306 PROCEEDINGS OP THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
“In every nation even those called uncivilized there are 
and necessarily must be certain practices and usages according to 
which children are instructed in those things which are to form 
the occupation of their future life, and every civilized nation 
{and we may 'presume nations also called uncivilized) have some 
general term by which they express this process of instruction. 
In the European languages derived from the Latin and in others 
that have a mixture of that language this general term is Educa- 
tion. It is not important to consider the more or less precise 
notions attached to this or any other equivalent word ; but it is 
enough to observe that as the language of every nation possesses 
such a term it is a universal truth that all nations admit that 
there is something which is expressed by the comprehensive term 
Education or by some equivalent term. But like all other 
general terms which have been long in use this term Education 
comprehends within the general meaning already assigned to it a 
great number of particulars which are conceived by various 
people in such different modes and degrees that two or more per- 
sons who agree in their general description of the term might 
very probably in descending into the enumeration of the par- 
ticulars find themselves completely at variance with one another. 
“ In every society Education (in what particular manner 
conceived by any particular society is of no importance to our 
present inquiry) is as a general rule and must necessarily be 
subjected to the positive law of the society and to that assem- 
blage of opinions customs and habits which is not inappropri- 
ately called the positive Morality of Society. This Truth is the 
basis of every inquiry into Education. In no country can theie 
exist as a general rule an education whether good or bad no 
subordinate to the law as above explained for if such Educa 
tion did exist the form of that society or political system G0U .. 
not coexist with it. Education then should be in harmony wi 
and subordinate to the political system j it should He part o i ■ 
“ Every person has two distinct relations or classes 
relations towards the State : one comprehends his da ie 
as a citizen wherein ho is or ought to be wholly subordina 
to the State : the other comprehends all his function^ 
as a producer and enjoyer of wealth wherein he has 
ought to have all freedom that is not inconsistent w * 
the proper discharge of his duties as a citizen. It is , T 
necessary to state this proposition in order to perceive t a 
Education as a citizen should be directed. by the State. 1° ® 
pose any other directing power any power for instance wnic j g t0 
educate him in principles opposed to the polity of which e 
form a part is to suppose an inconsistency which in disco o 
any question involving principles we always intend to avoi 
