Dear Sir

I am very glad indeed to find that my pamphlet is so much in accordance with your views on punishments. It was written with the object of condemning all corporal punishments whatever in the case of children, and I read it at the Social Science Congress 1872 in the hope of producing some practical effect. I must say I was surprized to find so many opposed to my principles, though I found some warm advocates.¹ I had no idea, before, that the principles that I advocate required so much pleading, and I published the pamphlet in the hope of drawing more general attention to the subject, I fear with no great success. Some of the best of my opponents tell me that my arguments, if carried to their legitimate conclusions, would strike at the root of the principle of punishments in general, and also of rewards too. I grant that they would, but I say “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”, and if I can prevent the punishment of children in any degree it will be unspeakably gratifying to me. I do not believe that the principle of punishments and rewards is a sound moral one, and have held that opinion for many years. But I did not write on the question until I had submitted my theory to the test of experience by bringing up my own children, 4 in number, (I am in mourning for the 5^th) absolutely without any sort of punishment, reward, threat, or fear of any consequences. I agreed with my wife that it should be so, and I have been most ably and earnestly assisted by her in the experiment.² It has proved most satisfactory, and I am more than ever confirmed, by my experience (it cannot be so exhaustive as an experiment in science would be), in the doctrines that I have attempted to advocate, and which I have a strong desire to propagate.

I suppose when you say that a Man cannot by his volition check the tendency to blush,³ the inference must be that if adults do not blush as young persons do it is because they do not experience the emotion that is indicated by the blush. But Adults study to conceal their emotions, and of course the expression of the emotions; and I think, since reading your book, I have seen Girls, who I do not admire for their sincerity, with a complication of expression, indicating an attempt to express one emotion and to conceal another. Are not we, the public, often deceived in our diagnosis of character by false or spurious expressions so produced?

You of course know where to get information as to the speed of Race horses. Admiral Rouse, I should think, would be a very good authority.⁴

Dear Sir very truly yours, W. F. Collier