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

LETTERCONTAININGREMARKS UPON A PAMPHLETConcerning the Necejftt^ of ereHtng an Academy at Glafgciv,Gentlemen^'Y'OUR pamphlet conterning education hath, as youmy ft have heard, made feme noife in the city.Many have approved of it ; fome have cenfured partscf it ; and there are others who have railed at you, >and condemned it by the lump. However, I thinkyou need net be.much difcouraged, that pubHc orationsare begun to be delivered againft you, fet offwith abundance of high-founding and frightful epithetsj epithets, however well chofen and mannerlythey might appear, with whatever attention they wereiiflened to by the grave, learned, and acjmiring audience,are not decilive arguments. ^ If you have heardcf them, I think you may well flight them ; if youhave not, I would not advife you to be at any troubleto inquire about them : Eruptions of zeal and ragemay be very harmlefs ; and at any rate it is beft tolet them alone, and fufFer them to fubfide of themfelves.I got the pamphlet fo foon as it reached Glafgow:I have perufed it I believe with more than ordinaryattention, and I am tempted to do a thing which isnot- a little out cf my way : As an impartial byellander,I am going to make a few remiarks upon yourletter, but with a freedom fimilar to that which youhave affumed. You cannot be offended reafonably,if yourfclves are treated in the like manner as youhave ventured to treat ethers. I fet down things as