The wise man's thoughts do not reach the multitude, but fly over their heads.
Only the few as yet apprehend them.
The physiologist may discuss the laws of health, and the Board of Health may write tracts for circulation among the people; but half the people cannot so much as read; and of the remaining half, but a very small proportion are in the habit of _thinking_.

Thus the laws of health are disregarded; and when fever comes, it finds a wide field to work upon: in undrained and filthy streets and back-yards,--noisome, pestilential districts,--foul, uncleansed dwellings,--large populations ill-supplied with clean water and with pure air.

There death makes fell havoc; many destitute widows and children have to be maintained out of the poor's-rates; and then we reluctantly confess to ourselves that Ignorance is Power.
The only method of abating this power of Ignorance, is by increasing that of Knowledge.

As the sun goes up the sky, the darkness disappears; and the owl, the bat, and the beasts of prey, slink out of sight.

Give the people knowledge,--give them better education,--and thus, crime will be abated,--drunkenness, improvidence, lawlessness, and all the powers of evil, will, to a certain extent, disappear.[1] [Footnote 1: The recent reports of Mr.Tremenheere to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with respect to the condition of the population in the iron and coal districts, show that he places considerable reliance upon the effect of Education.