Manners in the School

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 30 April 1908, Page 22

Manners in the School

Marlborough's good manners are said to have done much to raise him to the pinnacle of fame and place. To some extent, they made up for his comparative illiteracy. So, at least, says Chesterfield. We mention the iteteoric Duke — although, .perhaps, an extreme caseto indicate the importance of giving ' the- young idea ' a suitable equipment of good' manners in the home and the school. In this respect^ .the Church school is a leverage upon the -child that is lacking to a greater or less extent in the secular school ; for, "after all, the inculcation of religious truths and moral principles into the mmd and heart Is the .only true and permanent basis of courtesy between -man and man. Without this, good manners become, not so much a part of the

man, as a sort of superficial veneer. 'Practical Pol - tics ' of February 22 (quoted by the ' S.H. Review ') says^ in this ccmnectAon, regarding the local schools : 'Whoever is responsible, for the code of education' and morals in Boston public schools has an opportunity to make a -reputation by teaching the children of the public schools how to behave on the street and other places, as well as in the schoolroom. ' The average boy or girl of the public schools has small regard for age or infirmity. In marked contrast is the deportment of the children who come and go from tlhe parochial and other private schools, where the children "file into^the street in perfect order, and behave like human beings, and. not like a herd of young panthers let loose.'

We know of places, nearer home to us than Boston^ to which these, remarks have an application.