the better sort of mechanics and shopkeepers occasionally do the same.

The effect even of this mere intellectual discipline I cannot give in any other words so well, as those of a very intelligent French gentleman, to whom I feel myself greatly indebted for many acts of disinterested kindness, in procuring me information, or access to information, on the institutions of his country.

"Never was there," says Mons. Marie, “a higher respect paid to moral conduct in this country than at the present moment: all the relations of life are respectably filled. Mauvais ménage in any class is rarely heard of, in comparison of its frequency before the revolution; so completely in error are those who represent the education of our lower orders as productive of vice and insubordination. Young persons now, instead of idling, as in former days, or turning to vicious courses, are occupied, as soon as they leave school, in contriving plans for their future maintenance. They eagerly look for some employment in which their education may be turned to account, and to

government; while those in needy circumstances place their hopes in trade. But whether they succeed in these speculations or not, all continue to pursue knowledge with eagerness. Intrigues of gallantry, which used to be so common, are comparatively rare; neither sex having the same inclination nor temptations to it as formerly, while without any rational pursuit to divert the mischief of idleness. The women are far better educated; and reading has much weaned them from frivolous amusements. Yet the priests, and particularly the Jesuits, are anxious to spread the opinion that the education of the lower classes, so far from a benefit, has been subversive of morality: but this anxiety is fully explained, when it is considered how much less easy, in consequence of education, the people are to be duped by their superstitious awe of these unprincipled beggars, than they were in times past." Ignorance and superstition have ever been most prolific of vice; and if mere intellectual instruction

is so beneficial, its alliance with Christianity how much more!

With respect to the system of popular instruction in our mechanics' institutions in England, I think it has one very important advantage. By being completely independent of patronage, the best security is provided, that it shall not be hurtfully interfered with by their superiors. The interest which the people are likely to take in any association set on foot by their own exertions, and to which they contribute by their purse, must be much deeper than if it depended upon the protection* of their superiors, however apparently disinterested. The chief defect, I see, in the present popular system of education, is one in which it resembles the French system too closely. The projectors of it have made no sure provision whatever for religious instruc

*

By this protection, I mean only the casual patronage of individuals, which must be very liable to be capricious; not the parental protection of the State, which, under certain regulations, to be hereafter noticed, I conceive not liable to this objection.

tion. Mr. Brougham published, about two years ago, a pamphlet, entitled "Practical Observations on the Education of the People;" in which, if the impression on my mind be correct, our religion never obtains the slightest notice; and we are at liberty, I think, to believe that the author attaches no importance to it himself: if he did, the omission could not readily have occurred from design; and it is very improbable that it should have been the result of accident. With all my respect for Mr. Brougham's talents, I own I look with great suspicion on the benefit of any plan of popular education, which not only does not include our religion as a part, but which does not make it the foundation. In that work, to be sure, ethics are by no means overlooked: on the contrary, we are especially reminded of the edification which men are to receive in this department from the Essays of Bacon. Nothing," says he, " is so attractive to the Scotch as the profound wisdom of every day's application, sustained by unbounded learning, and embellished by the most brilliant

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fancy, which so richly furnishes every page of the Essays of Bacon." Now, let it be remembered by the way, that of all great authorities which could be cited, perhaps few or none are to be found more devoted to the cause of Christianity than Bacon, though the work in question has no special bearing on the subject; nor have we reason to suppose the most orthodox promoter of public morals, if undertaking such a task as Mr. Brougham has set himself, would insist more unconditionally for Christianity making a part, and the most essential part of popular instruction, than the learned Chancellor himself would have done. Indeed, as if this great man foresaw that religion and ethics were likely to be confounded, he pointedly and warily observes, that "true ethics are but the handmaid to divinity.”

The very mention of ethics I regard as some proof that the omission in question in respect to religion could not be accidental. The connexion between them is too close and immediate to allow us to suppose that the one should have suggested itself to the author's