Suggestions for its Improvement. 15 
here ; for no one, it is believed, doubts the desirableness — indeed, 
it may be said, the necessity of education, or that it is a duty 
incumbent on the owners of property to provide all proper means 
for imparting it to the children of the working class. And with 
respect to lending; libraries, these have been formed in so many 
instances bv the exertions of landlords, clergymen, and other 
benevolent individuals, and always with such good results, that we 
feel warranted in saying no district, whether manufacturing or 
agricultural, should be without one. 
In our efforts to secure a good education for the working 
classes, it must however be borne in mind that it is not by the 
head alone that the labourer is to live. The hands must likewise 
be taught, and accustomed to the skilful performance of their very 
important functions. Reading, writing, and arithmetic will not 
make a good ploughman. Training and practice are necessary 
for this, and for giving readiness and efficiency in agricultural 
operations. The training may begin at an early age, but it should 
be so conducted as not to impede the other objects of edu- 
cation. These observations apply equally to boys and to girls, 
the latter requiring the same degree of training for house and 
dairy work and other feminine occupations, that boys require for 
the field and the farm-yard ; and the usefulness and success in 
life of each, will in great measure depend upon the manner in 
which the necessary instruction and training are imparted. 
The farm and homestead will in general afford sufficient means 
for the industrial training of youths ; but with girls the case is dif- 
ferent, and other kind of assistance will be necessary to prepare 
them for fulfilling the duties of their station creditably and use- 
fully. Many ladies take a lively interest in the education of the 
young females in their neighbourhood, and superintend the train- 
ing and preparing them for service and other occupations. No- 
thing can be more praiseworthy than such conduct on the part of 
ladies of rank and affluence, towards individuals of their own sex 
peculiarly standing in need of all the aid that can be afforded, in 
order to ensure their usefulness and respectability in life. 
I know of one instance, and I mention it as an incentive to 
others, where a lady has established a kind of training school for 
a number of girls, of the age of fourteen and upwards, selected 
from the schools in her neighbourhood. These girls are placed 
under a mistress, by whom they are taught to cut out and make 
their own garments, and to do the various kinds of household 
work. Some are trained for farmers' service, and some of the 
more apt the lady takes successively into her own house, where 
they are taught the duties of chambermaids, housemaids, kitchen- 
maids, laundresses, &c. When fitted for it, they are got out into 
