Chap. XX V.] Education. 1^3 



age gave rise. These have been numerous for 

 many years in several countries of Europe ; but 

 probably in no part of the world have so large a 

 number been established, and on a footing so li- 

 beral, as in Great Britain. Institutions of this 

 kind have also been for some time common and 

 highly useful in the United States. 



The establishment of Sunday Schools deserves to 

 \>e mentioned as a further improvement of modern 

 times. This is an excellent plan for disseminating 

 the elements of useful knowledge among the more 

 laborious and indigent portions of society ; and 

 bids fair to be generally adopted throughout the 

 Christian world. 



The last age also abounded, beyond all prece- 

 dent, in popular zvorks\ for facilitating and improv- 

 ing the education of youth. Of this kind are 

 the nXimerous translationSy compends, and abridge^ 

 inentSy which modern instructors have produced. 

 Scarcely a department of art, science, or taste, 

 can be mentioned, in which numerous works of 

 this nature have not been furnished by the friends 

 of youth. To the same class also belong the moral 

 taleSy the histories, adventures, and selections, of 

 which a few 3^ears past have produced an unex- 

 ampled number and variety. Some of these per- 

 formances have been planned with great wisdom, 

 and executed with great felicity ; and are emi- 

 nently suited to attract tlie youthful mind, to di- 

 rect and strengthea its growing powers, to beget 

 a taste for the sciences, and to cultivate the best 

 principles of the heart. Of many others, indeed, 

 a very different character must be given j but it is 

 certain that parents and teachers were never be- 



