by William Hunnis, Master of the
Children
of the Bristol Times and Mirror.
Athenaeum - London - 1912a
54,
No. 5) are neat, clever, and effective. Two
This is very pretty, but is it Sophocles
movements were given from a Caucasian TUES. , WED. , Fri. , and sar. London Opera House. (Matinée also on or Swinburne ? Still, grace there is,
Suite by Ippolitoff-Ivanoff, the whole of
and distinction, in all that Prof. Murray
which has already been heard in London.
WxD. Classical Concert Society, 3. Rechstelp Hall,
writes-qualities that are not accentuated
The first of the two short movements,
by the mouthings of the protagonist, Mr.
entitled ‘Dans l'Août,' is dainty and pic-
Martin Harvey, the uninspired drone of
turesquely scored. It ends with a dance,
Chappell Ballad Concert, 2. 80 Queen's Hall.
the lively rhythm of which is marked on a
the chorus, or the intermittent shrieking
Madame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford's Concert,
primitive kind of drum which M. Safonoff
and bawling of the crowd. In the trans-
brought from Russia. The second number,
lation of the Professor the simple pro-
Cortège du Sardar,' is bright, though some-
fundities of the poet become delicate
what commonplace. Rimsky-Korsakoff's
verse, which in the mouth of the histrion
* Easter' Overture (Op. 36) was apparently
DRAMA
is turned into rhythmless rhetoric.
inspired by Tschaikowsky's ‘1812,' but we
prefer the original to the imitation. Mr.
But, after all, in performances of this
Wesley Weyman played the solo part of
sort it is not the play, but the production,
Rubinstein's Pianoforte Concerto in D minor, EDIPUS REX' AT COVENT that is the thing-though that is less true
but his reading lacked colour.
GARDEN
of this than of any other Reinhardt
THE second concert of the Société des
entertainment we have yet seen. Still,
Concerts Français at Bechstein Hall on
THERE need be nothing anachronous or
deeds not words: it is by theatrical
Wednesday evening was devoted entirely archæological about a performance of effects and stage decoration, if by any
to old masters of the seventeenth and Edipus' at Covent Garden. There is means, that the message of Sophocles is to
eighteenth centuries. First came a series
no reason why the plays of Sophocles be conveyed to the people of London.
of five charming movements from the should move us less than they moved the That both are remarkable cannot be
Campra's first work for the stage (1697). Athenians twenty-three hundred years denied. 'Edipus' is a fine show. It is
Another concerted number was 'Les Carac ago, and there is some for supposing that erudite, striking, and ingenious ; but it
tères de la Danse,' a series of eight short we, who live in the twentieth, are is not a work of art. What is it, then ?
old suite movements, preceded by a Prelude more likely to appreciate them than those To borrow an expressive, though un-
and followed by a Finale. The French who lived in any intervening century. necessarily insulting term from our neigh-
twenty-four violins of the royal band, and the plicity and significance, and art more
composer, Jean Ferry Rébel, was one of the For everywhere to-day, is a cry for sim- bours, it is “ Le faux bon. ”
And what is “Le faux bon” ? It is
is most dainty. Both works were performed simple and significant than the Attic something exceedingly difficult to pro-
by the Société des Concerts d'Autrefois drama does not exist. In less than ten duce. We do not wish to belittle it ;
(Mlle. M. Delcourt, harpsichord ; and MM. thousand words Sophocles tells all that
we wish to make plain its nature. If we
L. Fleury, F. Mondain, G. Desmonts, G. can be told about a terrible and complex succeed, we shall show also how choice and
Taine, and E. Nanny, fute, oboe d'amore, tragedy. Zola or Meredith in ten times
viola da gamba, viole et vielle, and double- the space would have added nothing. rate, it keeps good company. The plays
rare a thing this “Edipus' is.
court played pieces by Couperin and They would only have put flesh on bone of Mr. Stephen Phillips are classical
Rameau, interpreting them on the harpsi- and muscle ; they would have given us examples of the faux bon,” and, to
chord with skill and delicacy. Mlle. Hélène trappings and ornament where Sophocles remove a suspicion of disparagement, we
M. Luquiens contributed some old French gives nothing but bare springs and forces. hasten to add that the plays of M. Rostand
chansons skilfully, and, in spite of a bad
Yet in this flat, lean, Attic drama all and FitzGerald’s paraphrase of Omar are
cold, successfully.
Latin realism and Celtic romance, all examples too. The brilliant and enter-
CHARPENTIER'S · Louise' will be per- details and suggestions, are implicit. It taining pictures of Mr. Nicholson and Mr.
formed at the London Opera-House next
states just those fundamental things of Orpen serve our purpose even better, so
Wednesday evening, and again on the
following Saturday evening. The cast will
which all the rest are but manifestations closely do they resemble the first-rate.
include Mlle. Vallandri (Louise), M. Jean
or consequences. There is much And now in this, the latest art, the new
Auber. (Julien), and Mlle. d'Alvarez and M. psychology in the scene between Edipus art of the theatre, come M. Bakst with his
Francis Combe (the Mother and Father). and Jocasta, a matter of some seventy Scheherazade,' and Prof. Reinhardt with
A LEAD tablet was affixed on Tuesday lines, as could be forced into seventy Sumurun' and The Miracle,' levy-
last, the 16th inst. , to 12, Seymour Street, pages by a modern novelist. A change of ing contribution on all the others, culling
Portman Square, to commemorate the resi- feeling that it would take Mr. Henry from them all those features that people
dence of M. W. Balfe, who lived there from James a chapter to elaborate is indicated of taste expect and recognize in a work
1861 until 1864.
by a statement, a question, and a reply. of art.
MEYERBEER was born in Berlin, where for Sophocles could never be satisfied with For “ le faux bon” is produced to meet
many years his operas were very successful. anything short of the essential: that he the demands of a tasteful and cultivated
It is therefore natural that a monument stated ; the rest he left out.
should be erected to him in his native
society—a society that knows as much
city. Wagner, as is known, disliked both
Though Prof. Gilbert Murray is, about art as can be taught. People who
the man and his music. It was, however, every. knows, a charming and have been brought up on terms of fami-
Meyerbeer who gave Rienzi' there in 1847 sensitive scholar, he is not the ideal liarity with the arts learn to recognize all
on the occasion of the King's birthday. translator of Sophocles. Perhaps the those features that a work of art ought
At any
as
6
as
one
## p. (#76) #################################################
76
No. 4395, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
Important
Announcement.
C
1
PAGE
57
AUTHORS' AGENTS
BELL & SONS
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BLACKWOOD & SONS
BLACKWELL
78
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79
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57
78
57
79
87
78
57
59
EXHIBITIONS
HERBERT & DANIEL
::::
MACMILLAN & Co.
58
57
1
6
OUSELEY
82
PRINTERS
SHIPPING
SITUATIONS WANTED
82
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78
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76
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60
80
UNWIN
WARNER
to possess ; they know the effects that it Abbey Theatre, Dublin, last week. The
ought to produce; but, unless born with piece is tragic in tone throughout, and is
the power of reacting emotionally and unrelieved by the humour which pervades
directly to what they see and hear, they performed by the members of the Abbey
the author's earlier work. It was creditably
cannot understand what a work of art is. School of Acting under the direction of Mr.
Such people are numerous in these days. Nugent Monck.
Far too intelligent to be duped by imita-
tions of particular plays, or poems, or
THE 290th anniversary of Molière's birth
was celebrated during the week at the
pictures, what they require is imitation art. Comédie Française by a performance of ' Le
And that is what they get. In Prof. Compliment au Roi. '
Reinhardt's productions there are dra-
matic pauses and suspensions, effects of
THE TIMES BOOK CLUB
TO CORRESPONDENTS. - J. A. S. W. -N. S. -W. H. C. -
light and sound, combinations of move- G. R. -G. G. -E. C. -J. H. -Received.
H. S. -Writing.
ment and mass, line and colour, which
CIRCULATING LIBRARY
recall, not particular works, but general
ideas based on the study of hundreds of
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS.
IS NOW OPEN TO
works, and provoke in the right kind of
spectator precisely those trains of thought BLACKIE & SON
82 THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
and feeling that are provoked by real
works of art. True, they express no first- CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
hand emotion, neither does the real thing CHATTO & WINDUS ::
to lovers of the “faux bon," but they
“ faux bon, but they CONSTABLE & Co.
DENT & Co.
cause physical reactions (as when Jocasta's
Deliveries
EDUCATIONAL
throughout the
KNO'S FRUIT SALT
women rush screaming on to the stage)
subtle enough to do duty for æsthetic
whole of London and Suburbs
HEFFER & Co.
emotions. It is hard to believe that these
INSURANCE COMPANIES
refined stimulants are precisely the same LECTURES . .
on every week day; sub-
LONGMANS & CO.
in kind as the collisions and avalanches
77 scribers are not tied down to
of melodrama ; but they are.
MAGAZINES, &c.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Edipus' is
is a good show. " To
one particular day on which
PAUL & Co.
appreciate it properly we must realize
that it is nothing else. We must compare SALES BY AUCTION
to make their exchanges.
it with pageants and ballets ; and if, so
SITUATIONS VACANT
comparing it, we like it less than some
SMITH, ELDER & Co.
that we have seen at the Empire and the TIMES BOOK CLUB
TYPE-WRITERS, &c.
Alhambra, the generous will attribute
Country subscribers are not
our eccentricity to an over-developed
YOST TYPEWRITER
78 required to return their books
moral sense.
To be frank, we do not
believe that Prof. Reinhardt or M. Bakst
until a fresh supply arrives,
has more to say than the creators of Smith, Elder & Co. 's List.
our best musical ballets. But, while
and are thus never without
the latter modestly pretend to nothing
A New Book by the Author of 'Raffles. '
more than the flattery of our senses by
books. This valuable con-
means of form and sound and colour, the Ready January 25. Crown 8vo, 68.
wizards of “ the new art” claim to express Fathers of Men
cession, which in practice is
the most profound and subtle emotions.
By E. W. HORNUNG, Author of 'Raffles,'
equivalent to giving them a
We prefer '1830' to 'The Miracle,'
Peccavi,' • The Rogue's March,' &c.
because it is unpretentious and sincere.
double service for one sub-
We prefer Edipus' to the pantomime Just Published. Large post 8vo, 78. Bd. net,
because it is prettier and shorter. As Recollections,
scription, makes The Times
works of art they all seem to us about
Grave and Gay
equal.
C. B.
Book Club service cheaper,
By Mrs. BURTON HARRISON.
more useful, and more con-
Dramatic Gossip.
Just published. Crown 8vo, Bs. net.
Thoughts on Education, venient than any other.
MRS. C. C. STOPES writes :-
chosen from the Writings
In relation to your kindly notice on the 6th
of Matthew Arnold
inst. of Mr. Poel's interesting and effective repre-
sentation of the old English Interlude of 'Jacob
Edited by LEONARD HUXLEY, Author
and Esau,'may I be allowed to make one remark?
of Life and Letters of T. H. Huxley,'
It would greatly add to its interest if Mr. Poel
Time of the Apostles. '
and your dramatic critic realized that it was not
TERMS AND FULL PARTICULARS
one of the crowd of minor plays in the rich reign
of Elizabeth, but one of the very small group of
Second . ,
pioneers in Marian times.
With 3 Illustrations by CHARLES
E. BROCK.
ON APPLICATION.
Henry Sutton had a licence to print it in 1557,
and it must have been written some time before that The Case of
date. There is no trace of a 'morality' in
All the characters are human, and, except Richard Meynell
the servants, historic. The humour and life of
By Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD, Author of
these servants are far beyond anything of the date.
“I gave my reasons for believing it was written • Robert Elsmere,' &c.
by William Hunnis, Master of the Children of the Bristol Times and Mirror. -"To say that there is not
Chapel, in The Alhenæum, April 28th, 1900, p. 538, a dull page in the whole book is merely to pay a well- THE TIMES BOOK CLUB
and also in my lately published volume, ' William
deserved tribute to Mrs. Ward's skilful craftsmanship
and literary charm
Hunnis and the Revels of the Chapel Royal. ' Mr.
Yorkshire Observer. —"This noble book. . . . it has many
Poel is - to be congratulated on the production,
attractions—a plot of quite unusual interest with many
though we may regret the occasional cutting to
dramatic and striking scenes and a love story which
save time for the rendering of the ‘Alcestis touches on the warmest sympathies. "
376 to 384, Oxford Street,
which follows in his programme. "
, MacDARRAGH'S WIFE,' a new one-act London : SMITH, ELDER & CO. ,
play by Lady Gregory, was produced at the
LONDON, W.
15, Waterloo Place, S. W.
6
9
6
66
>
it.
>
## p. 83 (#77) ##############################################
SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912]
83
THE ATHENÆUM
use.
PAGE
ASSISTANT MASTERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
83
84
85
L. C. C. CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS
66
EDUCATION : ITS NEEDS AND PURPOSES
86
are
If there be anything more hurtful to the or a trodden way, but for delicate adapta-
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1912. general welfare than that of which we have tion of instruments to their fit and destined
just spoken, it is that other form of waste
CONTENTS OF SUPPLEMENT.
which may be described as fortuitousness. We turn from such a picture to our own
It has a double content, viz. , complete fortuitousness. With that haphazard un-
WASTE IN EDUCATION
83 ignorance of the country's probable future preparedness so characteristic of our race,
needs in all branches of activity, and an we hear people say of their children, “ They
INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION OF HEAD MASTERS
almost total neglect of the differences will fall on their feet"; in too many cases
THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION. .
88 existing in individual capacity. The idea of the “fall” is irremediable. Of course foresight
discovering the demand on the one hand, demands knowledge ; and knowledge cannot
the sources of supply on the other, and of be had without co-operation among all con-
using every endeavour to equate these, seems cerned, that is, between the State, whether
EDUCATION
outside the boldest dreams of to-day. M. in its imperial or municipal aspect, and
Bergson has drawn attention to the bare parents and teachers. At present, these
fact of the need for human training and elements in the problem are, at the best, just
adaptation :-
standing apart, at the worst, glaring in
WASTE IN EDUCATION.
“Dans les sociétés d'Insectes (he writes in
mutual distrust. The first desideratum is
INSTANCES of educational
to drive into the public mind the existence
waste
'L'Évolution Créatrice,' p. 171) la division du
travail est naturelle, et chaque individu est rivé
and the extent of this ruinous waste. When
almost legion: waste through over-large par sa structure à fon ion qu'il accomplit. that is grasped, real patriotism, genuine
classes, bad grading, excessive time spent . . Au contraire, dans une société humaine,
care for human beings, a wise, sane solicitude
on corrections, setting people to teach things la fabrication et l'action sont de forme variable,
of which they are wholly or partially ignorant, röle, n'y étant pas prédestiné par sa structure. ”
et de plus, chaque individu doit apprendre son
for the young, who so often have half-
scuttled their cockle-boats before ever they
waste (nowadays increasingly) through red
reach the open sea of life, will replace
tape. But all these matters belong more Though the predestining structure may partisan strife, open axe-grinding in political
properly to the pages of journals strictly be wanting, there is, in most of us, bent.
and municipal affairs, personal jealousies
pedagogic. There are, however, two forms People of unusually marked bent are turned in public and private life. Then perhaps
of waste so important, so omnipresent, as to out of their way to their own hurt, and to this useless squandering of human capacity
merit national attention.
that of the community. But many children and joy may be stopped ; we may leave off
First, the habit of dedicating to the post of lack this extreme definiteness of aim; any cutting blocks with a razor, and hewing out
Educator those who are shrewdly, and gene- one of several allied occupations strikes microscopic sections with a pickaxe.
rally correctly, suspected of ability to fail them as being tolerable. Thus one will As we said at the outset, waste in educa-
at everything else, is by no means new ; embark cheerfully on any kind of agri- tion through fortuitousness, and waste
Vives, writing in 1531 in his ‘De tradendis cultural life so long as he is not mewed
consequent on the public low estimate of the
Disciplinis,' penned this scathing remark : up in a stuffy town; another will embrace any
worth of teachers and teaching, are national
“Quidam, quo nihil est magis ridiculum, line of artisan occupation if he can thereby
errors : they are no peddling question of
ineptos mercaturæ aut militiæ, aut aliis escape country dullness. But it is just here,
civilibus muniis, ad
pedagogic method, but the business of
Scholas mittunt. ” concerning this need to learn our place in statesmen, of parents, of the entire com-
Ascham, some forty years later - if we the community, that, at present, we fail. It
munity, which, after all, is made up, as the
judge by his closing sentence, apparently takes the discoverer to work this miracle, generations pass, of just the Nation's
on his own observation repeated the and discovery is not possible when we deal children.
charge :--
with people en masse, and secure them with
. " if a Father have four Sons, three fair and well
red tape. M. Bergson (p. 179) charges
formed, both mind and body, the fourth wretched, l'intelligence with the responsibility for all
lame, and deformed; his Choice shall be to put our pedagogic errors :-
ASSISTANT MASTERS IN SECONDARY
the worst to Learning, as one good enough to
SCHOOLS.
become a Scholar, I have spent most part of
Nous ne sommes à notre aise que dans le
my Life in a University, and therefore I can bear discontinu, dans l'immobile, dans le mort. L'in-
THE annual general meeting of the Incor-
good witness that many Fathers commonly do
telligence est caractérisée par une incompréhension porated Association of Assistant Masters in
thos. "
naturelle de la vie. "
Secondary Schools was held on Friday,
The sixteenth century drew no very exact There is the difficulty, the complexity of January 5th, at Merchant Taylors' School,
line between scholar and teacher. °If that life. The needs and demands of a nation under the chairmanship of Mr. S. E. Winbolt
line be more distinct in the twentieth, the
are not “inert “motionless"; they (Christ's Hospital), the newly elected Presi-
tendency “to put the worst to " teaching is are essentially fluid. So are the infinite dent.
as deplorably marked.
varieties of human capacity which ought to Mr. A. A. Somerville (Eton College), the
It is still unhappily true that this pro- meet these needs. The whole problem is retiring President, in moving the adoption
fession, from which, more than from any, one of life, constantly varying life. It of the Annual Report, congratulated members
the incompetent should, in an ideal State, cannot be met by an inelastic system, on the steady growth and strong financial
be excluded, has become the refuge of the planned in vacuo, to suit every one in general position of the Association. Two of the
destitute and the deficient in general and nobody in particular. Discrimination chief objects for which they were striving-
capacity. The low estimation in which of circumstances, discrimination among the the formation of a truly representative
teaching and teachers are generally held, individuals to be placed in those circum- Teachers' Council, and the establishment
and the poor calibre of many entering the stances, is the ideal we need. An indolent of a National Scheme of Pensions—had
profession, have formed a kind of vicious sticking in worn ruts, a dull reduction of made progress during the past year, the
circle. Many of the rank and file, instead most valuable, indeed priceless, individua- Association itself had advanced steadily
of being regarded as makers of the nation, lities to a uniform plane of received and in public esteem and confidence, by reason
are looked upon as persons who could not customary ways is the most dreadful waste of the moderation and perseverance with
have made a living in other fashion. How- which we can commit. We seem sometimes which it sought to render the conditions of
over much we affect to despise, and in some to make ourselves, to train others to be, service in Secondary Schools such as to attract
measure may really succeed in despising, so gratuitously monotonous. The modern and retain men fit for their high calling.
this contempt, it is not without a certain effort to provide one sort of rather dull Their Inquiry Report had produced a deep
odious and harmful potency. The mere education for children of very differing and wide conviction that the conditions of
falseness of an opinion robs it of no capacity environments, regardless of their capacity service of Secondary teachers in this country
for doing harm. If public opinion could or incapacity to profit, is a futile concession must be improved. The Report advanced
take a truer view of the teacher's function, to misdirected democracy. Real democracy no opinions ; but it gave facts and figures
then possibly the teachers themselves would would take each child as he comes, and ask which had stood the test of severe criticism.
realize that it is no more business of teaching not whence he came, but whither he is The speaker then dealt with the question
small boys and girls, but of rendering capable of going : would size him up or of Registration, and in doing so said that
supremely valuable, a definitely perceived down as the case might be, and spare no Sir Robert Morant in his report had shown
and appraised service to their country. pains to develope to the utmost his
, not
some a large-minded grasp of a complicated
It might be seen by rulers and citizens that other hypothetical person's, gifts, for the problem, and had indicated a states-
education is worthy of the best efforts of seemingly most suitable place. After
all
, manlike solution. The story of the turmoil
the greatest statesmen. The most practical does it matter greatly whether we write of the past few years, when written by an
method of realizing this ideal, English people books or clean boots, if only we do what is impartial hand, would speak of Sir Robert
being what they are, would be to raise the wanted, and do it supremely well ? But Morant as a great pioneer of
progress.
Board of Education in popular
esteem by all this seeking for the right way involves Fortunately the Board of Education was
ranking its President with the highest officers an eager love of life, an intense belief in giving more attention to their representa-
of State.
possibilities, a keen solicitude not for comfort tions. This was shown by the presentation
or
## p. 84 (#78) ##############################################
84
(SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
to Parliament, on November 9th, of statistics They had made the greatest efforts in the measures adopted by his Council to try to
relating to the salaries of the teaching staff House of Commons to secure exclusion from secure the right boys and girls for their
in certain Secondary Schools in England the Insurance Bill ; but, though supported scholarships.
and Wales, which brought into the clearest by kindred associations, and aided by many Mr. G. T. Hankin (King's College School,
relief the urgent necessity for a general friends in the House, they had failed in their Wimbledon) regretted that the Consultative
increase of salaries. Their position in asking endeavour. They were, therefore, forced Committee had not sought the evidence of
for a National Scheme of Pensions was further to provide a benefit society for themselves, assistant masters. They, as teachers, would
strengthened by the appearance in the same from which members would derive greater have condemned examinations for boys
week of the revised superannuation scheme advantages than from joining other societies ; under 16 with much greater vigour. His
for teachers, Elementary and Secondary, in these special advantages had been set forth opinion was that the value of the London
Scotland, which was to come into force this in their circular, drawn up by experts, and Matriculation lay in the fact that it was
year. Scotland was fortunate in possessing issued by the executive.
so easy that it could be taken by a boy
a fund available for the provision of pensions ; Mr. S. E. Winbolt moved the following in the ordinary course, without interference
but England and Wales would surely realize resolutions :-
with his class-work.
that the sweating of teachers in Secondary
1. “ Teachers' Council. —That this Association
Schools must be abolished, and that public welcomes the formation of the Teachers' Council,
money cannot be more wisely invested than and trusts that it will be a useful instrument in
THE INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION
in attracting and retaining in the service of organizing and unifying national education.
national education the teachers best fitted 2. “ Superannuation. --That this Association
OF HEAD MASTERS.
to train those who will become leaders of welcomes the publication by the Board of Educa-
tion of statistics of salaries in State-aided Second-
THE Twenty-First Annual General Meet-
our people.
ary Schools, which conclusively prove the urgent ing of the Incorporated Association of Head
The State forced the grant-aided Secondary necessity of a Superannuation Scheme for Second Masters was held at the Guildhall on Janu-
Schools to reserve 25 per cent of their places ary Teachers ; and feels deep satisfaction at the
ary 9th and 10th, when Dr. H. J. Spenser
for selected pupils from Elementary Schools.
progress made with regard to this question during (University College School) presided over a
the past year.
The inevitable corollary followed that the “Tenure. —That this Association deplores he said that the time had
3.
large attendance. In his inaugural address
conditions of service in these schools should the many cases of arbitrary dismissal which have
come when
be made such as to attract and keep in these occurred during the past year, following upon the the nation could no longer afford to
schools the best teachers available. Pension appointment of a new head master; and considers shirk the organization of secondary educa-
provision was made for the Elementary that an immediate remedy should be found for so tion. In poor countries every available
teachers by the Act of 1898. The Chan- unsatisfactory a state of things. ”
Asset had to be realized. Such an asset
cellor of the Exchequer had now promised
In the course of his speech the Chairman was education, as unrealized in this
to increase that provision. If it were sug- emphasized the principle that the Board of country, because the necessity had not
gested that “ sweated labour was too Education should be called upon to refuse hitherto been cogent. To-day the whole
strong a term to use, he would reply : “Look grants to schools from which assistants were business confronted them, grim, formidable,
at the figures just laid before Parliament by arbitrarily dismissed.
bristling with difficulties. These difficulties,
the Board of Education. ” There they The resolutions were carried unanimously. he was afraid, were largely attributable to
found that 4,002 assistant masters in grant- Mr. F. Charles (Strand School) moved, and their own apathy and neglect in bygone
aided Secondary Schools received an average Mr. Walde (Berkhamsted) seconded :
years.
salary of 1681. , and virtually no provision That the lowest salary paid in any Secondary
Whilst the essential unity of education of
was made for their old age.
School to an assistant master should be 1501. , all grades had been generally recognized,
Stockton and Newark had recently re-
rising by automatic yearly increments of at least they had still to attain to the status and
101. to 3001. ; and then by similar increments of dignity of a profession which should include
minded them that the whole staff of a school, 151. to at least 4501. ”
including who had given many
teachers of all grades. Towards this unifica-
The motion was carried.
faithful and efficient service,
tion of the profession, substantial advance
and who were too old to have hope of Belfast)
gave a convincing description of the lines that converged and united-training,
Mr. J. N. Shearman (Royal Academy, had been made during the past year on three
obtaining posts elsewhere, might be dis; unsatisfactory conditions of service prevailing registration, and pensions. The Registra-
missed, merely in order to give a new head in Secondary Schools in Ireland. The assist tion Council shortly
to be called
into existence
of service make the teaching profession ant master in Irish schools had a salary of would advise the Board of Education, and
respected and attractive ? They heard
less than 1001. , and salary scales had no supply those elements of knowledge and sym-
existence. He moved :-
much of a falling birth-rate amongst the
pathy which had not always been apparent
fit and vigorous, and of the increase of the That the proposed grant of a large sum of in the Board's methods and procedure. In
unfit.
the interval which must elapse before the
In the case of assistant masters in Ships in Secondary Schools in Ireland should not Council could get to work, they must make
public money to establish a system of scholar-
Secondary Schools, who, if efficient, must
be considered until the present position of assistant
be citizens of exceptional vigour of mind and masters in such schools had been improved. '
common cause with each other, and dis-
body, and therefore most fitted to be fathers This was seconded by Mr. T. E. Lownds
cover what were the objects on which they
of children of similar mental and physical (Portora Royal School, Enniskillen), sup; best be attained.
were agreed, and how those objects could
It was impossible to join
On the instruction of the President of the ported by Mr. C. R. Beaven (Campbell issue with obstructing powers unless they
Board of Education, they had received a
College, Belfast), and carried unanimously. were able to put forward authoritatively
The afternoon meeting, being open to all alternative proposals. Since, therefore,
letter asking for a statement of the chief interested in education, was largely attended. solidarity was an essential condition for
points which Mr. Pease wishes the Joint
Pensions Committee to consider. That was
Dr. A. E. Shipley (Master of Christ's their educational salvation, was it too much
evidence of the sincere desire on the part of College, Cambridge) read a most interesting to hope that the head masters of the greater
the Board to find a satisfactory solution
paper on 'Students in the late Sixteenth and public schools would come down from the
of the Pensions problem. They must,
Seventeenth centuries. ' He laid stress on Olympian heights and make common cause
throughout their branches, give full con-
the important part played by environment with them ? An enlightened sense of self-
in the life of an organism, especially if that interest should certainly influence them in
sideration to the many points raised, to organism were a boy or girl. He had had that direction. When the lower and middle
enable their executive to give final answers
strong evidence of this as President of stories of the fabric were being overhauled,
to the questions submitted to them.
Christ's College Boys' Home in Camberwell, it was not likely that the highest would long
Mr. Somerville advocated the principle where their task was to turn little gutter escape. . . “Ultimus ardebit quem tegula sola
that the State and the teacher should provide children into gentlemen. Education was of tuetur. ” They were proud to have among
the pension; that Local Education Authorities more importance than politics, for it ought them so many of the “ Di Consentes,” but
and Boards of Governors should provide the to educate the politician—though he feared they wanted them all.
salary. In that way their pension scheme it had not recently done so.
Referring to the evidence given before
would be national, and there would be no An interesting discussion on 'Examina- the Royal Commission on University Educa-
obstacle to prevent the free passage of tions' was initiated by Mr. P. J. Hartog, tion in London, he said that modern Univer-
teachers from one locality to another. More- | Registrar of the University of London, who sities might with great benefit to themselves
over, the State could still continue, as it deplored the present system, as
& pass
conform to the unwritten law of the older
now does, to use grants as a lever to induce obtained by gaining 30 per cent on a few Universities in the matter of the age of
local authorities to increase salaries. Such subjects was of little value.
admission.
No. 5) are neat, clever, and effective. Two
This is very pretty, but is it Sophocles
movements were given from a Caucasian TUES. , WED. , Fri. , and sar. London Opera House. (Matinée also on or Swinburne ? Still, grace there is,
Suite by Ippolitoff-Ivanoff, the whole of
and distinction, in all that Prof. Murray
which has already been heard in London.
WxD. Classical Concert Society, 3. Rechstelp Hall,
writes-qualities that are not accentuated
The first of the two short movements,
by the mouthings of the protagonist, Mr.
entitled ‘Dans l'Août,' is dainty and pic-
Martin Harvey, the uninspired drone of
turesquely scored. It ends with a dance,
Chappell Ballad Concert, 2. 80 Queen's Hall.
the lively rhythm of which is marked on a
the chorus, or the intermittent shrieking
Madame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford's Concert,
primitive kind of drum which M. Safonoff
and bawling of the crowd. In the trans-
brought from Russia. The second number,
lation of the Professor the simple pro-
Cortège du Sardar,' is bright, though some-
fundities of the poet become delicate
what commonplace. Rimsky-Korsakoff's
verse, which in the mouth of the histrion
* Easter' Overture (Op. 36) was apparently
DRAMA
is turned into rhythmless rhetoric.
inspired by Tschaikowsky's ‘1812,' but we
prefer the original to the imitation. Mr.
But, after all, in performances of this
Wesley Weyman played the solo part of
sort it is not the play, but the production,
Rubinstein's Pianoforte Concerto in D minor, EDIPUS REX' AT COVENT that is the thing-though that is less true
but his reading lacked colour.
GARDEN
of this than of any other Reinhardt
THE second concert of the Société des
entertainment we have yet seen. Still,
Concerts Français at Bechstein Hall on
THERE need be nothing anachronous or
deeds not words: it is by theatrical
Wednesday evening was devoted entirely archæological about a performance of effects and stage decoration, if by any
to old masters of the seventeenth and Edipus' at Covent Garden. There is means, that the message of Sophocles is to
eighteenth centuries. First came a series
no reason why the plays of Sophocles be conveyed to the people of London.
of five charming movements from the should move us less than they moved the That both are remarkable cannot be
Campra's first work for the stage (1697). Athenians twenty-three hundred years denied. 'Edipus' is a fine show. It is
Another concerted number was 'Les Carac ago, and there is some for supposing that erudite, striking, and ingenious ; but it
tères de la Danse,' a series of eight short we, who live in the twentieth, are is not a work of art. What is it, then ?
old suite movements, preceded by a Prelude more likely to appreciate them than those To borrow an expressive, though un-
and followed by a Finale. The French who lived in any intervening century. necessarily insulting term from our neigh-
twenty-four violins of the royal band, and the plicity and significance, and art more
composer, Jean Ferry Rébel, was one of the For everywhere to-day, is a cry for sim- bours, it is “ Le faux bon. ”
And what is “Le faux bon” ? It is
is most dainty. Both works were performed simple and significant than the Attic something exceedingly difficult to pro-
by the Société des Concerts d'Autrefois drama does not exist. In less than ten duce. We do not wish to belittle it ;
(Mlle. M. Delcourt, harpsichord ; and MM. thousand words Sophocles tells all that
we wish to make plain its nature. If we
L. Fleury, F. Mondain, G. Desmonts, G. can be told about a terrible and complex succeed, we shall show also how choice and
Taine, and E. Nanny, fute, oboe d'amore, tragedy. Zola or Meredith in ten times
viola da gamba, viole et vielle, and double- the space would have added nothing. rate, it keeps good company. The plays
rare a thing this “Edipus' is.
court played pieces by Couperin and They would only have put flesh on bone of Mr. Stephen Phillips are classical
Rameau, interpreting them on the harpsi- and muscle ; they would have given us examples of the faux bon,” and, to
chord with skill and delicacy. Mlle. Hélène trappings and ornament where Sophocles remove a suspicion of disparagement, we
M. Luquiens contributed some old French gives nothing but bare springs and forces. hasten to add that the plays of M. Rostand
chansons skilfully, and, in spite of a bad
Yet in this flat, lean, Attic drama all and FitzGerald’s paraphrase of Omar are
cold, successfully.
Latin realism and Celtic romance, all examples too. The brilliant and enter-
CHARPENTIER'S · Louise' will be per- details and suggestions, are implicit. It taining pictures of Mr. Nicholson and Mr.
formed at the London Opera-House next
states just those fundamental things of Orpen serve our purpose even better, so
Wednesday evening, and again on the
following Saturday evening. The cast will
which all the rest are but manifestations closely do they resemble the first-rate.
include Mlle. Vallandri (Louise), M. Jean
or consequences. There is much And now in this, the latest art, the new
Auber. (Julien), and Mlle. d'Alvarez and M. psychology in the scene between Edipus art of the theatre, come M. Bakst with his
Francis Combe (the Mother and Father). and Jocasta, a matter of some seventy Scheherazade,' and Prof. Reinhardt with
A LEAD tablet was affixed on Tuesday lines, as could be forced into seventy Sumurun' and The Miracle,' levy-
last, the 16th inst. , to 12, Seymour Street, pages by a modern novelist. A change of ing contribution on all the others, culling
Portman Square, to commemorate the resi- feeling that it would take Mr. Henry from them all those features that people
dence of M. W. Balfe, who lived there from James a chapter to elaborate is indicated of taste expect and recognize in a work
1861 until 1864.
by a statement, a question, and a reply. of art.
MEYERBEER was born in Berlin, where for Sophocles could never be satisfied with For “ le faux bon” is produced to meet
many years his operas were very successful. anything short of the essential: that he the demands of a tasteful and cultivated
It is therefore natural that a monument stated ; the rest he left out.
should be erected to him in his native
society—a society that knows as much
city. Wagner, as is known, disliked both
Though Prof. Gilbert Murray is, about art as can be taught. People who
the man and his music. It was, however, every. knows, a charming and have been brought up on terms of fami-
Meyerbeer who gave Rienzi' there in 1847 sensitive scholar, he is not the ideal liarity with the arts learn to recognize all
on the occasion of the King's birthday. translator of Sophocles. Perhaps the those features that a work of art ought
At any
as
6
as
one
## p. (#76) #################################################
76
No. 4395, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
Important
Announcement.
C
1
PAGE
57
AUTHORS' AGENTS
BELL & SONS
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BLACKWELL
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87
78
57
59
EXHIBITIONS
HERBERT & DANIEL
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MACMILLAN & Co.
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OUSELEY
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PRINTERS
SHIPPING
SITUATIONS WANTED
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UNWIN
WARNER
to possess ; they know the effects that it Abbey Theatre, Dublin, last week. The
ought to produce; but, unless born with piece is tragic in tone throughout, and is
the power of reacting emotionally and unrelieved by the humour which pervades
directly to what they see and hear, they performed by the members of the Abbey
the author's earlier work. It was creditably
cannot understand what a work of art is. School of Acting under the direction of Mr.
Such people are numerous in these days. Nugent Monck.
Far too intelligent to be duped by imita-
tions of particular plays, or poems, or
THE 290th anniversary of Molière's birth
was celebrated during the week at the
pictures, what they require is imitation art. Comédie Française by a performance of ' Le
And that is what they get. In Prof. Compliment au Roi. '
Reinhardt's productions there are dra-
matic pauses and suspensions, effects of
THE TIMES BOOK CLUB
TO CORRESPONDENTS. - J. A. S. W. -N. S. -W. H. C. -
light and sound, combinations of move- G. R. -G. G. -E. C. -J. H. -Received.
H. S. -Writing.
ment and mass, line and colour, which
CIRCULATING LIBRARY
recall, not particular works, but general
ideas based on the study of hundreds of
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS.
IS NOW OPEN TO
works, and provoke in the right kind of
spectator precisely those trains of thought BLACKIE & SON
82 THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
and feeling that are provoked by real
works of art. True, they express no first- CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
hand emotion, neither does the real thing CHATTO & WINDUS ::
to lovers of the “faux bon," but they
“ faux bon, but they CONSTABLE & Co.
DENT & Co.
cause physical reactions (as when Jocasta's
Deliveries
EDUCATIONAL
throughout the
KNO'S FRUIT SALT
women rush screaming on to the stage)
subtle enough to do duty for æsthetic
whole of London and Suburbs
HEFFER & Co.
emotions. It is hard to believe that these
INSURANCE COMPANIES
refined stimulants are precisely the same LECTURES . .
on every week day; sub-
LONGMANS & CO.
in kind as the collisions and avalanches
77 scribers are not tied down to
of melodrama ; but they are.
MAGAZINES, &c.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Edipus' is
is a good show. " To
one particular day on which
PAUL & Co.
appreciate it properly we must realize
that it is nothing else. We must compare SALES BY AUCTION
to make their exchanges.
it with pageants and ballets ; and if, so
SITUATIONS VACANT
comparing it, we like it less than some
SMITH, ELDER & Co.
that we have seen at the Empire and the TIMES BOOK CLUB
TYPE-WRITERS, &c.
Alhambra, the generous will attribute
Country subscribers are not
our eccentricity to an over-developed
YOST TYPEWRITER
78 required to return their books
moral sense.
To be frank, we do not
believe that Prof. Reinhardt or M. Bakst
until a fresh supply arrives,
has more to say than the creators of Smith, Elder & Co. 's List.
our best musical ballets. But, while
and are thus never without
the latter modestly pretend to nothing
A New Book by the Author of 'Raffles. '
more than the flattery of our senses by
books. This valuable con-
means of form and sound and colour, the Ready January 25. Crown 8vo, 68.
wizards of “ the new art” claim to express Fathers of Men
cession, which in practice is
the most profound and subtle emotions.
By E. W. HORNUNG, Author of 'Raffles,'
equivalent to giving them a
We prefer '1830' to 'The Miracle,'
Peccavi,' • The Rogue's March,' &c.
because it is unpretentious and sincere.
double service for one sub-
We prefer Edipus' to the pantomime Just Published. Large post 8vo, 78. Bd. net,
because it is prettier and shorter. As Recollections,
scription, makes The Times
works of art they all seem to us about
Grave and Gay
equal.
C. B.
Book Club service cheaper,
By Mrs. BURTON HARRISON.
more useful, and more con-
Dramatic Gossip.
Just published. Crown 8vo, Bs. net.
Thoughts on Education, venient than any other.
MRS. C. C. STOPES writes :-
chosen from the Writings
In relation to your kindly notice on the 6th
of Matthew Arnold
inst. of Mr. Poel's interesting and effective repre-
sentation of the old English Interlude of 'Jacob
Edited by LEONARD HUXLEY, Author
and Esau,'may I be allowed to make one remark?
of Life and Letters of T. H. Huxley,'
It would greatly add to its interest if Mr. Poel
Time of the Apostles. '
and your dramatic critic realized that it was not
TERMS AND FULL PARTICULARS
one of the crowd of minor plays in the rich reign
of Elizabeth, but one of the very small group of
Second . ,
pioneers in Marian times.
With 3 Illustrations by CHARLES
E. BROCK.
ON APPLICATION.
Henry Sutton had a licence to print it in 1557,
and it must have been written some time before that The Case of
date. There is no trace of a 'morality' in
All the characters are human, and, except Richard Meynell
the servants, historic. The humour and life of
By Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD, Author of
these servants are far beyond anything of the date.
“I gave my reasons for believing it was written • Robert Elsmere,' &c.
by William Hunnis, Master of the Children of the Bristol Times and Mirror. -"To say that there is not
Chapel, in The Alhenæum, April 28th, 1900, p. 538, a dull page in the whole book is merely to pay a well- THE TIMES BOOK CLUB
and also in my lately published volume, ' William
deserved tribute to Mrs. Ward's skilful craftsmanship
and literary charm
Hunnis and the Revels of the Chapel Royal. ' Mr.
Yorkshire Observer. —"This noble book. . . . it has many
Poel is - to be congratulated on the production,
attractions—a plot of quite unusual interest with many
though we may regret the occasional cutting to
dramatic and striking scenes and a love story which
save time for the rendering of the ‘Alcestis touches on the warmest sympathies. "
376 to 384, Oxford Street,
which follows in his programme. "
, MacDARRAGH'S WIFE,' a new one-act London : SMITH, ELDER & CO. ,
play by Lady Gregory, was produced at the
LONDON, W.
15, Waterloo Place, S. W.
6
9
6
66
>
it.
>
## p. 83 (#77) ##############################################
SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912]
83
THE ATHENÆUM
use.
PAGE
ASSISTANT MASTERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
83
84
85
L. C. C. CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS
66
EDUCATION : ITS NEEDS AND PURPOSES
86
are
If there be anything more hurtful to the or a trodden way, but for delicate adapta-
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1912. general welfare than that of which we have tion of instruments to their fit and destined
just spoken, it is that other form of waste
CONTENTS OF SUPPLEMENT.
which may be described as fortuitousness. We turn from such a picture to our own
It has a double content, viz. , complete fortuitousness. With that haphazard un-
WASTE IN EDUCATION
83 ignorance of the country's probable future preparedness so characteristic of our race,
needs in all branches of activity, and an we hear people say of their children, “ They
INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION OF HEAD MASTERS
almost total neglect of the differences will fall on their feet"; in too many cases
THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION. .
88 existing in individual capacity. The idea of the “fall” is irremediable. Of course foresight
discovering the demand on the one hand, demands knowledge ; and knowledge cannot
the sources of supply on the other, and of be had without co-operation among all con-
using every endeavour to equate these, seems cerned, that is, between the State, whether
EDUCATION
outside the boldest dreams of to-day. M. in its imperial or municipal aspect, and
Bergson has drawn attention to the bare parents and teachers. At present, these
fact of the need for human training and elements in the problem are, at the best, just
adaptation :-
standing apart, at the worst, glaring in
WASTE IN EDUCATION.
“Dans les sociétés d'Insectes (he writes in
mutual distrust. The first desideratum is
INSTANCES of educational
to drive into the public mind the existence
waste
'L'Évolution Créatrice,' p. 171) la division du
travail est naturelle, et chaque individu est rivé
and the extent of this ruinous waste. When
almost legion: waste through over-large par sa structure à fon ion qu'il accomplit. that is grasped, real patriotism, genuine
classes, bad grading, excessive time spent . . Au contraire, dans une société humaine,
care for human beings, a wise, sane solicitude
on corrections, setting people to teach things la fabrication et l'action sont de forme variable,
of which they are wholly or partially ignorant, röle, n'y étant pas prédestiné par sa structure. ”
et de plus, chaque individu doit apprendre son
for the young, who so often have half-
scuttled their cockle-boats before ever they
waste (nowadays increasingly) through red
reach the open sea of life, will replace
tape. But all these matters belong more Though the predestining structure may partisan strife, open axe-grinding in political
properly to the pages of journals strictly be wanting, there is, in most of us, bent.
and municipal affairs, personal jealousies
pedagogic. There are, however, two forms People of unusually marked bent are turned in public and private life. Then perhaps
of waste so important, so omnipresent, as to out of their way to their own hurt, and to this useless squandering of human capacity
merit national attention.
that of the community. But many children and joy may be stopped ; we may leave off
First, the habit of dedicating to the post of lack this extreme definiteness of aim; any cutting blocks with a razor, and hewing out
Educator those who are shrewdly, and gene- one of several allied occupations strikes microscopic sections with a pickaxe.
rally correctly, suspected of ability to fail them as being tolerable. Thus one will As we said at the outset, waste in educa-
at everything else, is by no means new ; embark cheerfully on any kind of agri- tion through fortuitousness, and waste
Vives, writing in 1531 in his ‘De tradendis cultural life so long as he is not mewed
consequent on the public low estimate of the
Disciplinis,' penned this scathing remark : up in a stuffy town; another will embrace any
worth of teachers and teaching, are national
“Quidam, quo nihil est magis ridiculum, line of artisan occupation if he can thereby
errors : they are no peddling question of
ineptos mercaturæ aut militiæ, aut aliis escape country dullness. But it is just here,
civilibus muniis, ad
pedagogic method, but the business of
Scholas mittunt. ” concerning this need to learn our place in statesmen, of parents, of the entire com-
Ascham, some forty years later - if we the community, that, at present, we fail. It
munity, which, after all, is made up, as the
judge by his closing sentence, apparently takes the discoverer to work this miracle, generations pass, of just the Nation's
on his own observation repeated the and discovery is not possible when we deal children.
charge :--
with people en masse, and secure them with
. " if a Father have four Sons, three fair and well
red tape. M. Bergson (p. 179) charges
formed, both mind and body, the fourth wretched, l'intelligence with the responsibility for all
lame, and deformed; his Choice shall be to put our pedagogic errors :-
ASSISTANT MASTERS IN SECONDARY
the worst to Learning, as one good enough to
SCHOOLS.
become a Scholar, I have spent most part of
Nous ne sommes à notre aise que dans le
my Life in a University, and therefore I can bear discontinu, dans l'immobile, dans le mort. L'in-
THE annual general meeting of the Incor-
good witness that many Fathers commonly do
telligence est caractérisée par une incompréhension porated Association of Assistant Masters in
thos. "
naturelle de la vie. "
Secondary Schools was held on Friday,
The sixteenth century drew no very exact There is the difficulty, the complexity of January 5th, at Merchant Taylors' School,
line between scholar and teacher. °If that life. The needs and demands of a nation under the chairmanship of Mr. S. E. Winbolt
line be more distinct in the twentieth, the
are not “inert “motionless"; they (Christ's Hospital), the newly elected Presi-
tendency “to put the worst to " teaching is are essentially fluid. So are the infinite dent.
as deplorably marked.
varieties of human capacity which ought to Mr. A. A. Somerville (Eton College), the
It is still unhappily true that this pro- meet these needs. The whole problem is retiring President, in moving the adoption
fession, from which, more than from any, one of life, constantly varying life. It of the Annual Report, congratulated members
the incompetent should, in an ideal State, cannot be met by an inelastic system, on the steady growth and strong financial
be excluded, has become the refuge of the planned in vacuo, to suit every one in general position of the Association. Two of the
destitute and the deficient in general and nobody in particular. Discrimination chief objects for which they were striving-
capacity. The low estimation in which of circumstances, discrimination among the the formation of a truly representative
teaching and teachers are generally held, individuals to be placed in those circum- Teachers' Council, and the establishment
and the poor calibre of many entering the stances, is the ideal we need. An indolent of a National Scheme of Pensions—had
profession, have formed a kind of vicious sticking in worn ruts, a dull reduction of made progress during the past year, the
circle. Many of the rank and file, instead most valuable, indeed priceless, individua- Association itself had advanced steadily
of being regarded as makers of the nation, lities to a uniform plane of received and in public esteem and confidence, by reason
are looked upon as persons who could not customary ways is the most dreadful waste of the moderation and perseverance with
have made a living in other fashion. How- which we can commit. We seem sometimes which it sought to render the conditions of
over much we affect to despise, and in some to make ourselves, to train others to be, service in Secondary Schools such as to attract
measure may really succeed in despising, so gratuitously monotonous. The modern and retain men fit for their high calling.
this contempt, it is not without a certain effort to provide one sort of rather dull Their Inquiry Report had produced a deep
odious and harmful potency. The mere education for children of very differing and wide conviction that the conditions of
falseness of an opinion robs it of no capacity environments, regardless of their capacity service of Secondary teachers in this country
for doing harm. If public opinion could or incapacity to profit, is a futile concession must be improved. The Report advanced
take a truer view of the teacher's function, to misdirected democracy. Real democracy no opinions ; but it gave facts and figures
then possibly the teachers themselves would would take each child as he comes, and ask which had stood the test of severe criticism.
realize that it is no more business of teaching not whence he came, but whither he is The speaker then dealt with the question
small boys and girls, but of rendering capable of going : would size him up or of Registration, and in doing so said that
supremely valuable, a definitely perceived down as the case might be, and spare no Sir Robert Morant in his report had shown
and appraised service to their country. pains to develope to the utmost his
, not
some a large-minded grasp of a complicated
It might be seen by rulers and citizens that other hypothetical person's, gifts, for the problem, and had indicated a states-
education is worthy of the best efforts of seemingly most suitable place. After
all
, manlike solution. The story of the turmoil
the greatest statesmen. The most practical does it matter greatly whether we write of the past few years, when written by an
method of realizing this ideal, English people books or clean boots, if only we do what is impartial hand, would speak of Sir Robert
being what they are, would be to raise the wanted, and do it supremely well ? But Morant as a great pioneer of
progress.
Board of Education in popular
esteem by all this seeking for the right way involves Fortunately the Board of Education was
ranking its President with the highest officers an eager love of life, an intense belief in giving more attention to their representa-
of State.
possibilities, a keen solicitude not for comfort tions. This was shown by the presentation
or
## p. 84 (#78) ##############################################
84
(SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
to Parliament, on November 9th, of statistics They had made the greatest efforts in the measures adopted by his Council to try to
relating to the salaries of the teaching staff House of Commons to secure exclusion from secure the right boys and girls for their
in certain Secondary Schools in England the Insurance Bill ; but, though supported scholarships.
and Wales, which brought into the clearest by kindred associations, and aided by many Mr. G. T. Hankin (King's College School,
relief the urgent necessity for a general friends in the House, they had failed in their Wimbledon) regretted that the Consultative
increase of salaries. Their position in asking endeavour. They were, therefore, forced Committee had not sought the evidence of
for a National Scheme of Pensions was further to provide a benefit society for themselves, assistant masters. They, as teachers, would
strengthened by the appearance in the same from which members would derive greater have condemned examinations for boys
week of the revised superannuation scheme advantages than from joining other societies ; under 16 with much greater vigour. His
for teachers, Elementary and Secondary, in these special advantages had been set forth opinion was that the value of the London
Scotland, which was to come into force this in their circular, drawn up by experts, and Matriculation lay in the fact that it was
year. Scotland was fortunate in possessing issued by the executive.
so easy that it could be taken by a boy
a fund available for the provision of pensions ; Mr. S. E. Winbolt moved the following in the ordinary course, without interference
but England and Wales would surely realize resolutions :-
with his class-work.
that the sweating of teachers in Secondary
1. “ Teachers' Council. —That this Association
Schools must be abolished, and that public welcomes the formation of the Teachers' Council,
money cannot be more wisely invested than and trusts that it will be a useful instrument in
THE INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION
in attracting and retaining in the service of organizing and unifying national education.
national education the teachers best fitted 2. “ Superannuation. --That this Association
OF HEAD MASTERS.
to train those who will become leaders of welcomes the publication by the Board of Educa-
tion of statistics of salaries in State-aided Second-
THE Twenty-First Annual General Meet-
our people.
ary Schools, which conclusively prove the urgent ing of the Incorporated Association of Head
The State forced the grant-aided Secondary necessity of a Superannuation Scheme for Second Masters was held at the Guildhall on Janu-
Schools to reserve 25 per cent of their places ary Teachers ; and feels deep satisfaction at the
ary 9th and 10th, when Dr. H. J. Spenser
for selected pupils from Elementary Schools.
progress made with regard to this question during (University College School) presided over a
the past year.
The inevitable corollary followed that the “Tenure. —That this Association deplores he said that the time had
3.
large attendance. In his inaugural address
conditions of service in these schools should the many cases of arbitrary dismissal which have
come when
be made such as to attract and keep in these occurred during the past year, following upon the the nation could no longer afford to
schools the best teachers available. Pension appointment of a new head master; and considers shirk the organization of secondary educa-
provision was made for the Elementary that an immediate remedy should be found for so tion. In poor countries every available
teachers by the Act of 1898. The Chan- unsatisfactory a state of things. ”
Asset had to be realized. Such an asset
cellor of the Exchequer had now promised
In the course of his speech the Chairman was education, as unrealized in this
to increase that provision. If it were sug- emphasized the principle that the Board of country, because the necessity had not
gested that “ sweated labour was too Education should be called upon to refuse hitherto been cogent. To-day the whole
strong a term to use, he would reply : “Look grants to schools from which assistants were business confronted them, grim, formidable,
at the figures just laid before Parliament by arbitrarily dismissed.
bristling with difficulties. These difficulties,
the Board of Education. ” There they The resolutions were carried unanimously. he was afraid, were largely attributable to
found that 4,002 assistant masters in grant- Mr. F. Charles (Strand School) moved, and their own apathy and neglect in bygone
aided Secondary Schools received an average Mr. Walde (Berkhamsted) seconded :
years.
salary of 1681. , and virtually no provision That the lowest salary paid in any Secondary
Whilst the essential unity of education of
was made for their old age.
School to an assistant master should be 1501. , all grades had been generally recognized,
Stockton and Newark had recently re-
rising by automatic yearly increments of at least they had still to attain to the status and
101. to 3001. ; and then by similar increments of dignity of a profession which should include
minded them that the whole staff of a school, 151. to at least 4501. ”
including who had given many
teachers of all grades. Towards this unifica-
The motion was carried.
faithful and efficient service,
tion of the profession, substantial advance
and who were too old to have hope of Belfast)
gave a convincing description of the lines that converged and united-training,
Mr. J. N. Shearman (Royal Academy, had been made during the past year on three
obtaining posts elsewhere, might be dis; unsatisfactory conditions of service prevailing registration, and pensions. The Registra-
missed, merely in order to give a new head in Secondary Schools in Ireland. The assist tion Council shortly
to be called
into existence
of service make the teaching profession ant master in Irish schools had a salary of would advise the Board of Education, and
respected and attractive ? They heard
less than 1001. , and salary scales had no supply those elements of knowledge and sym-
existence. He moved :-
much of a falling birth-rate amongst the
pathy which had not always been apparent
fit and vigorous, and of the increase of the That the proposed grant of a large sum of in the Board's methods and procedure. In
unfit.
the interval which must elapse before the
In the case of assistant masters in Ships in Secondary Schools in Ireland should not Council could get to work, they must make
public money to establish a system of scholar-
Secondary Schools, who, if efficient, must
be considered until the present position of assistant
be citizens of exceptional vigour of mind and masters in such schools had been improved. '
common cause with each other, and dis-
body, and therefore most fitted to be fathers This was seconded by Mr. T. E. Lownds
cover what were the objects on which they
of children of similar mental and physical (Portora Royal School, Enniskillen), sup; best be attained.
were agreed, and how those objects could
It was impossible to join
On the instruction of the President of the ported by Mr. C. R. Beaven (Campbell issue with obstructing powers unless they
Board of Education, they had received a
College, Belfast), and carried unanimously. were able to put forward authoritatively
The afternoon meeting, being open to all alternative proposals. Since, therefore,
letter asking for a statement of the chief interested in education, was largely attended. solidarity was an essential condition for
points which Mr. Pease wishes the Joint
Pensions Committee to consider. That was
Dr. A. E. Shipley (Master of Christ's their educational salvation, was it too much
evidence of the sincere desire on the part of College, Cambridge) read a most interesting to hope that the head masters of the greater
the Board to find a satisfactory solution
paper on 'Students in the late Sixteenth and public schools would come down from the
of the Pensions problem. They must,
Seventeenth centuries. ' He laid stress on Olympian heights and make common cause
throughout their branches, give full con-
the important part played by environment with them ? An enlightened sense of self-
in the life of an organism, especially if that interest should certainly influence them in
sideration to the many points raised, to organism were a boy or girl. He had had that direction. When the lower and middle
enable their executive to give final answers
strong evidence of this as President of stories of the fabric were being overhauled,
to the questions submitted to them.
Christ's College Boys' Home in Camberwell, it was not likely that the highest would long
Mr. Somerville advocated the principle where their task was to turn little gutter escape. . . “Ultimus ardebit quem tegula sola
that the State and the teacher should provide children into gentlemen. Education was of tuetur. ” They were proud to have among
the pension; that Local Education Authorities more importance than politics, for it ought them so many of the “ Di Consentes,” but
and Boards of Governors should provide the to educate the politician—though he feared they wanted them all.
salary. In that way their pension scheme it had not recently done so.
Referring to the evidence given before
would be national, and there would be no An interesting discussion on 'Examina- the Royal Commission on University Educa-
obstacle to prevent the free passage of tions' was initiated by Mr. P. J. Hartog, tion in London, he said that modern Univer-
teachers from one locality to another. More- | Registrar of the University of London, who sities might with great benefit to themselves
over, the State could still continue, as it deplored the present system, as
& pass
conform to the unwritten law of the older
now does, to use grants as a lever to induce obtained by gaining 30 per cent on a few Universities in the matter of the age of
local authorities to increase salaries. Such subjects was of little value.
admission.
