‘1792. anecdote, 263 
‘prospects in life, while it would operate as a reasonable 
‘bar to prevent the poor from attaining those unnecefsary 
acquirements, the frequency of which at present so power- 
fully tends to derange that due subordination which ought 
ever to prevail in civil society. 
_ “TT might enlarge on the beneficial consequences that 
would result to all parties, from adopting this mode of 
augmenting the salaries of the schoolmasters in Scotland. 
I might fhow that it would increase their industry, and 
render them as independent in their circumstances as the 
bature of their office will permit ; that it Would confine 
“them to a faithful discharge of theit duty ; that it would 
make them become more knowing in their profefsion, and 
much more respectable members of society, than at pre- 
sent; and that, by consequence, useful literature would. 
be more perfectly taught than it now is. But this paper _ 
is already so long, and these consequences are so easily 
deducible from what has been already said, that I think it 
unnecefsary here to enter any farther into this discufsion: 
I am, 
A FRIEND TO LEARNING, TO INDUSTRY, AND ARTS. 
ANECDOTE. 
Tue late Dr Magrath being called upon to visit a tek 
man, afked him, as he entred the room, how he did? “O 
doctor,”’ replied the man, in a plaintive tone, “ I am dead.” 
‘The doctor immediately left the room, and reported in the 
neighbourhood, that the man was dead. The report was at 
first believed and circulated; but as soon asthe mistake 
was discovered, the doctor was afked, ‘ Why he had pro- 
pagated a false report ?? He replied, that ‘‘ he did it up- 
on the best authority ; for he had it from the man’s own 
mouth,” 
