(TO THE EDITOR OP TEE "SPECTAT0TL1 Si,—Your correspondent in the
Spectator of February 24th on this subject has pointed out to the schools that it is their duty to teach all their boys the elements of drill and the use of the rifle. May a farther duty be suggested ? Wherever there is a public school with a Cadet Corps, there exists an opportunity, not found elsewhere, for the military training of the other boys of the neighbourhood whose parents cannot afford a public school. There are the officers of the corps, masters holding commissions, boys wearing the stripes, and a drill sergeant, all available for the instruction of the out- siders; there is a company whose drill the recruits might at least sometimes share, when proficient; and there is, above all, the captivating example, on a higher social level, of patriotic soldiering. Such an opportunity surely points to a duty of gathering the poorer boys who are the neighbours of our schools, and affiliating them to our own companies. There is, perhaps, no experience yet of the practical working of such affiliation; but here, where the idea is being con- sidered between our corps and its neighbours, the prospects of realisation seem good, and the idea is certainly welcomed on both sides. One more reason for trying it The "school mission" is now an established institution in many of our best schools, and it is believed that it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Is there not room also for this secular mission to our poorer brothers; and would the good be less [One can only say "Hear, hear" to this excellent and prae• tical suggestion.—ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
