This hot-bed system of education is not confined to the United States, but is practiced less or more in all civilized countries. Dr. Combe, of Scotland, gives an account of one of these early prodigies, whose fate he witnessed. The circumstances were exactly such as those above described. The prematurely developed intellect was admired, and constantly stimulated by injudicious praise, and by daily exhibition to every visitor who chanced to call. Entertaining books were thrown in its way, reading by the fireside encouraged, play and exercise neglected, the diet allowed to be full and heating, and the appetite pampered by every delicacy. The results were the speedy deterioration of a weak constitution, a high degree of nervous sensibility, deranged digestion, disordered bowels, defective nutrition, and, lastly, _death_, at the very time when the interest excited by the mental precocity was at its height. Such, however, is the ignorance of the majority of parents and teachers on all physiological subjects, that when one of these infant prodigies dies from erroneous treatment, it is not unusual to publish a memoir of his life, that other parents and teachers may see by what means such transcendent qualities were called forth. Dr. Brigham refers to a memoir of this kind, in which the history of a child, aged four years and eleven months, is narrated as approved by "several judicious persons, ministers and others, all of whom united in the request that it might be published, and all agreed in the opinion that a knowledge of the manner in which the child was treated, together with the results, would be profitable to both parents and children, and a benefit to the cause of education." This infant philosopher was "taught hymns before he could speak plainly;" "reasoned with," and constantly instructed until his last illness, which, "_without any assignable cause_," put on a violent and unexpected form, and carried him off! As a _warning to others_ not to force education too soon or too fast, this case may be truly profitable to both parents and children, and a benefit to the cause of education; but _as an example to be followed_, it assuredly can not be too strongly or too loudly condemned. FOOTNOTE: [24] From MAYHEW's Treatise on "Popular Education," soon to be issued from the press of Messrs. Harper and Brothers. [From the Dublin University Magazine.] MAURICE TIERNAY, THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. (_Continued from Page 639._) CHAPTER XVI. "AN OLD GENERAL OF THE IRISH BRIGADE." In obedience to an order which arrived at Saumur one morning in the July of 1798, I was summoned before the commandant of the school, when the following brief colloquy ensued: "Maurice Tiernay," said he, reading from the record of the school, "why are you called l'Irlandais?" "I am Irish by descent, sir." "Ha! by descent. Your father was then an Emigré?" "No, sir--my great grandfather."