TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

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As in all probability I shall not again appear before the public in the character of an author, I take the present opportunity of stating that it has been an object with me for several years past, to make more generally known in England such points relating to the treatment of disease, or likely to be otherwise beneficial, with which my opportunities of investigating and appreciating peculiarities of practice during my travels, and the periods of my residence in different parts of the Continent, enabled me to make myself better acquainted. Meeting accidentally with the work of M. Aimé-Martin, about two years ago, it struck me that an English translation was likely to effect much good, by presenting clearer views of the true end and aim of education, though at that time I had no thoughts of translating it myself. On a re-perusal, however, some months afterwards, I determined to undertake the task, notwithstanding some of the sentiments expressed by the author did not accord with my own; though conceiving that some parts not immediately bearing upon education, but relating to points of religion and politics, of a controversial nature, and having more exclusively reference to France, were less likely to interest or to profit English readers, I considered that it would be better to omit them, and to subjoin some remarks upon the methods of education most prevalent in England. I wish it to be understood, that the quotations which I have introduced are not the result of special searching or selection upon the subject, but have presented themselves in the course of ordinary miscellaneous and professional reading; and I trust that those persons who may dissent from some of the opinions which I have expressed, will

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do justice to the rectitude of my intentions; for I consider it to be a duty on the part of the practitioner of medicine to endeavour to prevent, as far as lies in his power, the occurrence of disordered states of health, by pointing out the causes which may give rise to them, and that, as a philosophical writer observes, "Il appartient à la médecine de seconder la morale dans le grand œuvre de l'amélioration du sort des hommes."*

Droz. Philosophie Morale.

170, North Street, Brighton, April, 1842.

Napoleon said one day to Madame Campan," The old systems of education seem to be worth nothing. What is there yet wanting in order to train up young people properly in France!" "Mothers!" replied Madame Campan. This word struck the Emperor. "Well,” said he," therein lies at once a complete system of education. It must be your endeavour, Madame, to form mothers who will know how to educate their children."

INTRODUCTION.

THE EDUCATION

OF

MOTHERS OF FAMILIES.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

MISSION OF ROUSSEAU.

"J'ai toujours pensé qu'on reformeroit le genre humain si l'on reformoit l'éducation de la jeunesse."

LEIBNITZ, Lettres à Placcius.

THE age of Louis XV. was a bad age: a king without power, a nobility without dignity, a clergy without virtue; the loose manners of the regency mixed with the gothic prejudices of the middle ages; all the feudal race in embroidered coats; princes, dukes, marquises, gentlemen, making an art of corruption, and a merit of debauchery; noble by the grace of God, philosophers by the grace of Diderot; empty, foolish creatures, aspiring to profound thoughts, and taking refuge in incredulity on the faith of the

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