第7章

For the direful effects of Napoleon's government have created the most deep-rooted disgust at notions which could produce a belief that such conduct was glorious，or calculated to increase the happiness of even the individual by whom it was pursued.And the late discoveries and proceedings of the Rev Dr Bell and Mr Joseph Lancaster have also been preparing the way，in a manner the most opposite，but yet not less effectual，by directing the public attention to the beneficial effects，on the young and unresisting mind，of even the limited education which their systems embrace.

They have already effected enough to prove that all which is now in contemplation respecting the training of youth may be accomplished without fear of disappointment.And by so doing，as the consequences of their improvements cannot be confined within the British Isles，they will for ever be ranked among the most important benefactors of the human race，but henceforward to contend for any new exclusive system will be in vain：the public mind is already too well informed，and has too far passed the possibility of retrogression，much longer to permit the continuance of any such evil.

For it is now obvious that such a system must be destructive of the happiness of the excluded，by their seeing others enjoy what they are not permitted to possess；and also that it tends，by creating opposition from the justly injured feelings of the excluded，in proportion to the extent of the exclusion，to diminish the happiness even of the privileged：the former therefore can have no rational motive for its continuance.

If，however，owing to the irrational principles by which the world has been hitherto governed，individuals，or sects，or parties，shall yet by their plans of exclusion attempt to retard the amelioration of society，and prevent the introduction into PRACTICE of that truly just spirit which knows no exclusion，such facts shall yet be brought forward as cannot fail to render all their efforts vain.

It will therefore be the essence of wisdom in the privileged class to co-operate sincerely and cordially with those who desire not to touch one iota of the supposed advantages which they now possess；and whose first and last wish is to increase the particular happiness of those classes，as well as the general happiness of society.A very little reflection on the part of the privileged will ensure this line of conduct；whence，without domestic revolution without war or bloodshed nay，without prematurely disturbing any thing which exists，the world will be prepared to receive principles which are alone calculated to build up a system of happiness，and to destroy those irritable feelings which have so long afflicted society solely because society has hitherto been ignorant of the true means by which the most useful and valuable character may be formed.

This ignorance being removed，experience will soon teach us how to form character，individually and generally，so as to give the greatest sum of happiness to the individual and to mankind.