THE PARENTS' NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL UNION. (To THE EDITO3 Of THE
"SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Sir Arthur Evans stated the common problem when he said in his Presidential address at the British Association that the failure of modern education lies in the " dull incuria of the parents." He has thrown down the challenge. It is the parents who are at the judgment-seat, and the cause is the very life of the nation. In thinking of his words it seemed to mo that in this very difficulty lay the great opportunity 6f the " Parents' National Educational Union." For thirty years this Union has been working away, endeavouring to rouse a deeper feeling of co-operation between school and home, and to draw parents together in real co-operation with each other. This has been done by means of a correspondence school known as the Parents' Union School, working on the principles laid down by the founder, Miss Charlotte M. Mason, and also by means of lectures and through literature (particularly the writings of the founder). For the last two years an elementary school in Yorkshire has been working on Miss Mason's lines with the utmost success, as one realizes very vividly in reading the three pamphlets recently published dealing with this part of the problem. The success of the venture is proved by the fact that other schools of the same class are beginning to realize that here is a force which has within it the power of arousing that spirit of inquiry in which lies the heritage of every true citizen. Herein the parents of all classes will find their part. It is their privilege to foster in the child that healthy activity of mind and body which Inds its truest recreation in the simple pleasures of life.—I am,
Hon. Sec. London Branch
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