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Cultivating the habit of Observation.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION.

In our last number we gave a passing notice of a new volume by David M'Clure, Esq. of Philadelphia, entitled The Philosophy of Education.' The work is in three parts, in conformity with the popular division of the subject into Physical, Intellectual and Moral; to which, however, are appended nearly a hundred pages of notes, illustrative and explanatory.-We are not yet able to present a full account of the author's views, though we are more and more pleased with the general character of the work. In the mean time we propose to make a few extracts from it. That of to day, is from his views on Intellectual Education, at page 79. He was treating of the importance of cultivating the power or faculty of observation.

'Those who have been at all engaged in the business of teaching, well know in what different degrees accuracy and quickness of observation are found; and how important it is for the progress in intellectual acquirements, and often even for the moral culture, that the habit should be early and steadily cultivated. The character of the intellect and affections, however it may be modified by future cultivation, receives its stamp from the employment of the first few years of life; and much labor may be rendered requisite to compensate, in any degree, for the neglect of thus early cultivating the exercise of close observation. Children, therefore, up to their tenth year, should be industriously employed in the close examination and study of the great book of nature, which is spread out in all its inviting charms on every side; and, in their progress, should gradually rise, as the intellectual powers expand, from the more simple to the more complex objects of attention.

Thus, instead of wasting their energies, as well as their health, within circumscribed walls, bending over inappropriate books, which are usually studied in the most mechanical, heartless and unprofitable manner, to the serious injury of both mind and body, their school rooms should be the beautiful fields of nature's handiwork,-the botanic and horticultural gardens,-the sweet shades of a tasteful promenade,-the campus for gymnastic games and sports,-the interesting museum of natural history, curiosities, and the fine arts,—the astronomical observatory and general apparatus for science, and the reservoir for sports as well as experiments. All these places of diversified nature and art, will afford the most invaluable, appropriate, and delightful lessons for the infant mind-altogether congenial to their taste,

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and highly calculated, in a natural, gradual, and most happy manner, greatly to strengthen and fully to develope all the powers and faculties of the mind.

'We have said, that in this delightful study of nature from her pure sources, there should be a gradual rise with the expanding intellect, from the most simple to the most complex subject. And now, in illustration of our remarks, we say, that in the study of natural history, first, there may be considered the general appearance of animals, their native place, their food and habits. Their disposition, character and qualities may then be illustrated by many interesting anecdotes, which always charm and delight infant minds. Next may be examined the anatomy, (at least of some animal selected, with others, as representatives of all analogous animals-the slight difference to be pointed out) beginning with the wonderful structure of the bones, the manner in which the different joints perform their office, showing their happy adaptation to motion, preservation and strength.Then may be considered the muscles, blood vessels, and the various animal and vital functions; and finally, so much of the outlines of physiology as would be suitable for children.

In like manner, in the study of botany, the general external appearance of a plant may first be examined; and then all the peculiarities which distinguish it from those plants which resemble it, may be carefully pointed out. Next may be considered the sensible qualities of the plant, as it affects the organ of sight, smell, taste and touch, with so much of the classification as may be proper in the inceptive stages of an education. Then the anatomy and physiology may be presented in all the interesting details connected with these subjects. And finally, the practical purposes of the plant may be shown either as an article of food, ingredient in the composition of medicine, or materials and instruments in the useful and elegant arts;—the soil and situation in which it is generally found, and which are most favorable to its growth ;-the time of the year in which it opens its flowers, and ripens its fruits, with many other important incidental particulars connected with its known properties.

'Microscopic views of the minutia of nature would also be highly profitable, and tend greatly to awaken a deep interest in the wonders connected with the smallest atoms of God's works of creation. It has a happy tendency in refining the mind from gross conceptions of things, and in implanting a delicacy of views and feelings, allied in nature to those wonderful refinements in matter, that elude the strongest unaided perceptions of

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Examples of Family Influence.

'Interesting subjects of history, both sacred and profane, and other matters calculated to profit and amuse, may be exhibited, by means of a well constructed magic lantern. This can be pursued advantageously in the long winter evenings, and in this way much instruction may be imparted in a social, familiar and delightful manner. The study of topography, at this season, may be most profitably conducted by the exhibition of interesting pictures of cities and parts thereof, towns, villages, public and other buildings, landscapes, and scenery of different parts of the world.

'All these may be so advantageously arranged under the influence of optic glasses, that the views thus obtained will fall little short of their original interest and beauty; and thus the world may be extensively traversed, through all climates, without the expense of health, purse, limb or life.

'Moreover, in this way, at a single glance, will be obtained far more distinct ideas of countries and places, and those much better remembered, than if received from labored descriptions. Large globes may also be introduced to explain the figure of the earth; its motion on its axis, occasioning night and day; the general relation and extent of countries; and some of the most prominent places may be pointed out. All this may be very effectually taught without any book, and be clearly comprehended by the infant mind.'

INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION IN FAMILIES.

INFLUENCE OF SISTERS.

THERE is hardly any end to the good which an elder sister may do in a family. Elder brothers may do much; younger brothers and sisters may do much; fathers may do much; family friends may do much, especially grand parents. But if we except the mother, what individual is there in the wide world, who has so much to do in the formation of human character, as an elder sister?

We are not without examples in history of the influence for good of an elder sister. Even in the past ages, when female influence was considered as less efficient than it now is, an elder sister was often a very important part of family machinery, and exercised a sway as unbounded as it was silent and unobtrusive. Who that is familiar with sacred writ can doubt in re

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gard to the influence of Miriam in forming the character of both her brothers, but especially the younger? Can it be possible that she who stood afar off to watch the fate of an infant brother, in the bulrushes, and ventured herself for him after he was picked up, would do nothing for him at home during the time he remained there? For our part we have not the least doubt that one important means, in the hands of God, of making Moses what he became-to say nothing of Aaron-was the kindly salutary influence of a virtuous and excellent sister, ten years older than himself. Nor do we believe that the influence of Martha and Mary on the quiet, peaceable, pious Lazarus, was without its influence and effects.

But examples of this kind, though they may be numerous both in sacred and profane history, are still more so, in our day; and will continue to become numerous as well as more striking, as long as the christian religion, in its pristine purity, shall continue to increase. Christianity contemplates the family as the principal school of man-how, then, can the influence of so important a teacher and educator as an elder sister be overrated?

We have said that examples of the kind to which we allude, are somewhat frequent in our own times. We might show the truth of this by numerous instances. For the present, we have room but for one or two. The first is the case of a young lady in this State, whom for the present we shall call Matilda.

She is now nearly thirty years of age. She was left many years ago, without a mother; and was subsequently abandoned, or nearly so, by her father. On her, therefore, depended, as the consequence, the care of a large family of brothers and sisters younger than herself. We do not know how many; but we have known of at least six or seven. They were not left wholly without the pecuniary means of support; though their property was by no means large, and, without great care and economy would never have answered the purposes it now has, under the judicious management of Matilda.

Two, at least, of the brothers have been carried through a liberal course of education, and two or three sisters have received the instruction of the best schools. But when they have not been abroad at school, they have been, much of the time, under the care and direction of their sister. With the independence of a matron she has either by herself, or in company with some of the family, kept house-at least a part of the time-and thus furnished them with a home. Nor is this all. She not only receives them; she instructs and educates them. She gives them lessons and counsels; and what is of much more consequence still, she instructs and educates them all day long when

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Another Example of the Kind.

they are with her. The consequence is that she has acquired their love and confidence, as a wise and good mother ever acquires the love and confidence of her own family.

The influence of her labors, however, is as yet only beginning to be felt. Time must develop-no, not time; eternity alone can do it-the full and final results of these labors. This world is only the introductory of our existence-the merest infant school. In the county of in Connecticut, is a young lady not much above thirty, whose mother died some twenty years ago, and left her sole mistress of a family consisting of her father and two brothers. For convenience sake we will call her Emily.

As the mother was about to leave the world, she had called Emily to her bedside, and implored her, as her last dying request, that she would do her utmost to be a mother to her two brothers, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' This charge of her pious, dying mother, was not forgotten by Emily. She set herself immediately to the work.

What rendered her task more laborious was the fact that the father's influence in his family was exceedingly unfavorable. It is true, he could hardly be said to be a very bad man, openly and directly, except that he was a little intemperate. Still he was worldly and selfish; and what grieved Emily more than almost any thing else, he disregarded the Sabbath; seldom, if ever, attending public worship, or encouraging his sons to do so.

His example, in this respect, as we have already said, was exceedingly distressing to Emily. She saw how difficult it was to change, in any good degree, habits now become almost inveterate; and she saw, with more pain still, the danger of her brothThe eldest was indeed well nigh ruined, in his temper, disposition and habits. Of the younger she had more hope; though her prospects in regard to him, in the hands of such a father, seemed at times quite dark.

Many a person as sensitive as Emily, but without her moral courage, would have given up. But it was not so with her.Difficulties, instead of discouraging her, only roused her to the performance of the little which remained in her power.

By example, by conversation, by instruction, and by all sorts of effort, she succeeded at length, in so far gaining the ascendancy over her younger brother, as to get him to church with her, and to induce him to join the sabbath school. In a few instances, too, but this was more rare, they were joined by the other brother.

A few months since we ascertained that by means of a bles