Part 22 (2/2)

If the first be true, then it cannot be denied that the consequences feared by the richer classes must necessarily take place, if, either from prejudice or apathy, they continue the same faulty and imperfect method of education, which, by the expression of these fears, they positively declare is usually pursued in the higher schools; but the reood principles of tuition be introduced into nurseries, and into those schools to which the children of the rich are sent, and the latter will not fail to maintain their patrimonial ranks in society They need then have no fear least the poorer classes should become too intellectual, but, on the contrary, they will soon find that their oelfare, security, and happiness will not only be insured, but will increase in proportion as the poorer classes gain knowledge; for by the method of instruction pursued in the Infant Schools, the knowledge there acquired is necessarily accompanied by the practice of industry, sobriety, honesty, benevolence, and ious virtues

That the systees is equally applicable to the children of the rich as to those of the poor, there can be no doubt; and it ht be adopted either in schools established on its principles or in the nursery It is, indeed, obvious that it reater extent, where the ht be taught, which it is neither advisable nor practicable to teach in the schools established for the instruction of poor children

Whilst the eleht by thechapters on the respective subjects, there are other branches of knowledge which reat advantage to the children

As an introduction to botany, I would etation, not froarden-pots filled with mould, introduced into the nursery at a proper season of the year; the children should be asked, what is in the pots-”Dirt,” or ”mould,” will of course be the reply They should then be shewn the seeds which are to be deposited in thein the eyes of the children a prophetic character, the etation, and that about a certain time a pretty floill make its appearance in the pots: the seeds should then be deposited in the mould, and the pots placed in a proper situation It would not be improper to let the children the the the instrureat a wonder, as the transfor the ti unperceived beneath the mould, the children should frequently be sent to look ”if the pretty flower has co it At length the green shoot willabove the ratification of the little observers They will rowth, the appearance of the bud, and the gradual development of ”the pretty flower,” till they are fully convinced of the wisdom of the parent or teacher who foretold all which has happened, and etation, not from words, but from observation Certain it is, that such a lesson could not be wholly useless In the first place itthehly conducive to piety; secondly, it would beget a habit of observation; thirdly, it would be likely to produce a love of flowers and the vegetable world, favourable to their future pursuits in the science of botany; and, lastly, it would inspire their little breasts with a love and respect for the parents or teachers ise and kind enough to teach thes

As an efficient and a introduction to natural history, I would have every nursery provided with a ht be excited to wonder and ad beauty and perfection of the insect world, and the astonishi+ng construction of various substances, as seen through this instru habits of cruelty, that it would be very likely to check thee ani, or a bird, feel no co a fly, because it appears to thenificant an animal; but had they once witnessed, by means of a microscope, the wonderful and perfect conformation of the insect, I am persuaded they would be less inclined to ht be made use of to teach the first truths of astronoh its centre, turned round before a candle, ht; whilst the orrery, with the accompaniment of a simple and familiar lecture-(it should be much more so, indeed, than any I have heard or read)-would make them acquainted with those stupendous facts which strike us with as astonish, with respect to the wonders of astronoreat He seizes us”

One thing I would here notice-that it should be a constant practice to remind the children, that in the apple and the orrery, they see only a resemblance to the earth and the heavenly bodies, that they are vast in size and distance, beyond their co them to an actual observation of the heavens by h treat to the children, and productive of correct notions, which are but too apt to be lost where we are under the necessity of teaching by signs so infinitely unlike, in size and nature, as the candle and the apple, and the brass balls and wires of the orrery, to the earth and the heavenly orbs

For giving the children their first lessons in geography, I would have a floor-cloth in every nursery, painted like a map, but of course not filled up so perfectly as maps for adults necessarily are It should contain a correct delineation of the position of a certain space of the globe, ill say, for instance, of England; let the children then be told to proceed froh certain counties, towns, &c, and to fetch a piece of cloth from Yorkshi+re, or a knife from Sheffield, cheese frodonshi+re, &c, &c The lessons thus given would be at once aoverness and children If preferred, these ht be painted of a less size, to cover a table No difficulty would be found to get a set of such table-covers or floor-cloths painted, if the public would once encourage the plan

There are now large skeleton maps published, which have merely the principal cities, towns, and rivers, &c, marked down, so as not to present tooeye There are also picture etable and animal, are delineated in their proper places These would forreat aid in nursery instruction, and also for an infant school Let the great truth be ever borne in mind, that what is seen by the eye is more quickly understood and more certainly remembered, than what is merely described ortray h to cover a table In this I would fasten pieces of cork, cut out in the shape of land, according to the best maps, while other small bits of cork should represent the mountains and hills on the surface of the respective islands By application to the toy-ot to stock the respective islands, &c, with their appropriate inhabitants; whilst the manufactures, and ht be readily supplied by the ingenuity of the parent or governess A little boat should then be provided, and a voyage to a given part undertaken; various islands ht be touched at, and various co to the mercantile instructions the children should receive; whilst brief accounts iven of the climate, productions, and inhabitants of the respective places, till the little scholar should be able to conduct the voyage, purchase or exchange coive an account of the various countries and their inhabitants, &c, by hiht be acquired, by this toothed, of geographical knowledge, in one week, than by the old method in a twelvemonth: and what the children did learn they would always reestions to the size of a small volume, had I space to do so; but the limits of the present one forbid; at a future period, should my active employments permit, I may resume the subject of nursery hints in an extended and separate form

There are, indeed, many excellent works already published on the subject; but as by the suggestions and contributions of many, every plan is likely to be perfected, no one is justified in withholding any thing likely to promote the desired object

A due iress of the higher classes more than commensurate with that of the lower It is obvious, that the former have resources which cannot be obtained by the latter They have thethe the ent and efficient instructors, and of frequently changing the scene for their children, and consequently the objects which come under their observation Which, I ask, is the more honourable course,-to object, as some do, to the education of the infant poor, lest they should learn too much, or to improve, then, the opportunities they have, by which they and their children they surpass all others?

A feords ought to be added on discipline at home It is not uncommon to hear parents, in all classes of society say, ”That child is too e hilish for us, we cannot beat them; but very far more absurd and truly unparental it is to confess that a rown person and an infant, what a contrast! True it is, that eable, but this lect If fro mind is trained to little acts of obedience, they will soon becoence and foolish kindness be practised towards children, they row up peevish, fretful, and ill-teeable ”Whatsoever a raved upon the minds of all parents A constant exercise of parental love in allowing all that is fit and proper, and a firm and judicious use of parental authority, in strictly refusing and forbidding all that is unsuitable or wrong, should har Punishht to be used; but never in a spirit of anger, wrath, or revenge If administered calmly and mildly they will have a double power Every wilful offence of a child seeraver countenance of love,” but true parental love will always do it Oh that all parents in every rank of life saw and acted upon the great truth, that the noblest object that they can present to theation that is laid upon theence, virtue, and piety; to reat, for if they are the forhest and truest sense[A]

[Footnote A: Should the reader be pleased with this volume, I may refer to another work of mine just published, entitled ”A Syste now finished all that I have to say on Infant Schools, I would, in conclusion, breathe forth a sincere petition to the throne of Divine Truth and Goodness, for the prosperity and spread of the System; in which I am sure I shall be joined by all who have been convinced of its beneficial effects in pros

Mysterious are thy ways, O God; yet as ever disappointed that asked of thee in a right spirit? Prosper, then, thy hich is begun in the world, we beseech thee, O Lord;generation, that therein our streets Protect theers that surround them, as soon as they draw their breath in this vale of tears, and put into the hearts of those who have the ive them the assistance they need Grant that thy blessed example may be followed by many, for thou didst desire that children should come unto thee, and not be forbidden, and thou didst take the, that of such is the kingdom of heaven May thy creatures, therefore, not be ashamed to notice little children, but co-operate, hand and heart with each other, and endeavour to teach theood May difference of sentiotten; andto rescue the infant race froer; and so these tender plants , and be thus do, and the weary are at rest May thy divine influence descend abundantly upon all those who have hitherto turned their attention to infant children; ood; race and protection abundantly; and when their days of probation are ended, lorify thee throughout the boundless ages of eternity Amen[A]

[Footnote A: This prayer written reat portion of the prayer has been answered; the subject has been mooted in Parliament; the Government have n has recommended attention to it in a speech froiven to it, and all will be well]