Introduction
The hero of Walter Scott’s historical novel Waverley, published in 1814, is Edward Waverley, a delicate child plucked from London’s fogs and taken to his father’s country estate for his health. There, the boy was allowed to direct his own education. He had curiosity, which was good, but no staying power; and Scott took a moment to reflect on how fashionable educational theory was not much help in this regard.
I am aware I may be here reminded of the necessity of rendering instruction agreeable to youth, and of Tasso’s* infusion of honey into the medicine prepared for a child; but an age in which children are taught the driest doctrines by the insinuating method of instructive games has little reason to dread the consequences of study being rendered too serious or severe. The history of England is now reduced to a game at cards, the problems of mathematics to puzzles and riddles, and the doctrines of arithmetic may, we are assured, be sufficiently acquired by spending a few hours a week at a new and complicated edition of the Royal Game of the Goose.* There wants but one step further, and the Creed and Ten Commandments may be taught in the same manner, without the necessity of the grave face, deliberate tone of recital, and devout attention hitherto exacted from the well-governed childhood of this realm.
* Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), an Italian poet. Near the beginning of Jerusalem Delivered (1581), he wrote:
You know the world delights in lovely things,
for men have hearts sweet poetry will win,
and when the truth is seasoned in soft rhyme
it lures and leads the most reluctant in.
As we brush with honey the brim of a cup, to fool
a feverish child to take his medicine:
he drinks the bitter juice and cannot tell —
but it is a mistake that makes him well.
(Translation by Anthony Esolen)
One of the very first board games, developed in Italy during the 15th century, very much like snakes and ladders. The board is marked with a spiral racetrack chunked into numbered squares, and players advance along the track by rolling dice. The winner is the first to reach the end. There are various hazards, jumps and penalties. See a late 18th century French board at British Museum: Jeu de l’Oie (Game of the Goose).
Précis
Walter Scott took time out in his novel ‘Waverley’ to caution against gimmicky educational methods that do not inculcate habits of self-discipline. He recognised that the pill of learning may sometimes need to be sweetened, but he felt that the fashion was getting out of control, and that before long even religion would be treated with levity. (57 / 60 words)
Walter Scott took time out in his novel ‘Waverley’ to caution against gimmicky educational methods that do not inculcate habits of self-discipline. He recognised that the pill of learning may sometimes need to be sweetened, but he felt that the fashion was getting out of control, and that before long even religion would be treated with levity.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, despite, must, otherwise, ought, since, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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