14 Condition of the Agricultural Labourer, with 
therefore be now imparted, in order to prepare the labourers for 
the higher degree of responsibility which will hereafter be de- 
volved upon them. Moreover, the improved education of the 
labourer necessarily implies the improved education ol the farmer. 
The employer cannot continue ignorant, when the workman is 
instructed. If we raise the lowest class, the class above it must 
at the same time be raised, or its position will be endangered ; 
and that there is great room for improvement in the farmer class, 
will, it is presumed, not be denied. 
It is in every case however, as before slated, above all things 
important that sound religious and moral instruction should be 
imparted in the process of education ; and this is perhaps more 
especially necessary where the secular education is of an im- 
proved or higher description, in order to regulate the mind, and 
check the growth of self-conceit, and a tendency to be dissatisfied 
with their position, which superior knowledge is sometimes apt 
to impart to persons who feel or fancy themselves in a station 
of life below what their education has fitted them for. It has 
been said that " knowledge is power" — how important is it then, 
that with the power, right principles for directing it should be 
implanted ! On our clergy more especially devolves the duty 
of instillmg these principles, as accompaniments and correctives 
to the secular education of the working classes ; and we cannot 
doubt that to their zeal and intelligence the duty may safely be 
confided. 
But to teach the working classes the art of reading and 
writing is not sufficient. The means of using the knowledge 
thus acquired must be likewise placed within their reach, and 
this will best be done by establishing a small well-selected 
library in each parish or district of convenient extent, (say in 
connexion with the school,) the books to be lent out on certain 
conditions to persons in the neighbourhood ; for the library need 
not be restricted to labourers only, but may be open to others, 
and would be especially useful to the smaller class of farmers, 
who often stand greatly in need of information, whilst in retired 
districts they are not unfrequently without the means of obtaining 
it. A small sum per volume might be paid for its use for a given 
time, and the contributions applied towards defraying the current 
expenses, and repairing or replacing the books when injured or 
worn out. The cost of establishing such a library might be borne 
by the neighbouring gentry, and others in easy circumstances, with 
whom would rest the duty of selecting the books, which ought 
to comprise works calculated to amuse as well as instruct, and 
suitable for the young as well as the aged. 
Numerous examples might be adduced of the good effects of 
establishing schools, but it can hardly be necessary to cite them 
