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108 Gaelic Society of Inverness.
amount of improvidence and idleness, although it had to be borne
in mind that they had mucli to contend with in the variable
nature of the climate. He could conceive no better means of
educating them out of their present position than by teaching
them to look back upon the history of their country, which
would teach them to rely more upon their own exertions and
their own industry, as well as to look beyond their personal
anxieties. (Applause.) They had heard a great deal lately
about free education, but while he was in politics a Liberal, he
had some old-fashioned ideas, and he must say that, in his opinion,
to introduce free education would not only reduce it to a thing of
little value, but would destroy that noble feeling which prompted
the artisan to pinch himself in order that his son might be well
educated. (Hear, hear.) Free education would destroy that
glorious feeling of independence that had ever characterised Scotchmen,
and should animate them to the last stroke of time. Entertaining
these feelings, he had great pleasure in taking part in the
proceedings of the Society. It was devoted to maintaining what
was good and valuable, and its main object was to conserve all
that was good and true in Highland life and character, and to
promote education in the highest and best sense. (Applause.)
The Society should do its utmost to teach the Highland people
that what was only valuable and worthy of being contended for
was that which was obtained through industry and actual exertion
on their part—that education was only valuable if sought
for its own sake, and for the sake of the freedom and the knowledge
which it gave ; and teach them also to look back into the
history of former times, and learn the valuable lesson that it was
their duty to look far above individual comfort and individual
grievances,
plause.)
and endeavour to realise a higher ideal. (Loud ap-
Mr A. C. Mackenzie, Maryburgh, who replied, said he had
always taken a very great interest in the question of education.
Speaking of elementary education in the Highlands, he said many
difficulties had to be contended with. The question of school
attendance was one of the most serious. This was a matter which
he thought ought to occupy the attention of members of School
Boards and others more than it did. (Hear, hear.) Some Boards
were quite content if they appointed a default officer This
should not be tin; case. The jtrosecution of parents for neglecting
to send tlieir children to school was looked upon as harsh ; and lie
believed more in the persomil influence of those who commanded
respect in the district for a change for the better, than in any