Preface
ESSAYS ON DUTY AND DISCIPLINE
A Series of Papers on the Training of Children in relation to Social and National Welfare
CASSELL AND COMPANY, LTD
London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
First Edition October 1910.
Second Edition November 1910.
Third Edition January 1911.
Fourth Edition June 1911.
Fifth Edition November 1911.
Sixth Edition January 1914.
"The foundations of national glory are set in the homes of the people, and they will only remain unshaken while the family life of our nation is strong, simple, and pure."
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V.
PREFACE
YOUR perusal of the series of Essays entitled " Duty and Discipline " is earnestly requested.
This series is being published, not for profit, but with a view to counteract the lack of adequate moral training and discipline, the effects of which are so apparent in these days amongst many British children, in rich as well as in poor homes.
Where such conditions are not apparent, it is yet advisable to closely scrutinise present educational and social developments, lest relaxed discipline, false sentiment, or an immoderate pursuit of pleasure should tend to weaken the moral fibre of the children.
The writers feel strongly that the present juvenile indiscipline is a serious social danger, and a peril to the permanent security of the Empire. In this view they are supported by many men and women eminent in varying lines of thought and action, some of whose names appear below, and whose actual expressions of opinion concerning this work, together with many others, will be found in the Appendix to this volume. You are particularly requested to refer to these pages.
NOTE
THE Essays of the Duty and Discipline Series have been published with the object of drawing public attention to the very generally acknowledged growth of indiscipline amongst British children of all classes, to the decay among many of them of a sense of duty, and to the apparent gradual disappearance of the ancient British determination to overcome difficulties by the force of a strong will, which declined under all circumstances to recognise even the pos¬sibility of defeat.
The Publishers have attempted to bring together the views on the above subject of leading men and women representative of different, and sometimes opposing, sections of thought and of society, united only in the belief that the above-mentioned evils are real, and constitute a serious danger to Society and the State. Having done this, the Publishers consider that their work is at an end. They have no theories to advance and no remedies to recommend. They decline responsibility for any opinions expressed by the writers, and inasmuch as the latter are bound by no bond other than that already mentioned, it is obvious that they cannot be held responsible for any opinions to be found in the above series other than those expressed in their own papers.
