The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's: A School Story

  Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

  The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's, by Talbot Baines Reed.

  ________________________________________________________________________This is a rather famous book about life in a boys' boarding school. Westart off with the entry to the school of a little new boy, not quiteeleven years old, who also happens to have an older brother in theschool. We learn about the school at the same time as little Steeviedoes.

  Steevie is appointed to be the fag of one Loman, and as the storyunfolds we begin to see life through the eyes of the older boy. Thereis an interesting moment when Steevie refuses to do the work of fag toLoman, and is soundly beaten up for his refusal.

  There is a rather unsuitable public-house owner, Cripps, and Lomanbecomes indebted to him for a large sum of money. What Loman does totry to liquidate his debt is what much of the latter part of the bookis about. We do not wish to spoil the story for you, so we will not gointo any details of this.

  There is a rather nice episode during the summer holidays when some ofthe boys row down the river Thames from Oxford to London, which yourreviewer has also done more than once. Many of the landmarks that theysaw are still there. You will enjoy reading or listening to this book.

  ________________________________________________________________________THE FIFTH FORM AT SAINT DOMINIC'S, BY TALBOT BAINES REED.

  PREFACE.

  _The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's_ is a story of public-school life,and was written for the _Boy's Own Paper_, in the Fourth Volume of whichit appeared. The numbers containing it are now either entirely out ofprint or difficult to obtain; and many and urgent have been therequests--from boys themselves, as well as from parents, head masters,and others--for its re-issue as a book.

  Of the story itself little need be said. It deals in a bright andvigorous style with the kaleidoscopic, throbbing life of a great publicschool--that world in miniature which, in its daily opportunities andtemptations, ambitions and failures, has so often afforded superabundantmaterial for narratives powerful to enchain the attention and sway theemotions, whether to smiles or tears. This will take its place, amongstthe best of them.

  Though the story is one of school life, its interest is by no meanslimited to school or college walls. Boys of all sorts and conditions--ay, and their parents too--will follow its fortunes with unflagging zestfrom the first page to the last; and it is difficult to conceive of anyreader, be he young or old, who would not be the better for its vividportraiture and bracing atmosphere. There is a breeziness about itcalculated to stir the better life in the most sluggish; and withoutpretence or affectation it rings out its warnings, no less than itsnotes of cheer, clear and rousing as trumpet blasts.

  "Do right, and thou hast nought to fear, Right hath a power that makes thee strong; The night is dark, but light is near, The grief is short, the joy is long."

  Without the most distant approach to that fatal kind of sermonisingwhich all but inevitably repels those whom it is meant to benefit, thestory forcefully illustrates how rapidly they may sink who once tamper,for seeming present advantage, with truth, and how surely, sooner orlater, a noble character comes to vindication and honour; and in allsuch respects it is eminently true to life. These boys of SaintDominic's, even the best of them, are very human--neither angels normonstrosities, but, for the most part, ardent, impulsive, out-and-out,work-a-day lads; with the faults and failings of inexperience andimpetuosity, no doubt, but also with that moral grit and downrighthonesty of purpose that are still, we believe, the distinguishing markof the true British public-school boy. Hence one is impelled to takefrom the outset a most genuine interest in them and their affairs, andto feel quite as though one had known many of them personally for years,and been distinctly the better, too, for that knowledge. Such boysstand at the antipodes alike of the unreal abstractions of an effeminatesentimentalism--the paragons who prate platitudes and die young--and ofthe morbid specimens of youthful infamy only too frequently paraded bythe equally unreal sensationalism of to-day to meet the cravings of avitiated taste.

  _The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's_ is the kind of book we should placewith confidence in the hands of our own boys when leaving the homeshelter, whether for school or the sterner after-battle; and we cannotconceive of the parent who, having read it with care and pleasure, as wehave done, and knowing at the same time anything of the stress andstrain of daily life, would not, with gratitude to the author, gladly dothe same. With all their faults, Oliver Greenfield and Wraysford aresplendid boys, of just the fibre that the Church needs, and the worldcannot afford to do without; and yet their school career proves by nomeans a bed of roses. To drift with the current is proverbially easy;to seek to stem it manfully, and steer by the stars, may, and oftendoes, lay one open to misapprehension or envy, and all the ills thatfollow in their train; yet--

  "God is God, and right is right, And truth the day must win; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin."

  Our heroes had their full share of trouble--what real hero has not?--butthey come out of the ordeal purified and strengthened, with nobleraspirations after duty, and tenderer thoughts of helpfulness towardsthose needing, if far from seeking, their succouring arm.

  How all this comes about it is not for us to tell. Readers will findthat out for themselves, and thank us for allowing them, unaided, to doso. The school cricket match, the grand football struggle, theever-memorable prize-day--these are matters that no alien pen may touch.Our prayer is that God may abundantly bless the book to the building upin our schools and families of strong Christian characters, who in theafter days shall do valiant service for Christ and humanity.

  G.A. Hutchison.