“Endowed Schools Department, “2, Victoria Street, S.W., “April 12, 1875. “MY DEAR MISS BUSS, “Aldenham and the North London Schemes were both approved by the Lord President on Jan. 15. The former was, on petition laid upon the table of the two Houses of Parliament; but no petition was presented praying that the latter should be so submitted to Parliament. However, the time provided by the Act has expired, and both schemes will almost certainly be approved by Her Majesty at the next Council. “So it is the opinion both at the Council Office and here, that the Schemes are as safe as anything can be which has not actually received formal and final sanction. “With the kindest good wishes, “I am ever, my dear Miss Buss, “Very truly yours, “J. G. FITCH.” On May 14, 1875, I received this welcome note— “MY DEAR ANNIE, “The Queen signed our scheme at yesterday’s Privy Council. The news has just come from Mr. Fitch. “Ever your loving “ARNIE.” This looked like the end of all anxieties. But there were still four years to elapse before that point was reached. Action was taken at once in the appointment of Mr. E. C. Robins as architect, and Miss Buss’ spare time went in plans and in consultation with him at special committees without end. It had to be discussed over and over whether the two schools should be together or separate; the choice of sites occupied time and thought, and, interesting and exciting as it all might be, it was all so much added to the pressure of the work, where success meant increasing numbers and constant reorganization in both schools. Here is a specimen of the extra worries that from time to time came to swell the account— “June 8, 1876. “A new complication has sprung up. The Charity Commissioners write to ask how much money we intend to put by yearly, to accumulate at compound interest, to buy up the lease when it expires. We must call a meeting. It seems to me like a rent-charge, and if we are to do this, I want to know _how_ we are benefited? “We had better have been left alone. Suppose the school numbers went down, where would the governors be? “In my lifetime, too, this would mean paralysis of every thing we need, in order to put by money. “It is _very_ trying.” This difficulty was overcome, but still the plan remained for both schools to be erected on one site— “June 10, 1876.