ful and the ornamental; but I do not now include the essential, excepting in one or two points connected with the subject of the foregoing pages. In my plan of studies I neither calculate for stupidity of intellect nor versatility of talent; I make easy arrangements which may be likely to suit moderate abilities. In the list of accomplishments I am guided by the fashions of the present day. Girls must attain them, so it is decreed. The teachers then must render their duties of the school-room as pleasant as possible; and I consider as the grand means of so doing, the establishment and the maintenance of regularity, method and order. Religion. CHAPTER II. ENGLISH READING. READING may be defined the act of examining Definition. and repeating that which has been written by Division. others. The reading for children should be religion for duty; history for information; moral fiction, biography and select poetry, for instruction and gra tification. From the moment that an infant draws its first breath, it shews in an eminent degree its weak ness ness and entire inability to help itself; but al Religion, though it may be at first thus wretched, yet in a few months it undergoes an amazing change. That chaos which wrapped its intellectual powers in a void, is now busily arranging itself into distinct faculty; the frame, once so overcharged with the tottering weight that hung above it, has now consistence to support the head in all its movements; the eyes no longer roll in vacancy, nor seem lost to diversity of object; they open to receive pleasing images, and the faithful retina ushers those on to the imagination; strength is added to the bones and muscles; the feet no longer refuse to measure space; the gums partially contract in order to form sockets for the hard substance they are destined to preserve and support; finally, the tongue is released from silence, and waits the command only of its oral master. And by what astonishing power is this change effected? Who is it that plans a work so wonderful, and that conducts it by such fine and gradual touches to perfection?-It is God. It is God who in the majesty and magnificence of his idea creates, and in the infinity of His wisdom and goodness preserves and matures. And shall we teach the lisping tongue to sound every name and forget that of its Maker? Can we observe the blooming faculties ripening for tuition, and forget to teach our child to whom it is indebted for them? Can we kiss those sweet ruby lips when Religion. when they are to close in sleep, and omit to tell the child to whose watchful care it will be indebted for a night's rest? Can we really refuse to offer our little one to Him who loves little children, and in an especial manner takes them under His protection?-Surely not. Surely there cannot be parents who deliver their daughter to a governess, eight or nine years after she may have been in the world, who have left her in ignorance of the Being through whom she was placed there? Far should it be from our plan to fatigue a little child by long prayers and sermons; but, surely, we ought to teach it to beg the protection of Heaven in a few words suited to its comprehension; and we ought to take the opportunity, as has been observed, of exciting curiosity upon religious and moral subjects, to gratify which is the most delightful part of education. Children ask many questions: the information they receive in answer they are willing enough to believe, till they discover a palpable falsity in the person whom they have consulted; and then they feel less and less of interest, and perhaps Every verbal some disgust towards him. After we have then, for five, six, or seven years, conversed upon what the authority we imagine most important, how pleasant is it to stamp an authority on all we have advanced, by the choice of the most estimable little books, in which, when the child have learnt to read, he instruction receives weight from of books. may may see a repetition of that which he already understands. "Why you told me all this, mama; this is just like what you said," observes the child, with increased tenderness and respect for his kind, his wise instructress. How bright is the mother's eye, as she smiles in soft pride and strokes down the hair of the little boy or girl, as he looks up to her in pleasing wonder at her vast knowledge! The first, and, in my opinion, the most intelligible and useful reading books for children are, "Easy Lessons," by the late excellent Mrs. Trimmer, in several parts; " Mrs. Barbauld's First Books ;" and a few very "Easy Stories, by MissEdgeworth." Some of these works are written (as their authors say) for children of two or three years of age. A child need not begin them till five or six: but this is a question for the decision of parents. The perusal of these will lead the child to that engaging book of Mrs. Trimmer, called "The Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature;" and this will be immediately succeeded by a small "Scripture History, with plates," by the same lady; with "The Footstep to Mrs. Trimmer's Sacred History for Little Children," (anonymous). These several works must be explained in the easiest language, and a reference must be made to pictures where there are any. This list will include all the infant studies, which may Religion. The casiest works for infants. Religion. Bible, abridgments to be feared. self should be given early, and in an affectionate manner. may be completed at seven or eight years of age. As the young mind is now led through the only abridgment of the Old and New Testaments that I feel justified in recommending, we have to proceed immediately to the Bible itself: and in the choice of the book of God we should be particularly careful. A small confused print will fatigue the sight and weaken the attention: let us beware of creating unpleasant feelings on such an introduction. A plain calf binding, of large ocThe book it- tavo size, with clear type, is the best description of Bible for a young person. I would present such a gift in an affectionate and serious manner, and in the title-page would write the little owner's name, with a line underneath expressive of my hope that it might be well used. The gift thus receives a desirable importance. From this period a few minutes are to be set apart every day (I would advise before breakfast) for the reading of a chapter, a half, or even a few verses, Suppose we first study the Gospels, proceeding slowly, and then the Acts. A child had then better not read any more of the New Testament, but be led to Genesis, having it explained, along with other particulars, that "Adam, the first man, was supposed to have been created four thousand years before our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born. Question will succeed to reply; and every go The most simple parts are to be selected. verness |