ABSTRACT
In the old days of public schools there was much idleness, boys were left much to themselves, but those who read at all were accustomed to read in a literary spirit. Next to the conflict of studies, the most interesting question connected with our public schools is the type which is best suited for a national system of education in England. Winchester was founded in the first instance for the main purpose of teaching grammar, the first of the seven liberal arts, but there is no difficulty in reconstructing its curriculum exactly. The Rugby of Dr. Arnold scarcely rose above three hundred students; and the local grammar schools, in which so many great men have been educated, must always have been small in numbers. Debating societies abound at public schools, but it may be doubted if the discussions in them, although carried on with readiness and fluency, exhibit any of the higher qualities of literary excellence.
