Letter I.

A series of great and important
events have engaged my attention
for two years past, and hindered my writing
to dear Mrs. Darnford, as I have
many times intended to do. I will not
expatiate on my past sufferings, nor
revive painful recollections to you and
myself; it is sufficient to say they are
past, and that fairer prospects are opened
to me.

I came over to settle the affairs of myselfB self B1v 2
and my children; this business was
out of my way, and above my abilities:
in Lord A―, I have found a faithful
friend and protector; and I thought I
could not do better than to put myself
and children under his care, and give
him a right and title to the the first friend
of us all. I believe and trust I shall never
have cause to repent it.

I have often been journeying between
London and Lord A―’s seat in B―
shire, and when in the capital, I have made
enquiries after you.—I was told that you
had a sister in the city; I found her out
and questioned her; she gave a very confused
and imperfect account of you, and
I could perceive that she did not favour
you. She blamed you exceedingly for
giving up your settlement; I admired and
praised you for it. She said you went out,
after Mr. Darnford’s death, as a governess
to some young ladies; that you expected so B2r 3
so much attention, that nobody could
please you; and after trying several families,
you left London, and set up a
day-school in a little country town. That
in two years time you grew tired of that,
and went to the house of a sea-captain,
who went abroad, and left the care of his
house and his wife to you. That the woman
was out of her senses, and the house
reputed to be haunted. That you were
there still for aught she knew to the contrary,
and she knew nothing more. This
account was by no means satisfactory to
me, but I waited till my next trip to London
for further information.

Luckily for me, I met at the house of
an acquaintance, a friend of yours, called
Mrs. Langston, and she gave me the information
I wanted; she shewed me the
right side of the medal.

Good God!—How strange the different
representation of the same facts and circumstances!B2 cumstances! B2v 4
—How honourable for you
was Mrs. Langston’s relation of your adventures,
and at the same time how true.
She wished to have your company; she
complained of you; but it was like a
lover who is grieved and mortified that
another is prefered before himself. That
Mrs. Strictland, who claims the first place
in your affections. That Donna Isabella
di Soranzo, who owes you the greatest of
all obligations. You must tell me every
thing that relates to yourself and your situation.
I am contriving to put you into a
way of doing this, without the trouble of
writing a new relation of all your adventures.

Mrs. Langston says you have promised
to visit her next winter; after this you cannot
refuse me a share in your company;
for though not the oldest friend, I presume
to say, you have not a more sincere, nor
yet a more affectionate one.

From the first day I saw you I was interested
in your fate; your conduct in
every trying situation has increased my
regard for you, and my desire to engage
your friendship and company.

I am blessed with four fine children,
two of each sex. My eldest son is placed
at Eton, the younger at a nursery school.

I have a great desire to educate my
daughters at home; I wish to engage a
governess for them, that I can make my
substitute, and rely upon her care and
fidelity. There is such a one in your
knowledge, and I implore your interest
with her.

The lady with whom you have resided
lately, is quite restored to health of body
and mind, as Mrs. Langston informs
me.

Your other friend has settled her household,
and can spare you. Cannot you give
me your company and assistance in the B3 arduous B3v 6
arduous task of female education? I should
look upon you as my sister and my friend,
and think all the obligation is on my side.
I have asked my lord’s opinion on this
subject. He answered me: “If Mrs.
Darnford has no objection, I can have
none.”

Consider my dear Madam of my proposal
and send me your, answer as soon
as you have determined.

Letter II.

I am inexpressibly obliged to your
Ladyship for your generous remembrance
of so obscure a person as Frances
Darnford. I can never forget the favours
I have received from your unmerited
bounties; and the proofs of your esteem
and friendship warm my heart as often as
I reflect upon them.

I have been so particularly circumstanced,
as to be obliged to decline
those offers of protection and patronage,
which it would have been my pleasure
and my pride to accept, had I been at liberty
to do so; but I was detained by
indispensible duties, which had I not
obeyed, would have been a reproach to
my mind at this hour; yet to your ladyship,
might, at that time, appeared B4 like B4v 8
like ingratitude. Those duties and obligations
are now dissolved; but new ones
have arisen that have claimed my time
and my services.

I was for more than two years engaged
in the office of tuition; I applied so
closely that my health suffered, and I accepted
an offer to take care of Madame
di Soranzo, who was at that time in
an unhappy state of health, both of body
and mind; partly from the grief for the
loss of her husband, and partly from apprehended
dangers of other kinds. Captain
Maurice had brought her from Italy
with her husband; he took upon him
the office of her friend and protector.—
He wished to marry her, and his solicitations
increased her disorder. This gentleman
had placed under my care, a young
lady, his relation, to whom he was guardian;
being pleased with my behaviour
towards her, he wished me to take Donna Isabella B5r 9
Isabella under my care also. I was so
happy as to succeed in the discharge of
my duty to both. Donna Isabella was
restored to perfect health; she contracted
an attachment to me, and we promised an
eternal and inviolable friendship for each
other.

She believes my company necessary to
her happiness; she loves all those that are
dear to me. My ward, Miss Brady, lives
with us, as does also an adopted child of
mine, and they all look up to me as their
friend, steward, and manager; in short,
they would all be made unhappy if I were
to leave them.

I have the pleasure to inform your
Ladyship, that I am completely provided
for, and with prudent care am out of the
reach of poverty. My excellent friend,
Counsellor M―, put out my monies
for me, and taught me to make my little
fortune accumulate; at his death he left B5 me B5v 10
me five hundred pounds; a noble legacy,
but not able to compensate for the loss of
an inestimable friend.

Captain Maurice was exceedingly generous
to me; he intrusted to my care the
interest of Miss Brady’s fortune, and appointed
me his steward, to receive and
employ the rents of an estate of his. I
have taken myself annually as much as
I thought due to me for Miss Brady’s
education and board; the remainder I
have set apart, and shall account for it to
Captain Maurice.

Since I have lived with Madame di Soranzo,
I have been free of all expences;
she will not even suffer me to pay her for
the board of Miss Brady and Patty Martin.
All this time my own property has
been accumulating; so that I can truly
say (with ardent thanks to the Almighty
for all his blessings) I am as rich and as
independent as I wish to be.

Mrs. Strictland was my school-fellow
and the friend of my youth. After she
became a widow, she wrote to me, and
urged me to come and assist her in the
education of her daughter; she made me
the most noble and generous offers, and
was not pleased with my declining them,
till I had convinced her, that I was engaged
in the service of others, who had
more need of me. I related my whole
history to her; I also told her that of Donna
Isabella di Soranzo. She is now satisfied
with me, and our friendship is knit more
strongly than ever.

She has made a visit to my friend, and
engaged her friendship. We are now returning
it; and she is very unwilling to
part with us, but would fain have us winter
at Woodlands.

I am under a promise to spend some
time with Mrs. Langston. Mrs. Strictland
wishes me to leave Madame di Soranzo,B6 ranzo, B6v 12
and my two children, with her
till my return. I am now considering
this point, and have not yet determined.
From what I have said, your Ladyship will
judge of my situation, and of my obligation
to remain in it. I hope you will not
be offended at my declining your kind
proposal, and that you will believe that I am
extremely sensible of the honour you have
done to me. What then can I do to shew
my sense of all your goodness to me? I
am studying to do this, and to deserve
the honour of your friendship and correspondence,
and at least to offer you
my poor services, to the extent of my
ability.

During the time that I was contending
with poverty at a distance, and perceiving
that his nearer approach was inevitable, I
employed and amused myself with forming
Plans of Education. I read all the
best books of the kind, and considered the good B7r 13
good and bad effects of them. I perceived
marks of imperfection in them all,
but imputed them to the cause that attends
all human systems, framed by imperfect
creatures.—Yet again, I reflected
that all knowledge is progressive; and in
tracing the errors of former writers, we
advance step by step towards perfection,
but never need fear approaching too near
it.

If I should be so fortunate to strike out
any new lights upon this important subject,
or set old ones in a new or more
practicable one, I shall have discharged
the duties of a good citizen of the world,
and I shall think I have not lived for no
purpose.

Your Ladyship is solicitous to inform
yourself, and to instruct those whom God
has committed to your care, in the best
manner. You have desired my assistance;
by communicating my ideas to you, I shall B7v 14
shall do all in my power to promote your
laudable intentions. I will transcribe and
revise these papers, and send them to your
Ladyship, and shall request the favour of
receiving your remarks upon them; by
this means we may each receive benefit
from the other; and perhaps I may be
enabled to be of some service to you;—the
only return I can ever make for your generous
and disinterested friendship.

While I am thus employed, I shall beg
of Mrs. Strictland to give my young pupils
leave to make extracts from her letters
and mine, of all that has befallen me
ever since your Ladyship went abroad,
down to the time that I entered into the
service of Madame di Soranzo. I shall
desire Mrs. Strictland to mark the passages
they are to transcribe, and to superintend
their writing. This will be an exercise of
their pen, and an improvement also; by transcribing, B8r 15
transcribing, they will, in due time learn
to compose.

If the recital of my adventures should
not tire your Ladyship, I will endeavor
to prevail on Madame di Soranzo, to permit
me to relate hers also, which are to
be found in my letters to Mrs. Strictland;
and I will ask leave of this lady to give
you the Memoirs of the family of Marney,
which she has been instrumental in
restoring from poverty and distress, to
competence and happiness. These communications
will furnish sufficient subjects
for our future correspondence, they will
prove my respect and gratitude to your
Ladyship, and procure me, as I hope, the
return of your letters, and remarks upon
all the subjects I have mentioned.

If I have been too presumptuous in my
expectations, it is in your Ladyship’s
power to check me; or, if you approve them, B8v 16
them, to encourage me. I wait for your
next as the criterion.

With the warmest wishes for your happiness,
and of all those who are near and
dear to you,

Letter III.

I owe you many thanks for your obliging
letter, which has afforded me
matter for much reflection, and has produced
some effects wholly unforeseen by
you or me; which, upon the whole, have
given me much satisfaction.

The reasons you assigned for declining
my proposal, were quite sufficient to acquit
you to me; but another has been disclosed
since, which might perhaps to you
be the strongest of all.

My Lord allows me to tell you of a
conversation which passed between him
and me upon the subject of your letter,
as a proof of his honour and sincerity,
towards us both.

When I received your letter, I told
my lord of it. He coloured and smiled.
“Tell me, Madam, does Mrs. Darnford
accept the charge of your daughters?”
“No, my Lord, she declines it,
but in a very handsome manner.” He
laughed—“I knew it—I was sure of it.”
“My lord, you said, you have no objection,
if Mrs. Darnford had none?” “So
I did; but I was certain she would raise
objections.” “Then I suppose your
lordship can account for them?” “Will
you permit me to read her letter, Lady
A――?” “With all my heart, my lord,
here it is.”—(He read it attentively.)—
“Very well; she has declined your offer
handsomely; but she had a stronger reason
in reserve, than any she had mentioned.”
“I presume you would not
have excited my curiosity, unless you intended
to gratify it?” “You are right, Madam; B10r 19
Madam; I think it due to your merit,
and to Mrs. Darnford’s.—You shall know,
then, that I made her an offer to be my
wife of the left hand, and I thought I
did her an honour at that time; but I have
since come to a better way of thinking,
and I respect her refusal.” “How
did she receive it, my Lord?” “With
pride and resolution.—She obliged me to
turn my eye inward, and to see what I
did not like in myself. I called her proud,
saucy, and impertinent!—she was cool
and steady; yet, I verily believe, that had
she treated me kindly, she had been at
this moment in your place, Lady A——;
but I was affronted by her behaviour; I
had reason to think she had a rooted dislike
to me; my pride rose against her,
and I was cured; but it cost me much
pain, for I did love her truly.” “But
you forgive her now, my lord, and respectspect B10v 20
her the more?” “I do respect her;
but I feel at times something like resentment,
which I will endeavour to subdue.”
“You have no objection to my
keeping up a correspondence with Mrs.
Darnford?” “Certainly not; I believe
it will be an advantage to you both.—
Ever since I gave my vows to you, I resolved
to fulfil all the duties I have
taken upon me; and I hope what I have
said, will be a proof of my honour and
sincerity towards you both.” “It is, indeed,
my lord, and I thank you for the
confidence you have shewn me: I will
study to deserve it.”

“It is I that must study to deserve your
affection and confidence. I have been free
in my conduct while a single man, but as
a married one, you shall have no cause to
complain of me.”

“When you answer this letter, give my B11r 21
my compliments to Mrs. Darnford, tell her,
I rejoice to hear she is completely provided
for.—I will never again affront her
by offering my services; but, I hope, she
will always rely upon your friendship.”

Here ended our conversation on this
subject. I have obeyed by lord’s orders,
and complied with my own inclinations,
in communicating it to you. Thus authorised,
I demand your friendship and
confidence.

I thankfully embrace your offer of
sending me your Plans of Education,
and your remarks on this subject;
and also your communications relative to
yourself and your friends.

They will be extremely acceptable to
me; I expect information and improvement
from them; and I will make you
such returns as I am enabled to do from
time to time.

Pray make me known to your friends;
present my compliments and good wishes
to them, and tell them they must love me
in return,

Letter IV.

Again I acknowledge the honour
done me in Lady A——’s friendship
and correspondence. I beg you to
return my thanks to Lord A—— for giving
his permission; and for his good
wishes respecting myself; may he long
enjoy the blessings heaven has given him,
with a due sense of their value and of his
own happiness!

I am now putting my paper together,
in order to render my correspondence of
some value; and shall enter upon the subject
I have promised to investigate.

Here ends my first Essay upon this subject;
it is an introduction to what follows;
if it should be tedious to your ladyship,
I can abridge the rest, but I wish you to
read the substance of them before you
come to my Plans, for they are founded upon C7r 37
upon my reasonings and comparing that
of others, and drawing inferences from
the whole.

Letter V.

Having learned the opinions of the
ancients, let us briefly review those
of the moderns, with the advantages of
the examples and warnings, arising from
the virtues and errors of those who went
before them.

It seems that they have altered and refined
their methods of education, but
it does not appear that they have improved
them.

Instead of following the good and rejecting
the evil, they have fallen into disputes
concerning both; rather chusing to
shew their skill in wrangling and disputation,
than seeking the benefit of mankind;
and shewing their vanity rather than their
wisdom. In the mean time they have gradually C8r 39
gradually relaxed in all kinds of discipline;
and no where more than in this
country.

Since the disciplinarian method has been
exploded, we have gone by rapid steps to
the other extreme, and become advocates
for all kinds of relaxation.—In
Milton’s time, his system of education
might have been practicable, but in our
days, men are not virtuous enough to
follow it.

Locke’s System of Education was admired
by all wise and virtuous parents: it
was admired but not followed. Madame
de Genlis has accounted for this with her
usual penetration and sagacity:

“Locke’s work was translated into all
languages. It was in every body’s
hand’s when Rousseau’s Emilius appeared;
—but had not brought about
any change in the systems adopted.
Wisdom has less influence than enthusiasm,“siasm, C8v 40
because it is always simple in its
expressions, and scarce ever assumes an
imposing or authoritative tone.—The
English philosopher only seemed to
give his advice; Rousseau repeated the
same things, but he did not advise; he
commanded, and was obeyed.”

She likewise observes, that Rousseau
follows the system of Mr. Locke in almost
every respect; he copies him literally,
but without quoting him, or acknowledging
his obligations to him. It is thus
that many other French writers have imitated
our best authors on most subjects.

Rousseau has done much harm by encouraging
a general relaxation of discipline,
and he has uttered many false dogmas,
that would have been laughed at
from any other man; particularly that
one man can only educate one pupil; which
experience proves to be false and absurd;
nevertheless, in his writings are many excellent C9r 41
excellent and admirable things, and it is
much to be wished that the grain could
be separated from the chaff.

That children are to be restrained without
cruelty, and instructed without severity,
can never be too strongly inculcated.
That there is no necessity of scourging
them through a course of learning,
which they cannot attain by a gentle and
moderate course of instruction.

The points mistaken and too strongly
urged, have seemed to countenance the
opinions of those who oppose all manner
of subjection; but the truth is, that people
ought to study the capacities and
dispositions of their children, not only
before they destine them to any particular
calling or profession, but before
they resolve on the course of education
they are to go through.

Those youths who cannot profit by a learned C9v 42
learned education, may yet do so by an
useful one, and may be better members
of the community, than those who spend
so large a portion of their time in the
study of the dead languages, or in other
kinds of learning, of more credit than
utility.

But above all other kinds of learning,
the first principles of religion and virtue
should be early sown and strongly inculcated,
they are not to be left to their
own vague opinions, but the great outlines
are to be written upon their hearts
in strong and indelible characters. Here
we turn aside from the sceptical Rousseau,
and follow the instructions of a greater
master.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old he will not depart from it.
Precept must be laid upon precept, and line upon
line; here a little and there a little.”

I shall here conclude this letter, but
shall soon send another; in the interim,

Letter VI.

With your permission I am going
to devolve the honour of your
daughter’s education upon a person every
way so much my superior, that I am
proud to be thought one the humblest
pupils of her school, from whom I have
received much information, which I have
modified and adapted to the use of those
in whose education I have been concerned.

This person is an excellent French lady,
first known to our country by the name of
Madame de Genlis; next, that of the
Countess de Sillery; and, thirdly, Madame
de ――. I presume her works
are already known to your ladyship. The
Theatre of Education, and the Tales of the the C11r 45
the Castle, are calculated for childhood
and youth; Adelaide and Theodore, or
a System of Education, is a school for
parents.— I have heard this last work much
criticised, and to my thinking, by people
who stood in most need of its assistance.
They studied to find faults in it, but they
were unsuccessful, and only shewed their
malice or their bad taste.

What they chiefly dwelt upon was, its
being calculated only for people of high
rank and fortune; and not practicable for
people in the middling and lower classes of
life.—My answer was nearly as follows.—I
cannot suppose it was ever designed to be
strictly and literally followed, but every degree
in life may extract from it such things
as are useful and practicable for themselves;
and it is the peculiar excellency of
this book, that every person may have recourse
to it, and find whatever is necessary
for their circumstances. There was but C11v 46
but little said, in reply to my eulogium,
but disdainful and sarcastic looks supplied
the place of argument. I wondered at
first what could have given offence, but
upon further reflection, I perceived the
reason. Parents do not like to be sent to
school; nor to be shewn the defects of their
own education, nor of that they intend for
their children.

I have such entire confidence in the
lady to whom I have the honour to write,
that I believe she is willing to hear the
words of truth, ready to embrace its direction,
and to fulfill all the duties that she
has undertaken, therefore I speak to her
without reserve. There is no education
for daughters equal to that which they receive
under the eye of a good mother,
who herself gives, or superintends it, according
to her degree and situation. But
it is not incumbent on your ladyship to
go and shut yourself up in an old castle in Wales, C12r 47
Wales, or the Highlands, in order to
educate your daughters. You have other
duties to fulfil, and an eminent degree to
dignify.

You may set apart a place for the purpose
of the young ladies and their governess;
for I disapprove much bringing
them forward too soon, and introducing
them into all company. Madame D’Almane
carried her children from Paris, lest
they should be infected with the contagion
of fashionable manners, before their reason,
strengthened by good principles,
should be strong enough to resist them,
and to despise them. In this point we
may and ought to imitate her. Is not
fashion become the arbiter of manners in
our own country?―or is she not rather a
tyrant, who imposes laws, which we despise
and protest against, even in the moment
that we submit to them? It is reserved
for a future generation, to withstand and to C12v 48
to destroy her influence; and we take some
steps towards it, when we give our children
an education which will enable
them to resist and despise her absurd dictates.

To their own apartment I would confine
my pupils, but not as prisoners; they
should see and converse with their mother
as often as her leisure or inclination leads
her to them; and they should see her
chosen friends.

I would not chuse for them a governess
with a countenance as harsh and forbidding
as that of the Emperor Vespasian;
the eye requires to be pleased, before the
Judgment is exercised.

I do not mean that the governess should
be handsome; but only that she should
not be disgusting or forbidding in her aspect.
She should certainly be mild and
amiable in her temper and manners, she is
to be their friend, their companion, and sometimes D1r 49
sometimes their play-fellow; she should
take a share in their pastimes, should sing
and dance with them; in short, she should
conciliate their regards; and their obedience
should be that of love. I do not
conceive that Adelaide could love Miss
Brigdet, though she might respect her as
her governess.

I disapprove extremely the false confidence
made to Adelaide, in order to teach
her to keep a secret:—it must lessen Miss
Bridget in her esteem, and her confidence
in her in future. Falsehood should never
be shewn, but to be punished; truth is the
foundation of all moral virtue; and where
it is wanting, or doubtful, we can have
no reliance upon any person whatever. I
think this is the most exceptionable of any
thing in this system of education; and
I believe your ladyship will be of my
opinion.

We will not send our pupils to Lagaraye,D raye, D1v 50
we can shew them many Lagaraye’s
in England, of which I shall speak further
hereafter: neither will we go to Bröeck
to see the happy peasants there. You
have shewn them Naples and its charming
environs; they have observed the
manners of different countries; but they
should still travel by the book, and read
the latest accounts of all the countries in
the world; the blessing of Providence to
every one peculiarly, should be pointed
out to them, and they should be taught to
love God, as the Father of all his creatures.

With all these abatements, which are
only the marks of imperfection, which
will adhere to all mortal fabrications,
the system of Madame de Genlis seems
to me the most perfect of any; and it may
certainly be followed safely by such parents
as are desirous of instilling right
principles into the hearts of their children;
and who resolve to educate their minds in preference D2r 51
preference to their bodies, which may be
done without neglecting any real accomplishment
to the latter.

Though there is much to be disapproved
in Rousseau’s system, there is also
much to be approved, and some things to
be admired.

A wise parent and preceptor will extract
from it what is useful and practicable;
as the bee sucks honey from various
flowers, and leaves the noxious qualities
behind.

Thus, though we would not neglect
sowing the first seeds of virtue, or of
knowledge, till a child should ask for
them; yet we should be very careful not
to over-load the tender mind too early,
nor to oppress it with such things as are
above its comprehension. Rousseau would
not exercise children’s memories, in getting
by heart any thing by way of task.
I think with him, that this is frequently D2 carried D2v 52
carried too far away to gratify the vanity of the
parent or preceptor, who are flattered by
the supposed prematurity of the child’s
understanding. But surely the memory
may be employed, without being oppressed;
and memory, like all other talents,
is improved and encreased by exercise.—
If the child took pleasure in it, I would
encourage it with the utmost caution, to
direct it properly that it might lay in a
store of such things as would be useful
hereafter. Some teachers except to their
getting any thing in poetry, but confine
them wholly to prose. I see no reason for
this; I think that the rhyme is more likely
to fix it in the memory, and that it retains
better what is got by heart in this way.
In this I speak from experience. I learned
many things, very early, in poetry, and
they are written upon my memory with a pen
of adamant, and nothing can erase
them.

They were chiefly from Gay’s Fables—
Cotton’s Visions—Parnel’s Hermit—and
extracts from our best poets.

I have much more to say upon these subjects,
but I shall wait to hear from your ladyship;
you must tell me truly whether I must
transcribe all that I have written in this
way, or whether I must abridge in future.
When I have finished my Remarks, I shall
come to the Plans themselves.

Letter VII

I owe my dear Mrs. Darnford more
than I can ever repay, for her generous
endeavours to be of service to me and
my children. It is you that are the industrious
bee, collecting honey from various
gardens, and offering to me the
precious fruits of your labours, without
any trouble on my part.

I receive this treasure with a due sense
of its value, I intreat you to continue
your communications, to abridge nothing,
but to give me your thoughts at large,
and what farther remarks may arise out
of the subjects before you. I have read
the works of Madame de Genlis, but I
shall read them again with new and increased
relish from your recommendation.
I did not give them due consideration at the D4r 55
the time, but I shall, at my next perusal,
and, I doubt not with much advantage.

I thank you also for your Extracts, and
your pupils for transcribing them; but I
am almost angry with Mrs. Strictland,
who directs them.—The Extracts are so
short,Open note 1Back to note ¹ that they want connection; and
if I had not the highest opinion of you, I
should think you wished to conceal some
things from me. Why did you leave your
husband so precipitately, after sacrificing
every thing to his deliverance?—You
must supply these connecting parts to me
either by letter, or by your presence.—
When do you come to town?—I will see
you there, be assured, and as often as I
can.—In the mean time, continue your
Remarks, and go through them.—I want D4 to D4v 56
to see your Plans of Education, and, in
short, all your writings.

You mention my lord so briefly, and run
away from him, that I fear you have not
heartily forgiven him. Let my friendship,
and his conduct in future, erase all disagreeable
recollections in relation to the past,
and let the remainder of our lives be dedicated
to virtuous friendship.

Letter VIII.

I am highly gratified by your approbation
of my Remarks, and somewhat
concerned that you are not satisfied with
my Extracts; I take whatever blame is
incurred, to myself; when we meet, I will
fill up the deficiencies for you; in the mean
time I will proceed with my Remarks,
some of which were written many years
ago, and others added at the instant of
transcribing.

I presume to affirm, that there has
been a great alteration in the manners of
this country, within the last twenty or
thirty years. More frequent instances of
atrocious crimes, murders, frauds, perjury;
more frequent instances of conjugal
infidelity, and of divorces in consequence;D5 quence; D5v 58
more people ruined by gambling;
obliged to sell the inheritance of
their fathers, and take shelter in obscurity;
more instances of profligacy in manners;
and instead of being ashamed of their
vices, men assume a boldness that sets all
order and decorum at defiance, and looks
virtue out of countenance.

When we reflect upon the manners of
the youth of our times, we cannot believe
but there is something wrong in the
present system of education. If our young
men are effeminate, dissolute, and imprudent;
if our daughters are pert and ignorant,
affected and dissipated, we may
draw these conclusions, in defiance of
Rousseau and all his disciples—that some
restraint is absolutely necessary in the education
of the youth of both sexes.

That a too early introduction into life,
as it is called, is destructive of that sweet
modesty and delicacy, which was by natureture D6r 59
intended for the guard of virtue;
that a too early and too frequent intercourse
between the sexes, destroys the
purpose it is intended to promote, and instead
of matrimony produces celibacy;
renders them cheap in the eyes of each
other, and upon further familiarity, there
grows more contempt, as Slender says,
and as others observers can bear witness.

On the contrary, if we look back to any
period of time, when the sons of Britain
were hardy, manly, and virtuous, and her
daughters modest, delicate, and chaste;
we cannot doubt that they were well educated
and well principled.

The modern man of fashion and taste
may bolt his argument, and with a look
of defiance tell us— “My grandmother told me, what her grandmother
told her,” &c.
but we will answer, in the words of a
more respectable writer: D6 “I hate D6v 60
“I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, And Virtue has not tongue to check her pride; For thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know More happiness than this thy present lot.— Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric; Though art not fit to hear thyself convinced.” Milton’s Comus.

All people of sober minds are well convinced
of this degeneracy of manners;
and many writers of eminence have endeavoured
to stem the torrent of dissipation;
and have given faithful warning of
the precipices, which men shut their eyes
to avoid seeing.

Every rank and degree of people, bring
up their children in a way above their situation
and circumstances; they step over
their proper place, and seat themselves
upon a higher form.—They assume an air
of consequence; and the children of farmers,
artificers and mechanics, all come
into the world as gentry.—They send
them to the same schools with the first
gentry in the country, and they fancy themselves D7r 61
themselves their equals. When the farmer’s
daughter goes home to spend her
Christmas, she displays her improvements
and accomplishments; her parents admire
and are proud of her. Not so the young
lady; on her part, she discovers that her
papa and mama speak a very bad language;
that their manners are unpolite;
and, in short, that they are very vulgar
people. In consequence of this discovery
she despises them, and their admonitions
become a subject of ridicule.—She turns
her back upon them; she aspires to a
genteel acquaintance, she catches the contagion
of fashion; and this finishes her
education.

What numbers of young ladies of this
stamp are turned into the world to seek
their fortunes; boasting of their good
education, ignorant of every thing useful,
disdaining to match with their equals, aspiring
to their superiors, with little or no fortune, D7v 62
fortune, unable or unwilling to work for
themselves.

Perhaps one in ten thousand of these
may make her fortune, all the rest conclude
they shall do the same; and thus
they go on practising the airs and graces
of a fine lady till youth is past, and
then discover, in after life, that they
have been acting a part above them, without
means to support it.

Unfortunate is the man who takes a
wife out of this class of young ladies;
she will expect the same luxuries and indulgencies
as if she had brought him a
plentiful fortune; but far the greater numbers
of them become useless, and some,
mischievous members of society.

I would simplify every mode of education,
and render it easy and practicable.
—Every method should be adapted to the
degree and situation of the children it belongs
to.

I would institute seminaries of education
for this purpose; at least, I would
point out, what might and what ought to
be done, to make them answer the end
proposed.

Perhaps your ladyship may smile at
some of my Plans; perhaps you may
think them only windmill schemes.—Yet
they may point out the way to others, who
may hereafter improve upon my hints, and
reduce them to practice. With this hope
I transcribe and correct them, and persuade
myself that I am usefully employed.

May I not hope that they will afford
your ladyship amusement for a leisure
hour, and a subject for more serious reflection
afterwards?

Letter IX.

I have insisted on the gradations of
rank and fortune being observed in
education of children, in their dress,
manners, and introduction into life; but I
am aware of the difficulty of reducing my
doctrine, so as to render it practicable.

But where shall we draw the line that
separates the several orders and degrees of
men, especially in a commercial state like
this, and under a mixed form of government?

The nobility of this land are rich and
powerful, but there is a distinction between
the different degrees and titles, and
also between the old and new nobility,
which the old families well understand.

The next order, are the old families of
wealth and consequence; some of whom have D9r 65
have refused titles that they thought it
beneath them to accept; whose families
are older, and their fortunes superior to
many of the nobility.

In the third class, I would place those
who have acquired great wealth by any
profession or calling, and whose wealth,
however gained, stands in lieu of birth,
merit, and accomplishments, to the world,
and also to themselves. I mean only those
overgrown and enormous fortunes which
we have seen in our days; of which we
have seen the rise, progress, declension
and fall; which have mouldered away like
a rotten building, and have left nothing
but dirt and rubbish behind.

Fourthly, I would reckon the inferior
gentry, who can only count hundreds,
where the above classes number thousands
a year. In this class every real blessing
and comfort of life is to be found, and
those who know how to enjoy them, with virtue D9v 66
virtue and moderation, are the wisest and
happiest of mankind.―But there is a canker-worm
which too frequently destroys
their fortunes and their happiness; a
foolish ambition to imitate their superiors,
in manners, in vanity, in expence. The
influence of fashion on the manners, like
the system of influence in government,
pervades all orders and degrees of men.

The stately English oak is undermined
by vile vermin who prey upon its roots;
and while it looks fair to the eye for a
while, it will fall before its decay is perceived.

“The oaks of Old England are wither’d away.”

But, fifthly, the men of genteel professions,
law, physic, and divinity; to
these may be added, those employed in
the public offices under government, and
the officers of the army and navy. In
this class I would include all merchants of D10r 67
of eminence. The character of a British
merchant, is one of the most respectable
of any in the world. Freed
from narrow prejudices, by an intercourse
with all nations, he acts upon a more enlarged
scale; integrity, generosity, honour,
and hospitality, are the pillars that
support his character in all parts of the
world. “There, where his argosies with portly sail, Like seigniors and rich burghers of the flood, Or, as it were the pageants of the sea; Do overpeer the petter traffickers, That curtlie to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings.”
Shakespeare.

There are many of this honourable profession
who can afford to spend with any
of the classes abovementioned; but they
are the best and wisest men, who provide
for their families, and avoid all useless and
impertinent display of their wealth. Since
the increase of luxury and extravagance, each D10v 68
each of these orders are treading upon the
heels of the other— —“and even the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier, that he hurts his kibe.” Shakespeare.

But let us go through with the gradation.
The next, which I shall call the sixth
order, will include all retail traders, artificers,
and mechanics; and the farmer
who rents his lands, and is a more useful
member of society than any of the rest;—
he is likewise the most respectable, as
long as he keeps within his degree and
calling, but when he steps over it, he
becomes ridiculous and contemptible in
the eyes of his superiors, and lays a
foundation of misery and ruin for himself;
if his house is as well-furnished as that of
his landlord; if her keeps as good a cellar
of wine; and entertains his company with
the best provisions of all kinds;—if his
wife and daughters are drest in the fashion;
if the young ladies, instead of learning to make D11r 69
make butter and cheese at home, are sent
to a boarding-school, are taught to dance,
to speak bad French, and to assume the
airs of town-bred ladies; wretched is
the man who thus fools away his own advantages,
and he will find his latter days
miserable, however prosperous might be
the beginning ones. Can he wonder that
his landlord raises his rent upon him?
He reasons fairly—if this man can live as
well as I do, in all respects, why should
not I share his advantages? Hence will
appear the folly of emulating our superiors,
of imitating their manners; and
this reasoning will extend to every order
and degree, who over-leap the station they
belong to.

But let us take a brief review of the
the seventh class, which will include the
lowest mechanics and artizans, and the
whole peasantry of the land.—In this numerous
and useful body of men, we must look D11v 70
look for our soldiers and sailors, servants
and workmen of all and every kind;
these are the body of the people, these are
the strength and sinews of the nation; for
these, laws are framed, and properties secured.
Every thing should be done for
their support and protection; and every
check should be laid upon their attempts
to imitate vanities and vices of the
higher orders, for even in the lowest stations,
they are not free from this predominant
folly of the times. As the ass in
the fable, imitated the fisks and gambols
of the lap-dog, so do these people the
fashions and follies of their superiors.

The monster, Fashion, extends her influence
to the whole circle, and the farthest
round has its share of her scepter of
rule. This is one part of the degeneracy
I complain of, and this, I hope, I have
brought sufficient proofs of.

Within every one of these orders of men, D12r 71
men, there is a gradation of property that
raises the first step of it nearly to an equality
with the next above it, and this increases
the difficulty of keeping them
within their proper bounds.

In a well regulated state, a right and
true subordination is beautiful, where
every order is kept in its proper state, and
none is allowed to encroach upon, or oppress
another. But where is this state to
be found?—In Utopia, perhaps.

Let us then enquire where it is best described.
—I will apply to a great master,
in whom a ray of Divine wisdom, like
that of his own Minerva, pointed out
both to princes and people, their respective
duties and obligations:

Telemaque, Livre 12ieme.

Oh, that kings, princes, and legislators,
would study Telemachus!—That
they would become the shepherds of
their people!—That they would protect E and E1v 74
and provide for them; and not join with
the wolves who lie in wait to prey upon
them, upon condition that they should
enjoy the largest share of their fleeces,
and enrich themselves with their spoils!

Forgive me this apostrophe, suggested
by the divine Fenelon!—whose virtues
were his crimes, under the reign of
Louis XIV. who never forgave those lessons
which exposed the defects of his government,
and taught his grandson how to
correct them, if he had lived to succeed
to the throne.

The revival of sumptuary laws is devoutly
to be wished, but not greatly to be
hoped for; I acknowledge that many difficulties
lie in the way, and that there
would be no immediate advantages to induce
government to undertake it; there
could no greater motive be proposed than
the good of the people.

I have been considering, whether any kingdom E2r 75
kingdom in Europe has attempted to introduce
them; I think there is a regulation
of this kind in Sweden, but I am not
quite certain of it.

There is not much greater reason to
expect a reformation of this kind, from
convincing people of the fitness and propriety
of it;—perhaps a good and virtuous
education would go further than any
other method: by teaching youth to aspire
to superior qualities, they might be
taught to despise the paltry distinctions of
dress and fashion.

Letter X.

I will suppose that you have recovered
from the fatigue of my late investigation,
and are prepared to go on with
me in my progress through the rest of my
subject.

I have led you from the top of a high
hill, down into a spacious valley, from
whence we can fall no lower. The rich
and the proud look down with disdain
from their high habitations, but we will
not doubt to find many beautiful flowers,
fruits, and herbs; we shall also find many
noxious weeds, which we will endeavour
to eradicate, that the herbs of value may
thrive the better.

Fenelon divides his nation into seven
orders of men; after which he speaks of an E3r 77
an eighth, which he calls slaves. Whom
does he man, think you?—Surely, not
the peasantry; they ought not to be slaves;
they are not so with us; but I fear, in his
time, they were little less in France; and
he could not foresee that a time should
come, when they should be delivered from
the yoke of tyranny, and become freemen.

There have been in all times and all countries
a set of men in the most abject state of
servitude, and it rested with their masters
to render their situation tolerable or miserable.
In some countries they made the
captives they took in war perform their
most servile offices. The Spartans kept a
whole district in this state of slavery, to
do such offices as they held too mean for
the citizens of Sparta.—I speak of the
Helotes, whose treatment was at least as
bad as the negroes receive from their masters
in the sugar islands.

The Romans treated their slaves more
liberally; they distinguished those of superior
merit from the herd of men. They
gave to young men of talents the best
education; they raised them to offices of
trust, and sometimes made them their
companions.

They were frequently freed entirely
from servitude; and the number of freedmen,
became almost equal to the denizens.

In the History of the Jews, we find
that a whole nation, or rather the inhabitants
of a small district, were condemned
to be hewers of wood and drawers of
water to the children of Israel.

There were also slaves of another kind
among the Jews, as household servants;
and they were enjoined to treat them with
humanity.

In all the Eastern countries, it has always
been common to have many slaves; in E4r 79
in all great cities they have slave markets,
where both men and women are bought
and sold like cattle, and how they shall be
treated, depends entirely upon the purchasers.
Cervantes gives an account of
their treatment in his admirable Don
Quixotte; and, under feigned names, relates
the adventures of himself and his
companions during their slavery at Algiers,
particularly in the charming story of the
Captive.

In Spain and Italy there are societies of
charitable persons, for the redeeming of
Christian captive in Turky and other
Mahometan countries; this charity reflects
honour upon its donors.

If thousands of Europeans are in actual
slavery, and tens of thousands in a
state of oppression, does it not seem a
strange kind of Quixottism, to demand an
abolition of the slave trade to Africa, and
the emancipation of the negroes? There E4 are E4v 80
are among the set of men who are engaged
in this cause, and who pursue it
with an ardour and perseverance that
would do an honour to a better; for surely
they have made choice of improper objects
on which to exercise their charity.—
I have heard and read all the arguments
on both sides; and, upon a fair and impartial
survey and consideration, it appears
to me, that if they could carry their
points, they would be injurious to the
commerce of this land, and no benefit
to the objects they wish to relieve.

I have been assured, both by natives of
the West Indies, and by those occasionally
resident there, that the accounts given by
the patrons of the negroes are in some instances
false, and in most of the others
highly exaggerated. That they are, in general,
much happier there than in their native
country; that the grief and sullenness
they shew, when they are first carried over, is E5r 81
is owing to an apprehension that they are
saved only to be killed and eaten; and that,
when this is cured, they soon recover their
health and spirits;—that they are lazy
and obstinate beyond conception, and
must be governed by strict discipline;
that they are malicious and revengeful,
and, if they had the power, would be
cruel.

If their masters were cruel enough to
inflict stripes and torments upon them,
merely to gratify their humours, their interest
would forbid it; but it is to be
hoped, this can scarce ever happen.—
Englishmen were never reckoned cruel,
though there may have been some instances
of it, as there have of the most
exalted virtues in the negro race: but
these do not characterize a whole nation.
It is degrading our country and countrymen,
to suppose them guilty of wanton
cruelty to their slaves, and then to reason E5 upon E5v 82
upon it, as if it were generally true.
Could our enemies speak worse of us than
our brethren have done?

If what the West Indiands assert to be true,
that every negro has a little spot of ground,
and is allowed time to cultivate it; that
from these the markets are supplied with
vegetables; that from the produce of
these, they are allowed to have merry
meetings of their own race, with music,
dancing, and other recreations;—that
those who are careful and prudent frequently
save money enough to purchase
their own freedom; if these things be true,
and they have not been yet disproved,
surely it would be better if the gentlemen
engaged in the negro cause would turn
the current of their charity into another
channel, and leave this matter as they
found it.

That “Charity begins at home,” is a
proverb too often abused by selfish and avaricious E6r 83
avaricious people to cover their sordid dispositions;
but, in the case before us, it will
bear a more generous application. I will,
under shelter of this proverb, presume to
point out some objects of Charity at
home, that claim attention from the public
in general, and every generous and
worthy mind.

The first objects I would bring before
them, should be poor children of all denominations.
Poor children put out to
parish nurses; poor children apprenticed
by the parish, to people but one degree
less paupers than themselves; to chimney
sweepers, to basket-makers, to spinners,
throwsters, weavers, &c. &c.

Let a Committee of Enquiry be appointed
from the charitable society, who
have taken the African negroes under their
protection. Let them enquire how these
poor children are treated; how they are
cloathed and fed: let them direct how E6 they E6v 84
they shall be brought up, so as to become
useful members of the community, and
put out properly and likely to produce
this effect. Let them institute schools of
industry, to promote a reformation of
manners of the lower orders of men;
which are of as much importance as the
manners of the great.

In all cities and great towns, there are
numbers of poor children walking about
half naked, hungry and wretched, without
any visible means of support. Those who
can regard human nature, under this humiliating
appearance, have followed them
into lanes and allies, in the outskirts of
the towns, into miserable hovels and cottages,
that could hardly keep out the
wind and rain. Their parents without
any trade or calling for the most part:—
they do not care to confess how they
live, nor what they design for their children;dren; E7r 85
but, most probably, they are destined
to beggary or stealing, perhaps
both. Human nature here is degraded to
its lowest state, even below slavery. I will
suppose the Committee abovementioned
to pick up these wretched creatures; to
purchase some old house, run to ruin,
for them to repair and make it habitable,
and to found a school of industry. I
would clothe them in the most ordinary
materials, if it were in coarse canvas, it
would be better than rags and filthiness.
They should wear wooden shoes, not such
as the peasants wear in France, but such
as I have seen made for the prisoners in the
lately erected gaol for the county of Suffolk.
The upper part is of a thick,
strong leather, the sole is like the board of
a wooden clog or patten, and the upper
part is nailed all round. I have wished to
sound a trade for this article, and to send them E7v 86
them to all the bare-footed children
which I have met in my walks in the
outskirts of a certain town. I would have
these children brought up to a hard labour,
and qualified to get an honest livelihood.
They should cultivate a piece of ground,
to provide them with vegetables of every
kind, which might produce the chief part
of their food.

As the youths grew up, and they had
strength sufficient, they might assist as
porters at wharfs and quays, or help sawyers
and sellers of timber and other
works. In harvest time, they should
be let to work in the fields, at small
prices; and by the time they grew to
manhood, they might be able to earn an
honest living.

Behold my first and lowest Plan of
Education!—which I dedicate with unfeigned
respect to those gentlemen, who have E8r 87
have taken the negroes under their protection.
I perceive and admire their generous
intentions; and have no doubt that
they are at least equally ready to assist their
own countrymen, who claim and deserve
their notice, and solicit their charity.

I should add, that according to my
Plan, these paupers are not to be taught
to write or read; being rescued from
extreme poverty, they are to be hewers
of wood and drawers of water, and to be
thankful for their deliverance; but they
are to be taught their duties to God,
their neighbors, and themselves; and
to attend the service of the church regularly,
and to use private devotions every
morning and evening; and to know that
no undertaking can succeed without the
blessing of Heaven. When they enter
into life and can maintain themselves, they
should be enjoined to contribute their
mite, though ever so little, to the support of E8v 88
of their brethren, whom they leave in the
situation they have just quitted.

Here I shall conclude this letter, hoping
to hear from your ladyship soon, with
your remarks on my performance.

Letter XI.

Do not be angry with me, my dear
Mrs. Darnford!—it is so natural to
communicate our pleasures to those we
love best, that I could not forbear shewing
your letters to Lord A―. He was surprised
to find you so deep in knowledge of
a national kind, and pleased to see you
entering so warmly into the best interests of
mankind. He is pleased that you have
defended a due subordination of rank, and
that you do not wish the boundaries
thrown down, and all men put upon a
level; because he thinks, that in their different
degrees and occupations men are
most useful to each other, and that the
result is the harmony of the whole.

My lord says, he can strengthen your arguments E9v 90
arguments against the emancipation of the
negroes, by two considerations; the first
is, the present consequences; the second,
the future. The first seems to be already
coming forward; namely, that the negroes,
being apprized of the steps that have been
taken here in their favour, are preparing to
rise against their masters, and to cut their
throats. We have heard of very late rebellions,
that have, with difficulty, been
crushed, and we may expect to hear of
more daily.

The second consequence to be expected
is, that when the great point shall be carried
for them, they will flock hither from
all parts, mix with the natives, and spoil
the breed of the common people. There
cannot be a greater degradation than this,
of which there are too many proofs already
in many towns and villages.

The gradations from a negro to a white are E10r 91
are many: first, a black and white produce
a mulatto; secondly, a mulatto with
a white produce a mestee; thirdly, a
mestee and a white produce a quadroon,
a dark yellow; the quadroon and a white,
a sallow kind of white, with the negro
shade, and sometimes the features. All
these together produce a vile mongrel
race of people, such as no friend to Britain
can ever wish to inhabit it.

These considerations should be recommended
to the patrons of the Black Bill
of Rights; perhaps they may not have
reflected upon these points, and the mischiefs
they contain.

The king of the French, when he was
king of France, banished all the negroes
from his country; it would be wise to
do so in Britain, while it is yet in our
power.

You are to understand this reasoning to proceed E10v 92
proceed from my lord; who says farther,
that he has no doubt to call the negroes an
inferior race of men, but still a link of
the universal chain, and, as men, entitled
to humanity, to kindness, and to protection;
and he thinks, their masters ought
to be amenable to the laws, if they overwork,
or otherwise ill-treat them.

If we have known an Ignatius Sancho,
and a Phillis Wheatly, they are exceptions
to the general rules of judgment,
and may be compared with a Bacon and
a Milton, among the most civilised and
refined of the race of Europeans.

Thus much is for my lord, and as a return
for your thoughts, which you have
communicated to us. For myself, I have
travelled with you through all your gradations
to the bottom of the valley; and
shall be happy to climb up again with
you; for I perceive you mean to ascend
by the same gradation, and to give us your Plan E11r 93
Plan of Education for each, as you go
along.

In the mean time, I want a governess
for my two girls; I wish you could recommend
one. They have with them at present
a very good girl, rather above a servant,
and yet below a governess; but I want a
gentlewoman, better educated, upon whom
I can occasionally devolve my authority. I
expect to be confined for a month in the
course of the winter; and I wish for such
a substitute as I have described. I think,
with you, that she should not have so
harsh a countenance as old Vespasian, yet
I had rather she was plain than handsome.
I beg you to look out for such an one,
and I shall be ready to receive her as soon
as she can come to me. My daughters
understand more Italian than they do
French; I want a person completely mistress
of the latter, and able to converse
with them in it daily.

I am now reading Adelaide and Theodore,
as it ought to be read; which, I
confess, I did not before; I discover a
thousand beauties which I had overlooked,
or but slightly observed. I aspire to imitate
Madame d’Almane, wherever she is
imitable; there are some parts of her character
that are above my reach, and out
of my power. I honour and revere the
author of this book.

Your extract from Telemachus is very
fine and very wise, but I fear that it is not reducible
to practice.

It is true that the influence of fashion
has increased and is increasing; insomuch,
that it is impossible to guess at people’s
degree, by their appearance; with you I
see it, but I do not see how it can be remedied
or prevented. People of superior
rank and fortunes used to have the
privilege of enjoying their own vanities
and follies exclusively; but now they are imitated E12r 95
imitated by the lower degrees, and nothing
but absolute poverty excludes them.
This is a great evil, and there are many
who offer up their comforts and conveniences
at the shrine of the idol Fashion.

I long to see the rest of your Plans; I
have no doubt of their virtue and benevolence,
I only wish they may be practicable.
In impatient expectation of your
next packet,

Letter XII.

Indeed, Madam, I owe you no thanks
for shewing my letters to my Lord
A―. You expect me to be sincere; I
did not intend them for his inspection:
but his remarks are very just, and his arguments
strengthen mine; I am obliged
by his communications, though I had
rather not have given cause for them.—
I have promised to send you my Plans
and my Remarks on Education and Manners;
I will not break my word with you,
but I will continue to transcribe the papers
that lie before me.

The next degree I shall speak to, are
the lower kinds of artizans and mechanics,
such as are just above want. Many
of these (I feare I may say most of them) let F1r 97
let their children run wild, and they are
brought up in the streets.—I used to walk
upon an old rampart near the town where
I lived some years; it was always full of
children decently clothed, and looking
well fed, but wild as savages; and I have
heard from their mouths horrible oaths
and curses. Whenever they were rebuked
and advised, they set up such yells and
shrieks, that I could have thought myself
among the wild Indians in America, rather
than in the midst of England; so
rude and uncivilised were these unhappy
children.—This was their resort,
and such were their daily practices; employment
they had none; they might
have answered with Orlando—“I am
taught to make nothing,”—to the enquirer:
and, to their parents,—“We are
helping you to mar that which God made;
these poor unhappy children of your with
idleness.” I once saw a woman correcting
one of these, and driving him home to F dinner. F1v 98
dinner. I expostulated with her. “How
can you expect your children to be
good and obedient, when they are
brought up in the high road, idle and
dissolute, and converse only with savages?”
“Lack-a-day, Madam!” said
she. “I cannot help it—I have enough
to do at home, and am glad to get rid of
my great boys a few hours in the day.”
“So you turn them loose upon the public,
to get rid of the trouble of their company.
—What sort of men think you they
will make?” “How should I know
that?” said she. “Supposing they should
take bad courses, as they are taught
no good ones; supposing they should
commit attrocious crimes, and come at
last to the gallows; will not you have reason
to accuse yourself, for being in no
small degree the cause of it?” “I don’t
know, indeed; but if it should be so,
’tis no business of yours.” “Yes it is,
if what I say tends to prevent it.” Here she F2r 99
she began to abuse me, and I made haste
to get out of hearing, and made the best
of my way home.

In villages, these things are less frequent;
children are brought up more in
the paths of nature and simplicity. In
every parish there is at least a dame’s
school, and in large one’s there is a reading
and writing master; so that children
are kept in order, and are taught the difference
between good and evil; and on
Sundays they are taught their duties at
the parish church.

As to Sunday Schools, I have no great
expectations from them; but they are
popular, and it is thought a kind of heresy
to speak against them.—It is Schools
of Industry that are wanted, to reform the
manners of the common people; where
they are taught their duties every day, and
all the day long. That these are practicable
I can bring sufficient proofs.

In the town of Shrewsbury, there is an
establishment admirably conducted; which
not only supports itself, but also provides
for its children; of this, I hope to obtain
further particulars.

I am informed that they are in print,
and therefore refer you to a pamphlet entitled,
Some Account of the House of
Industry at Shrewsbury, its Establishment,
and Regulations; with Hints to those who may have similar Institutions in
View. By J. Wood.

I am told there is a second edition of
this work, with considerable additions,
by-laws, rules, and ordinances.

I know not why we may not speak of
living worthies, who do honour to their
times and countries, and show bright examples
of benevolence to others, and who
ought to be recorded among the benefactors
of mankind. Mrs. Trimmer is one
of those, who, by her writings, and by her F3r 101
her conduct, has contributed greatly to
the reformation of the manners among the
lower orders of people. She has instituted
schools of industry, and presides herself
over one of them; her daughters assist her
in this honourable employment, and it is
a sight that angels might behold with pleasure.

“Give her of the fruit of her lands, and let her
works praise her.”
Proverbs of Solomon.

There is a lady living in a certain great
town in Essex, who has instituted a school
under her own eye, and given up the best
rooomroom in her house to this purpose; where
fifty poor children are clothed and educated
in all the duties of their station. I
do not presume to name her, for she is
one of those who
“Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.”
Pope.

There are some ladies of high rank, F3 who F3v 102
who devote their time and abilities to the
good of mankind; and seem to attone
for the extravagance and dissipation of
others.

There are among us, gentlemen, who
set apart a portion of their annual revenue
to this noble and generous purpose.

I have said that there are many Lagaraye’s
in England, and I hope I have
brought sufficient proofs of it. But every
one cannot do these things, they are only
for people of large fortunes. Very true;
but every one can contribute according to
their ability, and some plan might be laid
down, wherein every ones mite would be
of service. For instance: