⁹ An interesting introduction to the subject of corporal punishment in the classroom. Though the schoolmaster appears to have the intelligence and instincts to control his class without resorting to the rod, the author implies that his "philantropic friend" is a bit naive in thinking that a caring and intelligent schoolmaster can maintain order in a schoolroom such as this without resorting to physical punishment. He compares the classroom to a cage full of tigers in which even the best trainer must use the whip now and again for emphasis. Later in the tale, the author confirms that the schoolmaster comes to school armed with beech switches and uses them, though sparingly.