"A new boy, young gentlemen," said the Doctor; "Trotwood Copperfield."
One Adams, who was the head boy, then stepped out of his place and welcomed me. He looked like a young clergyman, in his white cravat, but he was very affable and good-humoured; and he showed me my place, and presented me to the masters in a gentlemanly way that would have put me at my ease if anything could.
Physical education received due attention at Doctor Strong's school. "We had noble games out of doors." These outdoor sports have done more than anything else to develop the strength and energy of the British character. Thoughtful educators everywhere recognise the value of play in the development of the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual nature as taught by Froebel. The love of play has been one of the distinctive elements of the British people.
Doctor Strong's personal influence was good. "He was the idol of the whole school." He was not coercive nor restrictive; he was an inspiration to effort and to manliness of conduct. "He was the kindest of men," full of sympathy with boyhood and with individual boys. "He had a simple faith in him that might have touched the stone hearts of the very urns upon the wall." Mr. Wickfield told David that he feared some of the boys might take advantage of his kindness and faith, but boys do not abuse the confidence of such teachers. "He appealed in everything to the honour and good faith of the boys, and avowed his intention to rely on the possession of these qualities unless they proved themselves unworthy." David says this "worked wonders." He had no spies in schoolroom or grounds. He trusted his boys in a frank, unconventional way, and they proved themselves worthy of trust. In such an atmosphere a boy grows to be reliable. He does not need to be hypocritical or false. "The boys all became warmly attached to the school--I am sure I did for one, and I never knew, in all my time, of any other boy being otherwise--and learned with a good will, desiring to do it credit."
They had independent self-activity. "We had plenty of liberty." Without this no child can reach his best growth. The boys did not abuse their privilege. They respected themselves more because they had liberty. "As I remember, we were well spoken of in the town, and rarely did any disgrace, by our appearance or manner, to the reputation of Doctor Strong and Doctor Strong's boys."