APPENDIX. No. I. ciii 
inferior condition of life to ease and competence, and sometimes to riches 
and distinction. 
It is impossible to conceive any situation more happy and respectable than 
that of the parent of a well educated family (such as was the father of the 
subject of this memoir, and such as there are now many others among the farm- 
ers and peasantry of Scotland) enjoying the just reward of his paternal cares 
in the prosperity and success of his children ; each of whom he sees engaged in 
some beneficial pursuit, each bettering his condition in life, and each advanced 
somewhat in the scale of society above the situation in which he was born. It 
is this visible progress and continual improvement in the circumstances and 
condition of families, so frequent in the class here particularly alluded to, 
which produces the greatest portion of happiness of which any community is 
capable; which stimulates to intelligent activity, and useful, persevering ex- 
ertions; and which keeps alive and invigorates that orderly, quiet ambition, 
which is the foundatiou of all private and public prosperity, and the great 
civilizing principle of individuals and nations. 
It is true that there are several other circumstances, besides the system of 
public education in Scotland, which have assisted in producing that extraor- 
dinary change of national character which has given occasion to the present 
remarks. But of the various causes which have contributed to this change, 
education is by far the roost important, and that, without which indeed all the 
rest would have been comparatively of no avail. It is to early instruction, most 
unquestionably, that we must attribute that general intelligence, and those 
habits of thoughtfulnesSjdeliberation, and foresight, which usually distinguish 
the common people of Scotland, where-ever they may be found, and whatever 
may be their employments and situations; which ensure their success in life 
under favourable circumstances ; and in adverse fortune serve as a protection 
against absolute indigence, and secure to them a certain station above the 
lowest condition of life. 
The truth of this remark will be apparent from a few practical instances, 
drawn from the experience of common life, of that general superiority which is 
here attributed to the lower classes of the Scotch, as the effect of their supe- 
rior industry and intelligence — 1. Every one has remarked the great number 
of professional gardeners from that country, many of whom have been common 
labourers, and who if they had been no better educated than most English 
labourers, must always have remained in that situation. Of this numerous 
class Mr. Dickson, Park's brother-in law, is a remarkable and most distin- 
