76 Education : a Critical Examination of the 



the moral force and influence of Dr. Arnold, expressing the 

 opinion that in proportion to the period over which his work 

 extended Arnold had succeeded in his objects. 



Mr. Foster — We have all listened attentively to the lecturer 

 in his admirable account of Dr. Arnold's work. Dr. Arnold 

 said that he had a great objection to large private schools. I 

 know boys who have gone to large private schools in England) 

 and they certainly have not received any adequate return for 

 the money spent. As regards sending boys abroad, the same 

 experience holds. I really believe it is a waste of time for 

 junior boys to* be sent abroad for the purpose of acquiring a 

 smattering of conversation in languages. They come back here 

 and have to learn the grammar over again. I do not altogether 

 agree with Dr. Sheldon regarding what he called useful know- 

 ledge. Since Dr. Arnold's time there has been great progress 

 in physical science, and there can be no question that a boy 

 can get as good a training in physical science as he can under 

 the old system of devoting three-fourths of his time to learning 

 Greek and Latin grammar. In reference to the hearing of 

 lessons by questions, I believe that system has been unfairly 

 criticised by parents. I have often heard it said that they 

 would wish to exchange places with the master, and let the 

 master teach the boy and the parent ask the questions. They 

 would probably lead to unanswerable difficulties. I quite agree 

 with Dr. Sheldon on the subject of the caning of boys. I think 

 a little caning is not amiss sometimes. It is a punishment 

 which I do not care for inflicting myself, but I think it a useful 

 deterrant for small boys; and as regards the degradation of it, 

 if you ask the boy his choice whether he will stay in for an 

 hour or have a little summary chastisement, I think I could 

 guess his answer. I quite concur with all that has been said 

 about governing schools by boys themselves ; but I do not 

 agree with the *' fagging" system, or the power given to senior 

 boys of inflicting punishment. I think that should be left to 

 the masters themselves. Dr. Arnold's success has been twofold. 

 In his own school he raised the moral tone very much, and he 



