BR TO MARIE CÉLESTE HOLDEN, 28 NOV. 1928
BRACERS 55319. TLS. McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
Beacon Hill School
Harting,
Petersfield,1
28th November 1928.

Dear Mrs. Holden,

The school having now been running for rather more than a year, we have been able to form an estimate of the financial position in regard to it. We find that in the first twelve months of the school, in addition to a capital expenditure of £1445.12.3, there was a nett loss of £1847.10.1. We could of course make the school into a paying proposition by having a very much larger number of children, but that we do not wish to do, as it would alter its character and make it necessarily more institutional. At present we each of us know each child intimately, and can judge his or her psychological needs in a way that would be impossible if the school were large.

We fixed the fees at a low figure, because we did not wish to have only children of the very rich; but in view of the magnitude of our loss (which has had to be made good out of my private earnings) I am writing to such of the parents as I do not know to be poor to ask whether they would be willing to pay somewhat increased fees. I do not mean that there would be any obligation to do so if parents felt a difficulty, but only that I should feel very grateful if those who could afford it would help somewhat to lessen my financial burden, which they would do by paying fees more nearly proportional to the cost.

I enclose a statement of the first year’s receipts and expenses.2

Yours sincerely
<signed> Bertrand Russell.

Oct. 1. 1927 – Sep. 30. 1928.

• 1

  [document] Proofread against the original letter and the attached typed carbon of the financial statement.

• 2

  I enclose … expenses.  inserted in BR’s hand