Ch. iv. Objections to this Mode considered. 299 



extraordinary minds indeed, and such as are not 

 usually formed under similar circumstances, who 

 can continue to respect themselves when no other 

 person whatever respects them. If the children 

 thus brought up were even to marry at twenty, 

 it is probable, that they would have passed some 

 years in vicious habits before that period. 



If after all, however, these arguments should 

 appear insufficient ; if we reprobate the idea of 

 endeavouring to encourage the virtue of moral 

 restraint among the poor, from a fear of producing 

 vice ; and if we think, that to facilitate marriage 

 by all possible means is a point of the first conse- 

 quence to the morality and happiness of the 

 people ; let us act consistently, and before we 

 proceed, endeavour to make ourselves acquainted 

 with the mode by which alone we can effect our 

 object. 



