They learned a few lines of poetry by heart, and committed all the "meanings and allusions" to memory, with the probable result--so sickening must the process have been--that they hated poetry for the rest of their lives.

In geography, history, and grammar they were the victims of unintelligent oral cram, which they were compelled, under pains and penalties, to take in and retain till the examination day was over, their ability to disgorge it on occasion being periodically tested by the teacher.

And so with the other subjects.

Not a thought was given, except in a small minority of the schools, to the real training of the child, to the fostering of his mental (and other) growth.

To get him through the yearly examination by hook or by crook was the one concern of the teacher.