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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 306, 24 December 1872, Page 4

To the Editor op the Nelson Evening Mail. Fik —l see in your issue of Faturday a gross and unprovoked attack made upon Mr. Smith of Stoke, by Mr Sunley of Hanipdenstreet. Mr. Smith's candidates were unsucceasf ut, but so were Mr. Sunley's, nor does the difference between the two schools, as shown by the marks, warrant the aggressor iv taking the position he does. .Mr. Sunley claims that the ".fortnight's rational instruction" wrought the difference between the unfortunate Ching (4 marks) and the comparatively brilliant Harley (112 marks). No schoolmaster will for an instant believe that this is possible. I have, however, the authority of two gentlemen who recently examined Stoke School, ior saying that the superiority of llout and Harley was equally marked before their migration to Hatnpuen-street. Mr. Sunley's best candidate (Bolton) received US marks, and his second, Halliday, 108, being 4 marks lower than Mr Smith's best boy (Harley 112.) In other words, applying Mr. Sunley's own test, Mr. Bolton might have made Stoke a better school than Hampden-street, by the simple process of sending his son to Bridge-street or Haven-road. Surely this very moderate superiority is scarcely sufficient to justify Mr. Sunley in his charges of '• bad tutorship " and " gross nectect," or in his weak irony about' dusky radiance 5/ and "classic seminaries." But, Sir, how would Mr. Sunley like similar attacks upon himself from Mr. Smith of Bridgestreet, or Mr. Wiilis, or Mr. Bisley, or Mr. Ray of Cobden, only a few of many gentlemen who have some solid grounds for inferring the superiority of their schools to ilampden-street ? Mr. Sunley first attempts to intercept such crumbs of comfort as should rightfully fall to Mr. Smith. Foiled by the examiners, he nest falls savagely on his intended victim, who has not even lifted his pen or said a word in defence of his invaded rights And this Mr. Sunley does at a time when Mr. Smith ia known to be at variance with his Committee. Since Mr. Sunley has neither justice nor mercy for his professional brethren, he must put up with the rough side of the tongue of Yours, &c, , A Teacher ov Fifteen Yeaks' Standing. December 23,1872.