has to make the most of the small army at its command. In old days the "thin red line" showed itself a match for serried masses containing many times its numbers. Good scouting and great skill in the art of taking cover can still multiply indefinitely the fighting power of our small army. Why should not scouting be practised more than it is at the public schools, and also the art of signalling? General Baden-Powell's little book gives many interesting hints. A scouting match might be made much more amusing than a paper chase, and become an intellectual exercise as good as a game at chess. Many schools have close at hand great commons, or woods, or moors, where scouting could be developed into a healthy sport, every whit as fascinating as even the much-loved cricket. It would exercise the brains as well as the bodies. If every English youth, in the course of his school training, were made a first-rate scout as well as a dead shot, he would be the better for it, and we should hear little talk of invading England. Peace would be assured, always provided it were known that there was a full supply of rifles and ammunition for our citizen defenders, and all the other supplies which the experts know are so sorely needed.

Some have thought that, if a whole school receives military training, difficulties may possibly arise between the civilian headmaster and the militant member of his staff who commands the school in the field. There should not be more danger of this than in any well-regulated state. Apart from the loyalty and good feeling which may be looked for in the English public schoolmaster, it should be remembered that the headmaster himself appoints the captain of the school rifle corps. The War Office have always taken care to show that they fully recognise the importance of preserving the headmaster's position as head of the school.

A point of really great importance is the higher training of the officers. Here is the greatest need and the greatest difficulty. A battle line nowadays has to be "far flung." Highly trained intelligence is needed more than ever. Special training must be provided for those who are to be officers. At school boys can have a certain amount of practice as officers, either with or without a commission. They can also be trained in the subjects of instruction prescribed for the Army Examination. A thorough general education has been given them. The rest presumably must be a matter of special training after the school days are over.

It would be a great help to the public school movement if more open encouragement were given by the military authorities; and if more opportunities for combined field days were arranged. Much is already done for the schools in the south, but little for the schools in the north.

It will be clear, it is hoped, that the necessity of military training on a universal scale is only urged in view of the many dangers which are acknowledged by all. It is not aggression, but defence which we desire. A war of aggression is nothing better than robbery and murder on a gigantic scale. The defence of hearth and home, the defence of freedom, the safeguarding of the supply of the necessaries of life are all part of our inalienable right as a nation. By proper precautions we may stave off the horrors. of war; and military training, so far from disturbing the peace, may preserve it, till at last we ring in "the thousand years of peace," and "the thousand wars of old" are gone, never to return.

SECTION V.

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE :

XXIV. THE EVOLUTION OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

XXV. ROMAN CATHOLIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

XXVI. NONCONFORMIST PUBLIC SCHOOLS.