struments run away with a year’s salary of a school master and that, if we purchase them, it will be necessary for us to defer the establishment of schools.
I would order nothing at present that is not absolutely necessary. When our means become larger, we may indulge in the purchase of beautiful and accurate instruments. But for a year or two, I would resolutely abstain. A twelve-inch globe for each schoolroom, and a few small globes for prizes ought to suffice at present. As to books, we ought to procure such as are likely to attract and delight children, such as are likely to give them a taste for the literature of the West; not books filled with idle distinctions and definitions, which every man who has learned them, makes haste to forget. Who ever reasoned better for having been taught the difference between a syllogism and an enthymeme? Who ever composed, with greater spirit and elegance because he could define an oxymoron or an aposiopesis? I am not joking, but writing quite seriously when I say that I would much rather order a hundred copies of Jack the Giant Killer for our schools than a hundred copies of any grammar of Rhetoric or Logic that ever was written. I therefore think that the indent requires to be re-cast: that part which relates to the books on account of the real worthlessness of many of the books which it is proposed to order; and that part which relates to instruments on account of the very heavy expense which it would lay upon us.—[Book G. page 53.] 6th May, 1835.
First books in English for native youths.—I do not object to the indent in its present form. But I think that we should early take into serious consideration the question. What books are most likely to be attractive to young native students of English? My own opinion is, that they ought to be taught our language by means of the most popular and agreeable narratives which it contains. From little fairy tales they may be led on to Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver’s Travels, and thence to Shakspeare and Milton.—[Book G. page 70.] 3rd June, 1835..
Further minute on Mr. Pearce’s claims.—I am of opinion that as the additions made by Mr. Pearce to his premises are not alleged to have been made by our direction, he has no claim whatever on that account. Nor do I think that he has any claim on account of the stock which he purchased unless it can be shewn that he paid more for it than it was fairly worth, as a bonus to induce the Committee to engage with him. If this can be shewn, I would consent to pay him back the excess. But I do not find that this is even pretended.
I shall continue to think that he has no claim whatever in law, justice or generosity, until it is made out by arguments
