Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/384

 on the schoolmaster who would conscientiously discharge his trust?"

"As a preliminary to the answer of your question," replied the pastor, "let me ask you, what is the end you aim at, in sending your children to school?"

"I send them," returned William, "in order that they may learn to read and write, and cast accounts; all of which they might, to be sure, have learned from me at home, but not so well, because I could not have given them their lessons so regularly."

"That is one reason, to be sure," said Mr Gourlay, "and a good one; but why do you wish them to be instructed in the branches you have mentioned?"

"I wish them to learn to read," returned William, "that their minds may be enlarged by knowledge, and that they may be able to study the word of God; and I have them taught to write and cast accounts, that they may have it in their