not, nor did I have, at that age, any correct idea of God; but I soon learned to have elevated notions of His works, and through them I was led to adore something invisible—­something I was convinced of within, but could not see.  My mother, to my knowledge, never deceived me, or told me an untruth:  therefore, I believed her implicitly; and to this day I never doubted.  So much for the implanting an early faith in the Unseen.  But the beautiful world and the things in it which I saw, and with which I came in contact, Oh! how wonderful they appeared to me!  They were my companions!  Other children were strange to me, and they were not nigh either to help or to thwart me.

My mother was my oracle during the first six years of childhood, resolving my difficulties and answering my questions.  I was happy—­very happy! and still look back to those days with indescribable pleasure and satisfaction.  I had no tasks.  I was not pestered with A.B.  C., nor ab. eb. ib.  From things my parents chiefly taught me my first lessons, and they have been as durable as life.  For days and weeks did I study such lessons.  My parents waited till I asked for information, and when it was required it was never denied.  The world and the wonders in it formed as it were a heaven to me.  I am told I gave but little trouble at this age.  In the beautiful fields and wild coppices about Hornsey, as yet unencroached upon by suburban extension; and by the side of the then solitary banks of the New River, I was always to be found.  In cold and wet weather I had a stock of similar lessons in my home.  Small live animals were my constant companions; they taught me that love begets love.  I did love and delight in them, and when they died I mourned their loss.  Every day brought me new information, which my parents perfected.  At length the alphabet was mastered, and afterwards spelling, reading, and so forth.  My mind being thus previously filled with ideas, the acquirement of words and abstract terms became less irksome, and I cannot remember that thus far it cost me any trouble, much less pain.  Information of every kind fit for childhood then really gave me pleasure.  No doubt I am greatly indebted to my parents for their judicious management.  My father always in the evening, took great pains to explain things to me; he nurtured but never crammed; he knew when to teach and when to let alone.  Unfortunately, through very peculiar circumstances, I was removed from the immediate care and superintendence of both parents rather early in life; and, at an age the most dangerous, was left to grapple nearly alone with the wide world and the beings in it, with little of either parental guidance.  It was then I saw the immense importance and advantage of early impressions.  To me they were of incalculable benefit, and no doubt led, when I became a man, to the thoughts which ended in the development and practical working of the Infant System and method of education.