ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. 105 



than that which is reflected from the happiness of another, to 

 which he has been himself instrumental. I hope my readers 

 will riot consider these reflections misplaced. It is evident that 

 the farmers have no direct pecuniary interest in the success of 

 their laborers, as far as that success might save them from be 

 coming a tax upon the public. This tax, though always assessed 

 by the farmers as guardians of the poor, is yet always paid by 

 the landlord. It is collected from the farmer ; but the amount of 

 rent which he pays for his land is always regulated by the 

 amount of taxes by which the land is burdened. If any of the 

 motives which have been assigned do prevail with the farmers, one 

 can scarcely exaggerate the meanness and unworthiness of such 

 motives, and can only desire that these persons may have juster 

 views of what they owe to themselves, and to those whom the 

 dispensations of Providence have made in a degree dependent 

 upon their favor. 



I am sorry to add my strong conviction, that the education of 

 the laboring classes is not viewed with favor by some who move 

 in a higher condition of life ; at least that they consider it of 

 doubtful value, and are desirous of keeping it within the most 

 restricted limits. There are, indeed, many noble minds, who, 

 properly appreciating its immense value, are willing to impart as 

 liberally as they have themselves received, and heartily aid all 

 efforts to extend its advantages to every individual in the com 

 munity ; but this feeling does not appear to me general. Every 

 allowance is to be made for a condition of society where different 

 ranks are established ; where the lines of demarkation are main 

 tained with extreme pertinacity ; where there can be no high 

 rank but as there is a low one ; and where, according to the 

 depression of the one, the elevation of the other seems increased. 

 Every approach, therefore, in this direction, is likely to be resisted : 

 and this feeling of superiority pervades, with an almost equal 

 intensity, every class in society, above the lowest, from the master 

 of the household to the most menial beneath whom there is any 

 lower depth. Education is the great leveller of all artificial 

 distinctions, and may, therefore, well be looked upon with 

 jealousy. 



There is wanting, likewise, that just appreciation of the value 

 and benefits of universal education, which can hardly be looked 

 for but among those who have lived in a community where its 



