TW427228 The Monitor, 1898 (oil on canvas) by Hedley, Ralph (1848-1913); 110.3x93.5 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; (add.info.: Victorian schools used older children known as monitors to teach younger children. Unfortunately, the monitor cannot keep order in this mixed-age class, despite the cane he holds. A boy is pinning a notice to his back, and other boys are fighting. The small boy is reading from his slate to the monitor. Slates were used with chalk by younger children as a less-expensive alternative to paper;); 穢 Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright.