We took in a particularly beautiful library on our travels recently. A set of old, high-backed wooden chairs lined the room, as if awaiting a group of girls to be lectured – or, perhaps, scolded.
We pictured them there: freshly changed into their new uniforms, on the first day of their year of study. Competition for places in the Library College would be intense: only the very brightest, the most committed, would qualify for the honour.
They would each be seated, marvelling at the antique tomes and the magnificent ceiling. Then the grand wooden doors would swing open, and they would leap to their feet as the librarian came in: a tall, imposing figure in gown and mortar board.
He would welcome them. Outline the syllabus, inform them of their responsibilities. They’d learn the finest calligraphy; to transcribe, to catalogue, to illustrate to the highest standards. Positions in the finest libraries in the world would be theirs for the asking at the end of their study. If they met his standards.
He’d invite questions; none would be forthcoming, the newcomers too scared of this daunting figure.
“There is one other thing,” he would add, and they would all know what he had in mind. “You’ve probably heard tale of the disciplinary regime here.” Girls shuffling nervously. “Yes, I do cane girls. And yes, I do cane them hard. Of that you can be sure. But you need to know. my two golden principles in relation to punishing my students. I presume that most of you were flogged at your previous school?’
Embarrassed nods, murmurs, red faces.
“I can’t hear you”.
A chorus; “Yes, Sir.”
“Much better. So, my principles. The first is very simple:: a girl will never be punished for an honest mistake. But those of you who are repeatedly careless; who choose to be disrespectful or dishonest; *you* should fear the consequences.”
Gulps; nervous clenching of fists. Staring at the carpet. Mental vows all round to uphold the highest standards.
“And the second is that I punish girls very infrequently. So much better that you live without the constant threat of the rod, so you can concentrate on your studies. But rest assured: when I do need to punish one of you, I shall do so with all due severity, in front of the rest of the group.”
He would pause, speak more quietly. “It is rare that any girl is foolish enough to earn a second punishment during her time under my supervision.”
And then he would walk down the line, looking each girl in the eyes. On reaching the end, he would turn – “Any further questions” met with an inevitable silence, before “Might I wish you every success.” And he would walk through the still-open doors, closing them firmly behind him.