ion, a notable passage which is
perhaps at the present time the most needed of all the wisdom with which
that great thinker's book on education is filled:--

"The greatest defect in our programmes of education is entirely
overlooked. While much is being done in the detailed improvement of
our systems in respect both of matter and manner, the most pressing
desideratum, to prepare the young for the duties of life, is
tacitly admitted to be the end which parents and schoolmasters
should have in view; and, happily, the value of the things taught,
and the goodness of the methods followed in teaching them, are now
ostensibly judged by their fitness to this end. The propriety of
substituting for an exclusively classical training, a training in
which the modern languages shall have a share, is argued on this
ground. The necessity of increasing the amount of science is urged
for like reasons. But though some care is taken to fit youth of
both sexes for society and citizenship, no care whatever is taken
to fit them for the position of parents. While it is seen that, for
the purpose of gaining a livelihood, an elaborate preparation is
needed, it appears to be thought that for the bringing up of
children no preparation whatever is needed. While many years are
spent by a boy in gaining knowledge of which the chief value is
that it constitutes the education of a gentleman; and while many
years are spent by a girl in those decorative acquirements which
fit her for evening parties, not an hour is spent by either in
preparation for that gravest of all responsibilities--the
management of a family. Is it that the discharge of it is but a
remote contingency? On the contrary, it is sure to devolve on nine
out of ten. Is it that the discharge of it is easy? Certainly not;
of all functions which the adult has to fulfil, this is the most
difficult. Is it that each may be trusted by self-instruction to
fit himself, or herself, for the office of parent? No; not only is
the need for such self-instruction unrecognized, but the complexity
of the subject renders it the one of all others in which
self-instruction is least likely to succeed."

If we were wise enough, therefore, we should recognize all education, in
the great sense of that word, to be _as for parenthood_. That ideal will
yet be reco