lished, and became
celebrated throughout Europe. Quick says: "Then, for the first and
probably for the last time, a school was started in which use and wont
were entirely set aside, and everything done on 'improved principles.'
Such a bold enterprise attracted the attention of all interested in
education, far and near; but it would seem that few parents considered
their own children _vilia corpora_ (vile bodies), on whom experiments
might be made for the public good. When, in May, 1776, a number of
schoolmasters and others collected from different parts of Germany, and
even from beyond Germany, to be present by Basedow's invitation at an
examination of the children, they found only thirteen pupils in the
Philanthropin, including Basedow's own son and daughter."[130]

The main purpose of the Philanthropin was to give Basedow an opportunity
to carry out his new educational ideas. A prominent feature of the
undertaking was that it should be a model institute "for the preparation
of teachers in the theory and practice of the new education." The
institution, was to be a "school of true humanity. Its name was to give
evidence of its object--the education of youth in accordance with the
laws of nature and humanity." In it Basedow was to exemplify his ideas
of education. The best of teachers were to be employed, the best
appliances furnished, and the instruction was to be founded entirely on
sense-perception. The Philanthropin was opened in 1774, and at once
awoke universal interest.

But this school, conceived in love for humanity, founded with the
noblest of purposes, and exemplifying much of sound educational
philosophy, was destined to be shortlived. It was abandoned in less than
twenty years. This downfall was owing to several causes, some of which
may be mentioned. 1. The institution was purely secular in character,
and the world was not yet ready for this. Parents were suspicious of a
non-sectarian school, the idea of which was so contrary to that of the
traditional church-school. Hence the small number of pupils in the
Philanthropin, even at the height of its prosperity under Basedow.

2. Altogether too many subjects were included in the course. Quick
outlines the work undertaken as follows: "(1) Man. Here he would use the
pictures of foreigners and wild men, also a skeleton, a hand in spirits,
and other objects still more appropriate to a surgical museum. (2)
Animals. Only such animals are to be depicted as it is use