Here’s a quote from a review page concerning the Ragged School Museum
It’s really interesting for kids – there are old clothes to dress up in, slates and chalk to write with, an old counting frame, a chance to try out the cane on your best friend… the classroom is full of authentic desks and there is a real atmosphere around the place. It is quite small, but packed with activities. Often, there are workshops and treasure hunts, which are now so popular that they need to be booked beforehand
Now, does anyone have a clue what part the finger stocks featured in the picture played in Victorian education and how they were used? Canes, yes, but finger stocks? Surely a little drastic even for the draconian regime of the Victorian classroom! And as for the back straightener – the mind boggles! I think Victorian children must have had a tough time!