takes hold of external objects; those destined to the organs of sense, for the purpose of applying accommodating, or removing these from the im mediate contact of their respective excitants; those by which voluntary expressions are produced, as gestures, and articulate sounds; those which belong to the variety of function, of the organs destined to the nutrition of the body,as mastication, deglutition, inspiration, &c. All should be exercised in their degree, and this very exercise will procure amusement for the waking hours of an infant.

Of these actions, the minute detail of which must be left to the parent, the most important is the exercise of the muscles, which are concerned in the function of expression; since their develop ́ment, and its consequences, forms the connecting link between the individual and society; since the expression of the countenance will be pleasing or the contrary, accordingly as the muscles destined to the manifestation of particular emotions, of an agreeable character are called into exercise; and since the frequent demand upon these very muscles will necessitate the employment of those benevolent feelings, affections, and passions, whose exertions will become more energetic from repetition; and will acquire, at once, the power of habit, as well as will be strengthened by the growing influence of reason and the understanding.

Parents will do well to consider the extreme importance of early finding occasion for the de

velopment of these kindlier emotions, in order that they may do all in their power to stem the torrent of stormy passions which are inherent in our fallen nature, and which so readily shew themselves upon the slightest contradiction. If little can be accomplished in the way of correction, much may be effected, by rousing and bringing into action, all that we most wish to cultivate, and which constitutes the individual an amiable character. This subject will, again, come under our notice, in considering the moral education of the young: and we shall here only remark further, that the function of expression is addressed to the eye, the organ of touch, or the ear. The two former may be included under one term,―gestures; and may be subdivided into physiognomy, and those assistant actions which give energy, or point, or pathos to expression: the latter constitutes another mode of the same function, and is dependent upon the voice.

Physiognomy constitutes an essential distinction between animals, and man, the features of whose countenance are infinitely varied by corresponding emotions. This variety of expression is performed by forty-five muscles, and two different nerves; one of which furnishes the muscles of ordinary motion, while the other supplies those particularly destined to inarticulate language; and which (according ro the recent discoveries of Mr. Charles Bell) is larger and more complicated in animals, in proportion as their

countenance is more expressive. But, above all, the voice is the great organ of expression, with its train of articulate sounds and subordinate manifestations ;--such as the actions of sighing, yawning, sobbing, laughing, &c.

Language may be of two kinds;-that which has been termed affective, or which follows irresistibly from the influence of feeling, and is strongly depicted in the countenance; and conventional language, or that which results from the necessity of a mutual interchange of intelligence, and which comprehends articulate sounds, rendered signs of particular ideas, by the the intellectual faculty, and infinitely diversified and modified by the tongue: these leading to artificial language, elementary sounds, letters, vowels, consonants, &c. &c. But we cannot now pursue this subject, which will yet come before us at a later period of our investigation; the chief object of its introduction in this place, having been to excite the attention of parents to the former of these subdivisions.

85

CHAP. VIII.

INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL PHYSICAL AGENTS

CLIMATE-SPRING-SUMMER-WINTER-AU

TUMN GRADUAL ACCLIMATISATION

CAUTIONS

· PRE

INFLUENCE OF VICISSITUDE

HOW GUARDED AGAINST HOW RENDERED USEFUL HOW THE SYSTEM MAY BE FORTIFIED AGAINST IT-PARTICULAR PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED BY EACH SEASON-INFLUENCE OF THE SEASONS UPON THE MENTAL MANIFESTATIONS, AND UPON THEIR ORGAN, THE BRAIN.

WE have now conducted our little nursling through some of the earliest years of infancy; and we have to trace, still further, many of its opening connexions with external nature, and with society; together with the gradual widening and development of those affinities, and their influence upon the animal system.

And first, we shall premise a few remarks, with regard to the influence of the physical agents by which the child is surrounded; and on the best means of rendering available for its good, all that is useful; and of protection from all that is injurious. On a subject involving consequences so momentous, such a review of the relative situation of man, at his first entrance into active life,

cannot be trifling or useless; but will lead to results, calculated to secure the health and wellbeing of the young.

The influence of climate and situation upon the character of the bodily functions and mental manifestations, has been greatly over-rated on the one hand; and, on the other, has not been sufficiently appreciated. The middle course will probably be found correct, and this truth will be established, that the system does acquire a certain degree of character from the air it breathes; and which, however it may be modified in after-life by varying circumstances, will still cleave to the individual; and form, to a certain extent, the light and shading of that group of phenomena, the assemblage of which is termed the character.

The correctness of this observation is rendered apparent, by a moment's glance at the variety of national feature, although marked by the same advanced stage of civilization; and especially by contrasting the inhabitants of the Torrid Zone, with those of more northern countries. Our immediate object, however, is with the offspring of a temperate climate; and, more particularly, with the nursling of our own happy Island, whose infancy, though it may have been cradled in storms; though November's fogs may have hovered around its earliest days; and though it may have been exposed to the endless vicissitudes of our ever-changing atmosphere, has nevertheless been protected by institutions the