[TO THR EDITOR OF THE" SPECTATOR. - ] Sra,—Permit me to relate an
experience of my own which may throw some light on the German and English schoolboy (see Spectator, December 5th). I have been nearly entirely educated in Germany, going over there at the age of nine. After passing through a private school of German Moravians, I entered a German Vollgymnasium (preparatory College for studying at a German University); to do this I coached Latin for some months and entered Untertertia, rising to Tinter. sekunda. During that time there was a rumour that the German Crown Prince was to become a member of the College, and the Director strove to make it a "pattern of perfection." While in Untersekunda the subjects taught at Prussian Universities were extended, and some previously taught at the Universities were thrown back on to the Colleges, thus increasing their already heavy burden. At the same time, an examination was introduced for obtaining the qualification for serving only one year in the Army. This being the first time, one would have thought the examination would have been none too rigorous. This was, however, by no means so. Not only was it stiff, but although we were told to prepare certain portions of Homer and Virgil read during the summer term for this examination, I and several others were examined on portions not included in the part we had been told to prepare. The result was that more than a third of the class failed, and the victims bad no redress beyond staying another year at the College or passing the Government examination. Sub- sequently the examination was abolished, and the old qualifica- tion for one year's service reintroduced,—i.e., promotion to Obersekunda. The appalling number of suicides and break- downs among German schoolboys should, I think, be sufficient evidence of itself.—I am, Sir, &c., TWENTY YEARS IN GERMANY.
Previous page
