EDUCATION. 291 



We have neither seen nor heard of any in- 

 stances of crime since we have been here. 

 They fear their God, love their sovereign, are 

 obedient to the laws, and seem perfectly con- 

 tented. I know you would contrast them 

 with the active and educated peasantry of the 

 manufacturing districts of England; but I 

 believe they are much happier, and I am 

 sure they are generally better. 



Phys. — I doubt this : the sphere of enjoy- 

 ment, as well as of benevolence, is enlarged 

 by education. . 



PoiET. — I am sorry to say I think the sys- 

 tem carried too far in England. God forbid, 

 that any useful light should be extinguished ! 

 Let persons who wish for education receive 

 it; but it appears to me, that, in the great 

 cities in England, it is, as it were, forced 

 upon the population; and that sciences, 

 which the lower classes can only very super- 

 ficially acquire, are presented to them; in 

 consequence of which they often become 

 idle and conceited, and above their usual 

 laborious occupations. The unripe fruit of 

 the tree of knowledge is, I believe, always, 

 u 2 



