48 LAY SERMONS, ESSAYS, AND REVIEWS. [iv. 



supply of that scientific instruction, the need of which could not 

 have been apprehended, or stated, more clearly than it was by 

 them. 



The heads of colleges in our great universities (who have not 

 the reputation of being the most mobile of persons) have, in 

 several cases, thought it well that, out of the great number of 

 honours and rewards at their disposal, a few should hereafter be 

 given to the cultivators of the physical sciences. Nay, I hear 

 that some colleges have even gone so far as to appoint one, or ? 

 may be, two special tutors for the purpose of putting the facts 

 and principles of physical science before the undergraduate mind. 

 And I say it with gratitude and great respect for those eminent 

 persons, that the head masters of our public schools, Eton, 

 Harrow, Winchester, have addressed themselves to the problem 

 of introducing instruction in physical science among the studies 

 of those great educational bodies, with much honesty of purpose 

 and enlightenment of understanding ; and I live in hope that, 

 before long, important changes in this direction will be carried 

 into effect in those strongholds of ancient prescription. In fact, 

 such changes have already been made, and physical science, even 

 now, constitutes a recognized element of the school curriculum 

 in Harrow and Rugby, whilst I understand that ample prepara 

 tions for such studies are being made at Eton and elsewhere. 



Looking at these facts, I might perhaps spare myself the 

 trouble of giving any reasons for the introduction of physical 

 science into elementary education ; yet I cannot but think that 

 it may be well, if I place before you some considerations which, 

 perhaps, have hardly received full attention. 



At other times, and in other places, I have endeavoured to 

 state the higher and more abstract arguments, by which the 

 study of physical science may be shown to be indispensable to 

 the complete training of the human mind ; but I do not wish it 

 to be supposed that, because I happen to be devoted to more 

 or less abstract and &quot; unpractical &quot; pursuits, I am insensible to 

 the weight which ought to be attached to that which has been 

 said to be the English conception of Paradise namely, &quot; getting 



