SCHOOOL BOYS AND NATIONAL SERVICE. (To THE EDITOR or THE
" SPECTATOR.") Sin,—Dr. Henry Barnes, and perhaps Sir Frederick Treves, would be pleased to hear that their theories as to education—handi- crafts and "literary" combined—have been proved to be correct in every place where 'tried. I am one of the managers of a rural county elementary school in Hampshire. We have school gardens —both boys and girls work them. The boys also do woodwork and the girls cookery, tke. We have besides an acre of land for experimental cultivation. We can say that all this has tend: :1 towards cultivating a much higher intelligence amongst thl children. The "literary" part is quite above the usual standard ct such village scheols as found by the Inspectors, and by the more than our share of scholarships gained at the various examina- tions, and that without special work or cramming. We believe the Government are quite awake to all this, but it is doubtful if all our Educational Authorities are, and even some of the country parents want enlightening. The great difficulty of extending these methods is the want of teacRers who can and are willing to teach them, as no doubt they add to the teacher's work, also to liii Pleasure if he is of the right kind. One hopes to see some day such good work recognized and honoureol.-1 am. Sir, &co A SCHOOL MANAGER.
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