neral ignorance of Weftminfter, Eton, and 
Charter-houfe fchool boys, I attribute that 
ignorance neither to the lads nor to their maf- 
ters; but partly to the indolence of men in 
power, and partly to an apprehenfion of 
the confequences of reformation. We like 
reformation well enough, whilft, with the 
reins in our hands, we can (lop it when we 
pleafe; but we are fearful of Reformation 
run mad. In reading Swift's T^ale of a T^ub^ 
you will learn that it is not an eafy opera- 
tion to ftrip a garment of its fuperfluous 
ornaments, without tearing the cloth. This 
is an argument againft inconfiderate, irra- 
tional reformation; but, if it be admitted 
as an argument againft reformation in ge- 
neral, it proves too much. If the great re- 
former Luther had been deterred by fuch 
arguments, all Europe would flill have 
groaned under the ecclefiaftical tyranny of 
a fovereign Pontif. But I have infenfibly 
wandered from my fubjec"l. 
I do not mean to infmuate that a young 
gentleman, on his firft admiffion at the 
Univerfity, when accidentally in the com- 
pany of his fuperiors, (hould be precluded 
from taking part in the converfation j but, 
be his natural abilities ever fo great, he 
B 4 fhould, 
