The National Register.
London, England, 1814-03-06 00:00:00

MALI r.

THE NATTONA

the empire. By the want of proper instructions the beauties
of language would 1:e concealed in embryo, -and' the cultiva
Lion of the mind remain stationary. If these benefits are
derived from a well organized and liberal education, it claims
our first regard, and befits us as good citizens to inculcate the
knowledge of letters, and apply their use to, the cognition
of an *ALL-SUP REM E BEING, at an early period in life,. and
to impress, by frequent admonitions, the utility of a close
application of mind to books and learning, of deep cogitation
concerning the Omnipotence and Omniscience of the thyme
Vow ER, through whom we move, live, and have our being,
and of a due deference to those whose employment is to in-
struct the ignorant, warn the unwary,and administer spiritual
comfort to the weary and heavy laden. In the preseat en-
lightened state of the world, ignorance and superstition ought
to be obsolete terms, so far as they respect the state of man-
kind. When we behold the means afforded by the munifi-
cence of a generous and well disposed nation, for the in-
struction of the uninformed among all classes, we are ready
to exclaim, happy, thrice liapOy isle, that can boast of her
benevolent institutions for the use only of the Pooh,--her
private seminaries conducted by men of unimpeached ta-
lents,
.understanding, and pious course of lives—for the con-
venience of those whom fortune, by placing them in hap-
pier circumstances, has enabled them to contribute their aid
towards the support of that highly deserving and honoura.
ble branch of the community ;—her halls, colleges, and other
establishments fur the promotion oflearning, to accommodate
the weal'..!iy. Let every parent then, consider, what is their
duty in'regard to their infant offspring, who are destined by
PROVIDENCE to fill some important situation, during their
peregrination on this transitory planet—for how consolatory
and ,rratif3.ing it must be to the friends and rehitives of those
wholiave paid the debt of nature, to hear them universally
extolled and lamented.
" Ye 'tona of science, now your !ncs deplore,
" The leurntd, th' ingenious Schuiar more:
" Heav'n saw his tc.s 'rirg genius greatly rise,
" him to 611%5,- and snatetekl hint to the skies."

The solicitude of parents will greatly increase when they
contemplate the unhappy and pernicious effects, of an un.
cultivated mind, and their better judgment will direct them to
hold out a proper encooragemeut to learn'ng and improve-
ment—under proper and regularly educated teachers—acqni-
sitions which are so materially connected not only with their
well being on the earth, stahility to the govern-
ment, and prosperity to the realm, theteby insuring the bless-
ings .and happiness attendant on such directed exet
hut also to the enjoyment of a future s•ate. Mr. Ad ttn
Smith, in his enquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth
of nations, most'forcibly urges " that man, without the pro
peruse of the intellectual faeulties, is, if possib!e, more con-
temptible than a coward, and seems to be mutilated and de-
formed in a still mere essential part of the elm? acter of
human nature, as the mote instructed IBEII ate, the lc::
liable they are to the delusion of enthusiasm and super•tition."
By the above reflections may he traced the happy effects of
education on the moral and political.part nf the community :
for what arc nearer connected than morality and learning ?
They arc erected on the firm basis of religion, and e;:tnented
with the cement of virtue. The political! del.artinent re-
ceives additional strength, by which the evil machinations
of a despot are happily counteracted, •from an enlightened
people, who but for learning must have remained abi,oi bed
in darkness and superstition, thereby tendering .us an easy
prey to the wild and romantic chimeras of a modern ad yen-
turer. Such is the bnneful *effects of igninanec And ill;terate-
ness, and such YrOUld be. their inllten;:e in the catbinCt, that