อ THE EDUCATION OF MOTHERS OF FAMILIES OR, THE CIVILISATION OF THE HUMAN RACE BY WOMEN. BY M. AIMÉ-MARTIN BEING THE WORK TO WHICH THE PRIZE OF THE FRENCH ACADEMY TRANSLATED FROM THE THIRD PARIS EDITION, WITH REMARKS ON THE PREVAILING METHODS OF EDUCATION, BY EDWIN LEE, Esq. MEMBER OF THE PRINCIPAL EUROPEAN MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETIES; AUTHOR OF "THE BATHS OF GERMANY," A "TREATISE "Les hommes seront toujours ce qu'il plaira aux femmes: si vous voulez qu'ils LONDON: WHITTAKER & Co., AVE-MARIA LANE; 1842. TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF KENT. MADAM, I feel much pleasure in availing myself of the gracious permission to dedicate this translation to your Royal Highness, inasmuch as to no one could it have been more appropriately inscribed, than to a mother who has practically shown, in a manner which calls forth the gratitude of the nation, how fully she appreciates the importance of female education, in the extended sense of the term; and, in fact, no better illustration of the benefits which it tends to confer, could be offered, than that of the love and devotedness with which the entire population (how much soever divided in opinion in other respects) regards our gracious Sovereign, whom nature has so liberally endowed with those qualities which, cultivated under the superintendence of your Royal Highness, contribute so materially to the happiness of her subjects. Let any one reflect for a moment upon the disastrous consequences likely to result in the present times, from the occupation of the throne of these realms by a Princess whose education had been conducted in a superficial manner, in order to form a due estimate of the advantages which we now enjoy; and if the rule be more especially applicable to those who are called upon to fill high and public stations, it likewise holds good when applied to the relations of private life. History presents but too many examples of the pernicious consequences which errors in the education of princes are calculated to produce upon society, as well as upon their own destiny. How fortunate, therefore, may not England esteem herself, that, as regards the prince who, most probably, will one day reign over her, the virtues of his parents afford a sufficient guarantee that similar errors will be avoided, and lead us to indulge in the pleasing anticipations that "This royal infant (heaven still move about him!) Upon this land a thousand, thousand blessings, God shall be truly known, and those about him, Shall see this, and bless Heaven." Thus may posterity have reason to bless the memory of your Royal Highness, and to appreciate the lasting effects of maternal influence. I am, Madam, With sentiments of profound respect, Your Royal Highness's most obedient EpwIN LEE. |