12 THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES TAUGHT IN 



mitations his conclusions may have been adopted, by some of 

 them. 



The aspect which society thus presents, with respect to the 

 pursuit or application of Scientific knowledge, the increase of 

 the number of professions, either dependent altogether on the 

 acquirement of such knowledge, or into the qualifications for 

 success in which it enters in a considerable degree, and the 

 demand which society now makes for some degree of ac- 

 quaintance with the objects and powers of nature, from per- 

 sons of every station and employment, but especially from 

 those who are destined to take an active share in the direc- 

 tion of its concerns ; these, in conjunction with some other 

 considerations hereafter to be mentioned, are the reasons, 

 which, I am authorized to state, have determined the Conduc- 

 tors of the Schools of Hazelwood and Bruce Castle, to 

 introduce instruction in the Physical Sciences, especially 

 in those of Chemistry, Natural Philosophy (including As- 

 tronomy and Mechanics), and Natural History, as one 

 of the essential departments of the Education which it is 

 their duty, no less than their pleasure, to impart. Edu- 

 cation, in an extended sense, but still confined to that of 

 youth, may be defined, the intellectual and moral cultiva- 

 tion of their minds, in order to prepare them for perform- 

 ing, with intelligence and alacrity, the duties which will be 

 required from them in mature life ; and in the faithful and 

 efficient discharge of which, in all their relative degrees of 

 utility, their happiness, throughout life, must essentially con- 

 sist. Among the duties which the rising generation of the 

 present age will be called upon to discharge, when they have 

 arrived at maturity, it is manifest, from the aspect of society 

 we have just examined, will be many, which will involve or 

 require the possession of Scientific knowledge. It is the pro- 

 fessed endeavour of the Conductors of these Schools to impart 

 the Education I have just characterized. They are therefore 

 desirous, so far as they may succeed in communicating to the 

 public an estimate of the value of philosophical attainments, 

 corresponding with that which exists in their own minds, to 

 blend, with this Education, so much of instruction in the 

 Knowledge of Nature, especially in Natural Philosophy, Che- 

 mistry, and Natural History, as will prepare the minds of 

 their young charges for the duties, involving the possession 

 of such knowledge, which they may in after-life be called 

 upon to perform. 



Part of the objects of the present memoir, those of re- 

 viewing the aspect of society, with relation to the cultiva- 

 tion and use of the Physical Sciences, and stating the grounds 



