148 An Epitome of the Improved 
os ebte or productive only of remorse and a 
ike nine-tenths of the fashionable amusements. Upon th 
great and powerful lever of the mind, which as yet has iene 
employed only by crafty politicians, and by that portion of 
ecclesiastics who have abused religion for their selfish and 
antisocial purposes, volumes might be written to: explain its 
beneficent connexion with all the ‘ramifications of society ; 
soe: _ digression would take us too far from our ee pur- 
Two of the best gifts of nature to man are, health and 
time; and perhaps the total neglect and abuse of b ay 
be the cause of most of his _ miseries and poset both 
ample, and experience, can do it, ought to be one of the 
principal objects of instruction. This is to be effecied by 
adopting the most effectua] means of preserving the one, and 
making the best possible use of the other, before it is too 
Jate ; for unfortunately the youth of all countries have squan- 
dered the greatest part of both before they hans eared their 
alue. 
The immense advantage of the energy. @ and ebietion 
springing fro m free will, over the cramped and snail-paced 
ed by coercion and force in the government 
“ men, as well vi of the animal creation, must be evident to 
the most superficial observer; but in no case does the evil so 
materially injure and destroy the best and most valuable in- 
terests of society, as in the coercion and punishment of chil- . 
dren during their education 
This is the source from which spring all the violent ma- 
lignant passions of anger, revenge, hatred, &c.; this is the 
destroyer and exterminator of all their « amiable and benevo- 
ae sentiments: it is the corruptor of the heart; it — 
head, and suppresses all talent and genius, breaks down 
a spirit of natural independence, and fits men for slaves 
—— nn 
Rarer pote cerns. 
