148 An Epitome of tire dinproved 
performed, or productive only of remorse and repeutance, 
like nine tenths of the fashionable amusements. Upon this 
great and powerful lever of the mind, which as yet has been 
employed only by crafty politicians, and by that portion of 
ecclesiastics who have abused religion for their selfish and 
antisocial purposes, volumes might be written to explain its 
beneficent connexion with all the ramifications of society; 
but this digression would take us too far from our present pur- 
ose. 
Two of the best gifts of nature to man are, health and 
time ; aid perhaps the total neglect and abuse of both may 
be the cause of most of his miserics and misfortunes, both 
moral and physical; to rectify which, as far as precept, ex- 
ample, and «xperience, can do i', ought to be one of the 
prin: ipal objects of instruction Tis is to be effecied by 
adopting the most effectual ineans of preserving the one, and 
making the best possible use of the other, before it is too 
late 3 for uofortunately ihe youth of all countries have squan- 
dered the greatest.part of both before they have learned their 
value. 
The immense advantage of the energy and exertion 
springing from free will, over the cramped and snail-paced 
progress produced by coercion and force in the yovernment 
of men, as well as of the animal creation, must be evident to 
the most superficial observer; but in no case does the evil so 
materiaily ljere and destroy the best and most valuable in- 
terests of society, as in the coercien and punishment of chil- 
dren during their education. 
This is the source from which spring all the violent ma- 
lignant passions of anger. revenge, haired, &c.; this is the 
destroyer and exterminator of all their amiable and benevo- 
lent sentiments: it is the corruptor of the heart; it stupifies 
the head, aod suppresses ali talent and ge:ius, breaks down 
the spirit of natural independence, and fits men for slav: s, by 
exaggerating their propensity to crime, and annihilating all 
ibe fine feelings that lead to great and benevolent actions. 
All these fatal consequences are avoided by the nature of the 
system. not requiring ny such barbarous means of execution, 
aid rendering the substitution of reason in place of coercion. 
both easy and agreeable to master and pupil; their natural 
curios'ty is eicouraged avd «xcited, when the gratification 
of it isa pleasure botb to the instructor and learner. Never 
being forced do any thing they do not like, all their actions 
