The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

LETTERS, TRACTS, IsfC,2gjwhich to you may appear incredible, and yet nothingis more true. It is the nearnefs of the univerfity tous, that is the caufe of our little knowledge, and thatan academy like that now proje6led did not long agotake place. We expelled from time to time that theprofefforswould turn from intricate and ufelefs toufeful and plain parts of fcience, and teach them withcare and diligence. Had it not been for this vainimagination, we are verily perfuaded Glafgow wouldhave fet an example to Perth, inftead of Perth's havingfet one to Glafgow.We have at prefent the bell hopes, and imaginethat we are within reach of having the reproach ofour want of tafte, and that we are carelefs about theeducation of our children, entirely wiped away.Wethink ourfelves as fure as we can be of any thing thatis future, that, if this propofal is properly executed,within eight or ten years every ftranger and everydifcerning perfon will obferve a feniibk and generalimprovement in tafte and knowledge among the in^habitajits of this city, and that from thenceforth therewill not be the lead ground for any fuch furprife asyou exprefled.But if after all nothing is done, we fliall fuffer youand every one to rally our citizens as you pleafe ; andas your raillery, though poignant, is genteel, fo farfrom avoiding your company, we will court it ; andjudging ourfelves unconcerned, we will with patience,perhaps with pleafure, hear your burlefque withoutopening our mouths^Indeed, if our city fhall relapfe into a lethargy, asbefore if there be not fenfe enough to fee the utility,or if there be not authority, or fpirit, or numbers*;enough to forward the execution of a project fo neceflaryanjl eafy, we mull acknowledge, that, notwithltandingall our partiality to ourfelves and our citizens,we ihould not know what to fay further iaour defence. We fhould, we fear, be forced to coa-