s way. If its composition were but moderate, as is the case with most
of them, it would not suit the taste of my child. If its sentiments were
impure, it would disgust him. These would be so contrary to the taste
and to the feelings he had acquired, that the poison in such a book,
like a ball, fired at a globular surface, would slide off without
detriment to the morals of my child.

Knowledge again may be acquired in the course of amusements, and of such
as may be resorted to within doors. Now of these again there are two
kinds, the innocent and the corruptive. By the premises I am to be
concerned with the first only. If then I accustom my child to
mathematical and philosophical pursuits, if I incite him to experiments
in these, if I assist him in measuring the motions of the heavenly
bodies, and in discovering the wisdom and power of Omnipotence as
displayed in these, if I occasion him to be interested in, the
contemplation of such subjects, what have I done for my child? Have I
not called out his intellectual faculties? Have I not laid in him the
foundation of a serious and a thoughtful mind? Have I not accustomed him
to solid things, in opposition to those that are light, and to sublime
things, in opposition to those that are frivolous? Have I not inculcated
in him a love for science? But take my child, after he has been
accustomed to such thoughts and such subjects, to the theatre. Let the
pantomime display its various attracting scenes to his view. And will he
not think his entertainment low and superficial, in comparison of that
which he left at home.

Knowledge again may be acquired by amusements which are out of doors.
These again may be innocent or exceptionable. As before, I have nothing
to do but with the former. If then I accustom my child to range the
fields, as an employment promotive of his health, and connect this
healthy exercise with the entertainment of botanical pursuits, do I
not, in examining with him the shape, the colour, and the mechanism of
plants and flowers, confirm in him his former love of the works of
nature? Do I not confirm his former notion of the wisdom and power of
omnipotence? Do I not teach him by these, and the other pursuits which
have been mentioned, that all recreations should be innocent, and that
time should be wisely employed? But hark! another amusement, and one of
those which are followed out of doors, is at hand. The hounds are in
view, and fast approaching. My son is acc