315 



didate publicly, and at the very moment of adjudication ; that the 

 whole ceremony might make the greater impreflion on the general 

 mind ; and I would wifh them to confifl:, of articles of permanent uti- 

 lity ; as utenfils of agriculture, or trade ; wearing apparel ; a cow, or 

 fome other ufeful domeftic animal. 



It may be objefted, that the induftrious, who live in the remote 

 parts of a county, would lofe more time, in the journey to the place 

 of the quarter feffions, in the profecution of their claims, than the prize, 

 if obtained, would be worth. I cannot think fo. Though the prizes, 

 confidered, in themfelves, might be infignificant ; in a moral point of 

 view, they would be ineftimable. The time, employed in thefe exa- 

 minations of merit, would not be fpent in vain, thefe inquefts of vir- 

 tue would be mofl dignified and aifeaing fpedacles ; they would be 

 leftures of integrity and good conduft, to all the fpeftators ; and leave 

 the molt falutary imprefllons on every mind.. 



Sect. vii. 

 Subjed of Morals, and public h\ftru£lion, continued. 



.1; 



To fecure the moral conduft, of the lower clafles of fociety, and 

 diffufe the regular habits of induftry, among them, we fhould attend 

 to the education of the rifing generation. Much maybe done, by 

 reward, and punifliment, by precept, and example, to reform the con- 

 duft of the old. It is from the pliable, and as yet, uncorrupted mind 

 of childhood alone, that we are to look for a full return, to our cares ; 

 a harveft, free from danger of blight and difappointment. 



The wifdom of fome general plan of national education, which might 

 embrace the children of the induftrious poor, has been long acknow- 

 ledged, and the want of fuch an inllitution deplored. Some prelimi- 



( R r 2 ) nary 



