32 SELECTIONS FROM HUXLEY 



forward are not less discordant. There is a loud cry for com- 

 pulsory education. We English, in spite of constant experi- 

 ence to the contrary, preserve a touching faith in the efficacy 

 of acts of Parliament; and I believe we should have com- 

 5 pulsory education in the course of next session, if there were 

 the least probability that half a dozen leading statesmen 

 of different parties would agree what that education should be. 

 Some hold that education without theology is worse than 

 none. Others maintain, quite as strongly, that education with 



10 theology is in the same predicament. But this is certain, that 

 those who hold the first opinion can by no means agree what 

 theology should be taught ; and that those who maintain the 

 second are in a small minority. 



At any rate "make people learn to read, write, and cipher," 



15 say a great many ; and the advice is undoubtedly sensible as 

 far as it goes. But, as has happened to me in former days, 

 those who, in despair of getting anything better, advocate 

 this measure, are met with the objection that it is very like 

 making a child practice the use of a knife, fork, and spoon, 



20 without giving it a particle of meat. I really don't know what 

 reply is to be made to such an objection. 



But it would be unprofitable to spend more time in disen- 

 tangling, or rather in showing up the knots in, the raveled 

 skeins of our neighbors. Much more to the purpose is it to 



25 ask if we possess any clew of our own which may guide us 

 among these entanglements. And by way of a beginning, 

 let us ask ourselves What is education ? Above all 

 things, what is our ideal of a thoroughly liberal education ? 

 of that education which, if we could begin life again, we would 



3 ogive ourselves of that education which, if we could mold 

 the fates to our own will, we would give our children. Well, 

 I know not what may be your conceptions upon this matter 

 but I will tell you mine, and I hope I shall find that our views 

 are not very discrepant. 



