[To THZ EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] 'STR,—Schoolmasters are despised
because they are not re- -cognised by law like solicitors, dentists, doctors, and even veterinary surgeons. Oblige every teacher to have a degree or certificate, and their status would soon improve. In Scotland they are still more social outcasts than in England, because nearly all have been educated in Board-schools. I ,once saw a meeting of about sixty head-masters of higher- grade schools (academies, high-schools, and grammar-schools) in Edinburgh, and they seemed just like a lot of policemen in plain—very plain—clothes. Not one in twenty was like a gentleman. Mr. Page need not complain so much. He is a master at a first-rate school, with nice boys to teach, reasonable hours, long holidays, a decent head-master, and a good salary. I am a public-school man and University man, and have gained more scholarships probably than he has, and have been devoted to boys for sixteen years, and yet I would be glad of half the salary he gets at the Charterhouse. He has prospects -of a boarding-house worth 21,000, if he has not got one already. He has no silly parents to interfere with him, and his position is altogether to be envied.—I am, Sir, &c., OXON.
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