Apart
mothers, while all who were liable to chronic Higher-Grade School, gave a fascinating from the regular lessons, in which the
headaches were found to be suffering from account of the excursions, essays, and importance of careful questioning and
rheumatic poison in some form.
mothers, while all who were liable to chronic Higher-Grade School, gave a fascinating from the regular lessons, in which the
headaches were found to be suffering from account of the excursions, essays, and importance of careful questioning and
rheumatic poison in some form.
Athenaeum - London - 1912a
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. Of the alternatives, that of
a scheme did not mean that they would be Dr. W. H. D. Rouse passed some strong taking a degree at nineteen, and that of
reduced to the rank of telegraph boys, as criticism on the existing methods adopted continuing in the highest form of a secondary
Mr. Gilson said at Sherborne ; it meant that for testing boys' minds.
school till the age of eighteen, with the
freedom might be preserved, even though Mr. J. L. Holland (Northants County possibility of taking a degree only in after
State help was given.
Council) spoke at length on the various 'life or not at all, he unhesitatingly said that
men
years of
## p. 85 (#79) ##############################################
SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912]
THE ATHENÆUM
85
the latter was preferable on all grounds. The Mr. P. Shaw Jeffrey (Colchester) dis- might count as a subject or part of a subject in
only logical justification for the University cussed ‘Reform in the Teaching of Science such examinations as are usually taken at the
of London's admission of a boy at the age of in Secondary Schools,' with special reference end of a school career; and satisfaction was
sixteen was that education in the schools to country grammar schools. For the aver- expressed with the attitude taken by the
was so bad that this was the best possible age boy, not destined for a career in which Board of Education with reference to the
course in the boy's interest. This justifica- science was to play a leading part, a great appointment of a Teachers' Registration
tion, he regretted to say, was actually pleaded deal of their science teaching was waste of Council.
Council. A highly important report was
before the Commission.
time, and it was most important that a presented on Commissions and Advertise-
The report of the Consultative Committee large place should be given to observational ments by a special committee which had for
on Examinations in Secondary Schools was science—the study of weather phenomena, some time been investigating this somewhat
satisfactory, since it did full justice to the botany, biology, astronomy, the commonest unsavoury question, and it was agreed to
state of Egyptian bondage in which they facts of geology, the habits of animals and regard the conclusions reached by that
had been labouring; but he found it im- plants—and that the chemistry and physics committee as a standard of professional
possible to agree with their conviction that taught should have a special relation to this conduct. An exhaustive report on External
an immense debt of gratitude was owing to scheme of instruction. He bemoaned the Examinations was presented by the Examina-
the External Examining bodies for the ser- loss of the Early Victorian mother as a factor tions Committee, and it was resolved to take
vices which they had rendered to education. in education. This good lady, with her vigorous steps to induce the Universities
These services he considered to consist chiefly knowledge of simples, her love of her garden, and professional bodies to simplify the
in enriching the examining body, advertis- and her patient education of her children in conditions under which they accept the
ing schools, and gulling parents.
the names and habits of flowers, and the ways certificates of examining bodies other than
They had gained valuable experience of and wants of animals, had been replaced by their own.
the working of the free place and scholar-
a physically more robust type of mother, At the afternoon session Dr. Rouse
ship system. They had learnt that the acclimatized to golf in all weathers, a trust- (Perse School, Cambridge) opened & dis-
ladder must be widened, but the Association worthy half-back at hockey, and, when the cussion on 'The Teaching of Latin. They
had from time to time suggested that the light failed in the winter evenings, a good should take a lesson from the modern-lan-
ladder needed supplementing by the sieve. partner at bridge. She was an excellent guage teachers, and use the oral method.
When the leaders of the Labour Party companion for her children, but her interests That method held attention without diffi-
realized that by an education, mainly lay not so much with their mental as with culty, and succeeded in teaching a large
intended to prepare for the professions, a
their physical education.
number of the facts of grammar almost
large proportion of free-placers and scholars Mr. Jenkyn Thomas (Hackney Downs) insensibly. By the oral method they might
must inevitably be left stranded, unable to move a resolution calling attention to the
save what was best in classical studies, and
bridge the gulf between the end of school life widespread evil of the premature with-
if there was any other way, he had not yet
and the realization of a wage-earning capacity, drawal of boys from secondary schools.
heard of it.
the defects of the ladder would be remedied There was a general idea that secondary
In the discussion that followed the opinion
and the schools relieved. The High Master schools abroad, especially in France and Ger-
was expressed by several speakers that the
of Manchester Grammar School deprecated many, were models of marvellous efficiency,
oral system would be very successful if they
the employment of the term "ladder. " while secondary schools in England were had a Dr. Rouse to use it, but that his
Surely they did not desire to see the ladder awful examples of inefficiency. Neither of
imitators were unsuccessful. It was thought,
replaced by the lift ? A ladder demanded these things was true. Intelligent publi-
too, that the substitution of interest for
ability to climb, and ability came by climb- cists would be surprised if they knew of the
effort was to be deprecated.
ing; only by effort were developed “the stream of foreign students of education who
wrestling thews that throw the world. ” came to England to study English methods.
The Rev. C. J. Smith (Hammersmith) There had been enormous improvement in
moved a resolution urging that all privaté English secondary education, and it was
L. C. C. CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS.
and proprietary schools, and other educa- silly and unpatriotic nonsense to say that
tional institutions, should be inspected by English secondary schools were now as a whole THE Sixteenth Annual Conference of
the Board of Education. The preparatory inefficient and unsuccessful. Yet English Teachers, held by the London County Council
schools for the public schools were thoroughly schools did not produce as good results on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of this month,
efficient, and many of the dames' schools as French and German schools, the reason was before all things encouraging.
were excellent, but others were abysmal. ” being that French and German parents gave The first topic on the Thursday morn-
They escaped any inspection so long as fair play to their secondary schools, and an ing to be considered, Specialization in
they charged more than 9d. a week. There opportunity of properly educating their schools,' was discussed in only one of its
were plenty of Dotheboys Halls still in boys. English parents, on the other hand, aspects, namely, specialization on the part
existence. There was also the “Do-the- withdrew their boys before it was possible of the teacher. A good point was made by
parents Hall,” where success depended upon for them to derive adequate benefit from Miss Kyle, who read the first paper, when
unlimited impudence. All that was neces- secondary education. The fruitful part of she said that the habit of working with
sary was to get oneself photographed, send secondary education began at the age of 16, people of different temperaments was so
out broadcast appeals for pupils, and adver- but only 7 per cent of the boys attending valuable in after-life as to make variety of
tise that well-paid appointments were abso- English secondary schools remained until teachers a useful part of education. Mr.
lutely assured to those completing the course. that age, the average school life above the Samuel, the Head Master of the Millwall
Classrooms need not be built, as any house age of 12 being only two years and eight Mixed Central School, declaimed against
would do. The limit of classes need only months. In Scotland the number of boys the neglect of English, which he justly
be the limit of those paying the fees. When over 16 in secondary schools was 15 per cent, declared had been a national disgrace, and
the pupils went in for examinations, the staff and in Germany over 40 per cent, of whom dwelt upon the need of training children to
could occasionally" deputize" for them. more than 20 per cent stayed until they speak properly, and of opening to them
A system of inspection would bring about a received the maturity certificate at the age their inheritance of literature. It
great change.
of 19 or 20.
delightful to hear at this point-and again
An amendment permitting the inspection In the discussion that followed, the whenever the value of good English teaching
to be carried out either by the Board of opinion was expressed that employers were was touched upon
the outbursts of ap-
Education or by some other authority more to blame than the parents. The plause from the assembled teachers. Clearly
approved by the Board was rejected by a resolution was passed unanimously, and the a time is coming in which the children of
very large majority, and the original reso. subject was referred to a committee for London's municipal schools will be put into
lution was carried.
investigation and report.
possession of a language (at present most
Dr. Alexander Hill, Secretary to the
Canon Swallow (Chigwell) and Dr. of them have but a jargon, of surprisingly
forthcoming Congress of the Universities of McClure (Mill Hill) were re-elected Hono- limited range), and in which they will have
the Empire, addressed the Conference on the rary Secretaries, and Mr. W. G. Rushbrooke a chance of knowing better songs than those
aims and objects of the Congress. Dr. (St. Olave's), Treasurer.
of the music-hall. But in the recoil from
Rowton, sometime Master of Music at Brad- The annual dinner of the Association was a mechanical system these eager men and
field College, read a paper on Music Teach- held at the Trocadero Restaurant. Sir women seem to have grown unjust to the
ing in Schools, which was followed by a Robert Morant bade farewell to the Associa- possible charms and virtues of parsing and
discussion.
tion, and many tributes were paid to him analysis. Properly treated, not as a cut-
Mr. F. W. Sanderson (Oundle) was for his services to secondary education. and-dried classification, but as an exercise
announced to read a paper on ‘The Results On the second day, the morning session of thought and judgment, these subjects
of Modern Methods of Geometry Teaching,' was devoted to private business. It was may be made keenly interesting and highly
but by some misunderstanding the paper agreed that the Association would welcome educative, even to very young children.
dealt not with results, but with the lines on the adoption of some scheme by which success Not the subject, but the method, is bad.
which the teaching should be conducted. in the War Office examination for Certificate A As the morning went on it became clear that
was
## p. 86 (#80) ##############################################
86
[SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
was
d
2
.
the employment of special teachers for girls. This was well, but it would have been At the conference held on Saturday morn-
different subjects can be carried further in better, perhaps, if girls could have occupied ing, January 13th, papers were read on
a secondary than in a primary school, and the stage in respect of some less utilitarian various aspects of the teaching of com-
with greater advantage among older and study than needlework. Throughout the position in schools. Dr. Rouse, Head
more intelligent pupils than among young or Conference there was a perceptible tendency Master of the Perse School, Cambridge,
stupid ones. There seemed some indications,
to consider girls only in relation to needlework dealt with "The Place of English Com-
too, of its suiting girls better than boys. and “ domestic ”subjects, and to forget that position in the Language Scheme of a
In this session, and from a lady, came the the true business of a school is to make Secondary School. ' English composition
admirable generalization : “A class which not skilled needlewomen and skilled cooks, was the foundation of all other work in
works beautifully together has learnt nothing but intelligent girls, capable of turning schools, and the utmost pains should be
except drill. ”
their intelligence to sewing, to cooking, or
taken with it. The subject was now more
Friday morning's discussion upon The to any other sort of work at the proper time. important than ever, because there was
Doctrine of Formal Training (Mental Dis- The routine teaching of stitches in elementary no longer any help in the home, where no
cipline)
somewhat abstruse and schools, intended presumably to develope stories were told by mother or nurse, no
technical. The doctrine of formal training high proficiency with the needle, has been books were read aloud, and no training was
is the doctrine that the mind has “faculties responsible for the distaste which many given in observation, as in the past. The
which may be trained by teaching irre- and many a working woman shows towards sovereign merit of school composition was
spective of the subject taught, so that a that implement. This deadness of routine clearness, and premature elegance should be
child who learns Latin grammar accurately disappears in the training given under guarded against.
will have acquired accuracy for the learn. Miss Bawden (who read the first paper) Miss Ford, Lecturer at the Clapham Day
ing of anything else. Modern experiment at Clifton Hill School. The children Training College, discussed The Teaching
tends to discredit this doctrine, and very begin by cutting and making dolls' clothes, of Composition in Relation to the Teaching
interesting experiments were reported as to guided only when they ask for guidance of Literature. ' Much of the difficulty ex-
the degree-generally a very slight degree- as they quickly do. They advance to perienced by teachers was due to the un-
in which the learning of one subject
helps cutting paper patterns, still for dolls, and suitability of the themes often chosen,
another.
go on to garments measured by themselves and various ways were indicated of utilizing
The afternoon of Friday was devoted to from schoolfellows. Finally, they adapt the wealth of material afforded by the
• The Treatment of Backward Children,' | patterns from those in fashion papers, or English literature lessons. Children should
and was perhaps the most illuminating devise them from fashion plates. The value be encouraged to play
“ the sedulous ape,'
of all the sessions. Sir James Crichton- of such a scheme was shown when Miss as Stevenson had done,
Browne, from the chair, expounded the Bawden remarked that the “neat air of Mr. George Sampson, Head Master of the
medical distinction between the defective quietness apt to pervade a sewing class Bellenden Road Higher - Grade School,
and the merely backward child. Dr. Paton vanished, and that the reading aloud treated the question of Oral Composition
described his dealings in the Manchester often requested on such occasions was out in Upper Classes of Elementary Schools,'
Grammar School with backward boys. of the question.
advocating regular practice throughout
Careful medical investigation showed that Mr. Litton, of the London Fields Boys' school life. Good oral composition was the
some of them had undergone grave illness School, gave interesting figures of the foundation of good written composition,
at various stages of childhood, that some improvement in chest expansion among but oral composition should not be re-
who had feeble circulations had been handi- boys whom he had exercised in deep breath- garded as a means only, being more important
capped by the illness or feebleness of their ing; and Mr. Lawrence, of Keeton's Road than written composition in real life.
Apart
mothers, while all who were liable to chronic Higher-Grade School, gave a fascinating from the regular lessons, in which the
headaches were found to be suffering from account of the excursions, essays, and importance of careful questioning and
rheumatic poison in some form. Mentally drawings of the boys.
answering was emphasized, whatever the
he found these boys to be unsuited to the More than one speaker mentioned the subject of instruction, an occasional debate,
general curriculum, and to be suffering willingness of the London County Council in which boys should speak from notes, and
from a feeling of humiliation and depression to allow reasonable experiments. The a formal deputation, in which several
He found it necessary to bring their looker-on
away feeling that the speakers should deal with different aspects
teaching into direct relation with concrete general prospect was encouraging in the
of the question under discussion, produced
matters : their arithmetic, for example, extreme; but that girls ran a certain excellent results.
dealt with the supply of food for the danger of being educated not, as so many
In the discussion which followed Mr.
school camp,
or with other needs that speakers urged in regard to boys, “ for life, P. J. Hartog, Academic Registrar of the
they knew to be actual. The backward but merely for domestic life, which is a very University of London, urged that there should
boys, Dr. Paton declared, were of great different thing.
be closer co-operation between the teachers
importance to a school. It is they who are
of the various subjects in schools in the
teaching us to teach. ” The truth of this
matter of insisting on good oral composition.
saying was brought home, consciously or
He deprecated the “sedulous ape theory,
unconsciously, by each succeeding speaker.
THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION.
contending that Stevenson's own style had
Wherever practical experience was reported,
suffered through his imitation of various
writers.
it appeared that mechanical teaching and On Friday week last, after the settlement
Prof. Gollancz said that there had been
abstract teaching had to be given up, and of its annual business, the English Associa-
that lessons had to touch daily life. The tion heard a striking address from Mr. a tremendous improvement in English in the
powers
of the intelligent child have A. C. Bradley, President, on ‘The Uses of examinations of the London University
hidden from its teachers the deadness of Poetry. '
during the last few years. Miss C. Linklater
routine ; it has remained for the dullness We think it a pity that, as time allowed, Thomson, however, speaking from
of the backward child to demand some- discussion on Mr. Bradley's highly interest- perience as an examiner, thought that, when
thing better. The one conspicuous defect ing conclusions was not invited. The two examiners abandoned the stereotyped style
of this otherwise admirable discussion was speakers who proposed the vote of thanks of setting papers in English, the results were
that it turned almost solely upon_boys. did not deal with the substance of his very disappointing.
Dr. Duncan Forbes, Medical Officer of Health remarks.
for Brighton, after giving valuable details The annual dinner of the Association was
of the teaching by manual and practical held at the Holborn Restaurant the same
work of backward' boys in the Richmond evening. Mr. J. H. Fowler (Clifton College), EDUCATION : ITS NEEDS
Street School of that town, mentioned that in responding to the toast of “The Associa-
AND PURPOSES.
special classes of a similar kind fhad been tion," said that, if the dignity and beauty of
established for girls at Hanover Terrace the English language were thrown away, it FORSTER'S EDUCATION ACT is now more
School. At the latter school attention is would largely be the fault of schoolmasters. than forty years old.
It has reached the
chiefly directed to needlework, housewifery, Dwelling on the importance of a pure and age at which a determination towards
and cookery.
One dangerous opinion was refined style of English in school text- wisdom or folly is generally regarded as
expressed, namely, that domestic service was books, he condemned Messrs. C. R. L. fixed, and when failure can no longer be
one of the most hopeful occupations for Fletcher and Rudyard Kipling's 'English ascribed to immaturity. In earlier days
backward girls. All experienced workers History' on the ground of the violence, acute critics made the proper apologies
among feeble-minded adults know that crudeness, and eccentricity of its language. for a flood of instruction which had over-
domestic service is in many ways an espe- In the matter of English style, the advice flowed its usual banks, and could not be
cially perilous calling for such women. of the Sussex farmer should be applied to expected to be other than shallow in the
The whole of the third day was devoted schoolboys :" You see as you always keep new territory gained. Pioneers had no ex-
to the subject of Educational Experiments company with them as is better than your perience, no time to descend to elaborate
in Schools, and the first paper dealt with selves. "
details, or even to fix any secure standards
came
1)
6
ex-
1
6
## p. 87 (#81) ##############################################
[SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
87
REGENT LIBRARY.
new
of learning. They were busy meeting the so far as to suggest an imitation of the
THE
protests of the old culture, which was methods of study by which Stevenson
naturally shocked by its new adherents, secured his style. That course, at least, we
their strange garb, and their ignorance of, must deprecate for the many. There is,
or indifference to, the shibboleths hitherto at the present day, far too much attempt at
considered necessary for enlightened circles. fine writing by those who have not learnt to
Such feelings have largely passed away; the write naturally and simply, or even grasped
highest academic honours can be, and have the logic of English, and the meaning of Small crown 8vo, attractively bound.
been, attained by a boy who started in the many words they use. There is too much cloth, 28. 6d. net; leather, 89. 6d. net.
elementary schools. The career is open, but mere imitation, and so much help is given in
the talents have hardly as yet found their books that boys lose the power of thinking Especially suitable for Schools
satisfactory opening, in spite of the in- for themselves.
The English Association, at its meetings,
creased opportunities for specialization, and
and Colleges, as an introduction
for the ventilation of any views worth arranges some interesting talk and some
to the serious study of English
hearing. The village Hampden may hope learned addresses or lectures, and the same Literature.
to make a success in town, or at any rate may be said of the Classical Association.
in his local paper ; the village Milton need The former, however, has an advantage over Though the number of reprints of standard
be no longer mute and inglorious, but may the latter in the production of excellent authors is very great, it is only in the REGENT
pass into the permanency of print.
leaflets summarizing some special inquiry, LIBRARY that what may be called the continuity
Yet it would be idle to affirm that educa- or giving advice concerning some special of Authorship is preserved by the system of
tion has produced in this twentieth century study. The lecturer has his value, but we
" links” which indicate the nature and the bulk
anything like the results expected. The often think of the cynical Oxford rhyme :-
of the works from which the selections are made.
This fact, together with the encyclopædic details
schoolmaster is not so much abroad as all
You'll find the substance of his notes
abroad, and his work is often open to sus-
Much better in the books he quotes.
makes the books comprehensive in a manner that
no other series of reprints attains to.
picion, if not to the accusation of failure.
The Classical Association should follow the
There is a general impression, founded, alas !
lead of its younger contemporary, and pro-
The volumes form veritable introductions to the
in our experience on sufficient evidence, that duce similar leaflets which would supply authors treated of, and are cindispensable com
the average boy or girl often leaves school guidance to the best of the many classical
without any distinct sharpening of intelli- aids and translations, &c. , now to be had at
LETTERS and the GREAT WRITERS series.
gence or power to use knowledge gained
a cheap price. The thought of ancient
Every fact of importance in their lives and works.
will be found referred to. Outside complete
and improve on it.
Greece, especially in drama, is becoming a
Whatever the causes of this disappoint- living influence in modern England outside tions will be found to give so much material and.
editions of any author, no other volumes of selec-
ment, we can say at least that many vigorous the classroom, and Plato may even be information.
workers and thinkers are seeking a way to mentioned in the same breath with Mr.
improve education and make it more sensitive H. G. Wells. The Classical Review in
Both the selections and the Introductions have
to the difficult and curiously varied demands ignoring this fresh enthusiasm
been entrusted to writers who can speak with the
seems to
of to-day. The waste of which our
miss a great opportunity.
authority of full knowledge on their subjects.
contributor speaks is obvious, but it may There is a means of education which
fairly be urged that it has not gone un-
FIRST LIST OF VOLUMES.
teachers might well adopt for their own
observed of late years--for instance, that uses--the cinematograph. That institution JOHNSON
By Alice Meynell,
those who have obvious gifts for handicraft is already a formidable rival to the evening
With Introduction by G. K. Chesterton.
and little for anything else have a school, and its pictures are largely spoilt
chance to exercise them. One thing clearly by sickly sentimentality. In the portrayal LEIGH HUNT. By Edward Storer,
emerges from the din of scholastic conflict of scientific phenomena and the lives and
--that the schoolmaster is entitled to more habits of other peoples it suggests a wide RICHARDSON. By Sheila Kaye-Smith.
credit than he has secured, and has not the field for instruction committed to the
assured position due to one on whom the faithful eyes," as Horace says, rather than WORDSWORTH.
future of the race largely depends.
the less readily receptive ears.
By E. Hallam Moorhouse.
There has been a lack of enterprise and So far we have attempted to dwell on a
organization in the presentation of scholastic few points which seem to deserve the atten-BLAISE DE MONLUC.
opinion. Such an association as that of tion of serious thinkers. We believe that
By A. W. Evans.
the Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools at no time was there a larger body of earnest
ought to be many years older than it is. and disinterested workers in the cause of
MRS. GASKELL.
By E. A. Chadwick.
The report of its proceedings which we pub- education, who fully realize its aim and THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK.
lish emphasizes points of real importance, purpose. There are, however, others to
and records concessions from educational | whom it needs to be said that instruction
By W. H. Helm.
authorities which should clear the air. Differ- ladled out in a hurry is not education. The COWPER.
ences with the Board of Education, which cultivation for market purposes of brute
By Edward Storer.
has lost its strong, but somewhat autocratic brain-power has its uses, public and private, MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT.
head, seem in the way of settlement, and but the market advantages of education are
advance has been made towards the solution
By Camilla Jebb. [Feb.
not the criterion of its value to individuals
of the question of pensions. Facts and
or the nation :
SHELLEY
By Roger Ingpen. [Feb.
figures have been produced as a basis for
further reform. The Association of Head
“ Education must not be regarded as a mere JANE AUSTEN.
ladder of advancement and advertisement, as a
Masters was also employed last week in the
means of pushing, in front of others, into an inner
discussion of various problems, and it seems circle, where the good things of life are being given GEORGE ELIOT.
By Lady Margaret Sackville. [Feb. '
a pity that it cannot combine with the Head
away.
Egotism will spoil education as it spoils
Masters' Conference, which holds its meet- religion, and as it spoils ethics. All three lose their
By Viola Meynell. (Feb.
ing at Christmas time. The question of
virtue and medicinal efficiency when selfishness
settles down upon them like a fog. "
Other Volumes in Preparation.
registration and its uses for the Board of
Education was brought forward, and the So wrote one of the wisest of scholars and
notable fact that boys are removed at the
wittiest of judges. In the strange Dinner design than the present series.
Nothing could be much better in form and
very age when secondary education is of Trimalchio
The title is ex
Petronius has sketched for
beginning to bear fruit.
cellent, the selection of authors interesting and
us the manners and desires of the lowest
the workmanship very good. The economist,
The L. C. C. conferences of January 4th-classes of later Rome. In this world, which
whether in money or space is promised a select
6th suggest many pertinent subjects for
bears a striking resemblance to a section
shelf of charming volumes at an alluring price and
criticism and inquiry, one which should
of our own, moves Echion, a rag-dealer, can provide himself with a fair miniature of some
appeal to all being the standard of facility who has the conception of education popular noted writer at the price of a single seat in the
and correctness attained in English. Here
in some quarters to-day. For him Letters pit; without waiting he will obtain twice as.
present results are bad. The jargon of
is a bonanza (we strive to reproduce the much entertainment as the front row could ever
the music - halls must not become the vulgarity of the original), and there is a afford. . . . . . The selections are made with much sym-
language of the people, and English writing time when his son is sufficiently tainted with pathy and no little skill. ”-Nation.
must be improved. The boy or girl who learning, and ought to take to something
Complete Illustrated Catalogue on application.
can write a straightforward letter without that pays.
confusing the issue is a rarity. The Eng-
lish Association has also been discussing
* We hold over an article on 'Bible
HERBERT & DANIEL
English composition, and one speaker went Teaching in Preparatory Schools. '
21, MADDOX STREET, LONDON, W.
9)
-
## p. 88 (#82) ##############################################
88
[SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
A NEW ENGLISH
ENGLISH HISTORY.
Just Issued.
THE
GROUNDWORK OF
BRITISH HISTORY
BY
GEORGE TOWNSEND WARNER, M. A. ,
Sometime Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge; Master of the Modern Side in Harrow School ; Author of 'A Brief Survey
of British History,' &c.
AND
C. H. K. MARTEN, M. A. ,
Balliol College, Oxford; Assistant Master at Eton College.
With Maps, Time Charts, and full Index.
764 pp. , super-crown 8vo, 6s. Also in Two Parts, 3s. 6d. each.
An English History for Middle and Upper Forms, adapted to the methods of modern teaching
of the subject, has long been called for. Mr. Townsend Warner's “ Brief Survey of British History”
has been found well suited to the needs of Lower Forms, and it is hoped that the present work will
prove equally serviceable for Middle and Upper Forms.
The subject is treated with the breadth that is now required of senior candidates for University
Local and similar examinations, and in full consonance with the views repeatedly put forward in the
circulars of the Historical Association ; though, be it said, the work has in no way been suggested
by these circulars, but is the outcome of the experience of its joint authors, Mr. Warner of Harrow
and Mr. Marten of Eton.
The authors have sought to trace out the main threads of British History, omitting small and
unfruitful details; to treat events in logical sequence by fixing the attention upon one subject at a
time; and to concentrate the mind upon the chief policy or course of action of each age.
Prospectus, giving full particulars, post free on application.
BLACKIE
& SON, Ltd. , 50, Old Bailey, London.
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. Of the alternatives, that of
a scheme did not mean that they would be Dr. W. H. D. Rouse passed some strong taking a degree at nineteen, and that of
reduced to the rank of telegraph boys, as criticism on the existing methods adopted continuing in the highest form of a secondary
Mr. Gilson said at Sherborne ; it meant that for testing boys' minds.
school till the age of eighteen, with the
freedom might be preserved, even though Mr. J. L. Holland (Northants County possibility of taking a degree only in after
State help was given.
Council) spoke at length on the various 'life or not at all, he unhesitatingly said that
men
years of
## p. 85 (#79) ##############################################
SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912]
THE ATHENÆUM
85
the latter was preferable on all grounds. The Mr. P. Shaw Jeffrey (Colchester) dis- might count as a subject or part of a subject in
only logical justification for the University cussed ‘Reform in the Teaching of Science such examinations as are usually taken at the
of London's admission of a boy at the age of in Secondary Schools,' with special reference end of a school career; and satisfaction was
sixteen was that education in the schools to country grammar schools. For the aver- expressed with the attitude taken by the
was so bad that this was the best possible age boy, not destined for a career in which Board of Education with reference to the
course in the boy's interest. This justifica- science was to play a leading part, a great appointment of a Teachers' Registration
tion, he regretted to say, was actually pleaded deal of their science teaching was waste of Council.
Council. A highly important report was
before the Commission.
time, and it was most important that a presented on Commissions and Advertise-
The report of the Consultative Committee large place should be given to observational ments by a special committee which had for
on Examinations in Secondary Schools was science—the study of weather phenomena, some time been investigating this somewhat
satisfactory, since it did full justice to the botany, biology, astronomy, the commonest unsavoury question, and it was agreed to
state of Egyptian bondage in which they facts of geology, the habits of animals and regard the conclusions reached by that
had been labouring; but he found it im- plants—and that the chemistry and physics committee as a standard of professional
possible to agree with their conviction that taught should have a special relation to this conduct. An exhaustive report on External
an immense debt of gratitude was owing to scheme of instruction. He bemoaned the Examinations was presented by the Examina-
the External Examining bodies for the ser- loss of the Early Victorian mother as a factor tions Committee, and it was resolved to take
vices which they had rendered to education. in education. This good lady, with her vigorous steps to induce the Universities
These services he considered to consist chiefly knowledge of simples, her love of her garden, and professional bodies to simplify the
in enriching the examining body, advertis- and her patient education of her children in conditions under which they accept the
ing schools, and gulling parents.
the names and habits of flowers, and the ways certificates of examining bodies other than
They had gained valuable experience of and wants of animals, had been replaced by their own.
the working of the free place and scholar-
a physically more robust type of mother, At the afternoon session Dr. Rouse
ship system. They had learnt that the acclimatized to golf in all weathers, a trust- (Perse School, Cambridge) opened & dis-
ladder must be widened, but the Association worthy half-back at hockey, and, when the cussion on 'The Teaching of Latin. They
had from time to time suggested that the light failed in the winter evenings, a good should take a lesson from the modern-lan-
ladder needed supplementing by the sieve. partner at bridge. She was an excellent guage teachers, and use the oral method.
When the leaders of the Labour Party companion for her children, but her interests That method held attention without diffi-
realized that by an education, mainly lay not so much with their mental as with culty, and succeeded in teaching a large
intended to prepare for the professions, a
their physical education.
number of the facts of grammar almost
large proportion of free-placers and scholars Mr. Jenkyn Thomas (Hackney Downs) insensibly. By the oral method they might
must inevitably be left stranded, unable to move a resolution calling attention to the
save what was best in classical studies, and
bridge the gulf between the end of school life widespread evil of the premature with-
if there was any other way, he had not yet
and the realization of a wage-earning capacity, drawal of boys from secondary schools.
heard of it.
the defects of the ladder would be remedied There was a general idea that secondary
In the discussion that followed the opinion
and the schools relieved. The High Master schools abroad, especially in France and Ger-
was expressed by several speakers that the
of Manchester Grammar School deprecated many, were models of marvellous efficiency,
oral system would be very successful if they
the employment of the term "ladder. " while secondary schools in England were had a Dr. Rouse to use it, but that his
Surely they did not desire to see the ladder awful examples of inefficiency. Neither of
imitators were unsuccessful. It was thought,
replaced by the lift ? A ladder demanded these things was true. Intelligent publi-
too, that the substitution of interest for
ability to climb, and ability came by climb- cists would be surprised if they knew of the
effort was to be deprecated.
ing; only by effort were developed “the stream of foreign students of education who
wrestling thews that throw the world. ” came to England to study English methods.
The Rev. C. J. Smith (Hammersmith) There had been enormous improvement in
moved a resolution urging that all privaté English secondary education, and it was
L. C. C. CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS.
and proprietary schools, and other educa- silly and unpatriotic nonsense to say that
tional institutions, should be inspected by English secondary schools were now as a whole THE Sixteenth Annual Conference of
the Board of Education. The preparatory inefficient and unsuccessful. Yet English Teachers, held by the London County Council
schools for the public schools were thoroughly schools did not produce as good results on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of this month,
efficient, and many of the dames' schools as French and German schools, the reason was before all things encouraging.
were excellent, but others were abysmal. ” being that French and German parents gave The first topic on the Thursday morn-
They escaped any inspection so long as fair play to their secondary schools, and an ing to be considered, Specialization in
they charged more than 9d. a week. There opportunity of properly educating their schools,' was discussed in only one of its
were plenty of Dotheboys Halls still in boys. English parents, on the other hand, aspects, namely, specialization on the part
existence. There was also the “Do-the- withdrew their boys before it was possible of the teacher. A good point was made by
parents Hall,” where success depended upon for them to derive adequate benefit from Miss Kyle, who read the first paper, when
unlimited impudence. All that was neces- secondary education. The fruitful part of she said that the habit of working with
sary was to get oneself photographed, send secondary education began at the age of 16, people of different temperaments was so
out broadcast appeals for pupils, and adver- but only 7 per cent of the boys attending valuable in after-life as to make variety of
tise that well-paid appointments were abso- English secondary schools remained until teachers a useful part of education. Mr.
lutely assured to those completing the course. that age, the average school life above the Samuel, the Head Master of the Millwall
Classrooms need not be built, as any house age of 12 being only two years and eight Mixed Central School, declaimed against
would do. The limit of classes need only months. In Scotland the number of boys the neglect of English, which he justly
be the limit of those paying the fees. When over 16 in secondary schools was 15 per cent, declared had been a national disgrace, and
the pupils went in for examinations, the staff and in Germany over 40 per cent, of whom dwelt upon the need of training children to
could occasionally" deputize" for them. more than 20 per cent stayed until they speak properly, and of opening to them
A system of inspection would bring about a received the maturity certificate at the age their inheritance of literature. It
great change.
of 19 or 20.
delightful to hear at this point-and again
An amendment permitting the inspection In the discussion that followed, the whenever the value of good English teaching
to be carried out either by the Board of opinion was expressed that employers were was touched upon
the outbursts of ap-
Education or by some other authority more to blame than the parents. The plause from the assembled teachers. Clearly
approved by the Board was rejected by a resolution was passed unanimously, and the a time is coming in which the children of
very large majority, and the original reso. subject was referred to a committee for London's municipal schools will be put into
lution was carried.
investigation and report.
possession of a language (at present most
Dr. Alexander Hill, Secretary to the
Canon Swallow (Chigwell) and Dr. of them have but a jargon, of surprisingly
forthcoming Congress of the Universities of McClure (Mill Hill) were re-elected Hono- limited range), and in which they will have
the Empire, addressed the Conference on the rary Secretaries, and Mr. W. G. Rushbrooke a chance of knowing better songs than those
aims and objects of the Congress. Dr. (St. Olave's), Treasurer.
of the music-hall. But in the recoil from
Rowton, sometime Master of Music at Brad- The annual dinner of the Association was a mechanical system these eager men and
field College, read a paper on Music Teach- held at the Trocadero Restaurant. Sir women seem to have grown unjust to the
ing in Schools, which was followed by a Robert Morant bade farewell to the Associa- possible charms and virtues of parsing and
discussion.
tion, and many tributes were paid to him analysis. Properly treated, not as a cut-
Mr. F. W. Sanderson (Oundle) was for his services to secondary education. and-dried classification, but as an exercise
announced to read a paper on ‘The Results On the second day, the morning session of thought and judgment, these subjects
of Modern Methods of Geometry Teaching,' was devoted to private business. It was may be made keenly interesting and highly
but by some misunderstanding the paper agreed that the Association would welcome educative, even to very young children.
dealt not with results, but with the lines on the adoption of some scheme by which success Not the subject, but the method, is bad.
which the teaching should be conducted. in the War Office examination for Certificate A As the morning went on it became clear that
was
## p. 86 (#80) ##############################################
86
[SUPPLEMENT, JAN. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
was
d
2
.
the employment of special teachers for girls. This was well, but it would have been At the conference held on Saturday morn-
different subjects can be carried further in better, perhaps, if girls could have occupied ing, January 13th, papers were read on
a secondary than in a primary school, and the stage in respect of some less utilitarian various aspects of the teaching of com-
with greater advantage among older and study than needlework. Throughout the position in schools. Dr. Rouse, Head
more intelligent pupils than among young or Conference there was a perceptible tendency Master of the Perse School, Cambridge,
stupid ones. There seemed some indications,
to consider girls only in relation to needlework dealt with "The Place of English Com-
too, of its suiting girls better than boys. and “ domestic ”subjects, and to forget that position in the Language Scheme of a
In this session, and from a lady, came the the true business of a school is to make Secondary School. ' English composition
admirable generalization : “A class which not skilled needlewomen and skilled cooks, was the foundation of all other work in
works beautifully together has learnt nothing but intelligent girls, capable of turning schools, and the utmost pains should be
except drill. ”
their intelligence to sewing, to cooking, or
taken with it. The subject was now more
Friday morning's discussion upon The to any other sort of work at the proper time. important than ever, because there was
Doctrine of Formal Training (Mental Dis- The routine teaching of stitches in elementary no longer any help in the home, where no
cipline)
somewhat abstruse and schools, intended presumably to develope stories were told by mother or nurse, no
technical. The doctrine of formal training high proficiency with the needle, has been books were read aloud, and no training was
is the doctrine that the mind has “faculties responsible for the distaste which many given in observation, as in the past. The
which may be trained by teaching irre- and many a working woman shows towards sovereign merit of school composition was
spective of the subject taught, so that a that implement. This deadness of routine clearness, and premature elegance should be
child who learns Latin grammar accurately disappears in the training given under guarded against.
will have acquired accuracy for the learn. Miss Bawden (who read the first paper) Miss Ford, Lecturer at the Clapham Day
ing of anything else. Modern experiment at Clifton Hill School. The children Training College, discussed The Teaching
tends to discredit this doctrine, and very begin by cutting and making dolls' clothes, of Composition in Relation to the Teaching
interesting experiments were reported as to guided only when they ask for guidance of Literature. ' Much of the difficulty ex-
the degree-generally a very slight degree- as they quickly do. They advance to perienced by teachers was due to the un-
in which the learning of one subject
helps cutting paper patterns, still for dolls, and suitability of the themes often chosen,
another.
go on to garments measured by themselves and various ways were indicated of utilizing
The afternoon of Friday was devoted to from schoolfellows. Finally, they adapt the wealth of material afforded by the
• The Treatment of Backward Children,' | patterns from those in fashion papers, or English literature lessons. Children should
and was perhaps the most illuminating devise them from fashion plates. The value be encouraged to play
“ the sedulous ape,'
of all the sessions. Sir James Crichton- of such a scheme was shown when Miss as Stevenson had done,
Browne, from the chair, expounded the Bawden remarked that the “neat air of Mr. George Sampson, Head Master of the
medical distinction between the defective quietness apt to pervade a sewing class Bellenden Road Higher - Grade School,
and the merely backward child. Dr. Paton vanished, and that the reading aloud treated the question of Oral Composition
described his dealings in the Manchester often requested on such occasions was out in Upper Classes of Elementary Schools,'
Grammar School with backward boys. of the question.
advocating regular practice throughout
Careful medical investigation showed that Mr. Litton, of the London Fields Boys' school life. Good oral composition was the
some of them had undergone grave illness School, gave interesting figures of the foundation of good written composition,
at various stages of childhood, that some improvement in chest expansion among but oral composition should not be re-
who had feeble circulations had been handi- boys whom he had exercised in deep breath- garded as a means only, being more important
capped by the illness or feebleness of their ing; and Mr. Lawrence, of Keeton's Road than written composition in real life.
Apart
mothers, while all who were liable to chronic Higher-Grade School, gave a fascinating from the regular lessons, in which the
headaches were found to be suffering from account of the excursions, essays, and importance of careful questioning and
rheumatic poison in some form. Mentally drawings of the boys.
answering was emphasized, whatever the
he found these boys to be unsuited to the More than one speaker mentioned the subject of instruction, an occasional debate,
general curriculum, and to be suffering willingness of the London County Council in which boys should speak from notes, and
from a feeling of humiliation and depression to allow reasonable experiments. The a formal deputation, in which several
He found it necessary to bring their looker-on
away feeling that the speakers should deal with different aspects
teaching into direct relation with concrete general prospect was encouraging in the
of the question under discussion, produced
matters : their arithmetic, for example, extreme; but that girls ran a certain excellent results.
dealt with the supply of food for the danger of being educated not, as so many
In the discussion which followed Mr.
school camp,
or with other needs that speakers urged in regard to boys, “ for life, P. J. Hartog, Academic Registrar of the
they knew to be actual. The backward but merely for domestic life, which is a very University of London, urged that there should
boys, Dr. Paton declared, were of great different thing.
be closer co-operation between the teachers
importance to a school. It is they who are
of the various subjects in schools in the
teaching us to teach. ” The truth of this
matter of insisting on good oral composition.
saying was brought home, consciously or
He deprecated the “sedulous ape theory,
unconsciously, by each succeeding speaker.
THE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION.
contending that Stevenson's own style had
Wherever practical experience was reported,
suffered through his imitation of various
writers.
it appeared that mechanical teaching and On Friday week last, after the settlement
Prof. Gollancz said that there had been
abstract teaching had to be given up, and of its annual business, the English Associa-
that lessons had to touch daily life. The tion heard a striking address from Mr. a tremendous improvement in English in the
powers
of the intelligent child have A. C. Bradley, President, on ‘The Uses of examinations of the London University
hidden from its teachers the deadness of Poetry. '
during the last few years. Miss C. Linklater
routine ; it has remained for the dullness We think it a pity that, as time allowed, Thomson, however, speaking from
of the backward child to demand some- discussion on Mr. Bradley's highly interest- perience as an examiner, thought that, when
thing better. The one conspicuous defect ing conclusions was not invited. The two examiners abandoned the stereotyped style
of this otherwise admirable discussion was speakers who proposed the vote of thanks of setting papers in English, the results were
that it turned almost solely upon_boys. did not deal with the substance of his very disappointing.
Dr. Duncan Forbes, Medical Officer of Health remarks.
for Brighton, after giving valuable details The annual dinner of the Association was
of the teaching by manual and practical held at the Holborn Restaurant the same
work of backward' boys in the Richmond evening. Mr. J. H. Fowler (Clifton College), EDUCATION : ITS NEEDS
Street School of that town, mentioned that in responding to the toast of “The Associa-
AND PURPOSES.
special classes of a similar kind fhad been tion," said that, if the dignity and beauty of
established for girls at Hanover Terrace the English language were thrown away, it FORSTER'S EDUCATION ACT is now more
School. At the latter school attention is would largely be the fault of schoolmasters. than forty years old.
It has reached the
chiefly directed to needlework, housewifery, Dwelling on the importance of a pure and age at which a determination towards
and cookery.
One dangerous opinion was refined style of English in school text- wisdom or folly is generally regarded as
expressed, namely, that domestic service was books, he condemned Messrs. C. R. L. fixed, and when failure can no longer be
one of the most hopeful occupations for Fletcher and Rudyard Kipling's 'English ascribed to immaturity. In earlier days
backward girls. All experienced workers History' on the ground of the violence, acute critics made the proper apologies
among feeble-minded adults know that crudeness, and eccentricity of its language. for a flood of instruction which had over-
domestic service is in many ways an espe- In the matter of English style, the advice flowed its usual banks, and could not be
cially perilous calling for such women. of the Sussex farmer should be applied to expected to be other than shallow in the
The whole of the third day was devoted schoolboys :" You see as you always keep new territory gained. Pioneers had no ex-
to the subject of Educational Experiments company with them as is better than your perience, no time to descend to elaborate
in Schools, and the first paper dealt with selves. "
details, or even to fix any secure standards
came
1)
6
ex-
1
6
## p. 87 (#81) ##############################################
[SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
87
REGENT LIBRARY.
new
of learning. They were busy meeting the so far as to suggest an imitation of the
THE
protests of the old culture, which was methods of study by which Stevenson
naturally shocked by its new adherents, secured his style. That course, at least, we
their strange garb, and their ignorance of, must deprecate for the many. There is,
or indifference to, the shibboleths hitherto at the present day, far too much attempt at
considered necessary for enlightened circles. fine writing by those who have not learnt to
Such feelings have largely passed away; the write naturally and simply, or even grasped
highest academic honours can be, and have the logic of English, and the meaning of Small crown 8vo, attractively bound.
been, attained by a boy who started in the many words they use. There is too much cloth, 28. 6d. net; leather, 89. 6d. net.
elementary schools. The career is open, but mere imitation, and so much help is given in
the talents have hardly as yet found their books that boys lose the power of thinking Especially suitable for Schools
satisfactory opening, in spite of the in- for themselves.
The English Association, at its meetings,
creased opportunities for specialization, and
and Colleges, as an introduction
for the ventilation of any views worth arranges some interesting talk and some
to the serious study of English
hearing. The village Hampden may hope learned addresses or lectures, and the same Literature.
to make a success in town, or at any rate may be said of the Classical Association.
in his local paper ; the village Milton need The former, however, has an advantage over Though the number of reprints of standard
be no longer mute and inglorious, but may the latter in the production of excellent authors is very great, it is only in the REGENT
pass into the permanency of print.
leaflets summarizing some special inquiry, LIBRARY that what may be called the continuity
Yet it would be idle to affirm that educa- or giving advice concerning some special of Authorship is preserved by the system of
tion has produced in this twentieth century study. The lecturer has his value, but we
" links” which indicate the nature and the bulk
anything like the results expected. The often think of the cynical Oxford rhyme :-
of the works from which the selections are made.
This fact, together with the encyclopædic details
schoolmaster is not so much abroad as all
You'll find the substance of his notes
abroad, and his work is often open to sus-
Much better in the books he quotes.
makes the books comprehensive in a manner that
no other series of reprints attains to.
picion, if not to the accusation of failure.
The Classical Association should follow the
There is a general impression, founded, alas !
lead of its younger contemporary, and pro-
The volumes form veritable introductions to the
in our experience on sufficient evidence, that duce similar leaflets which would supply authors treated of, and are cindispensable com
the average boy or girl often leaves school guidance to the best of the many classical
without any distinct sharpening of intelli- aids and translations, &c. , now to be had at
LETTERS and the GREAT WRITERS series.
gence or power to use knowledge gained
a cheap price. The thought of ancient
Every fact of importance in their lives and works.
will be found referred to. Outside complete
and improve on it.
Greece, especially in drama, is becoming a
Whatever the causes of this disappoint- living influence in modern England outside tions will be found to give so much material and.
editions of any author, no other volumes of selec-
ment, we can say at least that many vigorous the classroom, and Plato may even be information.
workers and thinkers are seeking a way to mentioned in the same breath with Mr.
improve education and make it more sensitive H. G. Wells. The Classical Review in
Both the selections and the Introductions have
to the difficult and curiously varied demands ignoring this fresh enthusiasm
been entrusted to writers who can speak with the
seems to
of to-day. The waste of which our
miss a great opportunity.
authority of full knowledge on their subjects.
contributor speaks is obvious, but it may There is a means of education which
fairly be urged that it has not gone un-
FIRST LIST OF VOLUMES.
teachers might well adopt for their own
observed of late years--for instance, that uses--the cinematograph. That institution JOHNSON
By Alice Meynell,
those who have obvious gifts for handicraft is already a formidable rival to the evening
With Introduction by G. K. Chesterton.
and little for anything else have a school, and its pictures are largely spoilt
chance to exercise them. One thing clearly by sickly sentimentality. In the portrayal LEIGH HUNT. By Edward Storer,
emerges from the din of scholastic conflict of scientific phenomena and the lives and
--that the schoolmaster is entitled to more habits of other peoples it suggests a wide RICHARDSON. By Sheila Kaye-Smith.
credit than he has secured, and has not the field for instruction committed to the
assured position due to one on whom the faithful eyes," as Horace says, rather than WORDSWORTH.
future of the race largely depends.
the less readily receptive ears.
By E. Hallam Moorhouse.
There has been a lack of enterprise and So far we have attempted to dwell on a
organization in the presentation of scholastic few points which seem to deserve the atten-BLAISE DE MONLUC.
opinion. Such an association as that of tion of serious thinkers. We believe that
By A. W. Evans.
the Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools at no time was there a larger body of earnest
ought to be many years older than it is. and disinterested workers in the cause of
MRS. GASKELL.
By E. A. Chadwick.
The report of its proceedings which we pub- education, who fully realize its aim and THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK.
lish emphasizes points of real importance, purpose. There are, however, others to
and records concessions from educational | whom it needs to be said that instruction
By W. H. Helm.
authorities which should clear the air. Differ- ladled out in a hurry is not education. The COWPER.
ences with the Board of Education, which cultivation for market purposes of brute
By Edward Storer.
has lost its strong, but somewhat autocratic brain-power has its uses, public and private, MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT.
head, seem in the way of settlement, and but the market advantages of education are
advance has been made towards the solution
By Camilla Jebb. [Feb.
not the criterion of its value to individuals
of the question of pensions. Facts and
or the nation :
SHELLEY
By Roger Ingpen. [Feb.
figures have been produced as a basis for
further reform. The Association of Head
“ Education must not be regarded as a mere JANE AUSTEN.
ladder of advancement and advertisement, as a
Masters was also employed last week in the
means of pushing, in front of others, into an inner
discussion of various problems, and it seems circle, where the good things of life are being given GEORGE ELIOT.
By Lady Margaret Sackville. [Feb. '
a pity that it cannot combine with the Head
away.
Egotism will spoil education as it spoils
Masters' Conference, which holds its meet- religion, and as it spoils ethics. All three lose their
By Viola Meynell. (Feb.
ing at Christmas time. The question of
virtue and medicinal efficiency when selfishness
settles down upon them like a fog. "
Other Volumes in Preparation.
registration and its uses for the Board of
Education was brought forward, and the So wrote one of the wisest of scholars and
notable fact that boys are removed at the
wittiest of judges. In the strange Dinner design than the present series.
Nothing could be much better in form and
very age when secondary education is of Trimalchio
The title is ex
Petronius has sketched for
beginning to bear fruit.
cellent, the selection of authors interesting and
us the manners and desires of the lowest
the workmanship very good. The economist,
The L. C. C. conferences of January 4th-classes of later Rome. In this world, which
whether in money or space is promised a select
6th suggest many pertinent subjects for
bears a striking resemblance to a section
shelf of charming volumes at an alluring price and
criticism and inquiry, one which should
of our own, moves Echion, a rag-dealer, can provide himself with a fair miniature of some
appeal to all being the standard of facility who has the conception of education popular noted writer at the price of a single seat in the
and correctness attained in English. Here
in some quarters to-day. For him Letters pit; without waiting he will obtain twice as.
present results are bad. The jargon of
is a bonanza (we strive to reproduce the much entertainment as the front row could ever
the music - halls must not become the vulgarity of the original), and there is a afford. . . . . . The selections are made with much sym-
language of the people, and English writing time when his son is sufficiently tainted with pathy and no little skill. ”-Nation.
must be improved. The boy or girl who learning, and ought to take to something
Complete Illustrated Catalogue on application.
can write a straightforward letter without that pays.
confusing the issue is a rarity. The Eng-
lish Association has also been discussing
* We hold over an article on 'Bible
HERBERT & DANIEL
English composition, and one speaker went Teaching in Preparatory Schools. '
21, MADDOX STREET, LONDON, W.
9)
-
## p. 88 (#82) ##############################################
88
[SUPPLEMENT, Jan. 20, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
A NEW ENGLISH
ENGLISH HISTORY.
Just Issued.
THE
GROUNDWORK OF
BRITISH HISTORY
BY
GEORGE TOWNSEND WARNER, M. A. ,
Sometime Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge; Master of the Modern Side in Harrow School ; Author of 'A Brief Survey
of British History,' &c.
AND
C. H. K. MARTEN, M. A. ,
Balliol College, Oxford; Assistant Master at Eton College.
With Maps, Time Charts, and full Index.
764 pp. , super-crown 8vo, 6s. Also in Two Parts, 3s. 6d. each.
An English History for Middle and Upper Forms, adapted to the methods of modern teaching
of the subject, has long been called for. Mr. Townsend Warner's “ Brief Survey of British History”
has been found well suited to the needs of Lower Forms, and it is hoped that the present work will
prove equally serviceable for Middle and Upper Forms.
The subject is treated with the breadth that is now required of senior candidates for University
Local and similar examinations, and in full consonance with the views repeatedly put forward in the
circulars of the Historical Association ; though, be it said, the work has in no way been suggested
by these circulars, but is the outcome of the experience of its joint authors, Mr. Warner of Harrow
and Mr. Marten of Eton.
The authors have sought to trace out the main threads of British History, omitting small and
unfruitful details; to treat events in logical sequence by fixing the attention upon one subject at a
time; and to concentrate the mind upon the chief policy or course of action of each age.
Prospectus, giving full particulars, post free on application.
BLACKIE
& SON, Ltd. , 50, Old Bailey, London.
