THE ART OF ARGUMENT.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE sewn:roan
Six,—It has struck me that it would be of great advantage to the schoolboy who has attained a certain age and position in his school if he were taught the elements of argument. At present the average boy, with very few exceptions, has no chance of learning how to argue. For masters, on account of their superior position, are free from the embarrassment of having to argue out any statement, however dogmatic, which they choose to make ; since the boy, who is perhaps conscious of some weakness or defect in the master's statement, is yet ashamed to debate the point with him, lest he should be thought presumptuous or priggish. This being so, might not a short time during the school week be given up to teaching the principles of sound argument in the high forms of the public schools ? For it would surely be of great value to a boy when he goes out into life to have some idea of how to carry on a logical discussion.—I am, Sir, &c., A PUBLIC scnooL BOY.
[We have dealt with our correspondent's ingenuous pro- posal elsewhere, but we may suggest to him, on the principle
• In The Unconscious Mind, Dr. A. T. Schofield, Second Edition. London s Hodder and Stoughton.
que messieurs les assassins commencent, that the boys in the higher forms should begin by allowing their "fags," and lower boys generally, to argue with them. A " fag " or lower boy often feels inclined to argue, but refrains, possibly lest he should be thought priggish, possibly from more physical reasons. Let the big boy train him in the noble art of argu- ment. If the result is successful, the masters may perhaps follow the example.—En. Spectator.]
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