If a master be silent, vigilant, even and reserved in his manner and conduct, he need seldom have recourse to this sort of correction.’
The early Christian Brothers took a firm stand against severe corporal punishment. British Royal Commission into Irish Education (1825): ‘the children are kept in good order and the masters seldom have recourse to corporal punishment.’
1857 before the Endowed Schools Commission in Cork – Br. B. Duggan claimed that corporal punishment, while not abolished, was used sparingly: ‘my own opinion about it that five or six boys receiving one slap on the hand in the day is quite sufficient to keep the school in order.’ Boys were never flogged.
1881 Endowed Schools Commission: ‘The relation between teacher and pupil seemed all that could be desired, as there was perfect and prompt obedience without any sign of fear. The discipline was admirable, the Brothers being able to arrange the boys in any way desired almost without a word.’
IN FACT, Discipline reality in a Brother’s school at this time, could deviate from that described above, but not to the point that the Brothers were renowned as severe