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I may have my thoughts about the possibility of an extreme 
in the opposite direction, but, in the mean time, am thankful 
that the age above alluded to has passed away, since untold 
mischief has resulted from the attempt to imprison young 
minds in its embrace. 
I never approved of this course, but rather of the endeavour 
to win the citadel of the heart, and to gain over the garrison 
there to the side of truth and right principle. Still judging 
from my own experience, I know no way to open the gates of 
this citadel other than the way of love. 
First* Christian faith, and then liberal education to the 
fullest extent, is that adjustment of the claims of secular 
and religious education which alone can meet the real need of 
the rising generation, and which parents, at any rate, can 
adopt, whatever difficulties may be experienced in a wider 
sphere of application. 
The heart being first regarded, I hold that the head should 
be well furnished likewise, and, to the best of my ability, 
would advocate this principle also, both with respect of scien- 
tific and of literary instruction. 
This may seem a trite observation, but it is nevertheless one 
which I may be permitted to bring into prominence. For 
there is amongst many well-intentioned people a great jealousy 
of science, and consequently of scientific teaching. They 
forget that the young mind thirsts after information, and that 
if the prospect of legitimate gratification be excluded, and the 
desire for it constituted a malum prohibitum, if not a malum 
in se, they will probably burst through all restraint to eat of 
the forbidden fruit for themselves. 
What, then, is the effect of the teaching of science ? Surely 
if science be indeed scientia, knowledge, the effect must be 
good. Has it not been said of old time, and does not all 
experience confirm the saying, that “ for the soul to be without 
knowledge is not good” ? 
My father f instructed me, to the best of his ability, in 
the knowledge of scientific facts, and sought to impart those 
habits of observation of the phenomona of nature, whether of 
the earth or sky, which proved a fund of enjoyment to himself 
* See an inscription in this city, “non’ seldom ■pored on” obscured somewhat, 
but still legible, and remaining as an attestation of the views of our fore- 
fathers : SCHOLA CATECHIZATIONIS PVERORVM IN CHRISTI 
OPT. MAX. FIDE ET BONIS LITERIS. 
f Luke Howard, F.R.S., Author of Essay on the Modification of Clouds, 
The. Climate of London, &c. 
