fruit. Shall we therefore not study the laws of vegetation, and cultivate the vegetable kingdom? Shall we neglect to sow, and expect that by means of prayers we shall be permitted to reap? In the same way, if, while we say prayers, we do not at the same time submit to the laws of organization, supernatural influence alone will not give talents nor bodily health. The laws of the Creator have been the first dictated, and must be the first obeyed. A parent who perceives that his child is affected with disease and a weak constitution, and who, while he prays to GOD for restoration of his health, leaves him in confined air, and under the charge of careless or ignorant servants, has no right to expect that supernatural influence will be exerted in his favour, while he continues to neglect his own duty in contemning the first laws of creation. The Supreme Being gave us understanding that we might perceive these laws; and having perceived them, it is our first duty to obey them as His dictates; and having done so, we may then, but not till then, expect His blessing to attend us. This special obedience is an indispensable condition to the improvement of mankind; and nothing but ignorance, superstition and prejudice can oppose it.

The influence of the laws of propagation may

be shown to young persons, first in plants, then in animals, and at the end in mankind. Many parents are cautious and fearful of speaking of such notions to their children, and do not think of the anxiety with which children look for information of that kind, and of the benefit they may derive from it. Such information, when given by the parents, will be received with confidence and respect. Some young persons will possess reflection enough to attend to their bodily health, from the consideration that their constitution will be communicated to their offspring. I know positively, that such a proceeding has been more effectual and beneficial, than endeavouring to prevent children from acquiring any knowledge of that kind, or to conceal the effects of the disorderly satisfaction of physical love. This propensity deserves the same attention which we pay to hunger and thirst. Both are active without our will; and their activity must be directed. Why should we not have recourse to the understanding as far as possible, to regulate the actions, and employ natural means of correction against natural faults? How can we expect that children should suppress a strong internal feeling, without being acquainted with the bad consequences of its abuses, and with its destination? It seems therefore advisable to show the dreadful effects of Onanism to those

who are inclined to this aberration; at first with respect to their own health, and afterwards in relation to their offspring.

It has been my object in this Chapter to bring under consideration a most important point, which must precede, and which will influence whatever remains to be done in education. Yet I do not deny the efficacy of various other conditions which I shall examine in the following pages.

CHAPTER II.

ON THE LAWS OF THE VEGETATIVE FUNCTIONS.

It is reasonable, when we desire the improvement of any living being, to employ all the means which may contribute towards its perfection. We have seen in the preceding Chapter, that man is born sickly or healthy, deformed or well shaped, an idiot or a genius,-in short, that the human being enters life with the greatest modifications of bodily and mental endowments. The innate constitution, then, which depends on both parents, and the state of the mother during pregnancy, is the basis of all future developement.

Being placed in the world, man is subjected in

every respect to the laws of organization. Organization is influenced by light, air, climate, nourishment, bodily exercise, rest, sleep, cleanliness, and excretions. The body of man, like other organized beings, undergoes various changes: it begins, increases, arrives at its full growth, decreases, and dies. There is a certain regularity in the succession of these natural changes; and accordingly, the duration of life is divided into different periods, commonly called ages.

These changes cannot be entirely prevented, but they may be accelerated or retarded by external influences. The regulation of all the conditions which contribute to the developement of the body and of its parts, and to the duration of life, constitutes what is termed Physical Education.

I shall not endeavour to explain Life. I am satisfied to say, that it embraces all the vital functions from conception to death. It certainly depends on various conditions, several of which are not yet sufficiently understood. The chemical explanation is not more satisfactory than that founded on mere mechanical laws. Life is more than the effect of a machine, more than a crystallization. The life of man is also more than the organization of a plant, and even more than that

of an animal. Some fluids belong to its necessary conditions, such as caloric and the electric fluid; but it remains undecided how far some ancient and modern physiologists are right or wrong in speaking of a peculiar Vital Principle, which in ancient times often was called the Soul of the World; and which sometimes has been confounded with the immortal soul of man.

The modern physiologists consider rather the functions of man than the principles of which he is composed. They place together the functions without consciousness, and call them Automatic Life; while the functions with consciousness are known under the name of Animal or Phrenic Life.

It is not yet generally admitted, that the phrenic as well as automatic functions depend on the organization. Physical education, however, evidently rises in importance, if the manifestations of the mind are modified in energy and quality by the influence of the body.

In this respect various opinions have prevailed, and still prevail. There is an ancient belief in oriental countries, that the body prevents the soul from communicating with superior beings, and from exercising freely its powers. PYTHAGORAS,