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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
You know that his creed supposes that all human beings are the creatures of circumstances ; hence he contends , that if he had a colony of infants , by suppressing all erroneous reasoning and conclusions upon all
subjects , and by substituting- truth , which is , that of being- taught to make no conclusion but what is thoroughly understood , he could make man to set at naught the things upon which he now places the most value , and unite in a community of interests that would have the effect of producing
brotherly love and unity throughout the world . Nay , he carries this idea so far , that he supposes the highest ranks in society will find it the greatest source of recreation to visit the establishments of their neighbours , and perform a few hours' labour at something that will pay for their entertainment . These results , and many
others , which I have not time to mention , Mr . O . will have that he can bring about in society , by means of children . Then , is it to be wondered at , that his character assumes the
highest traits of benevolent and overflowing pleasure , when he mixes among these germs of future men and women ? " From the play-ground we entered a large room for the purpose of play and amusement when the weather
will not permit them to be out of doors . Here the most unrestrained liberty is given for noise or amusement . On each side of this room are schools for this class , which runs from two years old to six . Some are taken to the upper school at four , having
attained the learning necessary for their advancement . " From these schools we went up into the large room for dancing , marching , &c \ , when soon the shrill j ! f < ' echoed up the brand staircase .
iSl * boys , in Highland plaids and caps , entered , playing a quick march until j ' ! the hoys and girls ( for girls inarch here ) entered the room : they were followe d by other six lifers ; the whole as "wy entered formed a square . After
J , the word of command was given , Tl m face , left face , &c . They then passed iu review , inarching round the room in slow and quick time . After ^ archinpr , the boys and girls destined i ! ° £ ' tne vvon * ° f command , ran 11 a kind of dance , and formed two
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lines in the centre of the square . They then sang , ' When first this humble roof I knew / accompanied by a clarionet ; then ' The Banks of Aberfeldy ; ' then ' The Banks and Braes of bonny Doon ; ' then ' Auld Lang Syne / There were fifty singers . After this , they then again formed a square ; and the word of command was given for the dancers , who immediately came
into the centre as the singers had done . Two or three dances were then given in a style which would not have disgraced some of our assemblies . After dancing they marched again once or twice : six lifers then led them down
stairs , the other six remained playing , and all kept beating time until the whole deployed out of the room . These interesting beings were all barefoot , but gracefulness was in their steps . * ' * *
" Next we entered the large school on the same floor , capable of holding 400 writers and accompters . There is a pulpit at one end , and it is neatly galleried , and will hold a congregation of 1200 . There were boys and girls from four to twelve years old busily
employed m reading , writing and accounts , plain sewing , marking , &c The greatest regularity and decorum prevailed . Heard children of four years old read well in the Testament ; others of five read , and that well , historical pieces from various authors . The writers and accompters
industrious ; the writing a good style . The ladies vvho were with us , said the sewing and marking was very good . We next went and stood in a gallery in the room where the singers , &c . had been ,
and saw below us a professional man from Edinburgh , teaching four barefooted girls and four boys the different steps , bows and curtsies and dancing . It was delighful to see the gracefulness and ease with which these rustic
sons and daughters of the working classes made the obeisant compliment , or tripped on the light fantastic toe . They have two violin players , who are also professional men . ? *
" After tea we went down to the village , and found the large schoolroom ( which is capable of holding 1200 persons ) about two-thirds full : it was concert night . Concert night
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Mr . Cawood oh Air . Owen ' s Establishment . ' . 295
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1822, page 295, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2512/page/39/
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