328 Mr. William Pitt on the Production and 



Mr, Malthus proposes also a better education for the lower classes, and quotes 

 the example of Scotland for its good effects. Education appears to have a consi- 

 derable effect in the prevention of crimes ; and habits of prudence founded on in- 

 struction, are extremely favourable to happiness. 



He further says, on this subject, " I should be disposed to lay considerable stress 

 on the frequent explanation of the real state of the lower classes of society, and 

 their dependence on themselves for the chief part of their happiness or misery ;" 

 also, " that class of the people who have no resource but their own industry, should 

 be taught the nature of their situation, and the real truth, which is, that without an 

 increase of their own industry and prudence, no government can essentially better 

 their condition; and that if the supply of labour be greater than ihe demand, and 

 the demand for food greater than the supply, they might suffer the utmost severity 

 of want under the most perfect government that the human imagination can con- 

 ceive; that the mode of permanently bettering their condition must be by improv- 

 ing their morals, and teaching them to save for the contingencies of the married 

 Slate, or expect to suffer the natural evils of a contrary conduct." 



Dr. Adam Smith observes, on this subject, " The education of the common 

 people requires, perhaps, in a civilized and commercial society, more of the public 

 attention than that of people of rank and fortune." He proposes in every parish 

 or district a little school, where children may be taught for a reward so moderate 

 that even a common labourer might afford to pay it, the master being partly but 

 not wholly paid by the public; he recommends, in addition to reading, writing, 

 and arithmetic, the elementary parts of geometry and mechanics being taught, in- 

 stead of a smattering of Latin, as applying to almost every common trade or pro- 

 fession ; and the encouragement of the acquisition of these most essential parts of 

 education, by giving small premiums and little badges of distinction to the children 

 of the common people who excel in them. 



The public can impose on all the necessity of acqtiiring the most essential parts 

 of education, by obliging every man to undergo an examination, or probation, be- 

 fore he can obtain the freedom in any corporation, or be allowed to set up any 

 trade, either in a village or elsewhere. 



And furdicr, though the state was to derive no advantage from the instruction of 

 the inferior ranks of people, still they should not be altogether uninstructcd ; the 

 state, however, derives great advantage from their instruction ; they arc less liable 



