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School, but, in considering the question, would wish to be furnished with such observations as I may be able to offer. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that, for many reasons, I am of opinion that it is desirable to have as the head of the school a man who has had a University education, and who is willing to devote himself with earnestness to the work of teaching. It would not be indispensable that he should have had much experience in any particular system of education; and he should not be over 25 years of age, in order that he might have sufficient energy to study the Chinese Language. While holding this opinion, it would be unfair of me to overlook Mr Falconer's claims.
He has been a zealous teacher for the last 12 years, and he has on two occasions successfully acted as Head Master. To his professional training as a teacher be added a knowledge of Chinese, and it would be several years before a man would be able to utilise his knowledge of the language so much as he is now doing in his class...
Should the Secretary of State be of opinion that there ought to be a man of some standing at one of the Universities as Head Master, I venture to hope that Mr Falconer's claims will be fully considered, and that some substantial promotion may be given to him.