AN ENGLISH MASTER'S EXPERIMENT. [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—As an English master in a London school my expe- riences two years ago were much the same as those of " C. H. W. " in your issue of January 27th, for I, too, found that the English periods were looked upon as utterly boring. " C. H. W." is evidently well acquainted with the kind of poem which appeals to boys, but he has omitted one rare gem of modern poetry. I refer to " The Song of the Fixture Card," by Erie Wilkinson. It is not easy to get boys very interested when they first begin to write their own poetry, but when they have overcome their boyish shyness of original verse their enthusiasm is wonderful.
I note that " C. H. W." makes no mention of training in Oral expression. This is surely very necessary, as there will be ill-balaneed results if all the speaking of the boys is done out of school. My own boys are intensely interested in their own " speeches." At first the boys are taught to speak for one minute on any topic they may choose, and after they have gained experience and confidence there are longer speeches, discussions and debates.-1 am, Sir, &c.,
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