TO

PARENT S.

PARENTS who undertake early domestic Education, from a sense of duty to their Children, as well as from a desire to promote and to diffuse true knowledge and genuine happiness among mankind, must be prepared to encounter innumerable obstacles, and counteracting circumstances.

They must arm themselves with strength of mind, and firmness of principle, to proceed on their career, undismayed by opposition, uninfluenced by fashion, and unseduced by example. No considerations of earthly interest, no fear of human censure, no thirst for human applause, neither dread of singularity, nor weak complaisance, must have power to slacken their zeal, tempt them to a dereliction of their sacred duties, or make them, for one moment, forget the high stake for which they are contending.

Let them beware of idly consuming their time, and uselessly exhausting their powers,

in vain contests with those who will probably be the most forward and positive, though least qualified, to offer opinion and advice, the non-practical!

Parents may probably find their own defective Education, combined with other unfavourable circumstances, no small impediment to the successful execution of plans, which their theoretical as well as practical experience, convince them to be right. But let them be neither discouraged nor impatient; let them persevere; because they cannot accomplish all that they wish, let them neither sit down in idleness, nor abandon the cause in despair; but rather let them learn, by steady and enlightened perseverance, how to "convert even obstacles and inconveniences, into elements and means of success."

Although the present prospect may not be promising, the seed they are sowing may, at a future time, bring forth abundantly: and should their labours only have the effect of rousing others to exertion, in this great cause, they will be no inconsiderable benefactors to mankind.

९

Whatever doubts may be entertained of the

practicability, under existing circumstances, of Fathers, taking part in the Education of their family, it may reasonably be presumed, that no excuse can be offered for Mothers, who neglect the duty imposed upon them by the birth of their children. It is therefore to MOTHERS that an appeal must be made in the first instance: if they can be persuaded to bestow a practical Christian Education, it may hereafter be discovered that Fathers, notwithstanding their public and worldly avocations, may afford time for the discharge of a most important part of their duty towards God and towards their Children *. A practical Christian Education would teach

* "Mais les affaires, les fonctions, les devoirs-Ah! les devoirs! sans doute le dernier est celui de père.

"Quand on lit dans Plutarque que Caton le Censeur, qui gouverna Rome avec tant de gloire, éleva lui-même son fils dès le berceau, et avec un tel soin, qu'il quittoit tout pour être present quand la mère le remuoit et le lavoit; quand on lit dans Suétone qu'Auguste, maître du monde, qu'il avoit conquis et qu'il regissoit lui-même, enseignoit luimême à ses petits fils à écrire, à nager, les elemens des sciences, et qu'il les avoit sans cesse autour de lui; on ne peut s'empêcher de rire des petites bonnes gens de ce temps là, qui s'amusoient à de pareilles niaiséries; trop bornés, sans doute, pour savoir vaquer aux grandes affaires des grands hommes de nos jours."

them, that it would be more to their own interest, as well as their Children's permanent advantage, to amass a smaller portion of earthly treasure, and to bestow some time and some pains upon securing a heavenly inheritance. But at present let only those Fathers who are unincumbered with public business, whose time is at their own disposal, devote themselves to the early Education of their Children, and how great will be the number of educating Parents-how extensive and valuable the improvements in this all important, but much neglected science *.

Parents! if you regard your own happiness, teach your Children early to consider you as their best friends; prove to them, on all occasions, that no one is so anxious for their true interest as you-none so deeply

* "Let me beg of Parents to take especial care of the first seven or eight years the little ones are under their wing; and I do not doubt, if virtuous and ingenious men be encouraged, they can ever want fit Tutors, either to teach ten or twelve together, or, which is next best, in their own families. Let them but take care of the main matters in their infancy, and they need not fear but languages will be had afterwards easy and cheap enough."