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    &c . ; whatever may be the disappointments produced by the comparative inefficiency of Mechanics' Institutes , the London University , and similar attempts for the promotion of public instruction ; whatever may be our just complaints of the yet deficient quantity ,, and the far more deficient quality , of popular education ; it cannot with any plausibility be denied that our times are characterized by an extraordinary developement of intelligence , The growth of intelligence is naturally and always that of discontent . Not of a querulous and aimless discontent , but of that acute sense of present , yet not necessary or irremediable evil , and of that perception of higher but attainable good , which constitute the spur to human improvement . Why is it that the mechanic of the present day is at the same time better oft ' , and yet more dissatisfied , than were the operatives of past

    generations ? He has more knowledge , more mind ; he wants more ; tions ? He has more knowledge , more mind ; he wants more ; and he believes that more is to be had ; and eventually he will have it . Very silly is the attempt to lecture him out of this craving ; it is nature ' s provision for the progress of society . The more enlightened he is , the stronger will it be in his bosom ; and the greater the security of its impulse not driving him to acts

    injurious to others . Far and wide has the conviction spread amongst the working classes , and a just conviction it is , that they have not yet found their true place in society . And there is another description of persons who are in a similar predicament . The Aristocracy of Talent , as it has sometimes been called , is an Aristocracy chiefly in its own estimation . Its power is only

    recognised at irregular intervals , when it makes itself felt upon other portions of the community in a manner which cannot be mistaken . A public writer takes no rank by his profession . It often subjects him to unworthy imputations . He is regarded , sometimes , as a convenient tool for his betters to employ . Now , if there be much , in the present arrangements of society , to sting the sturdy operative , much more must there be to

    goad and lacerate the sensitiveness of cultivated intelligence . The discontent ( we use the word , as before , in no bad sense ) of this class must be of a deeper character . Their perceptions both of evil endured , and of good not realized , are of the keenest description .. And what numbers there are wlio w holly or partially depend upon intellectual exertion for their pecuniary resources . How strong , of late , have been the stimulating

    influences to which they are subject . What a mass of mental vitality there is in this country . We must not estimate it by the production of epic poems or voluminous histories . Look rather at newspapers , periodicals , and the current literature of the day . With all the deductions that must be made , they are yet a magnificent exhibition of intellectual power . The press is the fourth estate of the realm ; but it is swamped by the other three , so far as aflfects the condition and prospects of its individual member ^

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    2 : The True Spirit of Reform *

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1835, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2641/page/2/