tion, for it will appear evident that neither heart nor understanding can be cultivated effectually, if an exclufive attention be at any time paid to either; but I fhall fo divide them for the purpose of more clear elucidation; and as I think it probable these Letters may be made public, I thall not confine myself to fuch topics as might merely fuit the particular circumftances of my friend.

From most of the writers on education it would appear, that it is only to people of rank and fortune that education is a matter of any importance. By fuch alone can the fyftems that are generally propofed, be adopted. To fuch, therefore, must we believe them to be exclufively addressed. To make fine ladies and finifhed gentlemen forms no part of my plan, which has for its object the fubjection of the paffions, the direction of the affections, and the cultivation of the faculties that are common to the whole human race.

As

As it is to maternal care that the most important period of life is folely intrusted, it is to the maternal character I chiefly addrefs myself. Nor let me be deemed unreasonable or prefumptuous, if I premise that the woman who would educate her children with fuccefs, muft begin by educating herself. She muft cautiously examine her opinions, and carefully distinguish between those that have received thefanction of reafon and judgment, and fuch as have been implicitly adopted from the family of prejudice. She muft reflect upon the motives which actuate her conduct; and on the tempers and difpofitions of her mind. If fhe confider herself as an accountable agent, and that beings formed for immortality are entrusted to her care, fhe will fet about this preliminary duty with alacrity and zeal; affured that her fuccefs will be in exact proportion to her performance of it. She must not be feduced by indolence to decline the task as beyond her ability;

but

but liften to the suggestions of conscience and common fenfe, which will not fail to convince her that reason and reflection are within the power of every rational creature. For the exercise of these, happily, no depth of erudition is neceffary. Some reading upon the fubject fhe may indeed find expedient, as ideas may be fuggefted by books which her own experience and reflection may not be able to furnish; but this is no more than fhe would find neceffary, in order to learn the principles of Whift or Caffino; for who can expect to play to advantage without a knowledge of the rules of the game? Few chefsplayers defpife the investigation of the parties of Philidor; and here, did I not intend to disclaim the use of figure and allegory, I should be tempted to remark, as an elucidation of my argument on the importance of early education, that those who study Philidor with attention, must perceive, that the wonderful fuperiority of his art entirely confifted in the judicious manage

ment of the first moves.

What is the tri

umph of the most skilful chefs-player, or the most successful votary of cards, to that of a mother who looks round on a promifing and well-educated family? Is the delightful task of obferving the opening faculties, and watching over the early affociations, of the infant mind, lefs interesting to a mother's heart, than liftening to the nonsense of the day, or fuffering the alternation of hope and fear at the card-table? It is not probable that any who would anfwer in the affirmative, will ever take the trouble of perusing thefe Letters. I may, therefore, spare remonftrance, and proceed to submit a sketch of my plan for your approbation.

It is my wish to be as concife as poffible. But though I fhall for this reason avoid all unneceffary amplification, I muft, when the elucidation of the fubject requires it, beg your patient attention to minute detail, as it is by a reference to facts alone, that the danger

danger of fyftematizing and arguing from mere hypothefis can be avoided. As I fhall be much more folicitous to convince than to amufe, you are not to expect from me those beauties of ftyle, and that profufion of imagery, which adorn the works of fome admired writers of my own fex on the fame fubject: For though I am sensible that these ornaments diffuse a charm over the pages of the author, I am not fo certain that they do not diftract the reader's attention, and break the chain of reasoning, fo as to leave upon the mind an imperfect idea of its connecting links.

The first thing I fhall urge upon your confideration, is the abfolute neceffity of contemplating with attention, and defining with accuracy, what is the real object we wish by education to accomplish. If this be not well afcertained; if we have any vague ideas concerning it; we have no reason to flatter ourselves with fuccefs in the event. It appears to me that to a want of precife

notions