AND

INTELLECTUAL EDUCATION,

BY

MADAME BUREAUD-RIOFREY,

AUTHORESS OF "GOVERNESSES," PRIVATE EDUCATION." &c.

Derrière l'éducation est caché le mystère du perfectionnement

et du bonheur de l'humanité.-KANT.

LONDON:

22, NEWMAN STREET, OXFORD STREET.

1843.

C. ARMAND, PRINTER, 46, RATHBONE PLACE, OXFORD STREET.

འཆ་འཐེད༽

PREFACE.

The system of education that I have brought before the public, is by no means similar to any already existing. I have long reflected on the works of Mrs. Hannah More, Miss Hamilton, Miss Edgeworth, and various other writers, and I find education has progressed since their publication. What strikes me most in these talented productions, is a want of clearness they are filled with generalities; they are as mines containing precious metals, but great labour is required to extract the ore. I have certainly not the vanity to suppose I can do better than these celebrated women, but my object has been to treat high moral and philosophical questions, in a manner so simple and easy, that all mothers and governesses may derive advantage from their exposition; if I have any merit, it is to have shewn that there were morals suited to childhood.

In most works on Education, children are represented as little culprits, with innumerable faults and vices to be corrected. My views are quite different. Undoubtedly we are all born in sin; children come into the world with an original stain, which may account for the natural tendency to evil: but children