moment, what it is to have removed the principal impediments to the acquisition of elementary knowledge,-to have rendered that discipline easy and pleasant, which we remember in youth to have been hard and offensive,--and to have accustomed the rising generation to avoid what is imperfect and superficial,*-the perpetual source of an unqualified blessing on his species, produced it perfect and entire, like Minerva from the head of Jupiter ;and displayed it so clearly and luminously, that the most ignorant practitioners thought themselves at once the complete masters of the subject; and some even persuaded themselves, and endeavoured to persuade the public, that they understood the discovery better than even Jenner himself.—With regard to the other respected name which I have mentioned ;-in his experiments on alkalies,-in reducing them to their component parts, and in recomposing and restoring the entire body, hitherto an inscrutable object of science, and in his subsequent experiments on acids and earths, Mr. DAVY has, indeed, proceeded with unexampled rapidity. But this has been the result of long and deep anterior study and meditation, the effect of extreme exertion that nearly cost his life, the act of one who has been engaged in philosophical investigation from his youth.-In the course of a life happily employed, it is no small gratification to me to number among my most intimate friends, the three individuals, to whose discoveries I have now referred. *The principles of Dr. Bell's system, are applicable error and vice;—and to consider nothing as learn, that is not clearly, distinctly, and permanently fixed in the mind. A defect in the old mode of education is, Defects of the old that it employs many instructors and great ex school. pense, to produce small and inconsiderable effects; and that it teaches every thing, but does not allow the pupil to acquire any thing of himself; confining him in the perpetual go-cart of tuition, and precluding him from the habit of using and exercising his own faculties. It is thus, that general and vague ideas are infused into the mind on all subjects, without any thing precise or permanent being obtained on any; and it is thus that a kind of bird's-eye view of the arts and sciences is offered to the intellect, with to the highest attainments of elevated rank, as well as to the humblest proficiency in elementary knowledge. The time, I trust, is not far distant, when it will be applied in such a way, as to induce mothers to condescend to be the superintendants of their own nurseries, and to enable the elder daughters to be the governesses and teachers of their younger sisters, out any fixed or distinct knowledge of any of them. THE dissenters of every sect are at present actively and honour- Activity of the ably employed in the work dissenters. of education. Their labours are not confined to their own members, but are extended to other societies of Christians, not excluding the poor of the established church. * It is very well known, (says Dr. Haygarth), that various classes of dissenters, with enthusiastic diligence, are teaching the lower classes of children to read, &c. in great numbers, through most parts of England. The question therefore now is, not whether this instruction should be given to them at all, but by whom? under the direction of the church of England, or of sectaries?-Last August (1807) being at Rodborough, in Gloucestershire, I inquired what effect had been produced upon the behaviour of the inhabitants, by the introduction of machinery into the woollen manufactures of that valley, fearing to receive a very unfavourable report. But I was informed that the poor manufacturers had lately become much more orderly, sober, and industrious: and as a proof of the truth of this remark, the landlord of the Inn assured me that he now sold 300l. worth less ale and spirits in a year, than he had done fourteen years ago. This change in the behaviour and morals of the people, he wholly ascribed to the effect of their education by the dissenters. Dr. Haygarth's Letter to the Bishop of London. There are some persons, who now dread their active zeal, their indefatigable industry, and their unceasing activity, in the propagation of tenets, which it is but christian candour to suppose, they think conducive, if not essential, to salvation. If this is a time for apprehension, what must we look forward to, if we do not now supply all our own poor with the inestimable benefit of education? What must we expect if we leave part of them without instruction, and part to receive it from other hands? What must be the effect, when in a very few years, myriads of our children, indebted to sectaries for the advantages of education, shall enter on the stage of life ;more instructed, more informed, and more animated by religious zeal and ardour, than the ignorant and untaught members of our own church! If the outworks of the establishment appear to the timid mind to be now in danger, what arms will then be found to defend the citadel against such numerous and powerful assailants? It is not one of the least advantages which will be derived from our own clergy taking the lead Selections of books. in the new system of education (a system, I should observe, originating from one of their own members, and fostered in the very bosom of the church), that the selection of books for the pupils, will be in the hands of the friends to religion, morality, and civil order. At the time of the French revolution, the greatest danger that existed, was *To such subscribers to "the Society for promoting "Christian Knowledge," as are desirous of supplying books to their poor neighbours, and to schools in their vicinage; I beg leave to recommend the following list of 2150 books, the expense of which will be FIVE • 7 6 8 8 100 Catechism broken into Questions, 100 Trimmer's Spelling Book for Boys, o 8 The Subscription to the Society is One Guinea a Year. |