of the everlasting Gospel.  But it is much to be lamented that what are the fundamental truths of the gospel is so frequently a debatable point.  With such controversial topics infants have nothing to do, and to teach such matters would rather be sowing seeds for future scepticism than laying a solid basis for pure and undefiled religion.  In all things, but more especially in religion, as being the subject of the highest importance, the purest, simplest, and most unadulterated truths should be taught.  The Bible contains ample and abundant stores of such simple truth, most admirably suited to infant capacity in texts, precepts, parables, and histories.  The pious and judicious mother or teacher can be at no loss for a proper selection.  Many beautiful and simple prayers are to be found in the Church of England Prayer-Book, which I think cannot be mended, and which I have found quite suitable to the infant mind.  Several of the Collects, for simplicity of language and rich fulness of divine truth, cannot be surpassed.  Simple hymns for instruction and devotion are also requisite, and I have endeavoured to provide such as these in a Manual, recently published in connexion with a friend, and which may be bad through the publisher of this work.

CHAPTER VI.

REQUISITES FOR AN INFANT SCHOOL.

The master and mistress should reside on the premises—­Interior arrangements—­A school and its furniture—­Lesson-posts and lessons—­The younger children should not be separated from the older—­Play-ground arrangements—­Rotatory swing—­Its management and advantages.

* * * * *

“Wisdom seeks the most desirable ends in the use of the most appropriate means.”

* * * * *

I shall now lay before my readers an account of the things necessary for the establishment of an infant school; previously to presenting them with the detail of the plan to be pursued in it.

In the first place, it is necessary to provide an airy and spacious apartment, with a dry, and, if possible, a large play-ground attached to it.  The plot of ground, I conceive, should not be less than 50 feet wide, and 100 feet long; but if the ground were 150, or 200 feet long, it would be so much the better, as this would allow 100 or 150 feet for a play-ground; which is of such importance, that I consider the system would be very defective without it, for reasons which will be spoken of hereafter.

There should likewise be a room about fifteen feet square, for the purpose of teaching the children in classes, which may be formed at one end of the large room:  this is absolutely necessary.  As the master and mistress should live on the premises, a small house, containing three or four rooms, should be provided for them.  The reason for their living on the premises is, that the children should be allowed to bring their dinners with them, as this will keep them out of the streets; and, indeed, of those who do go home to dinner, many will return in a very short time; and if there be no person on the premises to take care of them, they will be lost; and not only so, but strange boys will come in from the streets, and do a great deal of mischief, if no one be there to prevent it.