[ Victorian course of education. ] Proof of article titled 'Some Rough Notes on Charlie's Education', with the aim of making a boy a 'scientific man', sent to study the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos, and avoiding the 'secret vice' of 'Self-Pollution'

In two columns, on one side of piece of 50 x 30.5 cm paper. Aged and worn, with chipping and loss to margins. Two pencil notes in margin: 'this was ommitted [sic]' and 'the truth acquired mostly forgotten'. Clearly not intended for publication, and apparently the advice of a knowledgeable and well-educated man of scientific bent to his family, regarding the future of 'Charlie' (his grandson?). A reference to Clifton College may suggest a West Country origin. The piece begins: 'The subject of Education is in a great state of confusion, and great diversities of opinion exist about it. Many eminent men - such as Huxley, Herbert Spencer, Lowe - think that, for the most part, the wrong things are taught at school and in the wrong way. I am inclined to agree with this view. I should think on an average about three-fourths of the boys' time is uselessly spent. | The most important things are Plain Food, Regular Meals, very little if any Alcohol, careful observation that the habit of Smoking is not contracted, nor any other secret vice, such as Self-Pollution. (Silence is usually practised on this point. I don't believe in silence and ignorance on any subject. I think every boy should be told of its existence, and of its beastly, degrading and unhealthy nature. [...] Of course I assume that improper books are not within his reach). This last consideration I think of immense importance, especially to a clever adn studiously inclined boy. Many men seem almost to owe their success to having been thoroughly neglected in their youth, coupled with nothing to do, and being turned loose into a good library.' The author proceeds to explain what he means by 'Science', under the headings 'Mathematics' ('Charlie is being trained for THE CAMBRIDGE TRIPOS') and 'Experimental Chemistry and Physics' ('Clifton College possesses a good laboratory and doubtless an efficient Science Master'). More dogmatic assertions follow, and the piece concludes with 'My curriculum for Charlie [...] for the time being', in eleven sections from 'Mathematics' to 'Dancing and Drilling' and 'Shorthand'. The piece ends with a section under the heading 'ADVICE TO CHARLIE': 'My advice to Charlie is - "Remember study means effort, and there is no way of making learning EASY except by also making it USELESS. Never forget that nothing can be achieved without Patience, Perseverance, Reflection, and Humility.'