eople shall be instructed--for that
has been determined long ago, and the decision is irreversible--but
whether they shall be well or ill taught--half informed or as
thoroughly as their circumstances permit and their wants require.
Let no one be afraid of the bulk of the community becoming too
accomplished for their superiors. Well educated, and even well versed
in the most elevated sciences, they assuredly may become; and the
worst consequence that can follow to their superiors will be, that to
deserve being called their _betters_, they too must devote themselves
more to the pursuit of solid and refined learning; the present public
seminaries must be enlarged: and some of the greater cities of the
kingdom, especially the metropolis, must not be left destitute of the
regular means within themselves of scientific education.

"To the Working Classes I would say, that this is the time when by
a great effort they may secure for ever the inestimable blessing of
knowledge. Never was the disposition more universal among the rich to
lend the requisite assistance for setting in motion the great engines
of instruction; but the people must come forward to profit by the
opportunity thus afforded, and they must themselves continue the
movement once begun. Those who have already started in the pursuit of
science, and tasted its sweets, require no exhortation to persevere;
but if these pages should fall into the hands of any one at an hour
for the first time stolen from his needful rest after his day's work
is done, I ask of him to reward me (who have written them for his
benefit at the like hours) by saving threepence during the next
fortnight, buying with it Franklin's Life, and reading the first page.
I am quite sure he will read the rest; I am almost quite sure he will
resolve to spend his spare time and money, in gaining those kinds of
knowledge which from a printer's boy made that great man the first
philosopher, and one of the first statesmen of his age. Few are
fitted by nature to go as far as he did, and it is not necessary to
lead so perfectly abstemious a life, and to be so rigidly saving of
every instant of time. But all may go a good way after him, both in
temperance, industry, and knowledge, and no one can tell before he
tries how near he may be able to approach him."

We may here mention that in 1825, Lord Brougham was elected Lord
Rector of the University of Glasgow; his opponent, Sir Walter Scott,
lost the election