Published by The Religious Tract Society: London c1880
"Stories of Schoolboys: Second Series, published by the Religious Tract Society, is a collection of instructive and engaging moral tales aimed at young readers in the late Victorian period. Designed to entertain while imparting ethical lessons, the stories centre on the everyday experiences, challenges, and character development of schoolboys navigating friendships, discipline, temptation, and personal responsibility. Titles such as Gold May Be Bought Too Dear and The Busy Boy Who Was Always Idle reflect the didactic intent of the volume, blending narrative interest with clear moral purpose.
The work is characteristic of the Religious Tract Society's mission to produce wholesome literature that would shape the values and conduct of youth. Each story presents situations in which honesty, diligence, humility, and perseverance are tested, often contrasting flawed behaviour with its consequences and rewarding integrity and self-improvement. The tone is earnest yet accessible, with simple, direct prose that would have resonated with both young readers and those guiding their education, whether in schools, homes, or Sunday institutions.
This circa 1880 edition is presented in a decorative green cloth binding with gilt titling and embossed panels, typical of the Society's attractive yet affordable publications of the period. The presence of a contemporary ownership inscription from St Andrews S.S. Library, Thurlow, adds a layer of historical interest, suggesting its use within a religious or educational setting. A representative example of Victorian moral literature for youth, it would appeal to collectors of children's books, Religious Tract Society publications, and those interested in the cultural history of education and moral instruction."
