BOYS ON THEIR DEFENCE. ere THE EDITOR OF THE "SPEOTATOR."]
S.tn,—I have read with considerable interest and attention your article, "Our Young Masters," in last week's issue, but although the facts of the case cannot be disputed, I am afraid that you condemn rather unjustly the modern system of treating boys who have returned from school. Of course, this question is looked upon from the point of view of a parent who doubtless is dis- turbed even at the moment of writing by some freak of his youngsters, and who is apprehensive that his house will for the whole of the holidays be turned into a Pandemonium by the masterful ways of the schoolboy of the present.
Let us, however, examine the method of looking at the question which we boys ourselves take, and though, of course, we cannot claim for our views absolute correctness, yet still I hope it will be found that we have at least some reason on our side. It is an undeniable fact that the way of treating boys has lately changed, but I think that there is a sufficient excuse for this in the change which has taken place in the boys themselves. Life seems to be far faster now than it was some little while ago. In these days of competitive examinations, a boy, if he has fair ability, is often unmercifully pushed at school, and as his work is so much harder, he naturally thinks a good deal more of himself.
Again, much is said about boys thinking their own affairs and conversation most interesting to others, and not tolerating any topic which does not refer to themselves or their amusements. There are many reasons for this which are found in the general characteristics of the young. They like, as it has been said, to see their elders enjoying themselves, and they wish to contribute, as far as possible, towards this enjoyment. They have no ex- perience as to what the old people would like, but they have a natural boisterousness of spirit, long since taken out of the said older ones, which prevents them from remaining silent. Having been at school for a whole term, there are only two things which can be talked about by them,—work and play. Of course, they do not talk about work ; they would be very objectionable speci- mens of the British schoolboy if they did ; hence, play is the only topic left to them. But it is further complained that boys will not interest themselves in any rational conversation, of which some examples are given, or indeed suffer it to proceed. That they should not be able to talk on subjects like those is not strange, considering where they have been for the last three months ; but they would willingly listen, were these topics not discussed in a manner far beyond them. It is in the power of every old person, as I have often been shown, to make his
conversation on any subject very interesting to the young, and yet equally so to those for whom it was originally intended, and yet how often do we hear the answer, "Oh! it's nothing which can interest you boys."
It has also been said that boyhood is the most important time of life, and that now boys know it. This partly shows that the modern youth are wiser than those of long ago, but it is also a fact that this time of life has lately become much more important. Boys formerly were taught at school only what would strengthen their intellects and render them men of culture in after-life, but now a boy is specially trained for the profession selected for him while he is still very young. This makes their education so im- portant, as, on account of the numbers engaged in every pursuit, it is impossible to wait until after school-life for this special train- ing. The battle of life really now begins when a boy goes to school, and not, as before, when a man commences studying a business ; and as the modern youth find that,—
" Life is real, life is earnest,"
even at their age, they take more interest and pleasure in the state of life in which they are, and are not so desirous of change, as they were when they felt that they were not doing directly useful work.
With all this extra toil, which, by means of scholarships, Sce., can be used to acquire money, it is hardly wonderful that boys are flattered, and looked upon, if clever, as valuable commodities, for their labours are at times as hard as those which, in the case of men, have contributed towards successes which are in every one's mouth, and although I do not wish to advocate this extra pressure, which has ruined the health of many, yet it is a fact that it can often be met with, and that the change in the treatment of boys which is objectionable is only a natural consequence.
I am aware that by many, a boy's opinion on any subject what- ever is not considered valuable ; but if by these lines I have to any extent defended the modern schoolboy from the charges so often brought forward of selfishness and lack of consideration for others, and if I have shown that the way in which he is treated is not utterly irrational and harmful, I shall rest satisfied in the know- ledge that some good, however small, has been wrought by,—
THE LITTLE HOST.
Previous page
