Arthur James BALFOUR (1848-1930)

Letter Signed ("Arthur James Balfour") while serving as First Lord of the Treasury, to the Reverend Isaac Taylor, regarding the "difficulty in administering the 5/- grant" to schools.

2½ pages 8vo marked "Private", 10 Downing Street, 13 March 1897.

". . . there will be great difficulty in administering the 5/- grants whether through the Associations or through the Department. I may, however, in relation to your letter of the 11th point out that there is nothing in the Bill to prevent the school which you have so generously supported being regarded as 'necessitous'. 'Necessitous' does not mean 'insolvent'."

The noted philologist Isaac Taylor was known for his sympathy and care for the underprivileged. He later caused great controversy when he called for a more tolerant attitude towards Islam and openly criticised the missionary societies. Balfour's reform of the educational system culminated in the Education Act of 1902, known as the Balfour Act. Although the Act provided for greater financial support for Church of England schools, it angered the Nonconformists and Methodists who found themselves in a less powerful position.

The letter is somewhat browned at the edges, but is clear and legible throughout.

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