I -2 Dr. Barnes on Public and Private Edacation. 



come to fchool— and to the general diffipation 

 of the age, to which even fchools themfelves, 

 which ought to be the nurferies of better prin- 

 ciples and better manners, too frequently ac- 

 commodate themfelves. 



If the fact be granted, that morals are in 

 greater danger in a public, than a private fchool, 

 this will be, with many parents, a conclufive 

 argument. Boys too foon, too eafily receive 

 the alarming contagion. And, when it is once 

 received, it contaminates the whole mafs of 

 the foul, and fpreads its deadly poifon through 

 every future ftage of life. 



It is hovever, contended, "That boys, im- 

 mured within the precinds of a private family, 

 are often but ill prepared to (land the fhock 

 of future temptation; that they frequently rufli, 

 from the extreme of confinement, to the extreme 

 of difllpation, or diflblutenefs ; and thus, atone 

 for former reftraint, by future extravagance." 



This may have been the cafe, where the 

 confinement has been impolitic, or excefTive. 

 But, as this is not neceffarily attendant upon 

 the private plan, it cannot be admitted as an 

 univerfal argument againft it. 



It is to be regretted, that fchools, in general, 

 of aimofl: every defcription, pay fo little at- 

 tention to the culture of the heart; though 

 this is, in comparifon with all ethers, an ohjedt, 

 fo infinitely fupcrior, that no embellilhments 



ef 



