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it can reasonably be made any one's study, but as an introduction to rhetoric: when it is thought time to put any one upon the care of polishing his tongue, and of speaking better than the illiterate, then is the time for him to be instructed in the rules of grammar, and not before. For grammar being to teach men not to speak, but to speak correctly, and according to the exact rules of the tongue, which is one part of elegancy, there is little use of the one to him that has no need of the other; where rhetoric is not necessary grammar may be spared. I know not why any one should waste his time and beat his head about the Latin grammar, who does not intend to be a critic, or make speeches, and write despatches in it. When any one finds in himself a necessity or disposition to study any foreign language to the bottom, and to be nicely exact in the knowledge of it, it will be time enough to take a grammatical survey of it. If his use of it be only to understand some books writ in it without a critical knowledge of the tongue itself, reading alone, as I have said, will attain this end, without charging the mind with the multiplied rules and intricacies of grammar."

The method of studying languages, thus recommended by Locke, is now practised in the University of London, and in many_distinguished seminaries on the continent of Europe. It is also introduced extensively in this country, and text books, with interlined translations, have been prepared for the study of French, Italian, Latin, Greek, &c. Walker's New La

tin Reader, prepared with reference to this method of instruction, is a very suitable book for commencing the study of the Latin language. It consists of De l'Homme's Historia Sacra, and extracts from various Latin authors, accompanied with an interlined translation for learning the lessons, the pure text being presented in another part of the volume, for the purpose of recitation. The proper mode of using books of this description has already been shown in the extract from Locke, viz. to require a perfect knowledge of each lesson before learning the next; so that the pupil can give the English of each Latin word in the lesson, independently of its connexion with the context; and also can give the Latin for the corresponding English words in the same manner. An hour in each day, devoted to this method of study, will soon furnish a considerable stock of words. When the pupil has thus acquired a portion of the facts of the language, he may properly attend to its philosophy; and compare its structure with that of his vernacular tongue, or of any other language which he may have already acquired.*

* See Appendix. Article Languages.

ESSAY XII.

Logic, Moral Philosophy, and Political Economy. "The knowledge of morality and christianity is the absolutely indispensable part of education. For what avails it how knowing a person is, in speculative science, if he knows not how to be useful and happy?" Burgh.

TILL within a short period, logic, moral philosophy and the kindred sciences, have only been taught in colleges; but they are now introduced into schools and academies, to a considerable extent. We see no good reason for excluding them from the higher classes of schools, especially as many of these institutions profess to furnish what is equivalent to a college education.

To render the study of logic practically useful, it should be attended with exercises and trials of skill in reasoning and in the detection of sophistry. Arguments of various kinds, drawn from different authors, should be submitted to the pupils for their examination. They should be required to analyse and classify them, and pronounce upon their soundness, as well as to compose arguments. In short, the pupil should be taught not only the rules and principles of logic, but their application to practical purposes.

The utility of moral and political philosophy hardly require to be insisted on, in a free and

enlightened country. Every citizen of such a country should know something of the grounds of political as well as moral science; and it is better to make these subjects a portion of the regular course of study at school, than to leave them to the uncertain and desultory reading which may or may not occupy the leisure moments of active life.

A judicious teacher, with a good text book, of moral and political philosophy, can scarcely fail to make an impression on the mind of his pupil, of which the effects will be apparent in his subsequent character as a man and a citizen. Dr. Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy, has acquired great celebrity; and, taking it as a whole, we know of no other which can be compared with it, for good sense and practical wisdom. Those portions of the work which are particularly intended for British readers, the teacher may omit and still retain those great principles which are applicable to every age and country.*

At a moment when our whole country is agitated by discussions concerning its internal policy, and the true sources of national wealth, it surely cannot be deemed impertinent to recommend as a part of school instruction, the science of political economy. All the fierce

* That the expense of a text book, in Moral and Political Philosophy, may not prove an objection fatal to its introduction into common schools, we take the liberty to mention Whitaker's economical school edition with questions; sold by Mr. Grigg, and by the booksellers generally.

disputes which we hear concerning the justice and propriety of encouraging this or that branch of national industry might be prevented by the general diffusion of the established, undisputed truths of this science. Ignorance is, in this, as in many other instances, the parent of discord. Should our children become well versed in the treatises of such able writers as Say, the future legislators of our country will find it a comparatively easy task to do justice, and, at the same time, to satisfy their consti

tuents.

*" Say's Political Economy. A Treatise on Political Economy, or the Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth. By Jean Baptiste Say. Fourth American edition, with Additional Notes, by C. C. Biddle, Esq. 2 vols. in 1, 8vo."

"The editor of the North American Review, speaking of Say, observes. that he is the most popular, and perhaps the most able writer on Political economy since the time of Smith.'

"The editor of the National Gazette and Literary Register, speaking of this valuable work, observes—

"A fourth and very neat edition (octavo, two vols. in one,) of Princeps' excellent translation of Say's Treatise on Political Economy, with Colonel C. C. Biddle's valuable notes, and a new preface, has just appeared in this city. This work has been introduced as a text book in Harvard University, Brown University, Yale College, Augusta College, Kenyon College, Transylvania University, Dickinson College, Oxford College, &c. It has been adopted in like manner in most of the principal Universities on the continent of Europe. The American editor, who is extensively versed in Political Economy, pronounces it to be the most methodical, comprehensive, and best digested treatise on that science which has yet been presented to the world. It is certainly the best for the use of students, as a manual, and deserves the credit of superiority in method and accuracy.'