Note 220 — Chapter VI

We have reason to be thankful to Sir Thomas for his kindness in refraining from the style of composition which he here indicates, for we can scarcely credit his assurance that the results would have been less terrifying than the description of the processes by which they would have been reached. There is no need for an apology, for he has really done pretty well as it is. Mr Ruskin had once a vision of ten thousand school-inspectors assembled on Cader Idris. What horror would seize such a company, if they were treated as a class in elementary English, and the above passage were read out as an exercise in dictation! Nay, it is to be feared that even the more august assembly in Dover House, the Lords of Education themselves, would be panic-stricken at such a task. Only Macaulay's "schoolboy" would probably be found to enter upon it with unblenched countenance, and to accomplish it successfully.