about eleven who are unable to pay any thing, yet are anxious to learn; some have a desire to come, but it is necessary for me to have some means of support in the arduous task. Thus far, consistent with truth, I have endeavoured to give you an idea of the situation of my school; many have quitted their profane language and levity, and appear to be more agreeable companions. Should I continue here, further exertions will be productive of more good. 1 am, with thankfulness,

"Honoured Sir,

"Your most obedient and very humble servant, "BENJAMIN BURRITT.”

In the Reports of the Strangers' Friend Society in Bristol, for the year 1813, is recorded the following gratifying instance of zeal for learning to read the Scriptures, in a poor man, whilst suffering pain from a distressing accident:

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Joseph Ingram was seen in much distress, in AnnStreet, with a wife and two small children. Not being able to get work a considerable part of the winter, they were reduced to great poverty. This case was visited and relieved, until the man was employed by some builders, as a mason's labourer; but in a few days, he met with a severe accident, by a block of freestone falling on his hand, which was dreadfully bruised, and one of his fingers nearly torn away. He was admitted an out-patient to the Infirmary; but his parish being remote, he applied again to the Strangers' Friend, who visited him, and recommended his case to the Samaritan Society for more effectual relief. It may not be unworthy of remark, that the visiters, on calling a second time, found this poor man, though afflicted with strong pain and all the aggravations of cheerless poverty, was gone to an Adult School, to learn to Read the Holy Scriptures."

When we look around us, with an eye of benevolence and Christian charity, to ascertain and adopt the best means of extending the blessings of education amongst poor adults, we should not neglect those public Institutions wherein are collected, either temporarily or more permanently, a number of persons under that description: such as hospitals, alms-houses, work-houses, and even prisons; in each of these there will be, no doubt, opportunities and methods found, by the well directed exertions of suitable persons, under the sanction of the Governors or acting Committees of those several Institutions, for carrying this beneficial system into effect.

On

As long since as the year 1746, the late Dean Tucker, in a Sermon preached before "The Contributors to the Support of the Bristol Infirmary," alludes pointedly to the practicability of making those Institutions for relieving the sick and injured poor, subservient to the promotion of moral virtues; one very important means of effecting which is, unquestionably, the general in struction of the lower classes in the use of letters. this subject, he expresses himself in these words "As to the secondary views which this our Institution may be made subservient to, these have been rather casually touched upon and briefly hinted at, than expressly treated of at large, in the Discourses that have hitherto preceded. And particularly it hath not been yet, as I know of, distinctly and fully set forth, what a tendency it has toward retrieving the almost lost sense of piety and virtue among the poor: nor have hospitals and infirmaries been immediately considered as so many schools for the revival and propagation of morality and religion, and as means that may conduce toward a national reformation in the common people."

The Dean proceeds," By considering the good done to the body, as introductory to a better and an higher view, viz. To the inculcating of a practical sense of duty towards God and man, and to the saving of the soul, A consideration this, which verily, in point of human prudence, and on the score of the public good of socic

ty, cannot be deemed by any to be a weak or improper motive to be joined to the many already referred to, for recommending this charitable Foundation; seeing that integrity and justice, labour and frugality, temperance and sobriety, and the whole circle of moral and social duties are the things which cause a nation to thrive and flourish; as, on the contrary, vices are its certain bane and ruin even though it should be supposed that religion and a future state were out of the question.-Nor surely, after this, will it need any apology to those who look beyond the concerns of the present life, and whose hopes are full of immortality, that such a subject should be allowed a distinct and ample consideration in the following Discourse. To this end, therefore, I have chosen these words of the text-' That I might by all means save some.'-Where the Apostle informs us that he did many things, and accommodated himself to the genius, tempers, and wants of many different people, where he could consistently do it, for the sake of gaining the great end in view-the conversion and salvation of their souls: for he became all things unto all men, that he might by all means save some. With the same view then, I shall consider the institution of hospitals and infirmaries, as the Apostle did the accommodating himself to the inclinatious and affections of those he had to converse with; i. e. I shall consider it as a means which, though highly laudable and beneficial in itself, is rendered still more valuable by being made subservient to a much nobler and better end-a national reformation, and the interests of true religion and Christian morality. Nor can it be objected, if we will but reflect a moment on the present state of the principles and morals of the lower class of people, that this is a needless design, or an unnecessary end for us to propose."

In this city, nothing to any considerable extent, has yet been done respecting the establishment of schools in our hospitals or prisons, although this subject has occupied the attention of individuals active in the cause

of education relative to adults; such establishments are at this time under serious deliberation, and efforts are making to effect these benevolent wishes of the Adult School Society. In that called St. Peter's Hospital, there has, for some time past, been a school for women, which is rendered very respectable by the industry and proper management of those females who have generously volunteered their services for its management. In Bridewell, there is also one, very recently established, for the instruction of women; they accepted the proposal with ardour, and evinced a sincere gratitude for the friendly exertions made for their improvement.

Private Schools.

In the course of applications for learners, in the courts and lanes of Bristol, some persons have been found amongst the untaught poor, who evince a great aversion to attend the public schools opened for their instruction; this may arise from variety of disposition, as well as from a consideration of the circumstances attending the pursuit of that knowledge of which they are in want; but even if it be from pride, indolence, shame, or ignorance of the true value of learning, these impediments cannot be overcome by force.

When all who are willing to attend the public schools are collected, it becomes a consideration with the benevolent, what will be the best means of gathering up the fragments, that nothing may be lost. No plan appears better calculated to effect this desirable purpose, than that of forming Private Schools in the dwellings of the poor; where small companies of neighbours, acquaint-. ed with each other, may be collected for the purpose of receiving instruction in a more private way, from teachers of suitable ages, and who may be agreeable to the learners.

For this idea, I acknowledge myself indebted to my valued friend James Montgomery, of Sheffield, (a man well known to the world as a poet,) in a letter I received from him a short time since; speaking of the two Adult Schools established in Sheffield, he observes" In this town, the plan has succeeded happily, so far as it has been perseveringly tried; but many persons, particularly the men, though willing to be taught, are ashamed to learn in large schools, where their ignorance and awkwardness are exposed to young people or strangers; it is therefore intended, so far as it can be done conveniently, to teach such at their private dwellings, in small classes, where six or eight neighbours may be associated together. This hint is worthy your consideration, and the experiment may be advantageously made, where such obstructions to the establishment of large associations occur from the shyness or obstinacy of those who are very reluctant to appear what they are, and very willing by stealth to become what they are not. The feelings, nay, the prejudices of such, ought to be tenderly treated, and accommodated as much as possible.”.

One objection to this plan is obvious; which is, that the persons thus collected will probably be in different stages of learning, and, whilst a teacher is pointing to a lesson of single syllables, for the instruction of one or two of the pupils, those who are farther advanced are: losing time; for one great object in the Lancasterian system of education is, that each individual in a school, though consisting of many hundreds, should every minute of his time be employed in learning something that he does not yet understand: it is with this intention that the scholars are so classed as to have every one in a class precisely in the same stage of advancement, consequently, all must have their attention constantly fixed upon a lesson they have not yet learned. In these Private Schools, managed by one teacher, the teacher's time must necessarily be divided; for, whilst he is instructing perhaps two or three in a lesson, composed of words of one syllable, the others more advanced are