'Blair*s Universal Preceptor, 
19 
1811.J 
cruelty, and error, continue to hold their 
dark empire : there are those who tell us 
that no person would go to heaven were 
it not for ihefear of hell. There was a 
time when the press was the abettor ot 
racks and tortures ; and when Trance 
could endure to see malefactors torn to 
pieces with wild horses, or roasted alive 
]n iron cages ; but this nation, having un¬ 
fettered itself from habit and bigotry, 
have now abolished those inhuman pu¬ 
nishments, and the cruel and scandalous 
practice of military flogging. 
The first step to robbery is often im¬ 
pelled by necessity; and, \Mth the loss of 
character, vice makes larger strides. 
Some few years back I took occasion, in 
a periodical work, iii remarking on the 
severity of our crnninal code, to point 
out the necessity of providing an asylum, 
on a similar plan to that which 1 have 
since had the satisfaction to see estab¬ 
lished under the title of “ The Refuge for 
tlie Destitute,*^ and v'Inch well deserves 
the patronage of a humane and enlight¬ 
ened nation. The friends of hurnanicy 
have also some cause for triumph in tiie 
abolition of the slave trade in our own 
country, and in the recollection that ilie 
trial by torture in Portugal was abolished 
in 1776, finally in France in 1780, and 
in Sweden in 1786. And would it not 
redound to our honour, and be found good 
policy were the British legislature to abo¬ 
lish the punishment of death altogetiier, 
and oblige the criminal to make that re- 
compence to his country, by labour, which 
his premature death is sure to prevent ? 
Human judgment is fallible, and we have 
bad instances of men being executed for 
the most shocking crimes, of which they 
were afterward found to be innocent : 
what recompence can then be made to 
tlie manes of the murdered man, or to 
the violated laws of Nature ? 
June 14, 1811. J. M. Flij.dall. 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
HE just right of the people to re¬ 
ceive general education appearing 
now to be universal )' recognized, tlie 
next point to be well considered is the 
proper mode, mann-er, quality, and extent, 
of that education. It ought ar least to in¬ 
clude reading,writing, and arithmetic; but, 
if the reading-books were well selected, it 
might be extended collaterally to general 
knowledge without any loss (;f time. 
It is attended wnth no difference of ex¬ 
pence w orthy of consideration, to put good 
and intelligent books, rather thwi stupid 
and illiterate ones, into the hands of the 
children w lio are to be taught; and this 
is a point of so much consequence to a 
system of general useful education, that I 
invite to its consideration the particular 
attention of all patrons and directors of 
chanty and public schools. 
I confess that my thoughts have been 
drawn to this subject fiy the recent peru¬ 
sal of THE Universal Preceptor of 
the Rev, D. Blair, a work of matchless 
perspicuity, and universality of object, and 
which might follow the Spelimgrbook, and 
accompany the Testament, in all schools 
for high and low, male and female, and 
rich and poor. It is’, in fact, a key to a.‘i 
knoaledge," and so much shortens the 
path to the Temple of Wisdrin, that, 
witliout lengthening the peiiod of educa¬ 
tion, or adding to the present necessary 
expence of books, it would add to the 
value of the education attained in the 
proportion of one thousand to one. 
In short, such a btwk as the Universal 
Preceptor rendered part of a system of 
popular education, would miake the sys¬ 
tem with which it '•as combined, as much 
superior to all our courses, as any educa¬ 
tion is superior to no education. 
One mi;:ht write a volume on such a 
subject ; but let hitn hear that hatn ears 
CO hear with, iiim see that hath eyes to 
see with, and him understand that hath a 
mind capable of understanding: in a 
word, let others consult my oracle, and 
judge also for themselves. 
Tkeo. Tcmpeins. 
Manchester, July 11, 1311. 
Eor the Monthly Magazine. 
CRITICAL REMARKS Oil SHAKESPEARE, 
Julius Cs.bxv..—-Act 1. Scene 1. 
contrast is teniarkabiy striking 
jt between the low and contemptible 
dialogue vvith which this play commences, 
and tl'.e' highly aiumated speech excited 
by It from the Tiibune xMarceiius, 
Wherefore rejoice ? What con<|uest brings 
he home ?” 6cz. 
The ensuing scene between Brutus and 
Cassius is very nob:e ; biu in tliO?e w hich 
follow, the cliaracter of Casca is not pre¬ 
served with the u'^ual skill ol Shakespeare. 
For in his relation of the (;fter ot the 
crown by Mark Antony to Ctesar, lie is 
represented, not very happily, as a rede 
,and vulL'ai’ humourist. Cassius, indeed, 
says of him, “ T ins rudeness is a sauce 
to his good wit;’’ but the wit is not rery 
distiimuishable from the rudeness; ar.o, 
in tlie succeswiEg conversation vyilh Ci- 
