250 SALMONIA. [NINTH DAY. 



PffYS. They appear to me very amiable and good ; 

 but all classes seem to be little instructed. 



POIET. There are few philosophers amongst them, 

 certainly ; but they appear very happy, and 



Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise. 



We have neither seen nor heard of any instances of 

 crime since we have been here. They fear their God, 

 love their sovereign, are obedient to the laws, and 

 seem perfectly contented. I know you would contrast 

 them with the active and educated peasantry of the 

 manufacturing districts of England; but I believe 

 they are much happier, and I am sure they are 

 generally better. 



PffYS. I doubt this ; the sphere of enjoyment, as 

 well as of benevolence, is enlarged by education. 



POIET. I am sorry to say I think the system 

 carried too far in England. God forbid, that any 

 useful light should be extinguished ! Let persons 

 who wish for education receive it ; but it appears to 

 me, that, in the great cities in England, it is, as it 

 were, forced upon the population ; and that sciences, 

 which the lower classes can only very superficially 

 acquire, are presented to them, in consequence of 

 which they often become idle and conceited and above 

 their usual laborious occupations. The unripe fruit 

 of the tree of knowledge is, I believe, always bitter or 



