70 EXCURSIONS ROUXD LONDON. 



pendance on his parents. On the slightest 

 noise, or even at the appearance of the 

 least danger, he immediately seeks 

 shelter in the besom of his mother ; and 

 every fear is forgotten the moment he 

 is shielded in her maternal arms, or in those 

 of his father. 



But if the helplessness of infancy re- 

 quires the fostering care of paternal affection, 

 how much more is it rendered necessary by 

 the ignorance of childhood ! The infant 

 has every thirfg to learn ; and in order to 

 acquire the capacity of articulating sound, 

 both patience and zeal are requisite on the 

 part of the parents. 



Even when reason begins to dawn, he has 

 still no means of expressing his wants, and 

 his tongue refuses to become the interpreter 

 of his ideas. Maternal care however sur- 

 mounts these difficulties. All who direct 

 public education, agree in acknowledging 

 the influence of the mother over the young 

 mind. To her in general devolves the task 



of 



