The principal causes of this moral improvement appear to be these ;-the INSTRUCTION of the POOR, and the more general diffusion of the HOLY SCRIPTURES.

It is now about twenty years since the establishment of the schools of instruction, called SUNDAY SCHOOLS; and it is not easy to calculate the sum of good which hath been produced to this nation by that simple institution. The period which hath elapsed is just sufficient, or nearly sufficient, to shew its operation; for the effect is now visible among a generation who have grown up.

Of the general happy operation of this religious instruction, I have myself, I think, been a witness. Upon my return lately from India, after an absence since 1796, I travelled through a great part of the kingdom, and perceived a change of circumstances, since I left the country, which I

could not contemplate without admiration. As religious instruction seemed evidently to be the chief cause of the beneficial change amongst the lower orders, so there was a concurrence of causes, which had an influence not only on them, but on the higher classes, amongst whom, likewise, a melioration was conspicuous; namely, the salutary discipline of a protracted war, the alarm of invasion, and the spirit called forth by the active preparations for defence. For it is to be observed, that the nation's assuming a military character, though attended by partial evil, doth not seem to have had any tendency to lessen its virtue. But the effects of the general improvement were manifest in the following particulars; first, in an unaffected LOYALTY to the sovereign;-2dly, in an unity of sentiment, (which seemed indeed almost universal) as to the DUTY of the country in the arduous contest in which she is engaged;—and 3dly,

in an increased sense of the importance of RELIGION, and in a more serious attention to its duties.

No wonder, I said to myself, that this people are so easily governed, amidst fluctuating administrations. They are governed by themselves. They are governed by the ascendant good sense of the nation; and by the knowledge they possess of what is passing in the world; and chiefly by the knowledge they possess of the value of the Christian religion, and of its concomitant blessings. It is evident, that no statesman can acquire the esteem and confidence of such a people, who possesses not at least some fair claim to truth, integrity, and religion, as well as to good sense and talents.

Such being the general state of the people, it is not to be wondered at, that they should have looked forward with delight to the celebration of this Jubilee. It

is because they know how to appreciate the virtues of the sovereign. The virtues of the sovereign have, indeed, been a great blessing to the nation; but the greatest blessing is the GRATITUDE of his people; I mean their ability to value his virtues, and their possessing a just and grateful sense of their beneficial effects on themselves. And this gratitude, we aver, is founded on KNOWLEDGE; chiefly, on that religious and moral knowledge, which enables men to appreciate virtue; and again, on a knowledge of the circumstances of the nation, and of its state in relation to other nations. For, almost every man of ordinary education is not only acquainted with his own country, but has a picture of the world before him; and is enabled to understand the purposes and ends of that power which is convulsing the world, and would enslave it.

This knowledge, then, is an inestima

ble blessing. It is that which distinguishes our nation at this moment from other nations; and it is the instrument which God is pleased to use, not only, we trust, to preserve ourselves, but others; not only to defend the Christian religion at home, but to extend it throughout the world. But, take away the Bible, and the instruction of the lower classes, and we should soon fall into that darkness which envelopes the other nations of Europe. Neither science, nor philosophy, nor the fine arts, could ever enlighten the public mind as it is now enlightened. Neither conquest, nor commerce, would add any thing to our public virtue. The fountain of our knowledge, and of our happiness, is the Bible; and the greatest blessing we can render to our country is to call every poor person, and teach him to drink from this fountain.

On my return from the East, I was