PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. THE respect which is due to the purchasers of the former editions of the Letters on the Elementary Principles of Education, renders an account of the alterations that have been made in the present edition, and of the motives that led to them, not only proper, but obligatory. To the many parents who acknowledge having derived material assistance from the work in its former state, it may afford satisfaction to be assured, that it is from an increased and confirmed conviction of the truth of the principles that were then unfolded, that the author has been led to aim at correcting such defects in the style of the writing, or in the mode of illustration, as her more ripened judgment, and more intimate knowledge of the subject, enabled her to discern. Impressed with a deep conviction of the efficacy and importance of the principles she had 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, CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. PREFACE vii LETTER I. Preliminary Observations.-Influence of early Association, 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 Education to be thoroughly ascertained.......... LETTER II. Use of the Term Association.-Associations productive of Aversion.-Their Tendency to Malevolence, illustrated by Examples 1 22 LETTER III. Examination of the Associations which produce Passions of the malevolent Class.-Consequences |