INTRODUCTION. 25 



Meantime, one word should be impressed. 

 In letters large, on every breast : 

 It is most potent, and will well 

 Perform what can't the prison cell ; 

 What vengeance always fails to do- 

 lt is, fair Lady ! seen in you,— 

 Kindness: repeat the word again — 

 Kindness, — and thus I end my strain.* 



* " It is necessary also to observe, in regard to the Formation 

 of the Human Character, that the mind for ever shrinks from all 

 attempts to force it into any mode of discipline or action ; that, 

 while it may be led by gentleness and argument almost any 

 where, the least appearance of force or violence produces revolt 

 and repugnance. So true is this, that it has led to the trite ob- 

 servation, that it is more easy to lead man wrongly than to drive 

 him right. This disposition, in the ignorant and uninformed, has 

 been frequently called obstinacy; but it is, nevertheless, the re- 

 sult of a general law which we all obey. There is no other 

 effectual way of removing such obstinacy than by enlightening 

 the understanding, — imparting knowledge. And if this can be 

 done by shewing also that we have the interest, that is, the 

 happiness j of the individual at heart whom we are desirous of 

 persuading, we shall be more likely to succeed in the object at 

 which we aim." See my Lecture on the Nature and Operations of 

 the Human Mind. The minds of children appear to be operated 

 upon in a similar way to those of the adult, and, therefore, in their 

 education similar means must be adopted. 



