IV 

VISITING A PLACE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION 

On route to the northern regions there to view sundry manufactories, we fall to discussing instructing the young and spend time visiting a place of public education.

THE TRAVELLER. Attending to my valise in preparation for the coming journey I took the leather bag I had been given by the Money Changer to assure myself of its security. It was still tightly closed just as I had received it, having had no need of the contents. I fancied however that it felt a trifle less bulky than when I had first stowed it down in the depths of my travelling bag. This I reasoned was to my light-headedness, a condition I was oft cursed with when waking after a night of broken slumber combined with a void in my stomach.

After breaking-fast at nine, tepid coffeenious liquid and current bread, a collation described by the servitor to be The Great Continental Breakfast we took leave of The Hoe and Deed-Box Inn.

Much of the village was still unroused through the prospect for that day seemed fine, a warm sun showing a golden eye above the high poplars shadowing our road. Albert talked in some detail of the previous evening in an amused and tolerant fashion as our carriage skirted with some difficulty several Solar Carts upended on the highway and ditches, apparently the result of inebriation. The Innkeeper recounted before our departure how some revellers during the previous eve could barely control the direction of their shoes, let along the steering-bar of any mechanical means of conveyance. On questioning if such behaviour was not a grave danger to the perpetrators and the population in general? I was reassured to be informed; The Villagers needed, nay were entitled by right to these hours untrammelled, so to be better equipped to bear week day stress inherent within high office.

Not far distant, about one hours journey, Albert brought the Solar Cart to a halt nearby the majestic wrought iron gates of what appeared to be the perimeter of a large country estate. We turned off the road and drove past The Lodge Keepers House. The Gatekeeper saluted our entrance with a respectful touch of his forelock. We thence continued at a steady pace along a wide gravelled road that reached an ending in front of an extensive, ivy clad, group of buildings. Resplendent with towers and mock ramparts built with sandstone, a pennant fluttered in the morning breeze from a flag-pole set up high on the roof. Either side of the main approach, flat green turf marked with white lines and wooden posts, was an area reserved for a sport the playing of which I was unfamiliar. Large numbers of young men dressed in striped upper garments and brief draws were taking up positions on what I inferred to be the field of play. As we passed, I saw just for an instant one youth running hard with a curiously shaped ball clasped hard beneath his armpit, only to be pounced on by other players until he disappeared completely under a writhing, kicking mass of arms and legs.

Halting outside of the main portal, a man, who I would judge to be in his middle-thirtieth year, clad in flowing black robes of ceremonial bent, walked with purpose through the ajar iron-studded double doors to greet us. Albert had arranged for our cordial reception in advance, knowing of my desire to see as much of the life and institutions of his country as was possible within our time set period of excursion.

ALBERT. “Good morrow to you Proctor. This is the distinguished person, from foreign parts, I described to you in my missive.”

THE TRAVELLER. They shook hands and Albert made our introductions, explaining to me that The Proctor and he were old scholars and comrades.

THE PROCTOR. “Good morrow Sir,” grasping my hand with fingers of steel. “Welcome. It will be my privilege to inform you about the history and objectives of this noble and ancient place of learning.” Then casting a glance at the fields continued “I trust you observed the progress of The Games as you passed them by? All the boys take some part. Action on the field of play is mettlesome preparation for the field of life.”

THE TRAVELLER. Assuming my assent, we all three started up the broad flight of stone steps that led to the main portal. The Proctor bade us notice a heraldic device carved above the entrance, a lion rampant, a Latin tag emblazoned at the foot of the device, a translation of which read thus - Steadfast in All Things.

THE PROCTOR. “Our foundation harks back more than four hundred years, the principal intent to educate the poorer, though aspiring classes, of society at that time. We continue to embody and disseminate the principal aims inscribed within our charter. No man could wish more than for his sons to receive their education in this place. Indeed I can relate with some pride that we can note many instances where the sons of several generations of a single family have attended.”

THE TRAVELLER. I inquired by what means intending pupils were selected? Written examination? Geographical location? Recommendation? Patronage?

THE PROCTOR. “Selection is not onerous. We are truly a public and open institution willing to admit all regardless, thereby providing a model for emulation and aspiration. All we require for enrolment is the payment, in advance, of twenty eight thousand Herttach Crowns per annum, plus some additional, though minor, emoluments.”

ALBERT. “Tis but a small price for inculcating what is necessary for the development of a fruitful later life. Note well Sir, most persons holding high position in public and private life received their education within this seat of learning and other like establishments. Advantages to which all can have access truly is the essential pre-condition of harmonious social contract.”

THE TRAVELLER. I agreed with him that society must utilise the talents of all citizens if prosperity and social order is the desired result. Though restrained by consideration for our gracious host, The Proctor, I did not express the question uppermost in my mind, concerning what path was available for children with ability, but limited access wealth or income. Thinking perhaps I would receive in due time an answer to this question, I therefore inquired as to what subjects were studied here. Geometry? Languages? Calligraphy? Philosophy?

THE PROCTOR. “Facility in all the arts you mention are to some degree instilled into our charges. But these are of little consequence when compared with what we regard, without dispute, to be the two principal subjects for study.”

THE TRAVELLER. Guiding our way along spacious corridors, on the oaken-panelled walls were displayed, hung in gilt encrusted frames, numerous portraits of distinguished teachers, long dead, pupils who had in later life had attained distinction. We continued after tarrying a moment in order to view an ancient likeness of The Founder of The School executed in oils and hung within an ornate gilded frame.

THE PROCTOR. “The topic of first importance, the mastery of which we endeavour inculcate concerns the art of speaking with a MEASURED VOICE. The second but no less pertinent KNOWING AND REMEMBERING WELL THE NAMES AND FACES OF EVERY OTHER FELLOW.”

THE TRAVELLER. The Proctor opened a door situated at the highest point of a steeply raked lecture theatre. He ushered us in and bade we sit quietly to observe what was progressing within. Rows of boys, all dressed in identical and somewhat archaic attire, sat listening and watching a demonstration of lessons well learned from the lips of a particularly gifted pupil, the eldest son of a holder of high governmental office, The Proctor informed us. Keeping a sharp eye on the proceedings from his perch on a high-chair, The School Master having halted the proceedings on seeing our entrance, instructed the boy to continue his discourse.

THE PUPIL. “I therefore must conclude gentlemen. There can be no doubt whatsoever within the minds of all reasonable and honourable men. That affairs could not be better ordered in any other manner than that we observe, thus enabling both satisfaction and profit. We ourselves, moving towards, with fortitude and determination, towards our appraised and desired objectives.”

THE TRAVELLER. His discourse continued. Never during the course of my many travels was I privy to listen to such annunciation. Commanding vowels. Well rounded sentences. The conviction of the speaker combined to lull the listener into thinking that it was beyond any disputation.

THE SCHOOL MASTER. “Well said boy. Resume they place if thy will.”

THE TRAVELLER. The boy did as he was bid.

THE SCHOOL MASTER. “Heed well gentleman.”

Most take notice only of the manner of saying. Few notice what is said.

The Mnikin Blue Book. Saw XXI

“Now repeat in unison. Taking my direction with careful heed of timbre and articulation,” Rapping the desk with a short length of cane. “Tis my considered opinion that.”

THE BOYS. “Tis my considered opinion that.”

THE SCHOOL MASTER. “Such men lack principle and moral fibre.”

THE BOYS. “Such men lack principle and moral fibre.”

THE SCHOOL MASTER. “Such argument is beneath contempt.”

THE BOYS. “Such argument is beneath contempt.”

THE SCHOOL MASTER. “The rightness of our present position is self-evident.”

THE BOYS. “The rightness of our present position is self-evident.”

THE TRAVELLER. We listened for in excess of one hour to these and other exercises in the arts of soothing verbosity and so intoxicated I became imbibing this plethora of words return to reality came with an unwelcome jolt when the good Proctor indicated with a prod of his right index finger into my ribs that it was time to vacate our seats and continue our ambulation. Moments later we found ourselves again in the spacious, portrait lined corridors walking briskly towards another lecture hall.

ALBERT. “I tell you truly Sir,” inclining his head towards whence we had come. “That on completion of their education and emergence into the public life, the outcome of the studies you have just witnessed, will enable them, should they so desire, to mount a podium in the market-place and state “The moon is made of rancid butter” and all within earshot will accept this as an unassailable statement of fact.”

THE TRAVELLER. “But what of truth,” I retorted “Truth surely must be of some concern?”

ALBERT. Looked towards me with an amalgam of puzzlement and amused wonder casting The Proctor a sidelong glance “Truth Sir! Where in history or recent times did truth play a central role in public life or the intercourse between nations?”

THE TRAVELLER. Feeling unable to challenge this observation without prior examination, I followed them towards our next station of observation. This was a Great Hall filled with chairs and benches. Refectory tables spread with food and drink. Attendants hard by to serve. Multitudes of boys meandered here and there, sitting, standing. Here in groups. There is pairs. Having been well instructed, with outstretched hands they greeted each other thus; “Archibald! I have not set mine eyes upon thee in an age.” “How well I recall your face from those good years we both shared as pupils in the Lower Chapter”. Utilizing well learned phrases and countless convivial variations, the pupils worked diligently on the acquisition of, what The Proctor described, as being the most essential of all accomplishments. “My dear friend, I know a fellow, who knows a fellow, who knows a fellow, who well knows another fellow, who might be inclined proffer you something congenial.”

THE PROCTOR. “When in the course of time these boys, become in later years, men of importance, they must with ease and facility recognise like-minded persons, empowered as they will be to direct and influence. The Political. The Legal. The Commercial. The Religious. All the manifest concerns of state. I trust that I have conveyed well the delicacy of our task?”

THE TRAVELLER. I concurred that I was indeed astonished at what I had been privy to observe during these past hours, but expressed a view that in my own opinion, was not merit and ability qualities, that were in the final reckoning, of the greatest importance to the rational ordering of political and public life.

ALBERT. “I must Sir! present you with some measure of haste a copy of The Minikin Blue Book you will I am sure find it instructive when considering such notions.

If merit is assumed, there is no imperative to furnish proof of its existence.

The Mnikin Blue Book. Saw XII

THE PROCTOR. “There are multitudes with the wit to effect detail and routine concerns, but knowing well they lack the most particular qualities we cultivate within this establishment, are most willing to serve with exactitude and due humility, those who are born and educated to direct all affairs of importance.”

THE TRAVELLER. I was permitted to view the sleeping-quarters reserved for the boys. The Refectory. The Dispensary. The Store-rooms. Games Courts. Lecture Theatres. Library. Here I thought was a place equipped and victualled well enough to resist a siege.

The Proctor requested we join him at table within his rooms to take sustenance. Small beer. Bread. Cheese, and a basket of crisp apples. Made courageous after imbibing a tankard or two I voiced the notion that if this place of education and instruction were the pinnacle of excellence, would it not be wise to utilise the principles on which it was based within all other schools throughout the realm, therefore multiplying the numbers of youth nurtured, thus, to the general good?”

THE PROCTOR. Taking a deep draught from his pot before giving an answer, and appearing astonished by the unlikely nature of this idea. “Most look to our example. Though never achieving an exact likeness. Only degrees of inferiority. Such results are to be wished. Tis the nature of things that those destined to rule are limited in numbers. To have many rulers and few ruled is an absurdity abhorrent to the scheme of affairs and contrary to the natural order of things.”

THE TRAVELLER. I also took another draught of ale and suggested the possibility of eventual discontent in society if the summit of aspiration was not generally available to all, adding the truism: that every family wishes but the best for their offspring.

THE PROCTOR. “There is substance in what you say,” he replied, taking a large bite from an apple and continuing to chew whilst talking. “But do not overlook the wisdom of our policy makers. In matters concerning the substance of education designed for application to the bulk of our population, the doctrine of Continual Flux is applied. Inducing constant changes in methods, teachers, soundness of buildings and school-rooms, books, aims of examination, and every other detail concerned, people in general take the view, that for them, improvement is a change or two distant, and thus if not content, are hopeful.”

Lifting up his tankard and gazing at me through the glass that made up sealed its base “Consider for a moment a horse in a stable. You tell a man his horse will die in six weeks time. He is astonished. How could such a prediction be relied upon? A simple a matter. You just stop feeding the animal from that moment onwards. Apply this strategy elsewhere at your pleasure. If we do not think, or indeed want, this or that mode of instruction should succeed, The Treasury provides a lesser store of Herttach Crowns to maintain it. In due time it shrivels and dies for want of fiscal sustenance, thus proving the veracity of our original doubts,” Pausing for a moment to refill his tankard he continued. “It must also be said with certainty, that the manner of education we provide is not meet for the multitude. Our charges arrive here at six years of age and remain in our care for twelve years. The love and concern that is the prerequisite of parents thrusting their children from domestic hearth at this tender age is a virtue found only within the bosoms of persons of particular quality.”