Santiago de Chile, 10 June 1822[1]
Dear Sir
I am now on the point of leaving Chile, and proceeding to Peru. Before I go I write you a few lines, to communicate to you the present state of our affairs in this quarter. I do not remember at present the date of my last letter to you, and cannot now ascertain it, as my luggage containing my papers &c. is now on the way to Valparaiso.
Since I wrote you I have crossed the Andes and paid my long intended visit to Mendoza and San Juan, in order to promote our work in those places. In each of these cities a Society was formed for the promoting of schools on our system, and from the general interest taken in this business I form a very favourable opinion of their future progress. One of the first acts of the committee in Mendoza was to petition the government to put the printing press into their hands. This petition had the desired effect, and before I left the place I saw it delivered to them. This is a matter of great importance in reference to the schools, and also to objects of general utility. The committee consists of the most enlightened and philanthropic men of that place, and by means of this press I believe they will greatly contribute to the enlightening of their fellow countrymen. There are two parties in that place. Our committee was formed out of both these parties, and some of each expressed the hope that by their frequent intercourse in promoting this object, alike desired by both, their differences would diminish, and their friendship for each other be promoted. That this will be the case I have no doubt and indeed I saw it take place to a certain extent during my short stay there. This is one of the good effects which flow from our operations in the instruction of youth.
I carried with me a sufficient number of lessons for the schools in these two places. These have been printed here in the government printing office. They consist of extracts from the holy Scriptures. The children will thus have the benefit, not hitherto enjoyed in this country, of being trained up in the knowledge of God in the days of their youth.
In Mendoza we found a girls' school containing some half dozen children. This I endeavoured in connection with my friends to set agoing on our plan, and to increase the number of the scholars. We succeeded very well in our endeavour, obtained a number of new scholars, and set it fairly agoing on our system. I was much pleased to see the interest taken in the matter by several of the most respectable ladies of the place. I believe a number of these will soon be formed into a committee in connection with the Society. Their department will of course be the encouragement of the female education, a thing which has been very much neglected hitherto in this country. To encourage our little school, and to induce others to send their children, the governor's lady sent her own daughter, and several others of the respectable inhabitants acted in a similar manner. It would be a piece of injustice should I omit the name of my friend Dr. Gillies, in speaking of this school. To his praiseworthy exertions it owes its beginning and its progress. This gentleman is one of our very best friends in the promoting of schools. Since my return to this place, I have had letters from Mendoza informing me that this school goes on very well. Have the goodness to communicate this little notice of the girls' school to your ladies committee. I have no doubt but it will be gratifying to them to hear that some ladies in this country are imitating their praiseworthy example in promoting education among the use of their own sex.
I informed you some time ago of the formation of our school society in the city. My expectations of good effects to our schools from the exertions of this society are not lessened since I wrote to but increased. The committee meets regularly every week, when the matters regarding the schools are treated of. From the conversations that take place upon this subject, it is gratifying to observe a deep interest taken in the education of the rising generation. I hope they will continue their exertions in the prosecution of this good object. The first minister of government, as I mentioned to you, is our president. He is generally present at our weekly meetings, and takes a lively interest in our concerns.
We have now see schools in the city, which are going on well. The school is just opening for adults, which I expect will be well attended. A girls' school is also begun, but I cannot yet say so much of this school as I have said of the one in Mendoza. It may however do equally well although less interest has been taken in its commencement. The school is about to be opened immediately in Valparaiso under the management of a master instructed here. Another master has lately left this for Coquimbo. The 5000 slates sent by order of Mr. Irisarri arrived some time ago, so that we are thus well supplied at present with the necessary articles. I bid you for the present adieu, and shall probably write you soon after my arrival in Lima.
I remain
Yours respectfully,
J. Thomson.
[1] Letter in BFSS Archives, Brunel University, London.