328 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. XT. 



affirm, that it would be much better for society, 

 if the greater part of them could neither write 

 nor read. For, say they, that enlargement of 

 mind which they thus acquire, is apt to render 

 them self-conceited, and discontented with their 

 lot ; less tractable and submissive to their supe- 

 riors ; averse to the low and laborious, though 

 necessary occupations of life ; and ambitious of 

 situations and employments to which they have 

 no title to aspire. 



This notion of public education, is so illibe- 

 ral, so impolitic, and, in its consequences, so 

 unjust, that I am confident few entertain it, and 

 fewer still will be hardy enough to avow it. 

 Indeed, it is so exceedingly absurd, that it scarce- 

 ly deserves attention. Absurd as it is, how- 

 ever, it may be improper, as it has been men- 

 tioned, to suffer it to pass altogether unnoticed. 



Have they, who embrace this wild opinion, I 

 would ask, drawn the line between those classes 

 in society, who are to enjoy the priviledge of 

 education, and those who are not ? Have they 

 said how far down the scale of rank knowledge 

 may be allowed to descend, and where igno- 

 rance is to begin ? They do not mean, surely, 

 to exclude farmers, manufacturers, merchants, 

 shopkeepers, tradesmen and mechanics. With- 

 out reading, writing, and arithmetic, how could 

 such people manage their affairs with any degree 

 of order or exactness ? How could they keep re- 

 gular accounts so necessary in business, or make 

 out bills to their employers ? Gentlemen would 

 'find it very inconvenient, I suppose, if their 

 principal servants at least had no education, 

 iiow unfit for their ffice would stewards, but-* 



