i6 Dr. Barneses Plan for ihe Improvement and 



^Plan for the improvement and extension of 

 Liberal Education in Manchester. By 

 Thomas Barnes, D. D. Read Jpril ^^ ^T^S* 



IT is to the honour of the prefent age, that it 

 has extended the empire of Science, and of 

 the '^.rts, fo far beyond its antient boundary. 

 The fpirit of Literary enterprize has gone forth, 

 and has already won large domains from the 

 regions of darknefs. It would be matter of 

 wonder, and of lamentation, if, in a period fo 

 diftinguiflied, education, which holds fo high a 

 rank both as a fcience, and an art, fliould not 

 have received fomefhare of the general improve- 

 ment. But who will deny, that much has been 

 already done, to render the benefits of liberal cul- 

 ture more diffufive, and more fuccefsful ? Much 

 as we lament, that the objedt and aim of many 

 parents fhould be fo low j much as we defpife 

 many of thofe frivolous embellifhments, which 

 are efteemed the grace and finifhing of modern — 

 modifh — education, ftill we mud acknowledge 

 with pleafure, that confiderable advances have 

 been made, and that young perfons now enjoy 

 many affiftances in mental cultivation, unknov/n 

 to their progenitors. The general fentiment, 



of 



