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late he acknowledges, that the labours of his life have been 

 unavailing, since he cannot impart their result; and that 

 science and philosophy are but useless appendages, without 

 the habit of conversing, and the talent of expressing our 

 thoughts. 



It is true that writing affords the unconversable student a 

 ready instrument of developing his opinions, whose sphere 

 of action and influence is much more extensive. But habit 

 is as necessary to the perfection of this art as of the former. 

 The practice of composing should be early encouraged among 

 those to whom it can be useful ; and there are few persons 

 above the inferior classes of society, to whom it may not be 

 of the most eminent service. The multitude will derive suf- 

 ficient advantage from the mere mechanical use of the pen ; 

 and the lowest individual in the state should not be left in 

 ignorance of the art. This would be a benefit more to be 

 desired than expected, were it not that the simple but in- 

 comparable inventions of Lancaster promise to disseminate 

 the invaluable blessings of education among ever}' rank in 

 societ}', before another generation passes away. But the 

 more exalted skill of elegant composition should not be ne- 

 glected, or left to chance among the superior classes. It were 

 wise to afford to every boy an opportunity of discovering the 

 extent of his capacity for this accomplishment ; and if the 

 result be favourable, the ambition to excel, and the practice 

 which generates excellence, will spontaneously follow. In 

 our early years the splendid efforts of the muse are more snitj^d 



