388 Meritorious Sacrifice of Earnings by Cot tiers 



some of the scholars. The cost of this educa- 

 tion, which continues during the summer only, 

 was small, though great when compared with 

 the means of those at whose expense it was 

 furnished. In a country thinly inhabited, many 

 of the children had a considerable distance to 

 travel, which, in the winter, precluded their 

 attendance, and during these months the master 

 resided with some of the little farmers, and 

 taught their children for his maintenance. He 

 had never heard of Dr. Bell's or of Mr. Lan- 

 caster's mode of instruction. I was, however, 

 agreeably surprised to find the cultivation of 

 the mind attended to, where every thing else 

 seemed to be neglected. Friendless, unassisted, 

 without patron or adventitious support, thus to 

 make sacrifice of a portion of earnings, at all 

 times unequal to the absolute wants, for the 

 purpose of obtaining what knowledge came 

 within their reach, is an effort of great affection 

 on the part of the parents. If this feeling be 

 so cherished in one of the most forlorn districts, 

 a hope may surely be entertained that the 

 value of learning is, or soon will be, appre- 

 ciated by all classes and in all quarters of this 

 prolific island. 



Through most parts of the country we have 

 passed, we have discovered no disinclination 



