1799, died 9 July 1855.]

13

Cecil Cecil I have put next but I am in grave doubts; he was a very stupid boy but a very nice one. He was
one of my Mitcham friends. We often used to go partners in purchasing pastry, he was liked much more
than his brother. He often wished me to come to Burleigh, but his brother did not back the invitation. He
was an open, good natured boy, but passionate, he once horrified us all by stabbing at his brother with a
penknife wounding him slightly. He was put low down on going to Eton which makes me think I have put
him too high here, our acquaintance was never renewed then, being in different houses, and so removed in
the school.

Poor Twisleton!56 another of my early friends whose life became a failure. He was the only son of Lord
Say and Sele, a bright elegant boy, very handsome, a perfect gentleman in appearance with talent but no
application, his acquaintance with latin and Greek never passed that of a schoolboy. He was a capital
runner, his figure was so lithesome and active. Mrs Roberts petted him. Roberts had little mercy for him.
He was among the few however who could chatter at supper and even sing a little song. I knew him well
at home, he was the ornament of our little dances and I used to go to theirs, and even to stay with them at
his Grandfathers, Lord Eardley’s seat at Belvedere when I remember opening a great childrens ball with
his only sister, Miss Twisleton. Poor Girl, she died even earlier than her brother. Twisleton went to Eton,
was put low and did nothing. He went to Ch. Ch.33 and as a Nobleman of course did nothing but I must
correct myself, he did do something which made a sensation in the College. At collections it was considered
necessary in those days for even the Noblemen to take up some book that they had been reading through
the term, though much acquaintance with it was not expected, this book was usually a Classic but Twisleton
astonished the Dean and Tutors by appearing with Buffon. Now the senior censor Goodenough took it into
his head that Twisleton brought it up in bravado knowing nothing about it and piquing himself on his own
universal information he began to examine him minutely but Twisleton was a first rate Naturalist and the
study had been his hobby from his childhood, he therefore so completely turned the tables and posed his
Examiner that the table was in a roar. Goodenough at last lost temper and saying “Mr Twisleton, you may
go” added “we say nothing this time as you seem well acquainted with your subject but remember at the
next collections that it is usual at least to bring up Latin and Latin we shall expect”. At the next Collections
Twisleton brought up Linnaeus and no one would venture to examine him.57

I met Twisleton Fiennes for he took latterly that second name, in 1819 at Milan, he was coming up from
Rome and in the rumble58 of his barouche sitting next his courier was a great horned Owl which had been
captured among the old ruins. I used often to meet him later in life at the Travellers59, he never married,
lived an irregular life, indulged much in eating and drinking and few would have recognised in the corpulent
bloated man the elegant handsome stripling of former days, he died before he was 50 and the title went
elsewhere.

[William Twisleton, afterwards called Fiennes, was born 24 April 1798 and died 31 March 1847 in
his 48th year, he only succeeded to the title in 1844. His Father was a wonderful man having lived a very
raking life and yet survived to what must have been a late age with all the appearance and manners of youth.]

The next boy as I have put them, Dusgate,60 was a singular character, he came much older than most
of us but so ignorant in Latin and Greek it was obligatory to class him with quite little boys. As nicknames
are generally alliterative he was called Dunce Dusgate. I understood he came from Norfolk and was
extremely rich. Now the curious fact was this, that although in classical knowledge he was almost a fool,
yet in little accomplishments he was extremely clever. He drew very nicely and painted our arms on shields.
He brought with him from home files and all kinds of little tools with which he made ornaments in amber
and jet, setting us all agog to do the same but infinitely more clumsily – he used also to carve in wood and
Walter Scotts poems coming then into vogue and being all the fashion with us, he made miniature lances,
swords, bucklers and all the paraphernalia of Chivalry. He had a very good notion too of mechanics and
was full of ingenious inventions. With the French Master too he was very tolerably forward and with the
Writing Master far ahead, writing a beautiful hand and this was while he was classed in the school with
boys three or four years his junior, though Roberts then put him higher than he deserved. He left Mitcham
rather early and I understood went to sea. He was a very good natured boy and not at all like big dunces,
a bully. He slept sometime in my room and I liked him much. All that I ever heard of him again was from
Price some twelve or fifteen years later who said that Dusgate had become a great traveller, had been

14

29 Lord Thomas Cecil (1797-1873) was the brother of the Marquess of Exeter (see Note 28). Educated at Eton
and Cambridge. MA 1817. He served in the Royal Navy for four years, then as a cornet in the hussars. In
1833 he became a lieutenant-colonel in the Coldstream Guards, and sold out the same day. In 1838 he married
Lady Sophia Lennox, daughter of the fourth Duke of Richmond. He was MP for Stamford (a family seat) 18181832.
He fought a pistol duel on Wormwood Scrubs in 1831 and in the following year won Ireland’s first grand
military steeplechase in Dublin. He died in London.
Al.Cantab. i; Boase 1908; Burke 1874; ILN 6 December 1873 p547

30 George Barlow, son of Sir George H. Barlow, and brother of Robert, William and Henry, also scholars at

Roberts’ academy (see Notes 4,31,41).

31 William Barlow. (See Notes 4,30,41) “Went to sea and died young” (Monson).

32 Henry Wellesley (1793/4-1866) illegitimate third and youngest son of Richard, 1st Marquess Wellesley.
Matriculated 1811. Student (i.e. fellow), Christ Church 1811-18. He obtained his BA in 1816, MA 1818.
Student, Lincoln’s Inn 1816. BD and DD in 1847. He held various livings, and in 1842 was nominated
vice-principal of New Inn Hall, Oxford. In 1847 he was made principal by the Duke of Wellington, who was
then chancellor of Oxford University (and who was also his uncle). His main interests were archaeology and
classics. He published Stray Notes on the Texts of Shakespeare in 1865
Al.Oxon. iv; Boase 1897; GM 1866 i p440

33 Ch.Ch. Christ Church College, Oxford

34 Marlow. The Royal Military College occupied a 17th-century house here from 1802 to 1812, when it was

moved to Sandhurst.
Encyclopaedia Britannica 1963

35 Variorum classics. Variorum (Lat.) is the genitive plural masculine of varius = various. Its use in the sense
here derives from the expression editio cum notis variorum (edition with notes of [ie by] various men), and

refers to an edition, especially of the complete works of a classical author, containing the notes of various
commentators or editors. ‘Variorum edition’ was the usual phrase.
OED 1989

36 Augustus Edward Hobart (1793-1885) was the son of George Vere Hobart of Ripon, Yorks. Educated at
Brasenose College, Oxford, where he matriculated in 1812 aged 18. BA 1815, MA 1818 and subsequently
DD. In 1816 he married Mary Williams, daughter of the king’s serjeant. He became prebendary of
Wolverhampton. On the death of his brother in 1849 he succeeded as sixth Earl of Buckinghamshire, Baron
Hobart of Blickley and a baronet. He assumed the additional surname and arms of Hampden in 1878.

Al.Oxon. ii: Burke 1874

37 Westminster Grammar. Pupils being prepared for different schools presumably underwent slightly
different courses.

38 Christopher Idle. Son of Christopher Idle, MP for Weymouth. “Home in Hampshire. One of the idlest boys
in the school” (Monson). Admitted to Trinity, Cambridge at age of 16 in 1816, but failed to graduate.
Al.Cantab. iii

39 George Russell (1795-1825), son of Lord William Russell, brother of John. Despite family hopes that he
might marry an heiress, Miss Capel, he seems to have died single. “Family home at Streatham. Went to sea.
Died young.” (Monson).

Burke, 1874; Blakiston op.cit pp109,114

40 John Russell (1796-1835), son of Lord William Russell. John, born in 1796, became a captain in the Royal
Navy. In 1822 he married Sophia Coussmaker, who became Baroness de Clifford in her own right.
Burke 1874; Blakiston op.cit. pp67,159

41 Henry “Mordecai” Barlow, son of Sir George H. Barlow (see Notes 4,30,31). Eton. “Went to India”
(Monson).

42 William Nanson Lettsom (1796-1865) son of Dr John Miers Lettsom (1772-1800) a “physician of promise”.
William lost his father when he was only three. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge BA
1818, MA 1822 – and devoted his life to literature, publishing works on Shakespeare and, in 1850, his
translation of the Niebelungenlied. He inherited a huge fortune from the widow of an uncle. Monson was
mistaken – Lettsom did not marry. His paternal grandfather, the distinguished Quaker medical man and
philanthropist John Coakley Lettsom, described him when young as “a youth of great promise, and of a

35

17 William Meyrick. “Afterwards Colonel Meyrick” (Monson).

17 William Meyrick. “Afterwards Colonel Meyrick” (Monson).

favoured by fashionable women drivers. Mr Roberts’ one-horse phaeton would have been a suitably decorous
carriage for a schoolmaster.
P.R. Skuse ‘An Index to Horse-Drawn Vehicles’ Local History Records XXXIV (1995) Bourne Society

19 Margaret Roberts was the youngest daughter of the Revd Wade of Boxford, Suffolk. Married the Revd
Richard Roberts in 1792/3 “after a long and mutual attachment”. She was the author of The Telescope, or
Moral Views for Children, and Rose and Emily; or Sketches of Youth. The latter was published by Longman,
Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown; and John Harris in London in 1812: “though the plot and the purpose conform
to the usual pattern for moral tales, the characterization is more sharply delineated. The setting is
Derbyshire”. The whole of Margaret Roberts’ married life was spent at Mitcham. She died childless on 26
September 1813, after a short illness, and was buried in the Wade family vault at Boxford.

Amelia Opie GM LXXXV i (1815) p81; J. St. John The Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books 1566-1910
Toronto 1958 p294

20 Presumably Beddington Park House, although it is not usually claimed that Elizabeth was imprisoned there!

21 Now known as Tooting Broadway.

22 Lord Monson was correct. Nelson’s body was not taken to Merton. It was brought home in the Victory, which
was towed from Gibraltar to Greenwich. The body lay in state there before being taken by barge up-river to
Whitehall stairs. After lying overnight at the Admiralty it was brought to St Paul’s for the state funeral on
9th January 1806.

T. Pocock Horatio Nelson London 1987 pp338-40 (and others)

23 Mrs Carter’s seminary seems to have been at Mitcham House, a large house overlooking Upper Green West,
during Monson’s time.

24 “The Russells” – Francis, George and John. Their father was Lord William Russell, third son of the fourth
Duke of Bedford, and brother to the fifth and sixth Dukes. He had been born five months after his father’s death.
Lord William’s wife, who died in 1808, was a daughter of the 4th Earl of Jersey, and the family had houses in
Hanover Square and at Streatham. Lord William was an amiable but eccentric character, given to pacing about
with his watch in his mouth, and described as “an unhappy wandering spirit” by his nephew, another Lord
William Russell. His aimless life came to an end in 1840 at the age of 72 when his throat was cut by his disgruntled
Swiss valet. Benjamin Courvoisier was tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. More than 20,000 people came

to watch the execution in July of that year. Lord William had outlived all three sons whom Monson knew. There
was a fourth son, yet another William (1800-84).
AR1840 pp164,229-45; Burke 1874; G. Blakiston (Lord George W. Russell) Lord William Russell and his Wife

1815-1846London 1972 pp28,65,78,435-6
25 Mrs Boehm, the wife of a merchant banker, lived in St James’s Square. (A member of the Prince of Wales’s circle,

she was giving a ball and dinner at which he and Lords Liverpool and Castlereagh, and Mr Canning, were guests
on 21st June 1815. The first despatches and trophies from Waterloo arrived there that evening.)
A. Palmer The Life and Times of George IV London 1972

26 Non redolet sed olet qui redolere solet. Might be translated: He stinks only to him who himself stinks.

27 Francis Russell (1793-1832), the eldest Russell brother, went to Christ Church, matriculated in 1810 aged 17.
He became a lieutenant-colonel in the army, and MP for Tavistock (a family seat) in 1831. He died unmarried.

“A handsome man”, according to Monson, and described by a cousin in 1824 as having “added to his manly
attractions whiskers of dimensions hitherto unknown”.
Al.Oxon.iii; Blakistonop.cit. pp114,243; Burke 1874

28 Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1795-1867) was born at Burghley House, Stamford. Succeeded to title
1804. Educated at Eton and St John’s, Cambridge (admitted 1811, MA 1814), and was made honorary LLD in
1835. He married, in 1824, Isabella Poyntz, and there were five sons and two daughters. He became Lord
Lieutenant of the Counties of Northampton and Rutland, and Groom of the Stole to Prince Albert in 1846. He
held various other royal household posts, including Lord Chamberlain in 1852. He was made KG in 1827 and
a Privy Counsellor in 1841. He owned one of the largest racehorse studs in the country and bred many winners.
His death, at Burghley House, was marked by many obituaries in the sporting press.

Al.Cantab. i; Boase 1892; Burke 1874; Burghley House Derby 1985

34

exploring and excavating in Egypt and Abyssinia and was quite an oracle in Murrays famous Green room61
in Albemarle St. Price said this with a cynical sneer to show how wealth would advance even stupidity.
It may have been exaggerated but for my part I see nothing in Dusgate’s character to make a greater
distinguishment in after life at all improbable. However I have never heard more of him. Dusgate had a
sister who was one of the six young Ladies at Mrs Carter and in consequence of that he occasionally used
to go on invitation to spend an afternoon there, a privilege which while no boy shared, no boy wished to
share.

I now come to the name which perhaps of all my
contemporaries has become the most celebrated in after
life. Edward Stanley,62 then the eldest son of Lord Stanley,
came to Mitcham at the same time with his Uncle James, the
nephew being the elder of the two. I have endeavoured to
ransack my memory to recollect all I could of the boyhood
of one since so famous but my reminiscences are very
meagre. He was a pretty fair, light haired, rather delicate
boy; his features small, especially his mouth, and a pretty
round chin, he had a pleasant smile. He was a year or two
my junior, and age and position gives generally the rank at
school but if there was any especial characteristic striking
in Stanley, it was family pride. Scott, as I have before
stated, had at this time just brought out Marmion and it was
an immense favorite with us all but Stanley was never tired
of spouting

Charge Chester charge, on Stanley on,
Were the last words of Marmion.

I really can hardly remember another trait of him. I believe he was thought clever but seniors rarely
can judge of the talents of those under them in the school. I do not remember his being a favorite at school
or otherwise. The two Stanleys often went home for the Sunday to the Oaks. I think sometimes they took
one of the younger boys with them as a companion. I at that time was too old for the distinction but in one
Holidays I recollect that all the schoolfellows in town were asked to Lord Derbys house in Grosvenor
Square to an early dinner after which we played in the Square and the evening was finished by sending us
all about twelve in number under the care of a steady old
Butler to the Adelphi theatre. It happened to be the night of
a new play, I forget the name but the celebrated song of the
death of Nelson was introduced by Braham63 in it for the
first time. I remember also but for us the play would have
been damned but being well amused ourselves we kept up
such an uproarious applause that the piece was saved.
Stanley went to Eton but almost after my time and also to
Ch. Ch.33 but he left the latter place very soon without
passing any examination. I should have said from my faint
recollection that his classical attainments were not surprising.

[Edward Stanley was born 29 March 1799. He is living
still and now (March 1858) Prime Minister.]

The next name as I have placed them has also achieved
a world-wide renown and yet of Edward Pusey64 I also have
very little recollection. I think he was liked better of the two
than his brother Philip, he was much smaller, a pretty little
gentle fellow with a round smiling face. Much as many of
my contemporaries have altered in after life, none so much

15

The 13th Earl of Derby as a youth

The Revd Dr Edward Pusey
From a print entitled a
Recollection.

as he has done. I do not see a single vestige in the thoughtful aged face of the great Dr Pusey that recalls
the small beaming features of the little Edward. Here also I have no recollection of singularly precocious
talent but both the Puseys were forward of their age.

as he has done. I do not see a single vestige in the thoughtful aged face of the great Dr Pusey that recalls
the small beaming features of the little Edward. Here also I have no recollection of singularly precocious
talent but both the Puseys were forward of their age.

John Law,65 the younger son of Lord Ellenborough, was a pleasant little fellow with very red hair, his
brothers had also been at Roberts’ but he was the only one I knew then. I think he died early in life.

[John Law was born 17 March 1798, and died 9 May 1834.]

Frank Stainforth66 I have probably put too low. He was a very nice fellow, a great protege of mine, he
had light curling hair. I think I still have a Cowper’s poems in 2 vols that he gave me at Mitcham. I suspect
in ability he has not been equal to his brother George; if he came to Eton it was after my time. I rather believe
he is still alive.

Robert Eden67 or Bobby as he was usually like other
Roberts called, was a very good-natured boy, red hair and
freckled. He and George Cole used to be my Horses in school
phraseology, they both being of the younger ones nice runners.
I have never had an opportunity of speaking to him of old times
but he is now Bishop of Bath & Wells.

[Robert Eden born 10 July 1799, he succeeded as Ld
Auckland 18 Jany 1849. He was first Bishop of Sodor and
Man and in 1854 Bishop of Bath and Wells.]

George Cole was the brother of the boy I have stigmatised
some pages back but was himself a very inoffensive child – he
had dark eyes and hair, was rather idle but a proficient of all
games in the play field.

Little Jimmy Stanley,68 the uncle of Edward (being the son
of Lord Derby by the famous Miss Farren69 whom I saw for
the only time at that dinner before mentioned in Grosvenor
Square) was a little plump boy with fat cheeks and a lisp. He
was a great pet with us, whether he was clever I know not, he
died extremely young.

[James Stanley was born 9 March 1800, died 3 April 1817, at just 17.]

Cholmondeley,70 now Lord Henry, was a good tempered but big lubberly71 boy without a particle of
sharpness in his composition, his large unmeaning features were desperately dull but no one disliked him,
for he did harm to nobody. His Mother was doatingly fond of him. He is a proof either of how much prestige
rank will give a man in the world, or else how much early opinions of ability may be mistaken. He has, as
Lord Henry Cholmondeley, rather a reputation for usefulness. I often as a boy used to call on him at
Cholmondeley House and he was always glad to see me. We have not met for years.

[Cholmondeley was born 31 Augt 1800, when I left Mitcham therefore he was not 9 years old. He was
a very large fat boy for his age.]

Cuthbert,72 poor Frederick, another of Mitcham beauties and deservedly so for both Father and Mother
were eminently handsome. He had large sparkling black eyes, a brunette complexion and fine teeth. He was
a sparkling fellow but I believe incorrigibly idle. He certainly was often punished yet his face showed no
natural stupidity. I never met him after Mitcham, while there I often in the Holidays dined with Mr and Mrs
Cuthbert in Park Lane and went to the play with them. She was alive as late as 1856 when we were at Pau73
but too ill to see us and died without ever recovering sufficiently for an interview. She was then above 80.
Frederick had lived a fast life and been many years dead.

Robert John Eden, Bishop of Bath and
Wells, Baron Auckland

16

5 Accidents. Accidence, or Accidents (obsolete), is “that part of grammar which treats of Accidents or inflexions
of words”.
OED1989

6 William Cole, brother of George Cole. Both scholars at Roberts’ academy. “A big bully.”(Monson)

7 Usher. An assistant to a schoolmaster or headmaster; an under-master, assistant master.
OED1989

8 Preposter. Praeposter is the name given at various English public schools to those senior pupils to whom

authority is delegated for the management and control of the community. Elsewhere such pupils are called
pr(a)efects or monitors.
OED 1989

9 Lisbon: a white wine produced in the province of Estramadura in Portugal and imported from Lisbon
OED 1989
Vidonia – “A white wine produced in the island of Teneriffe resembling Madeira, but inferior in quality” [note
added in manuscript, not in Monson’s handwriting]
A dry white wine made in the Canary islands (1723) OED 1989. “The most esteemed [wine of Madeira] is
sent to England under the name of Vidonia” – quoted in OED 1989. However André L. Simon in A Concise
Encyclopaedia of Gastronomy New York 1952 described it as “One of the sweet dessert wines which had a
fair measure of popularity in England during the 18th century and early part of the 19th. It came chiefly from
Teneriffe”.

10 Behind this seemingly cruel restriction was perhaps the erroneous belief that too much water per se, especially
in hot weather, could be bad for young children. The supply would have been drawn from a shallow well liable
to pollution, and therefore a potential vector of disease. At a time when the science of bacteriology did not
exist, the connection would not, of course, have been understood. In contrast, beer and wine were considered
safe, as was milk straight from the cow. Monson’s reference in the previous paragraph to the boys’ milk being
“very little adulterated” refers to the almost universal ‘watering’ of milk at the time. It may also be that this
brutal rationing of water was enforced by Mr and Mrs Roberts, bearing in mind the age of their charges, to
avoid the occasional bed-wetting!

11 Chesnut. An earlier spelling, which disappeared in the course of the 19th century.
OED 1989

12 Syllabub. A confection of wine or cider (sometimes with brandy), sugar, spices and milk or cream, whipped
up. See, for instance, Mrs Rundell’s A New System of Domestic Economy 1819 (and later editions)

13 Prog. Food, victuals, provender
OED 1989

14 Charles Yorke (1797-1810) was the second of three sons of Philip Yorke, third Earl of Hardwicke (there were
also four daughters). The eldest son, Philip Viscount Royston was lost in a storm off Lübeck in April 1808, aged

23. The other two died as children. Charles, who died of scarlet fever in his 13th year, had become Lord Royston
on Philip’s death. That title then went to a cousin.
Burke 1874
15 Charles Cuyler (1794-1862) was the elder son (see Note 16) of General Sir Cornelius Cuyler, Bart. of Welwyn.
Sir Cornelius had been born in Albany, New York. He became governor of Kinsale, and was made baronet in
1814. Monson says Charles Cuyler went direct to Marlow (Note 34) and entered the army young. It seems
however that he did go to Eton first, but only briefly, as he was a 2nd lieutenant in the 69th foot in 1810. He
succeeded to his father’s title in 1819, rose to lieutenant-colonel in 1826, and sold out in 1835. He died at his
home at Nantwich, Cheshire.

Burke 1874; Boase 1908

16 Augustus (“Gussey”) Cuyler (b.1796), was the younger son of Sir Cornelius Cuyler (see Note 15). Educated
at Eton and Marlow (Note 34).
Monson remarks that Cuyler was taken prisoner at Bergen-op-Zoom. This suggests that he was one of Sir
Thomas Graham’s officers in the force besieging that town early in 1814, in the last phase of the Napoleonic
wars, which was repelled with heavy losses on 8th March. Cuyler would have been 17 at this date. “Became
Chief of Police, Dublin” (Monson).

A.Bryant The Age of Elegance 1812-1822 London 1975 (1950) pp86,91; Burke 1874

33

Arms: Or two chevronels gules
Crest: A lion rampant proper, supporting a column or
Supporters: Dexter: a lion or, gorged with a collar and having

Arms: Or two chevronels gules
Crest: A lion rampant proper, supporting a column or
Supporters: Dexter: a lion or, gorged with a collar and having

Motto: Prest pour mon pais (‘Ready for my country’)

Notes on the portraits of Lord Monson:

The delightful miniature by Henry Stubble shows the future Lord Monson wearing a dark blue (perhaps velvet)
jacket, trimmed with fur and braid, over light buff trousers or breeches. On his head is a high-crowned hat. Solemn
and large-eyed, he may be wearing a new outfit to mark a landmark in his life. Perhaps his mother commissioned
this portrait when her only child was about to go away to school for the first time. Stubble, who had a Mayfair
studio, exhibited miniatures at the Royal Academy in 1785-91, and in California there is a portrait by him of Richard
Cosway. Otherwise nothing seems to be known of him.

The Yellowlees portrait of Monson aged 30 is in fashionable Byronic style, semi-profile, with cloak and ruffled locks,
under a dark sky. The dog is believed to have been called Dash. William Yellowlees (1796-1859) was a Scottish
portrait painter nicknamed ‘the Little Raeburn’. His small-scale works were admired particularly for their rich impasto
and fine colouring. Having left Scotland for London in the 1820s he exhibited for many years at the Royal Academy.

Personal Communications: Lady Monson

Assistant Librarian, Society of Antiquaries of London
William John Monson Lincolnshire Church Notes 1828-1840 (introduction by John ninth Lord Monson FSA)
Lincoln Record Society 1936
Al.Oxon. iii; AR 1862 p378; Boase 1897; Burke 1874; Burke’s Peerage and Baronetage 106th ed. Vol II L-Z
Switzerland 1999; Debrett’s Peerage and Baronetage 2000 London 2000;GM 1863 14 i p234; N. Pevsner and
J. Harris Lincolnshire (Buildings of England series) Harmondsworth 1964 p367; art reference books

2 The Revd Richard Roberts (1763-1831) was the third son of Rev. William Hayward Roberts DD, who had been
a fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, assistant master at Eton College 1760-1771, rector of Farnham Royal,
chaplain to the King, fellow at Eton 1771-1781, and finally Provost of Eton from 1781 until his death in 1791. The
Provost was described by Fanny Burney in her diary as “very fat, … good humoured … [and] loquacious”. Richard
Roberts was born at Eton. His brothers, John and William, were both assistant masters and fellows of Eton,
William becoming Vice-Provost in due course.

Richard Roberts was educated at Eton, elected to King’s College, Cambridge, in 1782, BA 1788, MA 1791, and
fellow until 1793, when he married. In 1794 he was presented by Eton to the rectory of Sporle, in Norfolk. He
took the Mitcham premises in 1792/3, on leaving Cambridge, and is shown in the land tax records to have been
proprietor of the academy at Mitchan from about 1793 until 1826. C.and J.Greenwood inSurrey Described(1823)
refer to “the elegant residence of Rev. Richard Roberts … a very respectable academy” and Pigot’s London
Directory 1826-7 lists “Revd. Richd. Roberts – gentlemen’s boarding academy”.

Al.Cantab. v; GM 1831 ii p186; H.P. Liddon Life of Edward Bouverie Pusey London 1893

3 George Stainforth (1797-1820), son of Richard Stainforth, a London merchant, and Maria, second daughter of
Sir Francis Baring. Family home at Clapham. Brother of Frank Stainforth (see Note 66), also a student at Roberts’

academy. Eton. Admitted Trinity Cambridge 1812, President of the Union, 1816. BA 1818. Chancellor’s medal
1818. Died in Cadogan Place.
Al.Cantab. vi;GM1820 ii p283

4 Robert Barlow (1797-1857), was born in Calcutta, the fourth son of George Hilaro Barlow (1762-1846),
Governor-General of India 1805-7, who was made a baronet in 1803. Robert’s older brothers were George, William
and Henry, also scholars at Roberts’ academy (see Notes 30,31,41). Robert Barlow entered the Bengal Civil
Service in 1817 and became a judge of the Native Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta. He succeeded his
father as second Baronet in 1846. He married a daughter of the governor of St Lucia, by whom he had three sons.
He died in Hanover Square in 1857.

Boase 1892; Burke 1874

32

[I have since been told by the wife of the younger brother that Frederick had lived principally at Paris
and a very dissipated life. This younger brother, James, had been also at Roberts’ but later than my time,
he married a daughter of Ld Graves. Frederick never married. I believe he has not been dead so long as
I first thought, he came down I understand some time previous to see his Mother at Pau and that was the
first intimation the family had how wretchedly ill and worn out he was, this may have been in 1854.]

Murray was the son of a man celebrated about town as Jack Murray and on being left a penniless orphan
had been adopted by Mrs Boehm25 of St James Square who had spoilt him fearfully. A story used to be
told at school that when almost an infant, he was given a watch which he amused himself by pulling to pieces
and then on crying because it no longer ticked, Mrs Boehm bought him another. All I remember of him
at school was that he was a very dirty little fellow, peevish and all the traits of a spoiled child. His fate
was wretched. Old Boehm failed. Murray had been brought up accustomed to every extravagance which
his kind protectoress could no longer support and about 1825 I knew he was in the Debtors Jail at Dover.
What became of him subsequently I know not.

The last on my previous list is Angerstein74 and I really had quite forgotten all about him but some thirty
years ago when dining at the Guards dinner at the palace he was then a young Ensign and he came up to
me and made himself known. He only came about three months before I left Mitcham and was probably
five years my junior.

There are two boys both younger than myself whom by some accident I have omitted. The two
Kensingtons, they were sons of a Banker who failed. I cannot remember anything particular in their
characters, indeed I think the Bankruptcy caused their being very soon removed – yet for a little time I fancy
they slept in my room. It was one of Roberts’ bitter grievances I recollect that he was done by the stoppage
out of his money.

I regret much to find how few actual passages in the lives of my schoolfellows I can now call to mind.
With those especially who have become since more renowned such as Lord Derby and Dr. Pusey, I should
be glad if I could to remember especial anecdotes but though I can recollect well my general impression
of their character though I can even recall their childish figures so that if they could be restored to them
I could instantly recognise them, yet other occurrences but what I have related I in vain tax myself to find
and it is in this, that no doubt lapse of time has dimmed my memory.

The History of those who peopled my school life would not be perfect without describing the extra
Masters. We had but three even if I include the Serjeant (name now forgotten) who used to drill us. This
Serjeant came twice a week. I did not very long learn under him. My Mother very justly thought it was
waste of money. In fact the only advantage was the exercise and Roberts I think had the same opinion. Our
proficiency in anything really military was absurdly little. It was all down to our wooden muskets make
believe. The boys themselves felt so, ridiculed the old Serjeant and had no heart in the matter. The only
thing we used to enjoy was to be divided into two bodies and charge bayonets – before our muskets crossed
he used to call “halt” which neither side obeyed and we used to carry on a l’outrance75 until the weaker party
was rolling on the gravel and the stronger on the top of them. The Serjeant kept a Turner’s shop in the village
and his usefulness was certainly more apparent in supplying us with hoops.

Our French Master, the Abbé Le Tailler was quite a model of his class. He was one of those Royalist
Emigrés now nearly extinct but so numerous in my younger days who had lost all in the Revolution except
their polished, aristocratic manners and who, while they were driven to work for their bread, were still the
gentilhommes de la vieille cour. He was a thin delicate made man with a pale, thoughtful, melancholy face,
elegantly formed features, slightly aquiline nose, always dressed in black with knee breeches, Hessian76
boots and grey stockings, hair powdered and fastened behind in a queue. His manners were perfect, but
quite lost on a set of school boys. We plagued him by our tricks and idleness but we never failed in respect
to him, and though we especially hated his lessons and very few after all learnt much, yet we none of us
disliked him. His courtesy to Mrs Roberts used to excite our quizzing in private, and that was the utmost
length we went. He used to come at 12 on Monday, sleep at our house that night and leave after breakfast
next morning. If we did not learn much it was scarcely to be wondered at; the utmost time that could be
given to divide among 16 boys was 6 hours, and half of this was dedicated to Geography. There might be

17

three boys at the most in a class and each class had about half an hour’s French and half an hour’s
Geography. There was a national antipathy in boys at that period against learning French. It happened
to me the last three months I was at Mitcham to see much more than usual of Mons. Le Tailler. I was then
head of the school and my Mother having come to live in London, I used to go up when my work was done
of Saturday afternoon and stay till Monday morngs, when I returned with him. The plan was for me to
get my breakfast done by a little after 9, to call on him at his lodging on the north side of Princes Street,
Hanover Square, to mount to his second floor which I still remember well – a very small sitting room with
two windows and on the right as I entered a large full length portrait of himself in his robes as an Abbe,
I suspect all he saved from the wreck of the Revolution and of which no doubt he was somewhat proud.
His frugal breakfast was finished and the half of a penny roll he having only eaten the other moiety was
carefully put away with the tea caddy in a little closet. This remaining half roll must have remained there
till Wednesday for after leaving us on Tuesday, he passed the rest of the day with a family of Hinchcliffes,
three boys at the most in a class and each class had about half an hour’s French and half an hour’s
Geography. There was a national antipathy in boys at that period against learning French. It happened
to me the last three months I was at Mitcham to see much more than usual of Mons. Le Tailler. I was then
head of the school and my Mother having come to live in London, I used to go up when my work was done
of Saturday afternoon and stay till Monday morngs, when I returned with him. The plan was for me to
get my breakfast done by a little after 9, to call on him at his lodging on the north side of Princes Street,
Hanover Square, to mount to his second floor which I still remember well – a very small sitting room with
two windows and on the right as I entered a large full length portrait of himself in his robes as an Abbe,
I suspect all he saved from the wreck of the Revolution and of which no doubt he was somewhat proud.
His frugal breakfast was finished and the half of a penny roll he having only eaten the other moiety was
carefully put away with the tea caddy in a little closet. This remaining half roll must have remained there
till Wednesday for after leaving us on Tuesday, he passed the rest of the day with a family of Hinchcliffes,
great friends of Mrs Roberts. Well, when he had put his things carefully away we used to walk to Charing
Cross and then take our seats for Mitcham in what was then called a long coach and which exactly
resembled the Omnibus of present days and we used to get down the eight miles to the Green by about ½
past eleven. I do not think I ever saw Mons. Le Tailler after I left Mitcham.

Our Writing Master was a most extraordinary person,
a Mr Dempster78 who was the most remarkably fat man
except Daniel Lambert79 I ever saw. He kept a boys
school himself at Mitcham, a Commercial Academy and
of course Penmanship was a principal part of the education.
He used to come twice a week in the afternoon. We used
to watch him cross the meadow in front and sidle with
difficulty through the white swing gate, and the state of
heat and exhaustion especially in summer in which he
arrived surpassed description, he wore powder and streams
of liquid whiting used to pour over his enormously broad
face. He always, regardless of the proverb, took two of
our stools to sit upon and great was the manoeuvring
among the boys to save their own from this appropriation
for without exaggeration that unfortunate brace of stools
did not get cool or sweet for the rest of the evening. Mr
Dempster however was an extremely good natured man
and not at all strict towards us in this as in everything else,
the reverse of one of his Ushers whom he used to bring to
assist him, a Mr Begin, a thin cross little man who was our detestation, he would never mend our pens for
us as Dempster did, used to rap our fingers with the ruler, and was most spiteful about blots. They both
however wrote like copper plate, and the flourishes of pens and Swans round our names in the Arithmetic
book used to excite our intense admiration.

Having described the scenes and persons among which and with whom my early school life was passed,
I would fain recall some more minute personal details of my own career but here again as in the case of
my school fellows, I feel a deficiency of memory to particularize distinct events or even to mark any of the
successive years by any notable mark of my own progress. The general recollection is vivid enough. I was
there five years from the Easter of 1804 to Easter 1809 and those five years are now as one day. Something
of this feeling may be attributed to the unchanging monotony arising from the strict routine of order and
discipline. It is a stern, grey sky with scarcely a ray of sunshine. Our lessons and our cessation from lessons
were on an invariable principle and I am convinced on looking back were very heartbreaking to the
bounding temperaments of childhood. I have even a different estimate now of Roberts’ own rule never to
have an assistant Master. We used to accept his own reasons which I have again and again heard him assert
that he had no confidence in the general run in Ushers, that the trial would be dangerous to the welfare of
the school and that he preferred any amount of hard work or confinement for himself rather than ran the
risk. He may have been in earnest in this opinion but I am now convinced that the admission of Usher rule

Portrait of Mr Dempster by E Scott 1814

18

In 1828 William John Monson married Eliza, daughter of Edmund Larken of Bedford Square, Bloomsbury,
a recently retired ‘Hong’ (ie Hong Kong) merchant. Larken’s undoubted success, according to his son-in-law,
was due to the trust and confidence he inspired in the Chinese with whom he did business – a rare accolade.
The honeymoon was spent travelling through England, finishing in Lincolnshire, where they visited parishes
and churches with family associations. The marriage produced six sons and three daughters. In 1841 Monson
succeeded his cousin Frederick as the sixth Baron Monson of Burton, Lincolnshire, and tenth Baronet. He
became Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.

The fifth Lord Monson, 13 years younger than William John and frail from birth, had died aged 32. His father,
the fourth Baron, had died when he was nine months old. His widowed mother married the Earl of Warwick,
and thus Frederick was brought up at Warwick Castle, with his half-brother and half-sisters. Because of his
constant ill-health, Lincolnshire (where the family estate was) was considered too harsh a climate, and therefore
at his coming-of-age Gatton Park near Reigate became his chosen home. (There is now a Monson Road nearby
on the outskirts of Redhill.) He proceeded to enlarge and embellish the Hall at Gatton, and he completely refitted
the interior of the church there, with purchases made on his regular tours of the Continent. He married, but it
was not a success, and a separation followed.

Frederick was a serious young man. At great cost to his health, accompanied by his doctor and his valet, he
made two pilgrimages to remote Protestant parishes in the mountains of Savoy, some only accessible on foot
or by mule. He funded the restoration of one of the churches and the building of a school. The drawings he
made of these hamlets were turned into engravings by Louis Haghe and privately printed three years before
he died, with his own explanatory text in English and French.

Unfortunately for his heir, his cousin William John, the Lincolnshire property had been the main source for
funding Frederick’s expensive projects. At his death, Burton Hall was uninhabitable, and the estates run
down. Determined to restore the Hall to good order, the sixth baron put the matter in hand, and then took his
growing family to live on the Continent for three years, in order to recoup. At that time it was appreciably
cheaper to live abroad.

Lord Monson’s tastes continued to be for study and research, in which he was aided by his excellent memory.
He had been elected FSA (Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London) at the age of 21. This was not so
unusual at that date, and, according to the admittedly sketchy minutes of the Society for the period, he seems
not to have been active at meetings, though he was elected to the Council in 1857. However he was more than
a traditional aristocratic dilettante. He published accounts of his Continental travels, contributed often to
Notes & Queries, and was particularly interested in the history of his family and of his county. His principal
published work developed from the notes begun on honeymoon to become Lincolnshire Church Notes 18281840.
These are especially valuable today in giving detailed descriptions of churches before the Victorian
restorers destroyed so much of their fabric. They have been recently reprinted.

Monson seems to have originally planned to use his material as part of a comprehensive history of the county,
and he corresponded widely with experts in heraldry, archaeology and other antiquarian pursuits. His brother-
in-law Arthur Staunton Larken, who became Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms and then Richmond Herald, was
a regular colleague in his researches. Meanwhile another friend and close colleague, the Lincolnshire
antiquarian John Ross, was compiling his lifetime’s work of recording, with his own illustrations, the history
of Lincolnshire villages, often including factual and anecdotal information on the principal local families. One
of Lord Monson’s sons said that his father and Ross worked together either side of a large desk in the library
at Burton Hall. Ross’s manuscript collection eventually ran to 17 large volumes, owned by the Monson family,
and, since 1949, on deposit in Lincoln Cathedral Library.

In later years Monson suffered increasingly from deafness and from heart trouble. He loved to work in his library
at Burton, which overlooked the cricket ground he had created (where an England XI once played). He died,
aged 66, on 17 December 1862 at the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, on his way to Torquay, for his health.
Four sons and a daughter survived him. His wife died not long afterwards. Monson is buried in the family vault
at South Carlton, near Burton, where he is commemorated by an Italian monument of 1864 in the Monson
mausoleum.

The Monsons have been a prominent family in Lincolnshire from at least the 14th century. Some were wool
merchants; one accompanied Henry V’s campaign of 1418 to France. Several were MPs and some were
knighted. Thomas Monson, Master Falconer to James I and an MP, was made a baronet in 1611 by that king,
in the first creation of this rank. It was the 5th baronet, Sir John Monson (1693-1748), Whig MP for Lincoln
1722-28, and First Commissioner for Trade 1737-48 who was created first Baron Monson of Burton,
Lincolnshire, in 1728.

31

REMINISCENCES OF MITCHAM 1804-1809

REMINISCENCES OF MITCHAM 1804-1809

Al.Cantab. J.A. Venn (ed.) Alumni Cantabrigienses pt II 1752-1900 vols i-vi Cambridge 1940-51 (reprinted
Liechtenstein 1974-6)

Al.Oxon. J. Foster (ed.) Alumni Oxonienses 1715-1886 vols i-iv (reprinted Liechtenstein 1968)

AR Annual Register

Boase 1892 F. Boase Modern English Biography vol i A-H 1892

Boase 1897 ” ” ” ” vol ii I-Q 1897

Boase 1908 ” ” ” ” vol iv A-C 1908

Burke 1874 J.B. Burke A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the
British Empire 36th edition London 1874

DNB Dictionary of National Biography 1909

GM Gentleman’s Magazine

ILN Illustrated London News

Stenton and Lees M. Stenton and S. Lees Who’s Who of British Members of Parliament vol i 1832-1885
London 1976

William John Monson (1796-1862). (The
name and title are pronounced ‘Munson’.)
Born at Negapatam (Naggappatinam) in

southern India, where he spent most of his
early childhood, William John Monson was
the only child of Colonel the Honourable
William Monson (1760-1807) and his wife
Anne, youngest daughter of John
Debonnaire of Madras. The marriage took
place in 1786. Anne’s great-grandfather, a
Huguenot refugee, had arrived in England
with his family, as a penniless and illiterate
silk-weaver, at the time of the Revocation of
the Edict of Nantes. By ability and hard work
the family had prospered, and Anne’s father
became a wealthy diamond merchant attached
to the East India Company. His children mixed
with, and married into, the aristocracy. William
Monson senior served in India between 1780
and 1806 in the 52nd and then the 76th
Regiment of infantry. He entered Parliament
as Member for Lincoln in 1806, but died at
Bath in the following year. This event occurred
while the son was at Mitcham, but is not
mentioned in his recollections. Anne
Monson died in 1841, in Kent, where she is
buried.

William John Monson attended Eton, and
Christ Church College, Oxford,
matriculating in 1814 at the age of 17, and obtained his BA in 1816 and subsequently his MA. He was admitted
as a student at Lincoln’s Inn in 1817, but from that year until 1825 he spent most of his time travelling in
Europe. Habitually making notes of what he saw and learnt, and linguistically accomplished, he was soon
regarded by his fellows as something of an authority on history, archaeology and art. As the only child of the
fourth son of the second Baron Monson, there had been no thought initially that William John would one day
succeed to the title, but by the mid-1820s the ill-health of his cousin the fifth Lord Monson, who was childless,
was making this increasingly likely.

William John Monson, afterwards 6th Baron Monson, 1826.
Engraving by Henry Dixon & Sons Ltd, from a portrait by
William Yellowlees. Reproduced by kind permission of
Lincoln Record Society and Lord Monson.

30

Mr Dempster’s school – Baron House Academy – engraving of c.1814

was impossible. I can see that with any superior man of independent feelings it would not have lasted a
week and Roberts was too strong minded and just to have brooked or put up with an inferior tool. His
temper was violent and unrelenting and moreover suspicious. His intentions were just but his exercise of
power not always so. He must have been like the Czar a complete Autocrat, and yet he would have despised
the man who would be fit for such a situation and yet put up with it. The imperium in imperio80 therefore
of prepostership was not only a choice but a necessity.

I am however digressing. I was saying I recollected few distinct passages of my school life. What
I remember best were my illnesses. One of the first was my having the measles, this must have been in
the first or second year for it was before we left the small cottage at Ham and before my Cousins came
to live with us. Anyone who recollects the fearfully depressing sensation of sickening for that complaint
will understand the horror of undergoing it amidst the awfully strict dull discipline I have described.
Fortunately I was not the first seized and therefore when I began to fail, the cause was suspected and I was
allowed, which was not always the case, to be thought unfit for duty. I was removed from the school room
into Mrs Roberts’ own little drawing room but as she was much employed reading and writing I was to
sit quite quiet, not move or speak. I have a fearful recollection of one evening it was perhaps the first one
after my sickening for the disorder soon comes out and then these nervous sensations are relieved. Mrs
Roberts was absorbed in her writing and left me unregarded. I was sitting on my own school stool, no arms
or back, my head heavy and aching so that I could not divert myself with a book. I knew I must not make
any noise and I was seized with the idea that I could not speak. I would have given the world to try but
could not. It was a sort of waking nightmare and it was some kind of those odd noises which often occur
in that state and which in my wish to try the truth of my feelings I could not suppress that made Mrs Roberts
look up. She saw I was in an excited state and kindly took me up to bed. The next day to my extreme
happiness I went home. My Mother at the time was on a visit to Sir John Walsh81 at Warfield but our
excellent friend and neighbour, Miss Porter, acted the Samaritan, came out in a chaise for me and carried
me home wrapped up in blankets, the connection of this illness with school therefore here ceases but I feel

19

20 29

In 1858 I undertook to write down those passages of my life that occupied my first school days 54 years
before, and now two years later I am endeavouring to recall what happened during my residence at Oxford,
a period ten years subsequent to the first, yet I feel assured my reminiscences will be far less for the scenes
remain more faintly coloured in my memory than those preserved by the tenacity of childish impressions.

In 1858 I undertook to write down those passages of my life that occupied my first school days 54 years
before, and now two years later I am endeavouring to recall what happened during my residence at Oxford,
a period ten years subsequent to the first, yet I feel assured my reminiscences will be far less for the scenes
remain more faintly coloured in my memory than those preserved by the tenacity of childish impressions.
33 – one of the first severely bleak
days of a very bleak winter. Such a season as I and many others had not seen a parallel to. A very intense
frost accompanied by intense fog had begun in Decr and had continued 6 weeks. The Duchess of Oldenburgh
had arrived in England about its commencement and having remarked upon the weather as being what she
had always heard as being proverbially characteristic of the country had been assured by some one more
patriotic than cautious of those deputed to receive her that these fogs seldom lasted more than a few days.
The horror of the poor man may be conceived when week after week elapsed without any sign of change.
The day I left London some alteration took place but scarcely for the better. The atmosphere was as obscure
but it was from the thickly falling flakes of snow, and when I got to Bobarts coach waiting to start from
Oxford St about 7 o’clock am, it was still quite dark. I had been for a long time previous in very weak health
from a low nervous fever that had come on by the shock of my Uncle’s death in Novr and my spirits were
certainly not exhilarated by the weather. I had got an inside place indeed I could not have travelled out, but
I found a friend John Brown already an old stager at Ch Ch muffled up in great coats to encounter the storm
on the roof. The snow increased rapidly and when we reached Wickham the roads were becoming choked
and the outside passengers scarcely found their places tenable. Brown I think was going to pay a visit near
Wickham and got down there. I have some recollection that the horrible state of the weather made other
outsiders shrink from continuing the journey and some idea of this extraordinary fall may be gathered from
the fact that in the next 24 hours all the roads became impassible for some weeks, and all who had not come
[illegible word] Brown among the number could not begin to keep term for a long time after.

W.J.M.

[The manuscript then ends]

A page from Lord Monson’s Reminiscences (Courtesy of Merton Libraries and Heritage Services)
The image has been reduced slightly

28

a desire to put on record that it was during the measles that I first made acquaintance with that charming
book the Arabian Nights. Its four volumes lasted me all the time I was confined to my bed either for reading
myself or oftener being read to, and the memory of that book leaves such an enchanting impression that
I still look back to that illness with more of pleasure then dislike.

The next cause of suffering to me at school were chilblains, indeed I more or less suffered from them
all the time I was at school. There were two fire places in the school room. The room itself had four door
ways; two were never shut at any time. I almost doubt that there were any doors to them, these were into
the Hall and at the foot of Mr Roberts stairs. One was into the Kitchen, a swing door, through which there
was frequent traffic, and the fourth into Mrs Roberts sitting room which though often shut, was also
occasionally left open if either Roberts absence from home or by Roberts being in there himself, it was
necessary for the purpose of detecting noise in the school. There were two large windows, one at each end
of the room so that there were drafts enough in conscience, and there was not an atom of carpet or rug on
the floor. No boy except the two eldest, who each had the care of a fireplace, was allowed to go near the
fire and they only for the purpose of poking. This therefore was one of the esteemed privileges of being
at the head of the school and most certainly to get a temporary warm the fire was poked pretty often. All
the boys more or less suffered from chilblains and I was a Martyr to them, but one occasion to a greater
degree than usual. I felt great pain on getting up in the morning in putting my foot to the ground but we
dared not plead illness except under decided proof. It was a Sunday morning I recollect when we all stood
up to read the lessons and say the catechism. I felt myself growing sick from pain. I at last reeled and almost
fainted. Roberts was much alarmed and rated the maids for not having ascertained my state. My foot was
found purple from inflammation. I was put to bed in the sick room, Parratt,82 the Village Apothecary, sent
for who fomented and poulticed and said the sores were bordering on mortification. I was in bed a week
at least, but did not go home. In that sick room over the chimney piece on shelves were a good many volumes
of a dull old fashioned publication called the Ladies Magazine83 with prim tales and Allegories. In default
of something better it passed away the time and was better than Homer or Virgil. In fact, this was not a
disagreeable time but the supplies were rather scanty as I did not feel really very ill when my foot was rested.
I do not remember my chilblains being again so bad, they probably were more attended to but they were
annoying and lasted all the time I remained at Mitcham. The very first winter after I left and went to Eton
they did not return and I have never had one since. I have therefore every reason to attribute them to the
greater exposure to cold we then underwent.

The only other occurrence which placed me on the sick list was as follows. It must have been in the
summer of 1808, going to bed long before it was dark my two roomfellows (I think they were the
Kensingtons) and myself were amusing ourselves with tossing heads or tails and lying back in my bed I
put a shilling I had been playing with in my mouth, and in an instant it slipped down my throat. My fright
was great and I must own that both Roberts and Mrs R. were equally alarmed. Parratt was sent for and
he did not seem much assured, but gave me a dose of castor oil as the only thing that could be done. I felt
it for many hours sticking in my chest. My Mother was communicated with and fetched me to London the
next day. I was taken to Dr. Dick, an old friend of the family and a very clever East India Physician. He
said he anticipated little danger supposing the shilling was a good one. Now in those days of the old coinage
this fact was very uncertain. There were as many brass as good ones. I only could vouch for the shilling
being perfectly smooth shewing no impression and this was rather against its being genuine, however he
would give no medicine, told me to eat new bread to which I had no objection, and to take plenty of oil in
my salad which I did not approve of so much. In a few days no bad effects appearing, I went back to school
and in a fortnight (not before) I got rid of it without its doing any harm. I remember something similar
occurring to Robert Barlow who purposely swallowed a quantity of small shot, being lead they were more
afraid of the consequences but they passed through him very quickly without any evil consequences.
During the whole time I was at Mitcham I do not recollect any very dangerous case of illness and certainly
no death. Roberts himself frequently had sharp attacks of Gout and once he was given the wrong medicine,
an embrocation for a draught, and the Apothecary was sent for in dire consternation while the boys, for
once forgetting the usual discipline, congregated together in the school to canvass the possibilities of its
sending us all home which, however, it was not serious enough (I am afraid to our sorrow) to do.

21

I omitted what I should have done earlier, to state a few of the friends that used to visit Roberts on
some of the festive occasions, the birthdays. There was a Colonel Phelps I think in the Guards, a very
handsome dashing man. I have an idea he subsequently married a widowed Peeress, I fancy Lady Antrim.
His attraction to a schoolmaster’s dinner must have been the music for he played and sang if I remember
right very well. Another very musical friend was a Mr Soust a German and first rate flute player. He
was a tall, meagre man about 40. Another who paid occasional visits was Pratt, the author of the
Gleanings. He also was very tall and thin if my memory serves me right, with a bald head and benevolent
face. [Mr Pratt the author of the Gleanings also was a visitor at Mitcham Bower, he has written some
lines thus addressed which were printed in the Gents Mag I omitted what I should have done earlier, to state a few of the friends that used to visit Roberts on
some of the festive occasions, the birthdays. There was a Colonel Phelps I think in the Guards, a very
handsome dashing man. I have an idea he subsequently married a widowed Peeress, I fancy Lady Antrim.
His attraction to a schoolmaster’s dinner must have been the music for he played and sang if I remember
right very well. Another very musical friend was a Mr Soust a German and first rate flute player. He
was a tall, meagre man about 40. Another who paid occasional visits was Pratt, the author of the
Gleanings. He also was very tall and thin if my memory serves me right, with a bald head and benevolent
face. [Mr Pratt the author of the Gleanings also was a visitor at Mitcham Bower, he has written some
lines thus addressed which were printed in the Gents Mag for 1814 in Jany and allusion is made to the
late death of Mrs Roberts.]84 Among the ladies I more especially recollect Mrs Opie,85 a comely woman
in a Quaker-coloured silk gown. Her works were then in the highest vogue. Mrs Roberts19 was herself
an authoress of very similar style. She wrote a little book for children called the Telescope comprising
short tales and another work of more pretensions that I think was called Julia but it included the History
of a faded beauty that was told with much pathos. [The book was called Rose and Emily] She may have
written more but these are all I remember. Roberts himself was no mean Poet but with one exception
I do not think he ventured in print. There was a pretty little review of tales written by a Derbyshire friend,
a Mrs Mary Sterndale,86 called the Panorama of Youth (it still exists among my early childish books) and
in this Roberts contributed a piece of poetry of much simplicity called Moorland Mary. Though Roberts
was a Clergyman it was very seldom that he took any of the duty at Mitcham, the incumbent of which was
a Mr Myers.87 I mentioned there was a family who lived in a large house in the village, a Mrs Hinchcliffe.77
One of her daughters (the Christian name I do not feel sure of) was Mrs Roberts’ greatest friend and used
constantly to be calling and sometime accompanied us in our walks. She was a pretty lively girl. I cannot
omit that during my stay at Mitcham, I conceive in the spring of 1807, I was visited by that kind early friend,
Miss Emma Noel, the sweetest girl I almost ever knew. She was staying with her sister, Mrs Hoare,88 and
brought me some cakes and other schoolboy valuables.

If discipline were the first object of education, it was carried at Roberts to perfection and with respect
to what is called grounding, it was done there admirably. Considering the laxity of subsequent life at Eton,
this was of the more moment. There could be no shuffling as Eton boys call it at Mitcham. No using old
copies of verses &c, the life was a hard one but it must have been not unwholesome. Boys’ comfort have
been greatly increased of late years. We had decidedly none, but youth and plain food carried us through
all trials. It was a melancholy five years in its passage and there is now no illusion about any happiness
while it lasted. The last three months were comparatively more endurable; that is all.

I have from recollection given a plan of the different floors. I am not quite certain of the aspect. I think
it was North & South, but none of our windows had any blinds. The dining room had obviously been built
later than the rest of the house, there were three steps up into it from the entrance Hall, it was a well
proportioned lofty room and cellars under it approached outside on the North side. In my recollection I
generally sat at dinner with my back to the window. The back Hall is where I was put to learn my first latin
Grammar. The school room was as I have said two rooms thrown into one, the door into the entrance &
back Hall were never closed. The pegs for hats and coats ranged between these two doors and our stools
at night placed in a row under them. The bookcases were between the door into the back Hall and the N
window but two shelves were in the space between the South fireplace and the South wall with a desk for
one boy under it, there were desks in the windows end, one between the door into the Entrance Hall and
South window but we principally sat at two tables in the centre of the room, each opposite its respective
fire place and though I must have changed my place often in the five years, I recollect best sitting at the
most southern of the two tables. We all went out by the door of the back Hall and went to bed or up to
Roberts Dressing room by staircase A. Staircase C was the one Mrs Roberts used. Staircase B the one
of the servants.

On the first floor, No. 1 had three beds and when I first went two were occupied by the Cuylers. I have
slept in this room but only for a short time. No. 2 had two beds and in this I slept most of the first half I
was at school with the wretched Cole. My bed had the head against the East wall and under the window.
No. 3 had two beds. I slept in this all the second half I was at Mitcham with Robert Barlow in the other

22

The south-east elevation of the Revd Roberts’ Academy as it appeared in the sale particulars of 1841.
As Glebelands the building survived until 1993.
(Original in Merton Local Studies Centre)

I next went to the portion inhabited by Miss Rutter.98 She is a maiden lady about 30 and takes care
of a large family of children, nephews and neices, their Mother her sister not being long dead. I think the
Father is alive. The alterations here are cleverly made. The schoolroom is now divided again but
communicates by folding doors. All the old small detached staircases are done away and the upper part
thrown into the rooms, the only remaining one is that which led to the Servants Attic and by them all the
four upper Attics are approached. The first of course is a complete passage room. My own sleeping room
is got at within them all. I hardly knew it again as the staircase is thrown into it and the washing closet
done away with. The principal staircase is made now where the Kitchen used to be and the back Kitchen
made the Kitchen. Mrs Roberts room continues the drawing room and the store room is an entrance Hall
from the Garden side. It was very easy to recognise how all the rooms were and yet the alteration is great.

The Stable yard seemed little altered but the back garden was planted with shrubs and quite changed.
The Almond Tree was gone and no vestige of course of our little gardens. The Kitchen Garden very little
changed and I looked into the back field the one in which I played the first evening I came to school and
it seemed just as it was 54 years ago.

I did not find many traditions existed of its former history. Miss Rutter seemed amused at my
enthusiasm and showed me all over the house most good naturedly. It is now called Glebelands I
understand, a name I never recollected it to have but I think it has been purchased from the Living.

Such is the history of what I suspect will be my last visit to my old school at Mitcham. I cannot call
it a disappointment for much interest still remains but I went away with the feeling

Tempora mutantur et nos mutamar in illis.99

27

94 I did not find the road much altered, more houses built of course,
the little lollypop shop at Tooting corner seems still in existence, there seemed more plantation95 on the
left between Tooting and the Marsh. I recognised my Mother’s old school (Mrs Tregent and before her
Mrs Gallopins). There were more buildings on Pigs Marsh and it did not look quite so desolate. We passed
the Eagle House Academy96 which I had almost forgotten but it was quite the same, then on to the little
Green and there was Mrs Carter’s house quite unaltered. At last we approached the bottom of our old
playing field and I was on tenterhooks to see if the well known House was in existence. There it was!
quite recognisable but evidently not the same as formerly. I observed in the dining room wing upper
windows. I also did not discover the gate across the field. We drove to a new Inn97 that was quite close.
I believe the older Hostel still exists but it was further off. At first we found no one who even remembered
the name of Roberts but by degrees some seemed to have a faint recollection. They told us it was now
no school but the House divided and inhabited by two families.

The walk across the fields still existed, but not carried so obliquely as formerly, running nearer the
hedge and also more before the house, it led up however to the same little narrow lane and there was the
old swing gate with its well remembered squeak in the hinge. There was also still the carriage gate but
no drive in. Mrs Roberts walk still existed in the Play field.

Carriage Lane to House

Enhanced copy of original sketch plan

The walls are indicated by
double black lines
The windows by single black
lines
The doors by single red lines
The fire places are also
indicated in red
The staircases are distinguished
by letters and the letters are
placed on the highest landing
of the Flight
A our common staircase from
schoolroom to Bedrooms
B the staircase to first floor
used by servants
C Mrs. Roberts’ staircase by

Mr. Roberts’ House – Mitcham School

Ground Floor

Back

Back

Hall

Kitchen

Kitchen

School

Middle

B Room A HallC

Mrs.

Dining-room

Store Entrance
Roberts’

Room Hall

Room

of Glebelands made by Lord Monson in

1858. (Original in his “Reminiscences”

Miss Mr.

Rutter Garraway

which she came to bed

D staircase to Attic No.4 First Floor

E Do. to Attic No.6

F Do. to Attic No.5
G Do. to servants’ Attic
H H small closets extending G E Mr.
over the stairs thrown into the Bedroom Bedroom Roberts’
Attics for the purpose of washing B
No.2 No.1 Dressing
Room A

in Merton Local Studies Centre

Front Gardens

The

Playing

C Mr.

& Mrs.
Bedroom Spare Sick

Roberts’

Field No.3 Room Room

Bedroom

Mrs Robert’s Walk FD

Attics
GE

Mitcham Green

When we entered the premises the change was greater. Mr Garraway and his daughter inhabited
the Eastern half which included the old dining room, the front & back Hall and the invalids bedroom and
Roberts room over, but besides this another story is built over the dining room which is consequently
lowered; that fine room now makes both drawing room and entrance and as it was raised formerly for
cellars underneath, it is now entered by a flight of exterior steps. The Hall I think is the dining room and
the back Hall the kitchen but other offices are added. Roberts dressing room and the sick bedroom of
course now open the other way and are the only interesting remains in this portion of the House.

Mr Garraway said a former schoolboy and he believes a Peer had been lately down to see the place,
he did not learn his name but he said his anxiety was to see the old caning place and the Water Butt from
which in summer days they used to get a draught. The latter I remember was near the old Kitchen in the
other Western part.

26

Servants’ Bedroom
Room No.6

HH
HH

Bedroom
No.5

Bedroom

No.4

FD

Enhanced copy of original sketch plan, with legend, of the Revd Roberts’ Academy
by Lord Monson. (Original in his Reminiscences in Merton Local Studies Centre)

23

bed. In this room I had the measles. Latterly it was occupied by Lord Exeter and his brother, Lord Thos
Cecil.

bed. In this room I had the measles. Latterly it was occupied by Lord Exeter and his brother, Lord Thos
Cecil.

I left Mitcham finally in March 1809 and wrote nearly my first copy of English verses on the occasion.
They are poor enough but I give them as a curiosity and Roberts received them with more cordiality then
they deserved.

Valete et Plaudite.89

Oft has the Bard in trembling accents sung
The Trojan war and all the woes that sprung
Oft has he told with pity soft the grief
That slaughter threatened Ithaca’s wise chief.
When honor called him from his native sand
To wash the tarnish from a foreign land
Tho’ fame was present yet he drop’d the tear
To leave his wife, his friends and all that’s dear.
Thus I with sorrow fly the scenes of joy
And scenes of learning to a youthful boy
There was I wont in Wandle’s stream to lave
Or quench my thirst in the transparent wave.
There have I sat beneath our Price’s43 shade
Or tired with sports to sleep my body laid.
But of the joys that may our pleasure raise
The greatest joy is in a Tutor’s praise.
To him I dedicate my humble lay
When Eton’s towers claim my studious way.
Adieu ye Groves my tribute is my tears
Adieu thou shepherd of my early years.
You cherished in my mind sweet wisdom’s ray
Ah gratitude alone can thee repay.
Adieu then, thrice Adieu for now I see
A friend, instructor, Parent all in thee.

On this Mr Roberts returned the following reply to the Valete et Plaudite.

The tribute of a Muse like thine sincere
Speaks to the heart a language ever dear
More than Bards’ sublimest ode can say
While fiction prompts and fancy guides the lay.
Since to Eton’s shades and classic bowers
Thames fair stream and pious Henry’s towers
A novice to the world your steps you bend
List to the counsels of an early friend.
That friend who bade your heart for fame aspire

24

Shaped every infant thought and strung your lyre.
First be ambitious to be good as wise
The taunting jeer, the scoffing tongue despise.
Let sacred principles so early taught
Direct each action, influence every thought.
Religion prove your holy guide below
The vestal flame that ne’er shall cease to glow.
Fix on some friend with some associate join
Where honor and sincerity combine.
Look to some star that shines above your sphere
And imitate its bold but bright career.
There your affection, there your councils place
When noble Talent, nobler virtues grace.
Frank but not blunt your manner, mild your mien
And let the Gentleman be always seen.
Whate’er your fortune or your station be
Here or in foreign climes beyond the sea
Midst earlier scenes of Youth remember me.
Should you by chance or choice hereafter stray
Near Mitcham plains and thither bend your way
Pass not the narrow lane the well known Dome90
My card shall say to you I am at home.

I visited Mitcham about a year or two after I left and slept there a night or two in the spare room. I
was still an Eton boy, Mrs Roberts still alive and very few alterations had taken place. I again rode out there
one afternoon in the London season about eight years later. I think it must have been in 1816 or 1817. My
Mrs Roberts was then dead but Roberts had married again. Of course I had no interest in the second wife.
I took an early dinner there but not in company with the boys. Roberts appeared to me much less stern than
formerly but this might arise from the difference of our relative positions. He was very full of new pupils,
not my contemporaries, alluding I recollect particularly to Lord Morpeth.91 I got them all a half holiday
and with no difficulty.

[I cannot recall the year of my second visit, it may have been earlier; two points connected with it may
enable me to ascertain it more accurately. Bristow lent me his grey horse for the occasion and I have my
misgivings whether he could have been married, at any rate it must have been before he settled at the Lakes,
or it is not likely he would have had the horse in town. Secondly, my poor dear friend George Dallas92 started
with me in the excursion on a hack, got into a row at the first turnpike about paying the day duty, and I
remember got so sick of his animal that he turned back before he got half way. At the same time I cannot
but think I had ceased to be quite a boy for I recollect I had to hurry back on a fine summer evening in the
season (it was probably June) to go to a Ball. George Dallas died from an accident out shooting on 14th.
Feb. 1816. My visit therefore was in 1815 and more probably in July for I did not leave Oxford till news
arrived of the battle of Waterloo.]

Roberts, after educating some more notables as Lord Cowley,93 Lord Sydney &c., retired not many
years later to Brighton and I do not think lived long. I at any rate never saw him again. He died there 13
Aug 1831 at 68 and I find from the obituary that he was elected to Kings Coll in 1782 and became AM
1791. In 1794 he was presented by Eton to the Rectory of Sporle in Norfolk. His first wife Margaret I
since have found died 26 Sept. 1813. A charming character of her was written by Amelia Opie and printed
in the Gents. Mag. of 1815. Mrs Roberts was buried at Boxford, Suffolk.

For more than 40 years I never went near Mitcham when at the commencement of May 1858 finding
myself in London I determined to make one more pilgrimage to the old spot, with much curiosity though
some dread to see what changes time had effected. On the 4th May Lady Monson drove down with me, it
was within a very few days the anniversary of my first going to school and though now there are two lines
of Rail to the Village, yet I preferred to approach it by the old high road.

25