Moggridge's Popular Education in France. 199 



Geography of Ancient Asia, Herodotus, Lempriere's Dictionary, &c. We 

 should have thought that the straightforward way of improving the school 

 education of the country would be to examine the merits and defects of 

 all the different systems employed, comparing them with those of all 

 other countries, and suggesting improvements. All this might have been 

 done in a monthly sixpenny pamphlet, which would probably have cir- 

 culated as extensively as The Library of Entertaining Knowledge, and 

 might have done as much good as that deservedly popular work. But 

 even as a quarterly review of books on education, this journal is deficient, 

 inasmuch as, while it has gone out of the way in search of books of 

 travels, descriptive works, and dictionaries, it has neglected almost all the 

 works which treat on education specifically ; such, for example, as Ensor's 

 National Education, Lasteyrie's works, and a great many others in the 

 English, French, and German languages. It was not till the fourth number 

 of this journal appeared, that any account was given of the New England 

 free schools, and of their effect on the population of that portion of the 

 United States (see Vol. VII. p. 644. note.). But we cannot occupy more 

 room with the subject; and conclude by observing, that, highly laudable 

 as are the objects of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 

 their method of endeavouring to attain them is singularly defective and 

 oblique. There is evidently a want of moral courage. 



Moggridge, John H., Esq. : Popular Education in France, its present 

 State and future Prospects ; with Suggestions for its Improvement 

 and Extension in Great Britain and Ireland. Pamphlet, small 8vo, 

 London, Longman, 1831. Is. 



This is an important little tract, by our enlightened and liberal-minded 

 correspondent, Mr. Moggridge. We could wish it were in the hands of 

 every man who has any political influence, however small ; for sure we 

 are that there never was a time when the necessity and advantages of 

 educating the great mass of society were so great and obvious as at present. 

 Surely it is impossible that we should long continue to neglect what has 

 been so earnestly set about by a neighbouring people. For what they 

 have done, let the reader look at the following extract from the analysis 

 of Mr. Moggridge's pamphlet : — 



"Education in France, neglected before 1789. — Law for the establish- 

 ment of Primary and Central Schools — perverted by Bonaparte — frowned 

 on by the Bourbons. Schools of mutual instruction supported by indivi- 

 duals — opposed by those of ' the Missions.' — Infant schools intended to 

 form part of the National System.— Education begins at the birth — neces- 

 sity for early attention, supported by Bacon, Locke, Dugald Stewart— able 

 article thereon in the supplement to Encyclopcedia Britannica — a necessary 

 part of good government — best prevention of scenes of bloodshed and 

 disorder. — Education not confined to schools — happiness the object and 

 end of education — good and bad education — exemplified in Ireland. — 

 Misgovernment carries with it the seeds of its own dissolution — when 

 that arrives, the peace of the country, and safety of persons and property, 

 depend on the prevalence of education. — Population of Paris in 1792 

 prepared for being converted into savages — the people of that city in 1830 

 merciful and generous, amidst the greatest provocation — why ? — ' marked 

 feature of the Revolution' — character and happiness of the people, and 

 the peace, welfare, and stability of society, dependent upon sound, liberal 

 and extended education. — Education coexistent with life itself." * 



Anon. : Sussex Association, for improving the Condition of the Labouring 

 Classes. 12mo, London. No. I. To be continued occasionally. 



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