Ly se 
any abfirnfe propofitions; but a theory concife though corre, 
evinced by experiments: plain and fimple, but fatisfactory and 
obvioufly applicable to the common occurrences of life. How 
often have we feen in the midft of the illiterate a true me- 
chanical genius burfting the barriers of- ignorance, toiling 
with felf-inftru€tion to difcover the various modes of exchang- 
ing time for power, and at length fucceeding by the mere, 
_ dint of native ingenuity in the invention of valuable ma- 
chines, or in excellent improvements of thofe already con- 
trived! How much time and labour might have been. faved 
to thofe deferving men by a little timely inftruaion! How 
many others poffefled of fimilar natural endowments might pro- 
per training have rendered confcious of their powers, and. 
capable of direéting them to the beft advantage! 
Ir is fcarcely to be confidered as an objection to this pro- 
pofal that perfons who are in other refpeéts well qualified 
for the inftrudction of poor children are, many, perhaps moft 
of them, at prefent ignorant of the very principles which I 
am recommending they fhould teach. Such men, if furnifhed 
with proper inftructions, could very foon qualify themfelves 
for this part of their duty. [ do not know of any book 
adapted for fuch a purpofe, but one might eafily be written 
by any man of fcience and good fenfe; and I am perfuaded 
that by doing fo he would render no inconfiderable fervice to 
the community: 
Havinc now endeavoured to afcertain what kind of in- 
frution is requifite for the children of all, even the pooreft 
Vou. IV. ( BE) in 
