19 



It is but too true that such an employment may 

 only serve to influence the pride of the self- 

 sufficient, and minister to the rashness of the 

 presumptions ; but then it must not be forgotten 

 that such unhappy effects can only be produced 

 in minds previously led astray by prejudice, dis- 

 torted by passion, or corrupted by vice ; and 

 when the importance of preoccupying the mind 

 with right views is considered, the almost total 

 neglect of this department of instruction, in our 

 common systems of education, cannot be too 

 strongly condemned. It is indeed surprising that 

 so obvious a method of opening the youthful 

 mind, and imbuing it with useful knowledge, 

 should not be eagerly seized by the judicious 

 instructor. 



In making this remark, I have no intention of 

 reflecting upon the laborious exertions by which 

 the languages and the literature of the classic ages 

 are inculcated ; but it is impossible to refrain 

 from observing, that if these accomplishments 

 are only to be obtained by repressing the Love of 

 Nature, inherent in the breast of ingenuous youth, 

 and by deadening the generous curiosity of that 

 early age to become acquainted with the mys- 

 terious world in which Providence has placed us, 

 the price which is paid is by far too dear. 



It is doubtless owing to the injudicious train- 

 ing of the years of boyhood that so many are to 

 be found, who, notwithstanding the innate ten- 

 dencies of the human mind, and the wise adap- 

 tations, and kindly invitations and allurements of 



