X ON THE MORAL POWER OF THE PRESS. 



press can be mainly instrumental in civilizing a whole nation of 

 impoverished, illiterate barbarians, sunk into the lowest and most 

 stupid ig-norance, by slavery and oppression, surely the local 

 press cannot fail, if stedfastly supported, to excite a taste for 

 polite literature and the fine arts, in any wealthy and talented 

 county in England, a country where the people are raised so high 

 in the scale of intellect by the solid acquisitions and refinements 

 of education, and the cultivation of morals and manners with the 

 elegant accomplishments. 



It is obvious from the examples herein referred to, that 

 provincial associations for the encouragement of any useful 

 purpose, have a peculiar interest in a liberal support and active 

 employment of the local periodical press. If this support be 

 deemed so necessary for all such bodies and individuals, who 

 would make an impression on public opinion, in the capital, it 

 must be still more so in towns and cities at a distance, where the 

 inhabitants are generally less alive to such pursuits. A monthly 

 publication in the midland district, solely devoted to the interests of 

 literature, the sciences, and fine arts, if zealously seconded by a 

 sufficiency of subscribers, is a moral steam-engine, which must 

 enable all institutions founded within that circuit, for the pro- 

 motion of these objects, to advance with more speed and certainty 

 to the accomplishment of their laudable ends. 



The fine arts have been recently introduced into notice by the 

 Worcester Institution, whose strenuous endeavours to promote 

 that great national interest will ever redound to their honour. 

 Perhaps no other essential public concern merits the aid of the 

 press more than British painting; and none has so scantily 

 received its countenance and support, or been so harshly and 

 unjustly treated by certain publications in the capital. This is 

 the more to be lamejited, as it is principally by a liberal co- 

 operation of the press with the institutions, that those patriotic 

 associations hope effectually to assist the progress and increase 

 the patronage of the British School. Long experience has fully 

 proved that every other effort must be comparatively slow, 

 partial in its effect, and uncertain in duration, without the 

 well-directed aid of that powerful organ, which moulds and 

 directs public opinion for good or evil, forms the national taste, 

 and contributes so largely to the moral elevation and prosperity 

 of man. 



" The Analyst," after having been now six months before the 

 public, conducted with talent, and honoured by the approbation 

 of some of the most esteemed critical publications in London 

 and the country, offers this very great advantage to all the local 

 institutions in the centre of England. It has made way and is 

 in fair circulation ; but still, those, who are sensible of its im- 

 portance, cannot but be aware that every thing does not depend 

 on the public spirit and unremitting exertions of the proprietor. 

 The writer of this communication can truly declare, that in more 



