Analysis of a New System of General Education; In Which the Lancastrian Principles Are Discussed and Enlarged, in a Project Fr the Erection of a Grand Public Academy at Glasgow, to Be Supported by Public Markets in the Suburbs of That City, But Applicable (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1811 Excerpt: ... WE now proceed to the consideration of those other matters, which are special objects of our regard, and for which we may at length hold our funds, municipal provisions, and influence, to have become sufficiently competent. Scotland owes much to her parochial institutions. The general dissemination of the first principles of knowledge and of morality, amongst every class of her inhabitants, andthe habits of industry, sobriety, and discretion, which so generally characterize our countrymen in foreign places, may in no small degree be traced to the advantages which these have thence derived. Unhappily, however, the vast improvements and advancements that have taken place in the arts, so desirable on other accounts, have hitherto been unfavorable to the growth of these national virtues. Our commercial and luxurious habits, seem to be striking at the root of the more noble qualities of the mind, and to be substituting, in their stead, the tinsel glare of shewy attainments. This change is not only striking deep, but spreading wide, and at length it affects, in a more or less degree, almost every rank and class of the community, more especially, however, the poor and more dependent classes. As it appears to me to be of considerable moment, to have a just apprehension of the nature and extent of the evil hereto referred, I beg leave to call the pointed attention of the community whom I now address, to the following observations. Although these may seem to diverge from the subject before us, I think they will ultimately be found to be very well adapted for its illustration. It is no less necessary to advert to general principles, than to well-known truths, when a subject, of such high importance, as the moral character of our countrymen is before us. It is indisput...