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Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 5

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was born 5f years ago in London. He was one of a largo family, every. member of which has nmdo somo mark in the world. His father was a clergyman. His mother was tho daughter of Admiral Smyth. Robert Stephenson, the great engineer, was Itis godfather, and tho baby was named after.him. A writer in the London "Morning Post" in February remarked that important as was tho military service of General Baden : Powcll, ii has been overshadowed by the 'service ho has done to the nation and the Empire in founding the Boy Scouts. "It would seem," continued the writer, "that thero must be some wonderful secret in a movement which could spread thus, and enrol 300,000 lads in three years. Eut the explanation is simple. The Boy Scout because it makes a direct appeal to ()>'• movement has flourished thus remarkably instincts and impulse which dominate ail that is best in boy life the world over. ""This is a wide statement, but one that happens to bo as safe as it is strong. The futuro of a nation depends greatly upon tho training of its boys, especially upon the intermediate life between first childhood and young manhood of the lads ivlio will 1)0 the workers of to-morrow. Almost every common influence of modern life combines to lead them wrong. At school they got all the rudiments of book education, and that, as far as it goes, is excellent. But liltlc is there systematically done to implant a sense of national discipline and of definite public duty. Out of school hours there is no fine and inspiring principle of association to bind them to eacli other and to their country, and fo lift their aspirations to a higher level. General Baclen-Powoll appeared upon tho drab and aimless scene of ordinary boy-life in our cities, and, witli the simplicity of method which -somebody ought'to have thought of years and decades before ho set himself (o work tho moral rcvqlution. How to put the average lad in a better way? How to bring all healthy boyish instincts and aptitudes to a focus? These were his problems. He hit upon a perfect solution."