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

i34^tETTERS, TRACTS, b'c'.driven from GJafgow by the diligence of the n/agiflrates,will probably harbour about the town of Paifley; but as the Inhabitants of your borough havealways been diftinguifhed by a fharpnefs of fcent afterherefy, thefe delinquents will no doubt be immediatelydetected and brought to juftice.It is a mofh dreadful thing, Brethren, to fall into\the hands of academicians. Did they only aim atthe deftruclion of one particular branch of our commerce,we would poffibly get over it •, another branchmight perhaps caft up of equal or even fuperior profit; but an academy, by corrupting the minds of ouryouth with book-knowledge, aiie(^s the yi^x^ Jlam'ina'Vita of our trade.As it is this city which is immediately threatenedwith the academy, fome {hallov/ people may poffiblyimagine that we only are concerned in defeating thatprojedl. But, Brethren, we hope better things ofyou. Your undsrflandings furely are not fo dull butthat you will eafily difcern, at firft view, that yourown intereft is very intimately connected with theruin of this academy. The inhabitants of Glafgoware the very foul of trade in this part of the kingdom; ,and fliouid their commercial fpirit be extinguiflied,the confequences of it mufl foon be felt through t];e ^)whole country. But, fetting afide this confideration,you need not flatter yourfelves that thefe enemies ofour trade will be content with making their fchemetake effect in this city. Indeed they leave no roomfor conjedture concerning their after intentions. Towardsthe end of their pamphlet, they tell us plainly,that they make no doubt but academies, will foonbe erected in ail the "populous towns throughout thekingdom ; and we fuppofe their impious endeavourswill not be wanting in carrying on this hellifli defign.V>''e obferve, with inexprefTible concern, that tlieyhave already met v/ith too much fuccefs in the north'|