93 



EDUCATION OF THE WORKING CLASSES. 



Being the substance of a Lecture delivered at the Hull Mechanics' Institute, 

 February 1st, 1844. 



BT MB. WILLIAM DENISON. 



{Continued from page 80.) 



[ Mr. D. then brought forward valuable statistical documents from 

 the police reports of Hull, Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, Leeds, 

 and other places, shewing in each case the intimate connection of 

 ignorance and crime. Other documents, many of which were of a 

 startling nature, were brought forward at great length, from the 

 reports of the British and Foreign School Society, the " Journal of 

 Education," Hill's work on " National Education," &c. &c., proving 

 that not only in various parts of the country, but in the city of Lon- 

 don, the grossest ignorance and demoralization is foimd to exist. 

 Mr. D. continued.] 



Did time allow, I could present you with a great number of simi- 

 lar accounts, all proving the ignorance of the population. It may 

 be said, in conclusion, that they are ignorant of the most simple 

 facts, being very superstitious, believing in the existence of ghosts, 

 &c. &c., and are readily made the dupes of the designing. 



The political demagogue, no matter how extravagant and inappli- 

 cable his schemes, readily finds those who are willing listeners at 

 his beck. Machines are destroyed, and the torch of the incendiary 

 lays waste in one hour the hopes of years. The itinerant quack 

 finds a ready market for his nostrums; the farther he keeps from 

 towns the more profitable his calling. 



The religious fanatic, no matter how wild and infuriated his 

 language, finds ready listeners. Let him preach the gospel in the 

 hot-tempered language of the puritan — let him even proclaim he is 

 charged with a direct commission from heaven, and possesses a 

 knowledge of the affairs of all — and hundreds will believe him. 



