An essay on the government of children, under three general heads, viz. health, manners, and educationNelson, James
History
An essay on the government of children, under three general heads, viz. health, manners, and education
Nelson, James
Child rearing -- England -- History -- 18th century
My Readers are, I hope, by this time convinced, how advantageous these
Steps of Education are for many of the Purposes of Life; nay they are
such as some in better Stations are in great measure Strangers to, tho’
they may be possessed of Qualifications otherwise useful. If then to this
be added virtuous Dispositions, a docile Mind, a becoming Behaviour, and,
in a word, that genuine Manners recommended to all, I think Parents in
general of this Class may promise themselves much more Comfort in their
Children than they usually find.
Girls too of this Class are capable of being very valuable; but again I
must caution Parents to be aware of those Banes of Happiness, Idleness,
Pride, and Vanity. Idleness is justly called the Root of all Evil; and
Pride and Vanity are empty nothings: or if they can be said to produce
any thing, it is Evil. Girls of this Class have many things within
their Reach, and if well attended to, may attain them. They may read
and write to great Advantage; and learn so much of Accompts as will be
necessary for conducting their Concerns, and understanding those Affairs
they may in future Life be engaged in. They may and ought to work to
Perfection, but principally the useful Parts: and tho’ the ornamental is
highly commendable, yet it must not here be encouraged to the Prejudice
or Neglect of the useful. When this Foundation is solidly laid, let
them be carefully instructed in the Management of a House, according
to what has already been observed in the foregoing Class; from whence
they will receive such a Fund of useful Knowledge, as when joined with
good Demeanour, will procure them not only the Esteem of their Equals,
but that of their Superiors. Let Parents farther inspire them with
Dispositions daily to improve their Minds; to maintain with firmest
Resolution the nicest Innocence, even amidst the rudest Attacks, should
they occur to them; and lastly, to support themselves with a chearful
Mind in that State which is allotted them. In fact, Happiness is much
more within their Reach than they commonly imagine; but if they neglect
to consider the Advantages they enjoy beyond thousands who are beneath
them, and anxiously dwell on the Splendor of those above them, it is the
certain way never to find it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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