Al'l'liNDIX. 145 



^Hhe establishment of schools throm^hoiit the state, in 

 such manner, that the poor maij he taught gratisJ^ 

 Agriculture will reap her full share of the benefit. 

 Reading, writing, and common arithmetic, if not es- 

 sential, arc very serviceable to the farmer. And even 

 the labourer will derive incalculable advantage from 

 the improvement of his intellectual faculties. Work 

 cannot be continued without intermission, and time 

 hangs heavy on the mind which is torpid during the 

 hours of repose. Exercise is as necessary to the 

 mind as the body. How desirable then, that men 

 should be qualified for that kind of reading, which 

 gratifies and strengthens the mind, without the fatigue 

 of severe study, while the body is at rest during the 

 intervals of labour? Our legislature is not unmindful 

 of the duty imposed by the constitution — the act *^to 

 provide for the education of children at the public 

 expense within the city and county of Philadelphia," 

 is working great good. By the first annual report of 

 the controllers of these schools, made in February 

 last, it appears that 2,845 children were then in a 

 course of education ; and I am informed that the num- 

 ber is now much increased. Moreover, a most im- 

 portant fact is established — that by adopting the Lan- 

 casterian mode of teaching, which will do in all 

 thickly settled districts, the annual expense will not 



exceed /oHT dollars for earh child. Upon eflbrts like 



19 



