Public-school reforms : a few remarks and suggestions on the mental, moral and physical training of youth / by M.A.B.

  • M. A. B.
Date:
[1872]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Public-school reforms : a few remarks and suggestions on the mental, moral and physical training of youth / by M.A.B. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/38 (page 15)
    made tlie opportunity for much extravagance and wrong; indeed, it is well known tkat some bookselling firms bave established themselves in the vicinity of the public schools for the purpose of profiting by the orders for ‘ leaving books.’ Boys are induced to write home for money or per¬ mission to give orders for these presents, which in many cases are costly. Unfortunately remittances received from home for this purpose are sometimes misappropriated ; it is sufficient to hint at the mode in which the system is worked, and the possible evils mixed up with it, in order to prove to parents the necessity of their co-operating with the masters in the matter, and this they can do by refusing to give the order when asked for it by their sons. The masters have no power of themselves to prohibit the pre¬ sentation of ‘leaving books.’ I am, Sir, yours obediently, A Parent. YI. PUBLIC-SCHOOL REFORMS. Sir,—I hope you will not think me too exacting if I ask for a little more space, for the purpose of remarking on one or two matters which I omitted to notice in the pre¬ ceding communications on this subject. I have been re¬ minded that no reference was made in those letters to the ‘ fagging system.’ The truth is, that I considered it un¬ necessary for me to have anything to say on that subject, as it has been well investigated and reported on by means of the Public Schools Commission ; moreover, when I com¬ menced the series of letters which you have favoured with insertion, it was my intention to confine myself entirely to the discussion of those evils of whose nature and existence I have had ample opportunities of judging. Of the ‘ fagging system ’ I know little. It exists in a very mild form at the schools which have furnished me with data for my remarks; but I believe fagging, like other evils that have been com¬ mented upon, may be checked and controlled by the masters ;