The influence of our schools in this neighbourhood can never be understood, if this, their connection with the state of landed property, be overlooked.  In fact, that influence is not striking.  The people are not habitually religious, in the common sense of the word, much less godly.  The effect of their schooling is chiefly seen by the activity with which the young persons emigrate, and the success attending it; and at home, by a general orderliness and gravity, with habits of independence and self-respect:  nothing obsequious or fawning is ever to be seen amongst them.

It may be added, that this ability (from the two causes, land and schools) of giving their children instruction contributes to spread a respect for scholarship through the country.  If in any family one of the children should be quicker at his book, or fonder of it than others, he is often marked out in consequence for the profession of a clergyman.  This (before the mercantile or manufacturing employments held out such flattering hopes) very generally happened; so that the schools of the North were the great nurseries of curates, several of whom got forward in their profession, some with and others without the help of a university education; and, in all instances, such connection of families (all the members of which lived in the humblest and plainest manner, working with their own hands as labourers) with a learned and dignified profession, assisted (and still does, though in a less degree) not a little to elevate their feelings, and conferred importance on them in their own eyes.  But I must stop, my dear Wrangham.  Begin your education at the top of society; let the head go in the right course, and the tail will follow.  But what can you expect of national education conducted by a government which for twenty years resisted the abolition of the slave trade, and annually debauches the morals of the people by every possible device? holding out temptation with one hand, and scourging with the other.  The distilleries and lotteries are a standing record that the government cares nothing for the morals of the people, and that all which they want is their money.  But wisdom and justice are the only true sources of the revenue of a people; preach this, and may you not preach in vain!

Wishing you success in every good work, I remain your affectionate friend, W. WORDSWORTH.

Thanks for your inquiries about our little boy, who is well, though not yet quite strong.[30]

[30] Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. 171-9.  G.

(c.) EDUCATION.

Two Letters to the Rev. Hugh James Rose, Horsham, Sussex.

Rydal Mount, Dec. 11. 1828.

MY DEAR SIR,

I have read your excellent sermons delivered before the University[31] several times.  In nothing were my notions different from yours as there expressed.  It happened that I had been reading just before Bishop Bull’s sermon,[32] of which you speak so highly:  it had struck me just in the same way as an inestimable production.  I was highly gratified by your discourses, and cannot but think that they must have been beneficial to the hearers, there abounds in them so pure a fervour.  I have as yet bestowed less attention upon your German controversy[33] than so important a subject deserves.