SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN LARGE TOWNS. 91 



those which should regulate society. By this branch the lower or- 

 ders are taught the absolute necessity for the existence of different 

 classes of society ; and the duty incumbent on those who are not 

 possessed of the accumulated fruits of industry, to provide for their 

 own wants, alike present and prospective, by the labour of their 

 own hands. Hence they are induced to attach themselves to Pro- 

 vident Institutions, calculated on sound principles, with a view of 

 providing against the necessities of sickness and old age. The be- 

 neficial effects produced upon their character by the independence 

 thus engendered are truly astonishing. They learn to respect them- 

 selves, and feel that they have a strong interest in the preservation 

 of social order. No longer, — if I may borrow, without irreverence, 

 the language of Holy Writ — no longer, " tossed to and fro by the 

 sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to 

 deceive," they do not run after changes in the vain hope of better- 

 ing their condition, but advocate such only as their judgment has 

 shown to be rendered necessary by the course of events, and such as 

 they are prepared to recommend by solid argument rather than by 

 physical force. " Every hour," says Dr. Chalmers, " that a work- 

 man can reclaim from the mere drudgery of bone and muscle, will 

 send him back to his workshop and his home, a more erect and high- 

 minded individual." 



It cannot be denied that the acquisition of scientific knowledge by 

 mechanics has, in some instances, tended to unsettle their minds, 

 and make them feel above their work ; and on this account some 

 have thought it impolitic to place it within their reach. The sound- 

 ness of such an inference may, however, be doubted. As long as 

 knowledge shall be imperfectly diffused, so long will those who have 

 profited by it be raised above those who have not, and will think 

 that the latter alone should be employed in the drudgeries of life ; 

 but when it shall have become more uniformly diffused, the differ- 

 ence betwen individuals will be less, and although there must al- 

 ways be inequalities, the pride in one will be held in check by the 

 increased numbers of competitors with himself. Be this as it may, 

 " the question is no longer," as it has been justly observed by Lord 

 Brougham, " whether or not the people shall be instructed — for that 

 has been determined long ago, and the decision is irreversible — but 

 whether they shall be well or ill taught — half-taught, or as tho- 

 roughly as their circumstances permit, and their wants require. Let 

 no one be afraid of the bulk of the community becoming too accom- 

 plished for their superiors. Well educated, and even well versed in 

 the most elevated sciences, they surely may become; and the worst 



