Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/387

 solemn drawl, will pass for superior sanctity. It thus becomes easy for fools and hypocrites to impose on the credulity of the multitude."

"But, sir," said Mrs Mason, "it is not by fools and hypocrites alone that these false tones are made the vehicles of instruction. Of all the excellent sermons given us by the gentlemen who assisted at your preachings, how few were delivered with such propriety, as to do full justice to the sentiments they conveyed?"

"I cannot deny the truth of your observation," returned Mr Gourlay. "It is to be regretted, that those who have early engaged in the study of the learned languages, seldom consider the art of reading English an object worthy their attention. They therefore are at little pains to correct the bad method so generally acquired at country schools. With regard to our peasantry, the effects of that bad method are still more unfortunate: it frequently renders their boasted