273 Education, 



times indeed by methods which neither the habits 

 nor opinions of modern nations would admit. But 

 the eighteenth century gave bir,th to more specu- 

 lation and writing on this subject than any former 

 age could boast. The philosophy of physical edu- 

 cation has been more studied, discussed and un- 

 derstood. And though the luxury, the various pre- 

 mature indulgences, and the general habits of the 

 youth at the present day, may be considered as pe- 

 culiarly unfriendly to health and long life, yet it is 

 certain, that within a few years past the inquiries 

 on this subject, and the theoretical and practical 

 works in relation to it published, have been more 

 numerous, more enlightened, and more conducive, 

 so far as reduced to practice, to the union ofhealth> 

 delicacy and virtue, than the wisdom of former 

 ages produced. 2 



But, perhaps, one of the most striking peculi- 

 arities of the eighteenth century, on the score of 

 education, is the change of opinion gradually in- 

 troduced into society, respecting the importance, 

 capacity, and dignity of the Female Sex, and the 

 consequent changes in the objects, mode and 

 extent of their instruction. It is much less than 

 a hundred years since female education was lament- 

 ably, and upon principle, neglected, throughout 

 the civilized world. Until the age under review, 

 cc no nation, ancient or modern, esteemed it an ob- 

 ject of public importance ; no philosopher or legis- 

 lator interwove it with his system of general in- 

 struction; nor did any writer deem it a subject 

 worthy of full and serious discussion. Many sys? 



z Some of the methods employed by the ancients, for promoting the 

 expansion, vigour, and longevity of the human body, were by no means 

 consistent with delicacy or virtue, especially in the case of the female sex. 

 In modern times, by more carefully studying, and more generally under- 

 standing the philosophy of diet, exercise, air, dress, and general regimen, 

 the improvers of physical education have been enabled to do much in a, 

 way altogether consistent both with decorum and pure morals. 



