So far, however, from thinking of the morals of boys, I have heard ſeveral maſters of ſchools argue, that they only undertook to teach Latin and Greek; and that they had fulfilled their duty, by ſending ſome good ſcholars to college.
A few good ſcholars, I grant, may have been formed by emulation and diſcipline; but to bring forward theſe clever boys, the health and morals of a number have been ſacrificed. The ſons of our gentry and wealthy commoners are moſtly educated at theſe ſeminaries, and will any one pretend to aſſert that the majority, making every allowance, come under the deſcription of tolerable ſcholars?
It is not for the benefit of ſociety that a few brilliant men ſhould be brought forward at the expenſe of the multitude. It is true, that great men ſeem to ſtart up, as great revolutions occur, at proper intervals, to reſtore order, and to blow aſide the clouds that thicken over the face of truth; but let more reaſon and virtue prevail in ſociety, and theſe ſtrong winds would not be neceſſary. Public education, of every denomination, ſhould be directed to form citizens; but if you wiſh to make good citizens, you muſt firſt exerciſe the affections of a ſon and a brother. This is the only way to expand the heart; for public affections, as well as public virtues, muſt ever grow out of the private character, or they are merely meteors that ſhoot athwart a dark ſky and diſappear as they are gazed at and admired.
Few, I believe, have had much affection for mankind, who did not firſt love their parents, their brothers, ſiſters, and even the domeſtic
