1825.) 
our lives should be spent in learning the 
words only of two dead languages ; that 
-the faculties of our minds are best dis- 
ciplined thereby ; or that no perma- 
nently useful knowledge can be com- 
riunicated to English youth, No one 
will deny, that Latin and Greek may be 
cultivated with advantage, as an orna- 
mental, and, in some degree, as a useful 
branch of study: it is only contended 
that, some acquaintance with things 
would be a useful addition to the know- 
ledge of words. Allowing, that the 
study of language is a good discipline 
‘for the mind, does it not appear more 
reasonable, that the faculties should be 
exercised with what is useful, than with 
that which is comparatively useless ? 
As the learned languages are taught at 
present, the first four or five years of 
our lives are spent in themost disgusting 
and painful drudgery: out of pity to 
the poor boys, we should not condemn 
them perpetually to this, but rather 
seek to improve them by an agreeable 
variety; especially, when we find that 
what is most useful, is, when taken in its 
proper order, always the most pleasing. 
Is education the only science that 
must stand still, while other sciences 
are approaching perfection ? Cambridge 
and Oxford* deny this ; they have made 
changes, and important changes, in their 
studies; and must, ere long, “inake more 
and greater. The theory of education 
(says. Mr. Mill, in his able article in the 
Supplement to the Encyclopedia)is still 
in its infancy; and the practice is far 
behind the theory. Every system of 
education and every collegiate institu- 
tion ought, therefore, so to be framed, 
as to secure the admission of every im- 
provement. Education should be even 
with knowledge, not centuries behind it. 
The Londoners have shewn much 
public spirit in the formation of schools 
for the instruction of the poor; we 
have assisted the mechanics to form 
their college, or institute; but why, all 
this time, do we neglect ourselves ? 
Why do we assist the mechanics to get 
the start of us in science, while we have 
money and leisure and means, in a de- 
gree, they cannot hope to possess ? 
From your last number, we learn, that 
the Legislature has lately granted nearly 
£100, 000 to assist in the erection. of 
the > Edinburgh College : Could they re re- 
ew. e find, fromthe Times, of 12th March, 
that Mr. Henry Drummond, Banker, has 
founded and liberally endowed, at his own 
expense, a Professorship of Politica’ Eco- 
nony, in Oxford. — Epi. 
On Education; and the proposed London Universtty. 
$31 
fuse an equal sum to a eee opabcen 
University ? No, 
i The fault is in ourselves, 
‘‘ Not in our stars, that we aré college-less."" 
Mr. Campbell first started this subject, 
a letter to the Times newspaper, in 
which he says, that £100,000 would be 
suficient to found a college on the most 
liberal footing: it would, and the half, 
or third of that sum might suffice; for 
we want not “ cloud-capt towers,” and 
“ gorgeous palaces ;+” a few able profes- 
sors, and a place wherein to put our 
heads, being all that our necessities re- 
quire. These we might easily obtain, if 
half a-dozen honest enquiring men, who 
have some regard for the welfare of 
their families, wonld spend a few even- 
ings together in the task. Unless we 
are absolutely infatuated, we will come 
forward to a man in their support, and 
with all our energies ; and no longer 
submit to the disgraceful evil, cf seeing 
our great Metropolis without one single 
institution for the instruction of youth 
in scientific knowledge. G*, 
eres 
+ And if we do, the class appealed to, 
and whose interest it is to attend to. the 
appeal, are capable of raising them. Nor 
do we see, while we are building palaces 
for public functionaries and fiscal pecula- 
tion, why the intellect of the nation should 
be huddled into a hovel. We would have 
the thing done on a scale, andin a style, 
that should do homage to the rising genius 
of the nation; and be worthy of being re- 
garded as the University of the first Me- 
tropolis in Europe. So far as the humbler 
requisition of our correspondent goes, we 
are happy to say, that we believe, even in- 
dependently of the proposed University, 
the work is already begun. Some few gen- 
tlemen of high learning and science (and, 
what is still more important, of indépen- 
dent principles—for without this, even the 
most specicus projects will degenerate into 
mere political jobs) are already associated, 
we understand with some bankers and 
merchants, who think that Fauntleroying, 
&e. might become less frequent, if the 
youth of their respective establishments 
could be allured, in their leisure, to other 
places of resort than the saloons and 
lobbies of theatres, and the purlieus of 
taverns and gaming-houses ; and are about 
to establish an institution for the non-opera- 
tives, as they are called, similar, in some 
degree, to that of the Mechanics’ Institu- 
tion, founded by Dr. Birkbeck. The plans 
of such institution we hope, shortly, to be 
enabled to lay before our readers. To de- 
monstrate its probable importance to the 
intellectual and moral progress of society, 
and consequently to national happiness and 
prosperity, can be a task of no great difti- 
eulty. — Eprr. 
2U2 THE 
