OUR " LARRIKINS."
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The article in your issue of June 2nd on "Our Larrikins " deserves careful thought and consideration, for there is no. doubt that it is a most difficult question how to bring this class under discipline and self-restraint. Your article advo-
cates some system of military education which would include gymnastic training also, and as the majority of the youth of this country are undoubtedly fond of anything which appeals. to their martial feelings, such a course of education would soon become popular amongst the class referred to, and meet the ends you have in view.
In Glasgow some five years ago, there was started the Boys' Brigade for the very object you advocate. It is a semi-religious and semi-military movement, the object being the promotion of habits of reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness, military organisa- tion and drill being used as a means of securing the interest of the boys. All boys between the ages of twelve and seven- teen are eligible as members of the brigade. Wonderful success has attended this movement, and instead of its being confined merely to Glasgow, where the brigade numbers about 4,000 boys, it has spread to Edinburgh, Manchester, and London.
The brigade is undenominational, but companies are formed in connection with various churches or missions, and these companies are formed into battalions and brigades. In December, 1886, St. John's Wood Presbyterian Church started a company in London, and now there are enrolled twelve companies, numbering some 450 to 500 boys, with every proba- bility of further accessions to the London Battalion. The officers, as a rule, are past or present members of thP Volunteer Force, and all are supposed to have some knowledge of drill.
From personal experience, I know how the boys in the com- pany I command (in connection with the Mission School of St.
John's Presbyterian Church, Kensington) take to drill, and they, with the other eleven companies, were much impressed with the honour done them when Sir Donald Stewart, late Commander-in-Chief in India, inspected the battalion last Whit-Monday.
In the hope that many churches or missions will form companies of their own and join the brigade, I may add that the President of the London Battalion is Mr. H. R. Arthur, Mayfield, Burton Road, Brondesbury, N.W., and the Hon. Sec. is Mr. J. A. Robson, 4 Lanhill Road, St. Peter's Park, W.,
either of whom will be glad to answer any question relating to the brigade, which, working as part of a large movement, is likely to have more cohesion and more esprit de corps amongst the various companies than any isolated undertaking can have.—I am, Sir, &c., ['V We have received a long letter on "The Burning of the Alexandrian Library" from the Bev. Malcolm MacColL for which we hope to find room in our next issue.]
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