be

very

35, the gratuitious subscriptions, and the contributions of the highest classes, which you have so contrived as to exceed greatly the value of the allowances promised. It is impossible to discover what the proportion will be of the numbers in these highest classes to the numbers in the lowest classes; perhaps it may not considerable, the lower people in every state being vastly more numerous than the higher. But there is reason to expect that this proportion may at least be considerable enough to compensate the deficiency I have mentioned, Should it however fall short of this, the only consequence will be, that the poor-rate, which would have been otherwise almost annihilated, will be obliged to bear a small part of the burden now upon it. In short, it seems to me that your plan has a tendency to do the greatest good, by affording, in the best manner, the most agreeable and useful relief to the poor, by encouraging frugality, industry, and virtue among them, by promoting the population of the kingdom, and removing many of the evils which attend our present poor-laws.

"TABLE,

"TABLE,

"Shewing the Value, in Weekly Contributions, of the Weekly lowances for Old Age, and for Sickness, in Mr. ACLAND'S

Allow

Plan.

The importance of education to every class of society, to qualify them as men and subjects to fulfil their respective duties, is too clearly established to require the support of argument; and scarce any thing remained to be advanced, until the system of Bell and Lancaster made its appearance, and excited a general sentiment of encouragement and applause. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,"-is a

maxim as worthy of the attention of the statesman, as of me friend of humanity; nor can I entertain a shadow of doubt but that every objection to the instruction of the lower classes (in all essential points) may be resolved into motives of unworthy prejudice, or may be traced to an erroneous application of the mode of conveying knowledge.

It is not merely the technical arts of reading and writing which are to be acquired to qualify the young and inexperienced to discharge the duties of life, and fulfil the ends of their calling; the moral character must be formed by long-acquired habits of obedience, and a sense of right and wrong be instilled not less by example than precept; and to attain these objects, the motives of inducement are to be sought, for in the mind itself, in the disposition, the enthusiasm, and the emulation of youth. Hence it is that the plan of Mr. Lancaster is fraught with genuine philanthropy, and for what he has already done he deserves, in an eminent degree, the thanks of every honest man. Let him who doubts of the value of moral education propose a better foundation of support for the edifice of society; let him who connects submission with deep-rooted ignorance, trace the horrors of cruelty, and the unappaled scenes of vice, to their actuating causes; and he will see the intimate connection of reason and virtue with the happiness and good order of the great family of the world. This, in my estimation, was the best feature of the Bill proposed in the last session of Parliament by a very respectable gentleman and I shall rejoice to see a school in every

: parish

parish in England, established or modified according to the principles of this excellent plan; where eco. nomy, and a saving of time, are equally objects of attention. And how easily might this be connected with the establishment of Benefit Societies, and sup ported at the joint expense of the parish, the society, and the contributions of the humane?

I feel the strongest persuasion that all my past exertions have only contributed to alleviate misery, not to stop the evil at its source. After having passed through the greater and most active part of life, I have to begin afresh. Early education presents the only rational grounds for hoping to benefit the condition of the mass of the people. From what I have seen at Mr. Lancaster's school, and the military academy under the direction of Dr. Bell, I am satisfied that were the plan made general, it could not fail of success in a generation or two. Within the last twelve months, I have succeeded in establishing two schools, one for boys, the other for girls. The present numbers amount to three hundred; as soon as I have completed the building of my school, I have no doubt of doubling the number. My wish is to combine industry with learning. I hope to be able to make the greatest part of the children earn sufficient to pay for their schooling, books, &c. and to contribute a part of their clothing. Each child pays 1d. per week to the master, and a half-penny for books. I would carefully exclude the idea of dependence from their young minds, and instil the pride of being from their

own exertions as little burdensome as possible even

to

may

to their parents. With this view, a part of the boys are during summer daily employed at the Schoose Farm. Each detachment is under the direction and control of officers, with superior pay, who are amen able for the conduct and diligence of those under their care. If they fail to report any improper conduct, they loose their situation. The change already pro duced in the behaviour of the children is striking. Civility and attention has taken the place of brutality and rudeness. On separating from school, they are formed into companies and marched home with the utmost regularity. Thus order and discipline are learned in a shape which pleases the mind; inclination induces them to yield a ready and willing obedience, What be the fruits of this system, we may ga ther from the influence it has already had; for I am assured by numbers of their parents, that their conduct at home is quite different to what it was. All parents seem emulous to have their children taught, and, I think, very shortly, it will be considered a disgrace to such as do not give some education to their offspring. The scholars regularly assemble every Sunday morning, and proceed to their different places of worship. Their orderly and regular behaviour calls forth sentiments of admiration and approbation from all who see them. Six months ago not one in twenty of these children ever thought of complying with the duties of the Sabbath. It is now become a disgrace to be absent from Divine Service. What is now ef fected by shame may, I trust, as they advance in life, be followed from principle. If so trifling an expendi

ture