2 Dr. Barnes on Public and Private Education. 



" Dii Immortales !* Homini Homo quid prjeftat ! 

 Stulto intelligens ! Quid interelt ! • 



It is generally faid, in praife of the pre- 

 fent age, that it is more fenfible, than any 

 which have preceded, of the immenfe import- 

 ance of education. I mean not to detrad from 

 the real merit of my cotemporaries, by hinting 

 a fufpicion, that fomething muft be abated of 

 this high compliment. The objeSi and end, upon 

 which modern education is often employed, will 

 not, I fear, do the greateft honour to our dif- 

 cernment, or our piety. 



Among the various plans of education, each 

 of which has had its warm admirers, and 

 fanguine advocate?,, the parent, anxioufly inte- 

 refted for the beft welfare of his son, (for I wifli 

 to confine the prefent fubjedl to boys,) is often 

 greatly at a lofs which to prefer. There are, 

 probably, advantages and difadvantages peculiar 

 to every fyflem. The point to be wifhed for, 

 is, to balance thefe fo juftly, one againft 

 another, as to form the proper conclufion. 



There are not a few, both in anrient and 

 modern times, who contend earneftly for a 

 PUBLIC fcheme of education. There are others, 

 perhaps an equal number, who objedl as earneftly 

 againjl it. We muft imagine the general views 

 of thofe, who embrace the oppofite fides of 



• Terence Eun. Aft. II. Sec. 2. 



this 



