Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/217

Rh one half are to be diſcontinued (from among whom the grammar ſchools will probably be ſupplied with future maſters ) ; and the other half, who are to be choſen for the ſuperiority of their parts and diſpoſition, are to be ſent and continued three years in the ſtudy of ſuch ſciences as they ſhall chuſe, at William and Mary college, the plan of which is propoſed to be enlarged, as will be hereafter explained, and extended to all the uſeful ſciences. The ultimate reſult of the whole ſcheme of education would be the teaching all the children of the ſtate reading, writing, and common arithmetic: turning out ten annualy of ſuperior genius, well taught in Greek, Latin, geography, and the higher branches of arithmetic: turning out ten others annually, of ſtill ſuperior parts, who, to thoſe branches of learning, ſhall have added ſuch of the ſciences as their genius ſhall have led them to; the furniſhing to the wealthier part of the people convenient ſchools, at which their children may be educated at their own expence. The general objects of this law are to provide an education adapted to the years, to the capacity, and the condition of every one, and directed to their freedom and happineſs. Specific details were not proper for the law. Theſe muſt be, the buſineſs of the viſitors entruſted with its execution. The firſt ſtage of this education being the ſchools of the hundreds wherein the great maſs of the people will receive their inſtruction, the principle foundations of future order will be laid here. Inſtead therefore of putting the Bible and Teſtament into the hands of the children at an age when their judgments are not ſufficiently matured for religious inquieries, their memories may here be ſtored with