Lae] 
is prepared for the feeds of learning, which delight to fpread 
their roots in gentle difpofitions and induftrious habits. 
As there is fcarce any age fo tender at which the human 
mind may not admit of melioration, fo there is no young 
mind which does not ftand in need of inftruétion. Of what 
nature and extent is that information which may be confi- 
dered as requifite for every member of civilized fociety? 
What kind of inftruction are the children of all the labour- 
ing poor of Ireland capable of receiving, and of rendering 
conducive to their private happinefs, and to the public wel- 
fare? Thefe important queftions I fhall now endeavour to 
anfwer. 
Ir need fcarcely, one would imagine, be infifted on that 
the commonalty in any country have no occafion for the 
knowledge of more than one language. To every member 
of fociety, indeed, the power of communicating his own 
thoughts, and comprehending the expreffion of the thoughts 
of thofe with whom he may be converfant, is indifpenfably 
neceflary. Without this power bufinefs would ftagnate, and 
pleafure, which depends fo much upon fympathy, would want 
its choiceft zeft. But how can this be beft attained by the 
people? By an uniformity of fpeech, a correct knowledge of 
one tongue? or by a fmattering of feveral? 
TuE queftion muft lie within thefe limits; for it would 
be vain to fuppofe that ordinary men could fpare fo much 
time 
