ABSTRACT
Few independent bodies could have exerted as much pressure on government and on local authorities in support of military drill as did the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Commerce and Manufactures in Great Britain (hereafter referred to as the Society of Arts). 1 The Society (founded in 1754) had earlier concerned itself with Poor Law District Schools which had been set up under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1844, with industrial schools and naval and military schools. Drill was introduced in those schools primarily in an effort to combat the indiscipline ofthe children attending the schools. Having demonstrated the beneficial effects of the drill programmes through the promotion of displays, the Society of Arts expanded its sights to embrace other elementary schools. The establishment of School Boards after 1870 stimulated their efforts.
