ON THE

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES

OF

EDUCATION.

BY ELIZABETH HAMILTON,

AUTHOR OF THE MEMOIRS OF MODERN PHILOSOPHERS,
COTTAGERS OF GLENBURNIE, &c. &c.

VOLUME I.

SIXTH EDITION.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR BALDWIN, CRADOCK, AND JOY; G. WILKIE
A, K. NEWMAN AND CO.; R. HUNTER; AND J. WALKER.

1818.

PREFACE

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

LETTER I.

Preliminary Observations.-Influence of early As-

sociation, exemplified in the Characters of the

Hindoos and Americans.-Subject divided into

two Branches, viz. the Culture of the Heart, and

of the Understanding.-Reasons for treating of

the former first.-The End and Object of Edu-

cation to be thoroughly ascertained....

LETTER II.

Use of the Term Association.-Associations pro-

ductive of Aversion.-Their Tendency to Male-

volence, ilustrated by Examples...

LETTER III.

Examination of the Associations which produce

Passions of the malevolent Class.-Consequences

of early Impressions of Terror.-The Nature of

Timidity investigated.-The Fear of Death, the

Consequences of early Association.-Examples 31

LETTER IV.

ASSOCIATIONS OF AVERSION CONTInued.

Danger of early inspired Antipathies.-The Nature

of Prejudice examined.-Its injurious Effects

upon the Mind.-Examples and Observations.. 57

LETTER V.

ASSOCIATIONS PRODUCING THE MALEVOLENT

PASSIONS.

State of Infancy favourable to the Cultivation of the

benevolent Affections.-Tendency of every Pas-

sion to produce Passions of the Class to which it

belongs.-Malevolent and dissocial Passions in-

spired by the Gratification of Self-will.-Exam-

ples.....

87

LETTER VI.

SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Inefficacy of the usual Methods employed to coun-

teract the Effects of injudicious Indulgence.-

Vanity; its Consequences.-Indolence of Parents renders them frequently blind to the Faults of their Children.-Happy Consequences of early Obedience

121

LETTER VII.

ASSOCIATIONS DESTRUCTIVE OF BENEVOLence.

Pernicious Effects of Partiality.-Of Ridicule.-
Of Contempt for the Female Character

......

145

LETTER VIII.

SELFISHNESS.

Selfishness acknowledged to be odious.-How excited in the infant Mind.-Consequences of pampering the Appetite for Dainties.-Of giving Children the Power of controlling their Desires. -Examples

186

LETTER IX.

Examination of the Associations which produce the Desire of Distinction.-The Love of Glory how perverted.-Love of Dress.-Love of Admiration.-Exemplified...

215