SOCIAL CAUSES OF UNEEST 135 



A Special Report of the Department of Education of 

 Manitoba shows that in that Province in 1910, there 

 were two schools operated with an average attendance 

 for the year of less than two ; seven with an average of 

 less than three; twelve with an average of less than 

 four; twenty with less than five; thirty-six with less 

 than six; fifty-two with less than seven; two hundred 

 and eleven with less than ten, and two hundred and 

 sixty with less than twelve. ' Those enrolled vary in age 

 from five to fourteen years. What possibility is there 

 of the formation of play-groups in such schools? Nor 

 is there usually any equipment for play. How differ- 

 ent from the thronged, well-equipped, supervised play- 

 ground of a great city school! Nor is the child better 

 off at home. The child of the city streets has so many 

 companions, but no place to play; the country child, 

 with all the world to play in, has so few companions 

 and few games. Even the games familiar to all school 

 children a generation ago inherited from the folk- 

 games of earlier generations are largely forgotten. 

 Still more true is this of the games of youth, so helpful 

 a feature of earlier English life: 



All the village train, from labor free, 

 Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree, 

 While many a pastime circled in the shade, 

 The young contending as the old surveyed; 

 Many a gambol frolicked o'er the ground, 

 And slights of art and feats of strength went round. 

 And still as each repeated pleasure tired 

 Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired. 

 These were thy charms, sweet village! Sports like these 

 With sweet succession taught even toil to please; 

 These round thy bowers their cheerful influence shed; 

 These were thy charms but all thy charms are fled!* 



* Oliver Goldsmith, " The Deserted Village." 



