Figure 1.--Frederick Harrion's "The Boys of Wynport College" is a classic English school story. as in many school stories, the boys wore an Eton suit uniform. Image courtesy of the AM collection.
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Figure 1.--Frederick Harrion's "The Boys of Wynport College" is a classic English school story. as in many school stories, the boys wore an Eton suit uniform. Image courtesy of the AM collection. |
The The Boys of Wynport College: A Story of School Life is a classic school story. It was written by Frederick Harrison and published by Blackie and Son Limited. There is no date but in the book's opening pages, it's dedicated to 'Tully', 1922. The author also wrote The Choir School of St. Bede's. It is interesting to note, when skimming through the opening pages of the book that the opening of the story also includes a dramatic departure by train from a small station. This was a common theme it seems, to introduce the reader to the principle character(s) and the motive and reasons of why he is going to a public school. The association of train journey always conjures up dramatic moments of event changing happenings and a precursor of exciting and new experiences in store of a dramatic new environment--the public school. This was put to good in effect J. D. Rowlings Harry Potter.
It was written by Frederick Harrison and published by Blackie and Son Limited. The author also wrote The Choir School of St. Bede's. We have, however, no unformation on the author at this time.
The illustrations are by Harold Copping. He is one of the most noted illustrators of school stories. Copping's beautiful and pensive artwork was a common feature of publications during this time. Unlike the similar but stark illustrations of J.R. Burgess, Coppings art is far less strident in the interpretation of a scene with the subtle and finer expressions of the boys faces far more unrestrained and gentle with an endearing element of wistfulness. The natural and nascent fluidity of the boys postures look totally at one with Coppings accurate depiction of schoolwear of that time.
There is no date but in the book's opening pages, it's dedicated to 'Tully', 1922.
The The Boys of Wynport College: A Story of School Life is a classic school story. The story here is about Robert. He is an adveturerous, intelligent 14 year old boy who has grown far too boisterous for his widowed mother. She is a loving and indulgent mother, but her brother (Robert's uncle) is concerned about his pranks and mischief which have got out of hand. Currently Robert is receiving private tuition by the local vicar who, has a large family, supplements his income by tutoring a limited number of young students. Robert's uncle feels that his nephew's unruly behavior is now detrimental and he should be now sent to an orderly and well structured institution of
a public school.
It is interesting to note, when skimming through the opening pages of the book that the opening of the story also includes a dramatic departure by train from a small station. This was a common theme it seems, to introduce the reader to the principle character(s) and the motive and reasons of why he is going to a public school. The association of train journey always conjures up dramatic moments of event changing happenings and a precursor of exciting and new experiences in store of a dramatic new environment--the public school. This was put to good in effect J. D. Rowlings Harry Potter.
Figure 2.--This is a typically detailed drawn Copping image. It shows the school uniform from "The Boys of Wynport College". It appears that many British public schools had adopted the Eton suit as a school uniform. The caption reads, "Bob writes home to his uncle." Image courtesy of the AM collection. |
Some sample text includes:
"He was a tall, well made boy, with an exuberance of curly hair, and, except when he had the peevish expression of
a spoilt boy, he was decidedly good looking. He could row well, and was a good hand with the bat or ball. He could speak
French fluently, as he had a Swiss governess for some years, but when this is said, the less reference made to his education
the better. He knew little Latin, and the smallest quantity of Greek that was possible to be learnt in three years. His mathematics
were little better, but in chemistry he was well informed, and as that was his uncle's hobby, they worked together in the laboratory
in the garden during the winter evenings. Mr. Howard had also a fine astronomical telescope, so Bob could read some of the
stories which the heavenly bodies could tell. His uncle was as much attached to the boy as his sister was, and he had not in the first instances offered much opposition when she desired that Bob should be placed under the tutorship of the vicar. He could not,
however, shut his eyes to the injudicious indulgence of his sister, and although he would miss his nephew extremely, he resolved to put the boy to school."
Interestingly the school uniform depicted here is the same that Harold copping depicted in some other school stories that he illustrated, such as the The Boys of Priory School Interesting it appears identicl to that depicted in school books illustrated by J.R. Burgess, such as Jefferson Junior. The younger boys seem to wear chool caps and Eton suit with long pants and knickers. The senior boys seem to wear more adult looking suits. There sometimnes are also younger boys who wear other outfits such as sailor suits. We assume
the boys dress code changes at a certain age or form (grade).
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