141 



truth, that every thing fliould be viewed in the fair and open day. 

 The fmifter purpofe alone is favoured by darkncfs and concealment. 



Where, then, fhall we find an antidote againfl: the prevalence of this 

 epidemic malady ? To counteraft what is inherent in human nature muft, 

 as I have faid, appear even in theory, a vifionary attempt, and has been 

 proved fuch by repeated experience. The growth of the evil may be 

 checked ; the confequences of it may be rendered lefs fatal ; but the 

 means, I fear, will feem Utopian to the generality of mankind. What 

 are they ? the promoting of a free circulation of opinion, an encreafc 

 of rational hghts, the diffufion of knowledge, the facilitating and giving 

 publicity to the flatement of important facts, in which the people arc 

 interefled, by means of which, freedom of fpeech, and of the prefs, ought 

 to be maintained. The approaches to public inftruflion fliould be fa- 

 cilitated, judicious fyflems of public education fliould be adopted. An 

 enlightened and well educated people will doubt, will enquire, will think 

 for themfelves ; while a rude, ignorant, and miferable peafantry, difcon- 

 tented with their prcfent fl:ate, their underftandings clouded by barba- 

 rifm, and warped by their wiflies and their fears, will eagerly catch at 

 every report or fuggefl;ion, that flatters the hope of change ; of change 

 which mufl: naturally be ever welcome to the miferable. I forbear to 

 enlarge on this fubject, it might betray me into a length of difcuflioa 

 inconfiftent with the form and meafure of an eflay, but I truft that the 

 great importance and political utility of confidering this fubjeft, will 

 appear ; and if the flight eflfay which I now venture to lay before the 

 Academy, fliould induce fome writer of more leifure and ability, to treat 

 this topic in a more detailed and perfeft manner, I fliould flatter my. 

 felf that I had rendered a fervice to fcience and morality. 



Vol. IX. 



