7 SEPTEMBER 1929, Page 16

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The article in your

issue of August 24th reminds me of an incident in the early seventies of the last century, when elementary education had just been taken up by the Government.

The Headmaster of the Grammar School in a country town—a clergyman—made this remark in my hearing :- " What is the good of all this education for the lower classes ? Better teach them a little honesty."

Though young and very diffident, I ventured to ask : " Why shouldn't they have both ? "

In Devonshire they say of anyone who fails : " Well there you see he didn't give his mind to it."—I am, Sir, &c., Lisinullen, Oriental Road, Woking. ELLEN L. Txrr.