78 EDUCATION OF THE WORKING CLASSES. 



At this period, the state of society in France and England was 

 about the same. The mind, roused from its slumber of ages, was 

 intoxicated by the power it felt within its reach. A sense of injuries 

 inflicted was the first incentive, as all might expect, to action ; and 

 man thus became the willing dupe of all who held out bright promises 

 of advancement or reward. Not possessing sufficient discrimination to 

 know the distinction which must always exist in society, they believed 

 the political demagogue when he proclaimed that "might was right.' 

 A century previous, and the oration which could now call into fierce 

 action the mental and physical powers of the people, would have had 

 no effect; they were then too ignorant to understand what were really 

 grievances. During this period, and for many years subsequent, when 

 this country was involved in continual war, but little progress was 

 made in the education of the rising generation. The state of society 

 was of too feverish a nature to allow of much being done ; but no 

 sooner had the sword been laid aside, and man had assumed his 

 proper duties, than the attention of all became, as if by common 

 consent, turned to this subject. Societies were rapidly formed for 

 erecting and forming schools ; schools in connection with places of 

 worship of all denominations were established ; men of great intel- 

 lectual attainments and enlarged powers of mind cheerfully volun- 

 teered their services in this great cause ; and a proper direction and 

 impetus was thus given to the cun*ent which before had been per- 

 mitted to flow into improper channels, and had been productive of 

 harm. "We find such men as Lord Brougham and Dr. Birkbeck 

 using the force of their eloquence and the weight of their influence 

 in support of mechanics' institutions; and in their train followed a 

 host, since known to the world by their learning, who have most 

 successfully carried out the brilliant idea thus conceived ; and 

 although the foundation stone was laid amidst much uncertainty and 

 doubt, they were enabled by their joint exertions to erect a fabric 

 worthy of being dedicated to science, the contemplation of which, 

 although still capable of great improvement, must be a source of 

 pride to those who have done their share towards its erection. 



At this period, it may be said that the friends of humanity may at 

 length begin to congratulate themselves that the all important sub- 

 ject of education has at length acquired that strong interest in the 



