SIR,—All schoolboys, and most men, whether schoolmasters or otherwise, who
have to do with schoolboys, will acknowledge that they owe the Spectator a deep debt of gratitude for the very able and large-minded article under the above heading in your issue of May 7th. Moat emphatically do I agree with the writer that the religion of the schoolboy is silent, to be recognised, however, by a close and sympathetic observer from many small acts in daily life and general manner and training. Amongst schoolboys, I candidly admit I prefer the Publican to the Pharisee. The child is father to the man, and in attacking the honour of the schoolboy it seems to me that Mr. Weisse attacks the honour of British manhood ; for, although it is to be hoped that we grow wiser as we grow older, the ideals and notions formed iri our schoolboy days stick to us all through life, and have, there is good authority for stating, made the British nation what it is to-day. There are black sheep in every flock, no doubt; but it must be remembered that the fault does not lie with the average schoolboy who refuses to give his guilty neighbour away, but with the guilty neighbour who takes advantage of that sense of honour, possibly exaggerated, which forbids a healthy-minded boy to do or say anything that may in any way be construed into tale-bearing or "sneaking." And does he, after all, err on the wrong side? Do we not all know the incalculable mischief that can be made, and is made daily, in schools, families, and communities by the good person whose business in life it is to repeat and report everything that comes into his or her ken P—I am, Sir, &o., H. W. BROADBENT, [We have selected the above letter from the very large number that have reached us on this subject,—the great majority being in agreement with our article.—ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
