patience; although we cannot but be sensible of the scanty justice we have done to the important subjects we have considered. We hope, however, for indulgence, when it is remembered that these essays have been written during the few moments of leisure snatched from the actual toils of a profession, which leaves little leisure for connected thought or elaborate composition. APPENDIX. EMULATION. As there has been much discussion on the propriety of addressing, in any system of school government, the principle of emulation, we have copied from Mr. Wood's "Account of the Edinburgh Sessional School," published at Edinburgh in 1828, the following observations, which appear to us "to have set this question at rest.” "For ourselves we very much incline to the opinion, that a cook might as well resolve to make bread without fermentation, as a pedagogue to carry on school without emulation: it must be a sad doughy lump without this vivifying principle.'* What might be the state of this question, if man, in his present imperfect condition, and particularly in its earlier stages, stood in need of no additional incentive to the pursuit of knowledge or the practice of virtue, than the pure love of either, it is very unnecessary to inquire. Surely no one will contend, that this is now his actual condition. And, in such circum stances, can it be wise in him to deny either to himself, or to those entrusted to his charge, the aid of any of those additional stimuli, which Providence in mercy proffers to supply this natural imperfection? Or, which of those incentives is more noble or animating, than the ardent desire implanted in our bosom of rising superior to our fellows? How many slumbering faculties has not this living principle roused into exertion! To how many days of toil and waking nights-to how many splendid discoveries and inventions-to how many deeds of virtue and exploits of heroism-to how much individual happiness and social improvement, has it not given birth! In place of being a base and sordid passion, is it not one which burns brightest in the noblest and most generous souls? Men may theoretically speak and write against it, but he, and he only, who is incapable of excellence, will ever refuse its aid. By any attempt to suppress it, we may turn it into a less pure channel than that in which nature intended it to flow; but we can never entirely arrest its course. With regard to the feelings of envy, hatred, &c. which are said to be gendered by the exercise of emulation, we are far from denying, that this principle, like every other, is liable to abuse, and may, under improper management, produce the effects ascribed to it. But we can, from experience, with confidence pronounce, that these are not its necessary fruits. Even in the very moment of the most ardent competition, it has been our pleasure to witness, times without number, acts of the most generous and disinterested nature. Some of these, which had * It is remarkable that Cowper, who, in his "Tiroci num," inveighs so strongly against emulation, in his "Task" evidently laments its decay along with the relaxation of discipline in our great public seminaries. Discipline at length O'erlooked and unemployed fell sick and died: escaped our own observation, or been treated as matters of daily occurrence, have not failed to attract and draw forth the admiration of strangers. Who, too, are the fondest and most inseparable companions at play hours, but those, who, in their hours of business, most strenuously resist each other's pretensions? Such a spectacle may excite, in the breast of the theoretical speculator, the like feelings of wonder, that arise to the clown, on seeing the friendly intercourse of two barristers, who, but the moment before, appeared to him to have contracted a deadly quarrel. But it is familiar to all who have had the happiness to be educated at a well regulated school. To many such we may appeal, whether, in those who struggled hard to tear the laurels from their own youthful brows, they have not found their warmest and their steadiest friends through life: Their early friends, friends of their evil day; All this, however, we confess, must go for nothing, if it be true, as is alleged, that the voice of Scripture utterly condemns the principle. But where is it that such condemnation has been pronounced? Mr. Campbell sweepingly tells us, that the Apostle Paul expressly proscribed emulation as one of the works of the flesh.' But if the apostle, in the passage referred to, is to be considered as proscribing under the word 'emulation' all generous rivalry, as well may he be supposed to have condemned under the word 'wrath,' in the same passage, all just and virtuous indignation, and under the term variance,' all difference in sentiment, however honest and sincere. Nor, assured * Pollok. ly, is it in the practice of the great apostle, that we shall find any proscription of this principle. No man knew better than he, its predominance over the human soul, or ever wielded it more powerfully towards the accomplishment of his own important ends. He tells us himself the use which he made of it, in his attempt to convert and save his own countrymen, by twitting them with the superior privileges which the Gentiles, whom they despised, were now earning to themselves. With an evident reference to a passage in one of their prophets, recently quoted by him, which contains the following remarkable expression recognising the same principle, 'I will provoke you to jealousy by them which are no people; the apostle proceeds, I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. For I speak to you, Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office; if by any means I may provoke to emulation, them which were my flesh, and might save some of them. Nor can any thing exceed the skill with which he employs the like principle, in the management of his various churches. To the Macedonians he boasts of the forwardness of the church at Corinth to contribute for the saints; while, to the latter, he is careful to communicate this boast, in order that they may show themselves worthy of it. I know,' says he to the Corinthians, the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago: and your faith hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I have said, ye may be ready: lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we, that we say not YE, should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.' What a contrast does tact like this, founded on a thorough knowledge of human nature, exhibit, to the visionary schemes, which are our present object of consideration! * Rom. xi. 11. † 2 Cor. ix. 2. |