this question, to be exactly the fame. But, they confider the several schemes, in different afpects.

I have not the vanity to hope, that I fhall be able to offer a fingle argument, which has not been repeatedly canvaffed. My utmost wifh, in chufing this fubject, was, not to offer fomething new; but to throw out a few hints, merely by way of introducing a queftion, than which none greater and more interefting has been, or, by our laws, can be agitated in these meetings.

That we may fpeak with precision on this fubject, it will be neceffary to define the terms, PUBLIC and PRIVATE education.

By PUBLIC EDUCATION, we mean, education at a large public fchool, confifting of perhaps two or three hundred boys, fuch as ETON or WESTMINSTER ; where the boys live in fome common apartments, deftined for this ufe, or are boarded in great numbers, with perfons, who only undertake to find them commons and accommodation.

By PRIVATE EDUCATION, we mean, education AT HOME, in the house, and under the eye of a parent, or private tutor.

Between these two schemes, there will be almost infinite gradations. Exactly in the midway between them, are thofe fchools, where boys are boarded in the house of a master, become

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become parts of his family, and are not more in number, than he can entirely manage and inftruct himself.

We may, perhaps, clafs the prime objects of education, in the following order, beginning with those of lefs importance, and rifing up to thofe of the greateft. HEALTH-KNOWLEDGE

TEMPER

SELF-GOVERNMENT-MORALS.

I. HEALTH.

It is queftioned, whether the carele ffnefs, which must neceffarily prevail in a large public. school, with refpect to the feveral articles of diet, lodging, dampnefs, &c.-or the conftant careful attention paid to all these circumstances, in the house of a parent, be more friendly to health, and vigour of conftitution. It is faid, "That an excefs of caution injures both the body and the mind, rendering the one puny, and the other pufillanimous." It is added, "That, in a large number of boys, there are more incitements to play, and to thofe active athletic exercises, which brace the fyftem, and render it robuft and hardy."

It must be acknowledged, that the clofeness of a nursery is unfriendly to the conftitution. But why must we neceffarily suppose a boy to be confined to a nursery, in his father's house? May he not be accustomed, at home, to any degree of hardinefs, at the pleasure of the parent?

parent? And are not the principles and conduct of parents, in fact very different? Nor will fufficient incitements to play be wanting, if properly attended to, and improved.

With refpect to health, then, a boy may have all the advantages, without the many difadvantages, attending a more public plan. And, from what I have obferved of life, I should be ready to conclude, that children, who have been educated upon the fyftem of extreme careleffness, in these particulars, have not appeared more vigorous and healthy, when they have grown to maturity.

II. KNOWLEDGE.

It is urged, in favour of public education, "That emulation, that ftrong and noble principle, when well managed, is more likely to be felt in its proper influence, where there are many, than where there are few competitors. The numbers, and the abilities of the candidates sharpen the edge of genius and of industry, and thus push on the youthful mind to fuperior excellence."

It may, perhaps, be faid, on the other hand, "That to the boy of more brilliant parts, and who stands at the head of his clafs, the argument from emulation may be allowed. But, that these will be comparatively few; and that to others, who are not able to attain this honourable

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able elevation, it will be reverfed, for that its influence will tend to difcouragement and depreffion." It may be added, "That, in large fchools, boys are neceffarily connected together in claffes, like horfes in a carriage; that they cannot move on beyond a certain pace; and that this pace must be accommodated to the parts and quickness of the moft indolent and ftupid in the class; or elfe, it will be, for one boy in the clafs too quick, and for another, too flow. The confequence will be almost equally prejudicial to both. The one is pushed forward beyond his fpeed; he is liable to be continually punished for no fault; or hurried on through fubjects, of which he has not been able to gain any clear and competent knowledge. The other is kept down from those attainments, to which he might otherwife have afcended. This conftant and wretched clog, it may be faid, will be prevented, by having every boy to stand single; or, at least, by matching boys of equal capacity together, who may thus be urged forward exactly according to their ftrength, neither dejected by the fuperior genius of one, nor fettered by the greater dullness of another."

To thefe arguments it may, I think, with great force, be added, "That, in a very large number of boys, there will always be as many, or more, of those who do not excel, as of those who

who do. If, therefore, the one may be fuppofed to animate, or to afhame, the other may, with equal truth, be supposed to keep thofe in countenance, whose abilities are not fo bright, or whose industry is not fo unremitting.

"

In vindication of the order, which I have affigned to KNOWLEDGE, it may be observed, that the great end of mental cultivation is, to give that exercise and habit to the various powers of the mind, which may enable them to act hereafter, in all the affairs of human life, with the greatest advantage. It is not merely, the quantity of ideas acquired, but the ability obtained by the foul, of thinking, reasoning, and determining rightly, in every event of the changeful fcene, which is of the greatest importance.*

III. TEMPER:

Or, perhaps, more properly, sOCIAL AFFEC

TIONS.

It may be urged, by the advocates for PRIVATE schools, "That there the heart is longer under the influence of the fofter and more domeftic feelings-That reverence to parents, and love to brothers, fifters, and other relations, is there in continual habit-That on these mild and ten

Leotychides interrogatus, quid potiffimum oportet. pueros ingenuos difcere? Quæ illis, inquit, ubi ad virilem ætatem pervenerint, ufui funt futura." Cicero.