Page:The education of the farmer.djvu/52

 When a farmer's occupation is so small that his profits do not exceed one hundred pounds per annum, with capital even more than proportionally small, his position is in reality little above that of a superior town mechanic, or small tradesman. In such a case it is manifest that the son's labour is valuable to the father, who, instead of paying 301. a year for the boy at a boarding school, wants him at home; where he may earn his board, and if he has been well trained up to twelve years old, may go on improving his mind. I have not the least doubt that the best education the little farmer can possibly obtain for his son will be found in a good village school under a well-trained master; and that to send the boy for a finishing to a boarding school in a town is simple waste of time and money.

The entire expense of a good school, with a certificated master and pupil teachers for 50 boys, cannot be estimated at less than 100l. per annum, or 21. per head. Whatever may be said on the grounds of political economy, I see no practical objection worth serious consideration against this education being given to the poor on charitable principles, at such a rate as they can afford to pay, while the small farmers and tradesmen consult their own independence and respectable position by paying its fair price, say from 10s. to 15s. per quarter. The advantage to both parties would be very great, and by proper management no confusion of ranks need ensue; the labourer's child, alas! is sure to be driven out to work at an early age, and the boys in the first class will generally be drawn from a higher grade in society owing to their staying longer at school. Provided there be a competent assistant or pupil-teacher, and the school be well looked after, there is no fear that the poor will be the sufferers. This is the old-fashioned English arrangement under which many a great man has risen from the Village School through the University to high places in Church or State.

The country schools in England will never be what they might be till the middle classes take more interest in them. It is stated by Dean Dawes, on the authority of Sir John Pakington, that 15,000,000 out of the 18,000,000 inhabitants of England are dependent on incomes under 100s. a-year; five-sixths of the population of England are therefore deeply interested in having a good and cheap education within a walk from their own doors. "The farmers," the Dean also says, "and those of the same class in our rural districts, may rest assured, and until it is brought home to them into their own parishes or neighbourhood, they never will, as a class of men, get that education it is desirable they should have; and that by standing aloof,