[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS
am obliged by your good offices in forwarding the large number of replies to my letters of August 17th and 8Ist, and trust I may be forgiven for not answering all of them inf. .dividually, as I find it physically impossible' to do so. These letters are of very great interest and indicate the importance of the subject, but the question arises whether any organized effort will be made in the enlightenment of the-minds of public schoolboys destined for a commercial career as to what that
career means. As previously stated, I do not refer to detailed instruction but broad outline. The subject has been raised again and again, but my investigations seem to show that nothing practical has been done nor is likely to be done if the matter is left entirely in the hands of schoolmasters, who for the most part have little or no knowledge of the subject, and it is difficult to see how they could possess such information.
H.R.H. The Prince of Wales has frequently expressed himself in the clearest possible terms upon the vital import- ance of salesmanship, one of the first elements of business, stating that it calls for the highest qualities in human nature. He has also mentioned that our survival as a trading nation depends largely upon the qualities of mind and brain of our salesmen and the necessity of their being highly educated. I submit, Sir, that such demands will not be adequately met by courses of correspondence lessons such as are frequently ad- vertised. We business men require well-educated gentlemen of good social qualities with the capacity for .quickly getting upon good terms with all sorts and conditions of men, and surely it is in the public schools that one should expect to find them, but it would appear that they have not yet even begun to think of this subject, in spite of the oft-repeated views of our future ruler. The openings for such men are practically limitless and the supply next to nil, although most of us would be pleased to take into partnership any such man who proved a success. The avenue of successful salesmanship is the shortest road to the position of a principal, and unlike the professions it is not crowded.
The pile of letters before me is pathetic proof of the igno- rance of professional and other parents of the elements of liusiness life. Will any perion of influence give the necessary stimulus to the governing bodies of our public schools in this vital direction ?—I am, Sir, &e.,
MANUFACTURER. [This must be regarded as the closing word in a very inter- esting correspondence.—En. The Spectator.]
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