Much is propofed to be done, by the legiflature, in the eftablifla- 

 ment and maintenance of protejlant charter fcbools ; and large fums 

 are annually voted, by parliament, for their fupport. Something, no 

 doubt, has been cffefted, by thefe inftitutions, in the education of the 

 poor; but, I fear, the fuccefs is far, very far, indeed, from corref- 

 pondmg, with the wifhes of the legiflature, or the heavy expence incurred 

 by the nation. There feems to be fomething wrong, in the firft con-' 

 coaion of thefe foundations. They commenced— not, with a double 

 afpeft, but rather with two diftinft afpefts, that point different ways ; 

 —they profefs, as the name imports, to inculcate a particular mode 

 of fa.th; and they propofe alfo, (and I prefume, it is on this account 

 they are fupported, by parliamentary aid,) to encourage induftry in 

 general.-Induftry is of no religious feft ; the wants of the labouring 

 poor, the means of brightening their profpefts, chearing their exer- 

 tions, and ameliorating their condition, the immenfe worth and impor- 

 tance of the lower claffes of the community, thefe are objefts of pub- 

 he care, that fland clear of all religious controverfy. National edu- 

 cation Ihould be direfted, to general utility; general utility cannot be 

 purfued, while we confine our views, to one particular feft, or clafs 

 Education, to be generally ufeful, muft be fomething, in which all' 

 without reiuftance or fcruplc, may co-operate. Intolerance muft not 

 counterfeit the amiable countenance, and clothe herfelf, in the vene- 

 rable garb of Charity, that fhe may grafp, with profane hand, the 

 funds, that ftould be confecrated, to the moft holy purpofes ; to the 

 diffufion of praftical morality-of general induflry-of national prof- 

 penty. 



The idea of proteftant charter fchools, is not only ill calculated to 

 promote the diffufion of induftry and good conduft, and ill adapted to 

 the prefent flatc of fociety, and the enlightened fpirit of the times ; 

 but, I apprehend, that, (fuppofing the idea of proteftant charter fchools 

 were now defcnfible, in theory,) the expenditure of the public funds, 

 m thefe eflabliflimcnts, is not regulated, by judicious economy, or ac' 



curate 



