THE INUTILITY OF OATHS.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " 8PECTATOR.1
Sui,—In the case referred to in your article on " Oaths " last week, the Coroner expressed surprise that a boy who went to church and school did not know what would befall him, if he told lies. It is not at all certain that the boy did not know, but it is tolerably certain that he did not understand the ques- tion put to him. The Coroner, as reported, asked, "Who will punish you hereafter 1" How many boys of eleven, of the class this boy belonged to, are familiar with the word ? I believe he understood it as two words, and it puzzled him. The question to the second boy was better. He was asked who would punish him afterwards, and answered, "God." I know something of boys of this class, and know how easy it is to pose them by using a word they are not familiar with.
It appears to me that much of the moralising in the Daily Press on the supposed ignorance of the rising generation in these matters would have been saved, if the ambiguity of the question had been considered.—I am, Sir, &c., X.
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