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 the twelve years that it has been kept by Brown, it has, I verily believe, done more harm than good. It could not, indeed, be otherwise; for it was an everlasting scene of noise, riot, and confusion."

"I should have thought, sir, that your authority would have been sufficient to introduce better regulations. Is not the parish school in some measure under your controul?"

"No," replied Mr Gourlay, "controul is, in this country, out of the question; nor do I believe that, if it were permitted, it would answer any good purpose; for who would embroil themselves, by opposing the pride and perverseness of an obstinate blockhead, unless when zeal was whetted by personal animosity? and under such malign influence, controul would soon be converted into an engine of oppression."

"But might not your advice, sir,"—

"Advice! Surely, my good madam, you must know too much of the world to