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The Editor has expreffed some diffidence, where, I think, he might have spoken with full confidence. He fays, in the preface, that "The political fentiments contained in his book, will probably be cenfured by fome-" No, Sir; just fentiments of a political, as well as thofe of a religious nature, are very far from meriting cenfure, even though they are found in a fchool-book. Does not the addrefs of General WASHINGTON to the people of the United States contain political fentiments? And will any one fay, that those fentiments are improper to be taught in schools !—And so far as political fentiments are couched in this work, they are fuch as lead to the fame obje&s : they fhew us what true glory is, and the way to attain it: they teach how to preferve liberty, and to support our independence. And whoever inculcates principles which tend to promote these objects, may feel a conscious pride in the full affurance that he deferves well of his country. These principles ought to pervade all claffes of men and women: Our children fhould imbibe them with their mothers' milk; and preceptors of all denominations should never cease to cherish them in the mind of rifing generations. We must not be taught to fear literty, because fome of her votaries are licentious :- As well might we fear religion, because fome of her difciples are vicious. Guarded by TRUTH, as they always fhould be, they will never do harm. And though naked truth may offend fome, and dazzle others who have weak eyes, yet these are no good reafons for keeping her eternally hid under a bufhel. Those who wifh it, are not unlike the race of owls, which would gladly have the grand luminary of heaven extinguished, that they might mouze by twilight.

To point out the particular excellencies of this book, would exceed the limits of my letter, which is already too long The best way to form an estimate of any work is to examine it; in doing which, you will find, in every page, ample recompence for your pains. I hope, and doubt not, that your fair pupils will be profited by it, and that the compiler may receive the just recompence due to its merit. I am, Sir,

Jan. 22d, 1801.

With the greatest esteem,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN ELY.

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