472 MR. " PUBLIC INSTRUCTOR" ROEBUCK. 



facturing his pamphlets. His effusions bear evidence, that the process 

 of learning occurs immediately previous to that of teaching and that he 

 performs the latter operation prematurely before the first has been 

 either digested or consummated ; and, consequently, his information, 

 being but superficially impressed upon his own mind, is poured forth to 

 the public " in one weak, washy, overwhelming flood." 



How aptly soever these remarks apply to his sentiments, they bear 

 not, however, an equal reference to his syntax. The rules of that school- 

 boy accomplishment he has evidently never learned at all, or acquired 

 them too superficially even to admit of his applying them to the emana- 

 tions from " The Society for the Diffusion of Moral and Political 

 Knowledge." 



To prove this assertion, would involve us in a labyrinth of verbal 

 criticism a task not excessively amusing, either to us or our readers, 

 and only worthy of the talents of a school-usher. We cannot, however, 

 resist the temptation of referring "the curious in composition" to a 

 random selection of Roebuckiana, below.* 



* We will begin with bad English : 



" As we do not take advantage of the benefits of being a periodical'' &c. &c, 



It would be curious to know what ivould be the advantage of " we" (Roebuck 

 and Co.) being hocus-pocussed into a " periodical." 



" To draw the line accurately between the domain of law and morality is no easy 

 task/' &c. The Stamped Press oj London and its Morality, p. 1. 



" Domain" for " domains." 



" Who was it that persecuted the Quakers ? Protestants. Who was it that 

 passed intolerant acts against dissenters ? Protestants. Who was it that framed 

 the sanguinary code for Ireland ? Protestants." Commemoration of the Reforma- 

 tion, p. 13. 



Platitudes: 



" But I am not so blinded by this persuasion, as to believe that all the people 

 do is wise neither can I be persuaded to call the people wise, when I believe them 

 to be ignorant." On the Means of conveying Information to the People, p. 5. 



"The government, under the best system, can but be the reflexion of the 

 people: if they be wise, by adopting a good system, you will produce a wise govern- 

 ment ; if they be ignorant, an ignorant one. 1 ' Tdem, p. 7. 



Identical propositions : 



" Your object, in the coming Municipal Elections, ought to be, and doubtless 

 will be, to select persons who will with honesty and intelligence discharge the duties 

 imposed on the Municipal Government : in other words, you will endeavour to 

 select honest and intelligent Town Councillors." A Letter to the future Municipal 

 Electors of Bath, p. S. 



The "other words" produce the same sentiment, written in nearly the same 

 words." 



"That body of persons who are appointed to manage the city's own concerns, 

 are with us called the City Corporation. The object, then, for which the City 

 Corporation is appointed, is to manage the peculiar concerns of the city." A Letter 

 to the Electors of Bath on the Corporation Bill, p. 2. 



We could, if we chose to be tiresome, multiply these extracts ad injinitum, as 

 almost every page exhibits some sin against grammar or common sense. 



