The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-06-17 00:00:00

THE EDGE-HILL SCHOOLS.

TO MR. J. COLQUHOUN.
SIR.,—In stating that there was " not a syllable of truth "
in the charges brought by you against the Edge-hill Infant
School, I beg to assure you that 1 had no intention of accu-
sing you of a wilful misrepresentation of the facts mentioned
in your letter. At the same time, it is obvious that, where
correct information can be obtained, but is not, it is an in-
sufficient reason for bringing a grave charge against indivi-
dual's of good reputation, that the writer believed it to be
true. In this case, no foundation and a false foundation are
the same thing as regards the responsibility of the accuser.
As, however, I understand the expressions quoted above
have caused you pain, from the inference which might be
drawn from them, I gladly relieve you from the imputation
of being actuated by a malicious intention, or of stating
anything which you did not believe to be true.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
FREDERIC BARKER.
Edge-hill, June 16, 1812.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sra.—lt has been with sincere regret that I have read the
Rev. Mr. Barker's letter to you upon the subject of the Edge-
hill schools.
On Saturday evening last I was waited upon by two gen-
tlemen connected with the schools, when 1 at once avowed
myself the author of the letter which had appeared in the
STANDARD of Friday, and stated the evidence upon which I
had acted.
It was then arranged, as I understood, that all parties
should meet at the Infants' School at seven o'clock on Tues-
day evening, and I accordingly repaired thither accompanied
by the child and its mother, and a number of other persons
whose information had induced me to bring charges against
the institution which I at the time solemnly believed to be
true. The interview, however, did not take place, owinv to
the non-appearance of the gentlemen on the part of the schools.
I was subsequently waited upon by Mr. Parker, the master
of the boys' school, and another gentleman, and I then col-
lected such of my informants as I could hastily gather round
my own door, and I believe Mr. Parker and his friend left
my house convinced that I had what I thought to be good
grounds for the charge. I cannot, perhaps, adduce a stronger
evidence in my favour than Mr. Parker's exclamation, after
he had heard the parties, viz., " Well, I must allow that if
such tales had been told to me, I might perhaps have acted
as rashly as you have done."
That the child was shut up all night in the school is not
attempted to be denied, but that it was done intentionally I
do not now believe. I may add my sincere regret that the
charge should have caused indisposition to Mrs. Parker;
from what Mr. Parker in the most gentlemanly manner
stated, I am satisfied that the schools have been discreetly
conducted.
I have acted rashly it is true, but I acted from the purest
motive—a desire to rescue the infant children of my poorer
neighbours from what I believed to be unnecessary severity;_
but finding my information to have been exaggerated, it gives
me great pleasure to state it thus publicly.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. COLQUHOUN.
Edge-hill, June 16.