Up To The Mark
By Harriett Boultwood
Published by John F. Shaw & Co Ltd: London (undated) c1895
"
"Up to the Mark?: A School‑Boy's Story" (London: J. F. Shaw, 1888) is a modest‑length Victorian novel written by former school‑teacher Harriett Boultwood. The narrative follows the eponymous pupil, Tom Mark, as he navigates the rigours of a late‑nineteenth‑century grammar school in a provincial English town. From his first day, Tom confronts the pressures of strict discipline, the temptations of mischief, and the social hierarchy among classmates. Through a series of incidents—ranging from a prank that threatens a beloved teacher's reputation to a test of loyalty when a friend falls into debt—Tom learns to balance ambition with integrity. The novel foregrounds the era's moral expectations, emphasizing perseverance, humility, and the importance of honest labour both in the classroom and at home.
Interwoven with Tom's personal growth are vivid sketches of the school environment: the ringing of the bell, the chalk‑dust‑filled classrooms, and the bustling playground where rivalries are settled. Boultwood uses these settings to illustrate broader societal values, such as the virtue of modesty and the duty of young men to become respectable citizens. By the story's conclusion, Tom has earned the respect of his peers and teachers alike, having "kept up to the mark" in both academic achievement and moral conduct—a resolution that reinforces the Victorian ideal that education should shape character as much as intellect."
Light wear to cover/spine with some staining on the back as shown. Small prior owner stamp. Pages clean and well presented. A nice copy overall with solid binding and no loose pages. Please study photos to further understand condition.
