income, in a considerable degree. Thus, perhaps, a medal, of a value not exceeding five guineas, would prove more valuable to a master, from the honourable circumstances attending its delivery, than a donation of fifty guineas given in privacy and silence.

The whole body of teachers might derive considerable benefit from the benevolent exertions of the society proposed, in another respect. Schoolmasters are at continual expence for Bibles, Testaments, slates, spelling, writing, and other books, quills, &c.; it is conceived, that large impressions of particular books might be printed off, and considerable purchases made of other articles, which should be retailed without profit, at the society's expence, for ready money, in aid of those teachers only, whose connection with the society, and attention to their duty, should entitle them to such a privilege. It is thought, if such bargains were made with prudence, that many masters might save ten guineas per annum by it, on a very moderate calculation*, a sum that is of great consequence to persons having families to maintain. Now, if ten guineas were offered as a donation to some men, their independent spirit would make them decline the offer; but few would object to purchase a bargain whereby so much would be saved. If it should

happily prove the public disposition to encourage the worthy teachers of youth, I presume it would be thought best to do it in a manner that would not hurt the feelings of any individual.

If this idea should be judged expedient for adoption, I conceive, the funds appropriated to this purpose would remain undiminished, except a trifling annual expence for the person employed in vending them, while one thousand, or fifteen hundred, pounds might be saved to teachers under the society's patronage; and this piece of service would be more grateful to them, from the conviction that it was the consequence of their own industry and merit. I flatter myself, that, if found needful, any wise and benevolent government, above all an English government, would readily concur in encouraging a society of this kind, and, perhaps, allow a drawback of the total duties on writing paper, for the use of teachers under the society's protection. This would make a material addition to their fund, and the degree of their usefulness to those they might chuse to protect.

To facilitate the means of rewarding pupils for good behaviour, attention to their studies, &c. by having medals struck (of silver, and inferior metal) in variety, and adapted to the occasion, a diversity of means might be suggested, whereby teachers should be enabled to encourage and reward their

pupils

pupils, without burthening themselves and their families with an imprudent expence.

To endeavour to gain all the information on the subject of tuition, which the peculiar situation of the society, as patrons of education, would most likely afford, in an extensive manner, the publication of which would be attended with great usefulness, and prove a desirable object. It most probably would not be thought proper to insist upon, or enforce, any particular modes of tuition, religious systems, or creeds. If a teacher were honest, assiduous, and careful, it is as much as any society ought to expect from him. It may be remembered, that this proposal is not to establish a new order of schools, which would be attended with great expence, but to reform those we already have, by enabling and encouraging the masters to do their duty. Therefore, every master must be left at liberty to pursue the path of his own choice, and yet partake of the expected reward at the end of his toils. But there remain several things which the public opinion will require specific attention to. Above all, a due attention to health, cleanliness, and morality.

The object is not, by more than Herculean labour, to produce either a new establishment, or assume an improper power in the old one, but to cause the

schools of which it consists to approximate nearer to public utility; and that only, by mild, manly, and Christian conduct, on the part of the society.

If such a society should be formed, great care will be needful in admitting members, but abundantly so in chusing the committee.

Such a society, from its great usefulness, would soon become the most beneficial, respected, and popular of any in the kingdom. Its objects, by a proper definition and limitation, might be circumscribed, so as to avoid giving offence even to narrowminds; while all its benevolent objects would be accomplished, in some hundreds of schools, amongst many thousands of children, at an expence, that, probably, would not exceed fifteen hundred pounds per annum.

I do not think it a commendable thing for any body of men to infringe the rights of individuals; therefore, it would not be proper for a society to dictate to teachers, having schools of their own, how, or what they should teach. I conceive any person, whose moral character and abilities were likely to make him serviceable to the rising generation, should be an object of the society's protection, let his denomination of religion be what it may; and let him pursue whatever methods, of re

ligious

ligious or other instruction, his sincere and best intentions may dictate. I am an advocate for kind treatment on the part of the proposed society.

I flatter myself, that the good sense of persons engaged in the education of youth, would induce them to try, or adopt, such measures as the society might recommend, if the advantage were obvious and practice easy; and this too, without any other means, than such as the result of kindness and goodwill.

The patronage of such a society would stimulate to exertion many worthy men, who now linger and despond, being without hope. How often is it seen, not only in the various pursuits of life, but in the revolutions of empires, that particular prospects of success not only present the opportunity of action and advantage, but often animate the mind to embrace it? So would teachers of youth, well fitted for their employ, be daily formed, if the cheering hope of reward animated their labours. But it is very poor encouragement for a man, having a family, to pass laboriously away the prime of his days, with the cheerless expectation of ending them in a workhouse or prison.

It is probable, such a society would be productive of much good, at a comparatively small expence, and the influence of all parties concerned