Letters on the Elementary Principles of Education

Preliminary observations. Influence of early association exemplified in the characters of the Hindoos and Americans. Subject of education divided into two branches, viz. the culture of the heart, and of the understanding. Reasons for treating of the former first.Association explained. Necessity of ascertaining the end and object of education.

LETTER II.-Page 27.

Associations deeply fixed in the mind, either by means of strong impression or frequent repetition. Associations of the former class generally those of aversion. Examples.

LETTER III.-Page 34.

Examination of the associations which produce passions of the malevolent class. Consequences of early impressions of terror. Nature of timidity investigated. Fear of death, the consequences of early

association.

LETTER IV.-Page 48.

ASSOCIATIONS OF AVERSION CONTINUED.

Danger of early inspired antipathies. Prejudice. Its injurious effects upon the mind. Treatment of servants. Illustrations.

LETTER V.-Page 66.

AGREEABLE ASSOCIATIONS.

Religion. Consequences of affixing gloomy associations with the per-

formance of religious duty. Advantages resulting from impressions

of an opposite tendency.

LETTER VI.-Page 81.

SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Inutility of endeavouring to impress belief upon subjects which are
beyond the present powers of conception. The affections of the
heart liable to be influenced by desire or aversion, before the judg-
ment is capable of deciding upon the truth of abstract propositions ;
for which reason the religious instruction of children ought chiefly to
be addressed to the heart. Illustrations.

LETTER VII.-Page 97.

ASSOCIATIONS PRODUCING BENEVOLENCE.

State of infancy favourable to the cultivation of the benevolent affec-

tions. Tendency of every passion to produce passions of the class

to which it belongs. Malevolent and dissocial passions inspired by

the gratification of self-will.

LETTER VIII.—Page 117.

SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Inefficacy of the usual methods employed to counteract the effects of

injudicious indulgence. Vanity: its consequences. Indolence of

parents renders them frequently blind to the faults of their children.

Happy consequences of early obedience.