g, as they do, the last written evidence of the
tone of his great mind on this subject.

Should you address yourself to this question, you are, in my
opinion, fully justified in dealing with the _memorandum_ as
referring to general and national arrangements, and not to
those which are essentially of a temporary and varying
character.--Believe me, with great esteem, yours sincerely,

F. MAULE.

-----

{2} This passage has been referred to in several Free Church
presbyteries, as if the writer had affirmed that the schoolmaster
stands on no higher level than the shoemaker or tailor. We need
scarce say, however, that the passage conveys no such meaning.
By affirming that in matters of chimney-sweeping men choose
for themselves the best chimney-sweeps, and in matters of
indisposition or disease the best physicians, we do not at
all level the physician with the chimney-sweep: we merely
intimate that there is a _best_ in both professions, and that
men select that best, as preferable to what is inferior or worse,
on every occasion they can.

{3} We have learned that what was actually intended at this time
was, not to _ordain_, but only to _induct_ our schoolmasters. And
their _induction_ would have made, we doubt not, what Foigard in
the play calls a 'very pretty sheremony.' But no mere ceremony,
however imposing, can communicate to a secular profession a
spiritual status or character.

{4} A fac-simile of this letter was reproduced in the columns of
the _Witness_.--ED.

{5} See Introduction.

CHAPTER SECOND.

Right and Duty of the Civil Magistrate to educate the
People--Founded on two distinct Principles, the one economic,
the other judicial--Right and Duty of the Parent--Natural, not
Ecclesiastical--Examination of the purely Ecclesiastical
Claim--The real Rights in the case those of the State, the
Parent, and the Ratepayer--The terms Parent and Ratepayer
convertible into the one term Householder.

Wherever mind is employed, thought will be evolved; and in all
questions of a practical character, truth, when honestly sought, is
ultimately found. And so we deem it a happy circumstance, that there
should be more minds honestly engaged at the present time on the
educational problem than at perhaps any former period. To the upright
light will arise. The question cannot be too profoundly pondered,