Plans for the government and liberal instruction of boys, in large numbers; drawn from experience

[Hill, Matthew Davenport]

Published by G. and W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria Lane, London, 1822

About this Item

First edition, 8vo, pp. xv, [1], 238; errata slip tipped in at the back; original blue paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; boards soiled, label chipped with loss of 2 letters, light overall wear; a good, sound, and clean copy. This copy inscribed on the half-title: Richard Taylor Esq. from his friend the author." Authorship variously attributed to Matthew Davenport Hill (1792-1872) by Halkett & Laing; to Arthur Hill (1798-1885) by Harvard College Library; and to Rowland Hill (1795-1879), the postal reformer, by Wikipedia. All three may have had a hand in it. Founded by Matthew's father Thomas Wright Hill, the Hazelwood School at Birmingham offered a revolutionary system of education which entailed government by the students themselves with a constitution and court of justice. Dr. Arnold, Jeremy Bentham and other leading radicals were considerably influenced. For his part, Matthew Davenport Hill later became "a British lawyer and penologist, many of whose suggested reforms in the treatment of criminals were enacted into law in England" (Britannica). His other brother, Arthur Hill, was headmaster of Bruce Castle School. This is, apparently, Matthew's first book in which he argues that kindness, instead of caning, and moral influence, rather than fear, should be the predominant forces in school discipline.

Seller Inventory # 66761

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Plans for the government and liberal instruction of boys, in large numbers; drawn from experience
• Publisher: G. and W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria Lane, London
• Publication Date: 1822
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Education
  • English Literature