436 Of our rational Expectatiuns Bk. iv. 



degree of success. In the practical application 

 of the reasonings of this work, I hope that I have 

 avoided this error. I wish to press on the re- 

 collection of the reader, that, though 1 may have 

 given some new views of old facts, and may have 

 indulged in the contemplation of a considerable 

 degree of possible improvement, that I might not 

 shut out that prime cheerer hope; yet in my ex- 

 pectations of probable improvement and in sug- 

 gesting the means of accomplishing it, I have been 

 very cautious. The gradual abolition of the poor- 

 laws has already often been proposed, in conse- 

 quence of the practical evils which have been 

 found to flow from them, and the danger of their 

 becoming a weight absolutely intolerable on the 

 landed property of the kingdom. The establish- 

 ment of a more extensive system of national edu- 

 cation has neither the advantage of novelty with 

 some, nor its disadvantages with others, to re- 

 commend it. The practical good effects of edu- 

 cation have long been experienced in Scotland; 

 and almost every person who has been placed in 

 a situation to judge, has given his testimony that 

 education appears to have a considerable effect 

 in the prevention of crimes,* and the promotion 



* Mr. Howard found fewer prisoners in Switzerland and Scot- 

 land than in other countries, which he attributed to a more regular 

 education among the lower classes of the Swiss and the Scotch. 

 During the number of years which the late Mr. Fielding presided 

 at Bow-street, only six Scotchmen were brought before him. He 

 used to say, that of the persons committed the greater part were 



