HINTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION, AND NURSERY DISCIPLINE. Last American, from the Fifth London Edition. SALEM. JAMES R. BUFFUM. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS OCT 27 1943 “I think I may say, that, of all the men we meet with, nine parts of ten are what they are, good or evil, useful or not, by their education." LOCKE. "To neglect beginnings is the fundamental error into which most parents fall." "Parents wonder to taste the streams bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain. LOCKE. PRINTED BY J. D. CUSHING, GIFT ESTATE OF WILLIAM C. RIVES APRIL, 1940, THESE "Hints," which were originally prepared by a lady in England, have passed through five editions in that country, and have been, more than once, republished in ours. They are now offered to the American public, in a style of execution much more worthy of their intrinsic merit than any in which they have hitherto appeared amongst us. This edition has been carefully revised by the last London copy of the work; and no alterations have been made, which, as is believed, would not receive the approbation of the Author. It is not here intended, for it is not thought to be necessary, to offer any elaborate encomium of the treatise itself. If, however, it should be asked, what are its peculiar claims to notice, it may be replied, that it is not embarrassed by a blind adherence to any pre-conceived and artificial system of education;-that it is not rendered useless to the great mass of readers by over-refined or paradoxical speculation ;-that its topics are well ehosen ;--that its style is very simple and plain ;- (RECAP) 6531 .465 12/14/43 27 that, in a word, it is distinguished by its practical character, and by its adaptation to the real objects of early education. You can scarcely read a page or a paragraph, that you do not perceive the results of a wise and judicious mother's experience, and that they are results which a wise and judicious mother would be glad to profit by. It is true, that in consequence of the narrow limits to which the author has confined herself, that some important subjects. are but imperfectly treated. But her remarks, as far as they extend, even with respect to these, are just and true and useful. This edition is sent abroad under the deep conviction that families are the first schools in the great discipline of life,-that lessons are to be learnt there which can be learnt no where else,-and that parents, and especially mothers, are incomparably the best and most effective instructers. Children, in the providence of God, are committed to them, at that period of life, when the mind is open to those early impressions which ordinarily sink deepest and last longest, and which, in most cases, constitute the elements of the future character. Mothers, moreover, are naturally the objects of a peculiar preference and love which give to their counsels and example a most persuasive influence. It is, yet further, their especial duty and privilege to preside habitually over that home which is all the world to a child ; and they are enabled, in consequence, to watch over that most important, but too often neglected part of education, which is continually going on, and is operating very powerfully in early life, namely--incidental instruction--the instruction of current events, and of the circumstances in which we are placed. Let then mothers reflect that their responsibility is commensurate with the peculiar opportunities which they enjoy of influencing the minds of their children. All that is sound and useful in the science and art of early education, deserves their peculiar attention. And if the following "Hints" should be found useful to any single mother, the humble labours of the editor in superintending this republication of them will be fully rewarded. SALEM, JANUARY, 1026. J. B. |