# Endnotes explained — On the Art of Reading

> Chapter companion for On the Art of Reading by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

## What happens

The endnotes provide references, clarifications, and additional commentary on the lectures, including remarks on the evolution of English teaching, medieval university oaths, and quotations from various literary works.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education vs. Examination

The endnotes critique the old system of English teaching and reflect on the nature of true education versus rote examination.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator reflects on the system of English teaching and provides endnotes.

### Samuel Rogers

Quoted for his lines on Lady Jane Grey.

### Donne

Referenced for his 'Sermon II preached at Pauls upon Christmas Day, in the Evening.'

### Sir Thomas Browne

Mentioned in a note about his style in the Preface.

### Jane Taylor

Suspected author of a quoted passage on education.

### Samuel Daniel

Quoted from his 'Epistle to the Lady Margaret, Countess of Cumberland.'

## Key lines

> The reader will kindly turn back to the start of the chapter, and observe the date at the head of this lecture. At that time I was engaged against a system of English teaching which I believed to be thoroughly bad. That system has since given place to another, which I am prepared to defend as a better.

The narrator asks the reader to note the date of the lecture, explaining that he was then opposing a poor English teaching system that has since been replaced by one he now supports.

_Reflects the evolution of educational methods._

> Well! … my education is at last finished: indeed it would be strange, if, after five years’ hard application, anything were left incomplete. Happily that is all over now; and I have nothing to do, but to exercise my various accomplishments.

A young woman boasts that her education is complete after five years of hard work, and she now only needs to practice her accomplishments.

_Satirizes superficial education focused on accomplishments rather than deep learning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se/chapters