164 Notice of " Plans for the Instruction and 



itself would die away for want of exercise. The ordinances 

 of nature have irrevocably decreed that labour and enjoy- 

 ment cannot be long separated with impunity. Now a des- 

 potism, in as far as it interferes with human actions at all, 

 has the degrading effect consequent on such a separation. 

 Indolence and apathy have always been its constant and in- 

 evitable accompaniments. Fielding forgot that the science 

 of governmeni, while it furnishes a high and ennobling ex- 

 ercise for the human mind, excites it strongly to action. 

 And it will be with schools as with nations — keep them in 

 continual coercion, and they will become like soldiers at a 

 drill, mere machines, moving only as they are moved, and 

 containing within themselves no spring of voluntary exer- 

 tion. 



It is time however to let the author speak for himself: we 

 shall only premise that we have obtained satisfactory proof 

 that the system which he lays down is in actual operation.'^ 



"The principle of our government is to leave, as much as 

 possible, all power in the hands of the boys themselves : to 

 this end we permit them to elect a Committee, which en- 

 acts the laws of the school, subject however to the veto of 

 the Head Master. We have also Courts of Justice for the 

 trial of both civil and criminal causes, and a vigorous police 

 for the preservation of order. 



" Our rewards consist of a few prizes, given at the end of 

 each half year, to those whose exertions have obtained for 

 them the highest rank in the school ; and certain marks, 

 which are gained from time to time by exertions of talent 

 and industry. These marks are of two kinds : the most 

 valuable, called premial marks, will purchase holiday ; the 

 others are received in liquidation of forfeits. Our punish- 

 ments are fine and imprisonment. Impositions, public dis- 

 grace, and corporal pain, have been for some years discard- 

 ed among us. 



"To obtain rank is an object of great ambition among the 

 boys; with us it is entirely dependent on the state of their 

 acquirements ; and our arrangements according to excel- 

 lence are so frequent, that no one is safe, without constant 

 exertion, from losing his place. 



* At Hazelwoocl in Warwickshirp. two miles fiom Birmiugrham. 



