112 
TRINIDAD. 
sclioolmaster, are provided by the ward. Lord Harris, 
Avlieii Governor of the Island, established the ward 
system of education, which, for such a heterogeneous 
population as ours, is probably the best that could be 
devised. The country is divided into so many wards in 
each county ; each ward has a schoolmaster and school- 
house. The education is free to all children, and 
entirely secular ; the Bible is not used, and all religioiis 
instruction is forbidden. On this account, many of the 
ministers of religion and others, are rpiite dissatisfied 
with this system of education ; but others are of opinion, 
that considering the many religions professed by the 
inhabitants of the country, that it is as well to remove 
all possibility of proselytizing, and so to dry np what 
otherwise would be a constant and perennial source of 
jealousy and heart-burnings. It is very certain, that 
had not the ward system of education been established 
by the government, though the towns might have been 
well supplied with schools, the out-lying districts would 
have been sadly neglected. Even now that there is a 
ward-school in every ward, and two schools in some 
wards, the parents are very unconcerned about sending 
their children to school, though they have nothing to 
pay for their instruction. The remarks made with respect 
to the American villagers are ecpially applicable to the 
laliouring people generally. The “cpii bono?” of some, 
and “what’s the good?” of others, is language that arises 
from a state of mind very common among the poorer 
people of Trinidad, as w^ell as among the same or higher 
classes of other lands. A worthy ambition is a good 
thing, and where such a feeling is wanting, not much 
social, mental, or spiritual improvement can be expected. 
IMucli is done when a man’s S])irit is aroused within 
him, and a desire for higher, nobler and holier attain- 
ments is generated. But to do this is no easy Avork, 
yet when accomplished, an ample reward is found for 
all the pains taken. 
The Avard-scliool at Indian Walk is fairly attended. 
